Launching a pdf file from a script

[ksv247]

I've been trying to launch a manual from a script but can't seem to make it work. It's very basic stuff but I'm new to this and I don't have the time to battle with it anymore.

This works:

Func Doc()

Run("explorer.exe G:\Documentation\Help.pdf")

EndFunc

As well as this:

Func Doc()

RunWait("explorer.exe G:\Documentation\Help.pdf")

EndFunc

Of course I can't have it point to a specific letter, instead I want it to point to my scriptdir.

One of the things I've tried, that doesn't work:

Func Doc()

Run("explorer.exe @ScriptDir & "\Documentation\Help.pdf"")

EndFunc

Any ideas?

[Nuffilein805]

you could look for your acrord32.exe

than this is your code

run("path\acrord32.exe " & @scriptdir & "\Documentation\Help.pdf")

have fun

usually the path is

@programfilesdir & "\adobe\acrobat *.*\reader\

Edited February 10, 2006 by Nuffilein805

[ksv247]

you could look for your acrord32.exe

than this is your code

run("path\acrord32.exe " & @scriptdir & "\Documentation\Help.pdf")

have fun

usually the path is

@programfilesdir & "\adobe\acrobat *.*\reader\

I want to use explorer to determine whick application to use for opening the pdf file, since I don't want to limit myself to Acrobat/Adobe Reader.

Func HB()

Run("explorer.exe " & @ScriptDir & "\Documentation\Help.pdf")

EndFunc

Works!

Thanks so much for the help. I had a feeling it was just a small correction that needed to be made.

Could I ask for help with one more detail?

Is there a way to maximize the window (in my case Acrobat) that is opened when the pdf file is launched?

[MuffinMan]

Did you try the @SW_Maximize flag?

From the help file:

Run("Notepad.exe", "", @SW_MAXIMIZE)

[wiredbits]

I want to use explorer to determine whick application to use for opening the pdf file, since I don't want to limit myself to Acrobat/Adobe Reader.

Func HB()

Run("explorer.exe " & @ScriptDir & "\Documentation\Help.pdf")

EndFunc

Works!

Thanks so much for the help. I had a feeling it was just a small correction that needed to be made.

Could I ask for help with one more detail?

Is there a way to maximize the window (in my case Acrobat) that is opened when the pdf file is launched?

Try this:

$file=@ScriptDir & "\Documentation\Help.pdf"

$command="C:\Windows\System32\Rundll32.exe Url,FileProtocolHandler " & $file

Run($command)

Hope it helps

Jim

[ksv247]

Yes, I've tried the @SW_Maximize flag, and now in the way you described (?).

Func HB()

Run("explorer.exe " & @ScriptDir & "\Documentation\Help.pdf", "", @SW_MAXIMIZE)

EndFunc

Is this correct? It doesn't report an error, but it doesn't maximize the window either.

Edited February 10, 2006 by ksv247

[MuffinMan]

It works for me when I use Internet Explorer to open a URL, but then again, and someone mentioned this upthread - you're running Explorer.exe, not the Acrobat executable. Have you tried letting IE open the PDF file?

[PerryRaptor]

How about letting the operating system open the pdf file based on file association. Using the "Start /Max" through a console will open your documents in a maximized window. If you use "Start /Min" then Adobe will open in a smaller window and minimized to the taskbar.

$HelpFile = @ScriptDir & "\Documentation\help.pdf"

Run(@Comspec & " /C Start /Max " & $HelpFile,"", @SW_hide)

[ksv247]

Yes, it worked like you said.

Func HB()

Run("C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe " & @ScriptDir & "\Documentation\Help.pdf", "", @SW_MAXIMIZE)

EndFunc

"...open the pdf file based on file association" - This was my intention using explorer, but your idea was better.

$HelpFile = @ScriptDir & "\Documentation\help.pdf"

Run(@Comspec & " /C Start /Max " & $HelpFile,"", @SW_hide)

...works as well, maximizing the window AND using the default program for pdf files, thanks to all of you for your help.

ksv

[sksbir]

may be this wil work (sorry i can't try at this time):

run ("RunDLL32.EXE shell32.dll,ShellExec_RunDLL myPDFDOC.pdf")

Edited February 10, 2006 by sksbir

[eltorro]

I have used this before:

$helpfile=@ScriptDir & "\Documentation\Help.pdf"
    run("RunDLL32.EXE url.dll,FileProtocolHandler "&$helpfile)

RunDLL32.exe will get the application associated with the extension and lauch it.

Steve