Antenna House Formatter and XSL Fast

Dear all,

I would like to know how can I use Antenna House Formatter instead of XSL Fast's FOP under XSLFast 4.0. Refer to the following hyperlinke, I know RenderX can do it. But how about Antenna House Formatter? Any buddies know the setting and teach me how can I do it? Thanks!!!

http://www.xslfast.com/online-help/installingotherrenderers.htm

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 25/05/2010 08:40:03

Yes, it supported.

You should go to XSLfast preferences -> External tools and specify the path to command line Antenna House Formatter's executable file in the field "XSLFormatter path".

AHFormatter is the new name formerly known as XSLFormatter prior to version 5.1.

Once you specified this, you can switch your layout to XSLFormatter (AHFormatter) at Layout -> Layout options dialog, to use advanced features of AHFormatter visually.

Thanks Victor!

I used this method already. But, each time when I process, the error message

13832(360

:Missing opening parenthesis '{':".
Line7, Col 678
file:///C:/Program%20Files/XSLfast/XSLfast%204.0/tmp/tmp.fo

displayed. But no problem for using exported XSL with same XML run under AH Formatter or using stated 'tmp.fo' run under AH Formatter. My testing machine is running under Win 7. I don't know why. Is there any setting I need to set before run?

Please check you've specified in options the AHFCmd.exe but not AHFormatter.exe, it is important point. XSLfast expecting AHFCmd.exe to be used.

Thanks, Victor!!

I used your stated method, but after process, the related FO is blank and also the related PDF file cannot be read. Am I need to pass the related parameter to AH before process? If yes, where can I input the related parameter and what parameter I need to pass it to complete the process?

Thank you!!

Can you send us your layout and corresponding XML file (and external templates, images, etc if exists) to us?

Please send it to support@xslfast.com or to me directly: VKrapivin@jcatalog.com

Thank you.

Thanks, Victor!!!

I think the problem is solved. It was because XSLfast still open and our adobe reader is engaged by XSLfast. So, the processed PDF cannot be viewed. After I closed XSLfast, the PDF can be viewed as usual. May I know this is a proper procedure for using AH formatter?

Also, I found the output which generated from XSLfast is not same as AH formatter. I use the table to hold the data, but I check the option of "wrap text". The output of XSLfast can display all the data, but when I use AH formatter, some of the data was displayed to the next row. Any option I can use it for prevent this?

Thanks

Hi, Victor!

I would like to know if I use AH formatter for processing, I cannot directly view the processed PDF through the screen. The adobe reader should be engaged by XSLfast. So, when I use AH formatter for processing, adobe reader cannot be started directly. If I double-click the processed PDF through file explorer, the message displayed for stating adobe reader was opened by other application. So, I cannot open AH formatter processed PDF. After I closed XSLfast, and then the AH formatter processed PDF can be opened. I would like to know any setting can make the processed PDF viewed directly after process. If no, is this the default setting of XSLfast? That means, if I use XEP, the processed PDF also cannot be viewed directly? I need to close XSLfast every time if I need to view them, which used other than FOP formatter?

Victor, please provide your valuable information to me. Thanks!!!

Sorry, I'm unsure i understand the exact roots of the problem you reported.

Let me explain a bit how XSLast works, during generating preview.

First, XSLfast checks if specified file name is being used: it tries to delete old PDF file. If deletion is failed, it seems it being used by other process, and XSLfast tries to make file <name>-1.PDF, <name>-2.PDF, and so on, unless it finds unused name. Once PDF name is determined, it calls AHFormatter, as described:

and waits until AHFormatter finished. If any warnings processed by AHFormatter, it collected into xslfast.log file for further reading. Once PDF is created, and preview requested, XSLfast launches Acrobat Reader (or any other PDF viewer you chosen), with PDF name specified for AHFormatter.

The same approach is applied to XEP and FOP, with only difference to methods of spawning FOP/XEP and passing parameters to it.

So, all you need - just check option at Layout->Layout settings dialog.

At practice, we know one issue. If such file named Demo.pdf is opened by Adobe Acrobat Reader, the adobe reader will decline any other attempts to open the same file for viewing again. The only one solution is close acrobat reader and try again.

The all steps related to preview and PDF generation, is added to xslfast.log file, so can you send this file to us?

Thank you.

Thanks Victor!!

I sent my XSLfast log to your email account VKrapivin@jcatalog.com. Would you please help me to found out the solution of this problem.

Thanks!!!

Dear Victor,

I would like to know is XSLFast can execute the extended features from AH Formatter? I use XSLFast as a report designer and then export related XSL stylesheet, edit it via Ultra Edit for adding the extended features (multi-volume) from AH Formatter. And then use command line with AH command to execute it. The result is positive. I can use one set of XSL and XML to generate a series of PDF files. One PDF file consists of different records. This PDF may add some bin selection option later for printing. A series of PDF files, which is same contain of the mentioned PDF for printing, but, different records will generate different PDF files for archiving. I would like to know if I add those AH formatter extended features and then processing under XSLFast environment, same result can be achieved? If not, can I have another way to do it with same result?

I sent the related XSL, XML and batch file to your email address VKrapivin@jcatalog.com for your reference. Would you please provide your valuable comments to me for further amendment.

Thank you!!!

We're sorry, but XSLfast have no support of multi-volume feature of AHFormatter. We added many extensions (it available when you specify XSLFormatter option in Layout/Layout settings dialog), but not feature you mentioned. We'll add this option in next major releases.

Btw, can you resend your files to me? I've got only email without attachments.

Dear Victor,

I sent the mail with attachment to your VKrapivin@jcatalog.com mail box. Would you please send your valuable comments to me. Thank you!!

Dear Victor,

May I have your valuable comments for the mentioned problem? Thanks!!

chaonngy