Hi, I just started to use jDownloads for managing free and paid downloads of PDF files. I'm very satisfied so far with the quality of the product, however there is one point where I have not found a way to do so far: for PDF files that are to be sold, I would like to offer a preview, i.e. a few pages of the full document so that users have a better idea of the PDF file before paying for it. I uploaded these preview PDF files through "Select Preview File" on the "Edit Download" page, but they do not show up anywhere. I would have expected to find a "Preview" link or button next to the "Download" button in the frontend, but that's not the case. Any suggestion?
Hi
There is no automatic way to preview several pages of a pdf as you indicate but there are various ways you can achieve your objective. In all of them you either make images of the relevant pages or you create a short preview pdf file.
With the present jD 3.2 series the nearest to an automatic scheme then with the appropriate Configuration setup jD will create a preview image of the front page. See the Thumbnails Settings section of the Configuration - Pictures Tab, in particular field 'Create Thumbnails from PDF files? However the image created is only the front page of the pdf.
You can have multiple images associated with each download so these could be images made by yourself.
Perhaps a better way is to create a pdf preview file - say using the Primo pdf 'printer' to get just the pages you want of each document that you wish to have a preview. This could be a separate 'Download' or you could use the jD Content plugin within the Description part of the main download. A variation on this would be to embed a "pdf viewer" plugin such as the free Techjoomla pdf viewer - see
https://techjoomla.com/free-downloads/pdf-embed To assist in embedding other plugins in jD then the following article may help
http://www.jdownloads.net/documentations/item/extending-with-plugins-example-using-image-gallery-videos.
Colin
Thank you Colin,
I will see what approach fits best. I have already separate PDF preview files, however I would prefer not to embed them in the article, but to download them in a similar way than the main document.
Jean-Pierre
Hi
I was suggesting using the content plugin in the Description part of the Main download. I have constructed, very quickly, an very basic illustrative example.The 'blue ringed ' part represents the link to the preview, which would have public download permission. I set it to have a pale blue background It uses appropriate layouts. If you think scheme useful then I will post more details.
Colin
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Hi Colin,
Thank you. Yes, I believe your approach is a valid answer to my request. The PDF previews can be public, no problem.
Jean-Pierre
I want the user to be able to read the complete file also on the website.
I use the same plugin and try this code on my website
{pdf={url_download}|100%|600|pdfjs} but the {url_download} is replaced with a download button instead only the url. I checked the parameter list but couldn' t find and raw url link or something is there an other way to get the raw url in the layout section?
Hi
In jD Config - Downloads tab - field "Which file types are to be opened in the Browser?" you can specify which files are opened in the browser. This happens when clicking on the download button or the Download name. But for this to work the file must be downloadable.
If the whole file is viewable on the web then there is a lot of software which can 'steal' whatis being displayed!
Colin
I noticed now it depends on the browser. my firefox just came with a download popup while IE opened a new tab with the pdf.
I would like it if the experience is the same AND that the user says on the website.
The scraping is not a problem, all the files are only available for members.
Is a additional tag possible or is there some PHP code that i can put in my layout that gives the url?
Edit: RAW elements would also be nice to embed a filtered fabrik list with relevant files.
Hi
You could try {pdf={file_title}|100%|600|pdfjs} but you would also need to set some config parameters.
See
http://www.jdownloads.net/documentations/item/download-actions-direct-via-summary-page-or-via-download-detailsAnother approach is to use the jD Content Plugin with code based around something like below - also needs as above
<p>This article shows several jDownloads Content Plugin examples</p>
<div>{jd_file onlinelayout==Files link only v3.2}</div>
<div>This is some text with a download {jd_file file==25}in the middle of the line using layout "Files link only v3.2".</div>
<p>This is just text on a line as <p></p>for more on content plugin see
http://www.jdownloads.net/documentations/item/using-the-content-plugin-in-articles-and-modulesPlease let us know how you get on
Colin
I`ve been looking and testing but always come to the point that i need a full URL to the PDF file for the embedded PDF viewer. The {file_id} would be the easiest way but is not available in the 'file detail' lay-out. Then i could simple use this:
{pdf="index.php?option=com_jdownloads&task=download.send&id={file_id}"|100%|600|pdfjs}
Solution add the next line to \components\com_jdownloads\views\download\tmpl\default.php line 465
$body = str_replace('{file_id}', $this->item->file_id, $body);
Now the pfd files are loaded embedded within the page. :D
Hi
That is a very neat solution :) . Think it is much better than using the ImageMagick PHP Module.Will send you a PM
Colin
Complete instuctions:
add the next line to \components\com_jdownloads\views\download\tmpl\default.php line 465
Code:
$body = str_replace('{file_id}', $this->item->file_id, $body);
Install PDF plugin: https://techjoomla.com/free-downloads/pdf-embed
Put the next Code to put in your download details template:
{pdf="index.php?option=com_jdownloads&task=download.send&id={file_id}"|100%|600|pdfjs}
See the attachment for an example of the result.
Disclaimer I have no idea (yet) what it does with other documents then pdf.
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I made some improvements:
- No plugin needed, but you need to placepdfjs web files somewhere adjust $Path_pdfjs accordingly
- Only shown with pdf files
- separate tag that you can use in the layout:{file_pdfviewer}
- Smartsearch highlighting!
pdfjs download: https://mozilla.github.io/pdf.js/getting_started/#download
components\com_jdownloads\views\download\tmpl/default.php line 465
// Added $body = str_replace('{file_id}',$this->item->file_id , $body); //for debugging but maybe nice to keep
//temp $body = str_replace('{file_id}', date_format(date_create($this->item->date_added),'Y-m-d') , $body);
// get the smartsearch from the url if exist
$search= base64_decode(htmlspecialchars($_GET["highlight"]));
$search= str_replace('[', '' , $search);
$search= str_replace(']', '' , $search);
$search= str_replace('"', '' , $search);
$search= str_replace(',', ' ' , $search);
$body = str_replace('{file_search}', $search , $body); //for debugging but maybe nice to keep
// get file extension
$file_extension = end(explode(".", $this->item->url_download));
$body = str_replace('{file_extension}', $file_extension , $body); //for debugging but maybe nice to keep
// Insert pdfviewer
if($file_extension == 'pdf')
{
// Path to pdfjs/web/viewer.html **** could be installed with jdownloads
$Path_pdfjs = '/vve/plugins/content/pdf_embed/assets/viewer/pdfjs/web/viewer.html' ;
//replace the file_pdfviewer with the pdfjsviewer
$body = str_replace('{file_pdfviewer}',
'<iframe src="' . $Path_pdfjs . '?file=%22index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_jdownloads%26task%3Ddownload.send%26id%3D'
. $this->item->file_id . '#search='. $search . '" ' .
' style="width:100%;height:800px;" frameborder=1> </iframe>', $body); // ***** the style parameters should be configurable at the backend
} // Added
Hi,
thanks a lot that you share this with us. I think that Colin will add a hint about this possibility in the documentation. 8)
Hi
Yes a distinct improvement. What I would suggest initially is to make this as a component override - could you do this ? I would test out and produce some examples, document and so on. The size parametersmight need to be max-size type or percentages which we could experiment with.
Adding in the pdfjs viewer as part of the jD install would obviously be a good idea and simplify matters. But as present we are working very much on the next major release of jD (called v3.9) so in my opinion that would be the best time to include the viewer in the jD installation. - and make the facility a feature?
Users might want to just show a section of the pdf so is it a possiblility to specify the number of pages or even better the page range? At this time it looks like 4 or 5 parameters in the Back End would be needed for inclusion in the jD config.xml file, probably the Specials section.First "Do you wish to use embedded pdf viewer?" with a Yes/No selection The Yes would then reveal the pages and size parameters.
I would suggest a suitable place to load the viewer file would be in a new directory in the components/com_jdownloads/assets called say pdfjs although perhaps it could go into the existing js directory.
What do you think?Colin
I tried to make an override as instructed here:
https://docs.joomla.org/How_to_override_the_output_from_the_Joomla!_coreBut it didn`t work.
I made an zip with al the files that i have adjusted and just overwrite the default files.
It also includes the adjustments of the related module and smartsearch that i found on github so maybe not so usefull for others.Edit removed Download zip attachment
PDF Preview update for Jdownloads 3.2.66. Now using template override, no config needed and smaller installation (if you remove the additional language from pdfjs you can make it even 1MB smaller).
Install
Unzip the files place the 'component' folder in your joomla root, this contain the pdfjsviewer
Place the file from the 'TEMPLATE' folder in your active template.
How to use
Add {file_pdfviewer} to the layout 'download details'
Quote from: Tazzios on 16.02.2020 16:04:27
PDF Preview update for Jdownloads 3.2.66. Now using template override, no config needed and smaller installation (if you remove the additional language from pdfjs you can make it even 1MB smaller).
Install
Unzip the files place the 'component' folder in your joomla root, this contain the pdfjsviewer
Place the file from the 'TEMPLATE' folder in your active template.
How to use
Add {file_pdfviewer} to the layout 'download details'
Removed build folder was also needed. removed a double '/' in the url
Hi Tazzios
Would be pleased to add to documentation, but I need to clarify a few points. So I will send you a message.Colin
for who use it already:
It is safe to upgrade to 3.2.67 the core file that i override has not changed.
New version for jdownloads 3.2.68
updated PDFJS Preview to 2.4.456 and readme file
Is there a new version for 3.9.1 ? In the previous version it worked perfect !
I`m currently trying to upgrade to 3.9.1 but running into some problems. After that i will make a version for 3.9
New version for Jdownloads 3.9.1 :D
Tazzios
Thanks for the jd3.9 version Now we have 3.9 version I am keen to get the PDF 'preview' in place
Will send you a PM
Colin
Is it also working in jDownloads 3.9.2 ?
Hi
Not sure yet but I would expect it to be okColin
did not have time to check yet but in the readme.txt is a (very short/cryptic) instructions to update it by yourself if needed.
new version and additional override for search highlighting.
Should i make a new topic in the 3.9 area of the forum?
Hi,
yes I think a new topic in the 3.9 category would be useful. Maybe together with a few basicly information. ;)
OK, I will make a new topic later.
IT and documentation, always a struggle. :P
new topic for 3.9 releases:
http://www.jdownloads.com/index.php/support-forum.html?topic=12279.msg45706#msg45706