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Introductory PDF Plugin Tutorial
This tutorial shows the new features of the free JPedal PDF plugin for Java IDEs.
We have included a number of related PDF files in the bookmarks list, including some of the free sample chapters from the excellent Manning series of In Action books. These are copyright of Manning and included with permission.
Feature summary
- Provide support for viewing PDF files.
- Allow searching of PDF files.
- Allow users to store a list of PDF files (either on the Internet or locally) which can be accessed via keyboard shortcuts. PDF Files from the Internet will be downloaded and cached for faster access next time they are viewed.
- Provide an Open Source example of implementing an Eclipse plugin, NetBeans plugin and IDEA plugin.
There are specific pages on each PDF plugin covering installation. If you have followed these, the notes below will help you to make full use of the PDF plugin.
Opening a PDF file
Once the plugin is installed, the IDE will use it to display any PDF files. In this screenshot, we have used File - Open option. Double-clicking on any PDF listed in the IDE will have the same effect.
Each PDF plugin is tailored to the specific IDE but all have the same structure shown above in the screenshot from the IDEA version:
- A window showing the PDF file on the right with a toolbar at the top.
- If the PDF file has an outline tree, it will be displayed and clicking on the links will go to the page.
- A hideable PDF search window which allows the user to find words in the PDF file and click on them. This will take you to the page and the word will be highlighted.
The PDF toolbar
This has been moved back onto the panel in this release to make it less inconspicuous and offers the following features:
Current page/Total page count display
Zoom out of the PDF file
Zoom into the PDF file
Go to the first page
Jump back ten pages (if possible)
Back one page
Forward one page
Jump forward ten pages (if possible)
Go to the last page
General information on the plugin
Open list of PDF files bookmarked for quick and easy access
PDF Bookmarks
The PDF bookmarks feature allows the user to store a list of files (which can also be internet links). If the file is on the Internet, it will be downloaded and cached locally for future use (cached files are deleted when removed from the list). This makes it very easy to have your favorite documentation easily accessible and searchable. A default list of useful resources is provided as a starting point.
If the external box is ticked, the PDF will be opened in an external Java PDF viewer (which offers enhanced PDF search and other capabilities). Otherwise, it will appear as a new tab in the IDE.
The PDF bookmarks function can be easily accessed from a keyboard shortcut of pressing the 3 keys ctrl shift d together, the toolbar or the File menu.
Taking it from here
The PDF plugins (and the version of the Java PDF library they use) are all released under the LGPL license and the java source code is freely downloadable so the PDF plugins can be extended and tailored further.
Feedback and questions
There is a support forum for questions, or you can contact IDRsolutions via our contact page. Please note the plugins are not officially supported, but we are interested in any feedback and bug reports.
Links to related articles
Homepage for all PDF plugins.
Homepage for Open Source and commerical version of JPedal PDF library.
Return to main PDF support section
Click here for the main PDF support area with lots of java examples, PDF tutorials and useful information to get the most out of the JPedal PDF library
