Transparent Watermark

[g.politi]

Hi,

I'm using the latest version PDF Tools SDK 4.0195 with Delphi 2009 and we're able to add a transparent image watermark.
I tried both with PNG and GIF files but the watermark is rendered without any transparency.
We started from your example PXCProSample and didn't worked either. Attached the PNG used.

Here an extract of the code used:

dwResult := PXCp_ReadDocumentW(hDoc, PWChar(WideString(sPdfFilename)), 0);

if IS_DS_FAILED(dwResult) then
begin
PXCp_Delete(hDoc);
hDoc := 0;
exit;
end;

dwResult := PXC_AddImageA(hDoc, PAnsiChar(AnsiString(sSignFilename)), @pImage);
if IS_DS_FAILED(dwResult) then
begin
PXCp_Delete(hDoc);
hDoc := 0;
exit;
end;

dwResult := PXC_GetImageDimension(hDoc, pImage, @iw, @ih);
if IS_DS_FAILED(dwResult) then
begin
PXCp_Delete(hDoc);
hDoc := 0;
exit;
end;

ZeroMemory(@theWatermark, sizeof(theWatermark));
theWatermark.m_Size := SizeOf(theWatermark);
theWatermark.m_Angle := iAnglePosition;
theWatermark.m_PlaceOrder := PlaceOrder_Foreground;

theWatermark.m_PlaceType := PlaceType_Range;
theWatermark.m_NumRanges := 1;
SetLength(aRange, 2);
aRange[0] := 0;
aRange[1] := 0;
theWatermark.m_Range := PDWORD(aRange);

theWatermark.m_Align := 0;
case (iVerticalAlign) of
0: theWatermark.m_Align := TextAlign_Top;
1: theWatermark.m_Align := TextAlign_VCenter;
2: theWatermark.m_Align := TextAlign_Bottom;
end;

case (iHorizontalAlign) of
0: theWatermark.m_Align := theWatermark.m_Align or TextAlign_Left;
1: theWatermark.m_Align := theWatermark.m_Align or TextAlign_Center;
2: theWatermark.m_Align := theWatermark.m_Align or TextAlign_Right;
end;

if (iShiftUp > 0) then
theWatermark.m_YOffset := iShiftUp
else
theWatermark.m_YOffset := 0;

if (iShiftRight > 0) then
theWatermark.m_XOffset := iShiftRight
else
theWatermark.m_XOffset := 0;

theWatermark.m_Type := WaterType_Image;
StringToWideChar(sSignFilename, theWatermark.m_FileName, MAX_PATH);
theWatermark.m_ImagePageNumber := 0;
theWatermark.m_Width := 0;
theWatermark.m_Height := 0;
theWatermark.m_bKeepAspect := TRUE;

theWatermark.m_Opacity := 255;

dwResult := PXCp_AddWatermark(hDoc, @theWatermark);

if IS_DS_FAILED(dwResult) then
begin
PXCp_Delete(hDoc);
hDoc := 0;
exit;
end;

dwResult := PXCp_WriteDocumentW(hDoc, PWChar(WideString(sDestDir + '\' + ExtractFilename(sPdfFilename))), PXCp_CreationDisposition_Overwrite, PXCp_Write_NoRelease);


Any idea ?

Best regards

G

[John - Tracker Supp]

Hi,

The current build does not support transparency in the way you require when overlaying a watermark on a coloured background etc - build 196 which will be released in the next 14 days or so will add such support for PNG files for sure and possibly GIF also - though this cannot be guarenteed for all GIF files.

Hope that helps...

[g.politi]

Thanks John for your reply,

unfortunatly my program should be delivered early, 14 days (or so) is too far. There's any other way to place a scanned sign on a Pdf using transparency ?

Best regards

G

[John - Tracker Supp]

Hi,

The only possible 'semi' solution is if the image background is the same colour as your paper - try reducing the opacity value (from say 255 to around 120 or so) - this may provide an acceptable solution.

HTH

[g.politi]

Thanks, I already tried and the results are not accepted by the customer.

I'll wait for the new version, hope within 2 weeks. Where I can find the official scheduled date ?

Best regards

G

[John - Tracker Supp]

There is no official date for the release at this point - strictly speaking we are not making any changes to the current releases as we prepare for new Major Versions of all products - we are only making critical bug fixes - however, this has been done as a 'special' to assist.

So for now approx 14 days is the best estimate I can offer.

[g.politi]

Thanks! I really appreciate it

G

[Tracker Supp-Stefan]

[g.politi]

Hi, any news ? any new schedule available ?

Best regards

G

[Tracker Supp-Stefan]

Hello G. Politi,

Yes - we are expecting build 196 to be released either tomorrow or on Friday.

Best,
Stefan

[g.politi]

Ohh cool!!! thanks

Have a nice day

G

[Tracker Supp-Stefan]

[g.politi]

Seems the issue persist: no PNG transparency is supported .... I'm using the file attached with no luck

[Paul - Tracker Supp]

Hi g.politi,

there was no file attached. Did you zip it into an archive first? If not the forum software will strip the attachment.

Regards the issue, I think I understand you saying that it is still not working i build 196. Can you confirm that I have that right and that you are definitly using all the 196 DLLs etc?

Paul

[g.politi]

you can find the file attached to the first thread's message.

I confirm I have the latest DLL installed and placed in the application directory

Regards

G

[g.politi]

Pls can somebody answer my previous question ?

Best Regards

G

[Paul - Tracker Supp]

Hi g.politi,

sorry for the delay. The dev team member that needs to look at this has been away from the office and should return tomorrow.
Your patience is appreciated here.

[g.politi]

Ok, so did you tested too and found it is a bug, right ?

I'll wait hopefully 'couse Monday I should release my projct to the customer ....

Best regards

G

[Ivan - Tracker Software]

Ok, so did you tested too and found it is a bug, right ?

Sorry, no. I have tested and it works fine - see attached file generated by by CExamp from samples which are provided with SDK.
(I used your image for image watermarks)

[g.politi]

Thanks Ivan for you reply but looking at you pdf looks that the watermark was set with an opacity around 127, infact the color of the text is not "blue" nut a transparent blue, as you can see from the sample PNG the blu is not a light blue ...

What I expect, maybe I'm wrong, is that the watermark when applied show the full blue and the background that is set as transparent in PNG file show the rest of the document

Regards

G

[Ivan - Tracker Software]

Please check attached PDF file which contains watermarks with your images and without additional transparency.
Just turn on "Show transparency grid" in your PDF viewer to check that your image is inserted as transparent.

[g.politi]

Sorry, you're completely right!! everything works fine

Best regards

G

[Tracker Supp-Stefan]