views:

166

answers:

3

in vb.net is it possible to display a pdf file on a form?

A: 

yes, but you will end up using a COM+

how? v
I__
+3  A: 

A quick hack for this would be to use a WebBrowser control (assuming the client has Adobe Reader installed) and navigate it to the PDF file you want to display.

MusiGenesis
cool suggestion, but the thing is i will need to place images on top of the pdf
I__
Put the images in PictureBoxes, and put the PictureBoxes over the WebBrowser control. I think the WebBrowser has a Controls collection, and if it doesn't you just add the PictureBoxes to the form's Controls collection and call BringToFront on them.
MusiGenesis
+3  A: 

If you're looking to display a PDF without needing Acrobat Reader installed on a client machine, take a look at this:

PDF Viewer Control Without Acrobat Reader Installed

I haven't tried it yet but probably will.

Jay Riggs
This project is very well done and works great.
Stewbob
+1 I like it, but I'd personally be a bit wary of having to deploy that many third-party DLLs along with my app. Not that my solution is much better.
MusiGenesis
You make a good point there.
Jay Riggs
I wouldn't assume that the client has Adobe Reader installed, nor that they have PDF viewing in the web browser enabled. What's more, if they don't, it's a hefty download. What's worse, a few third-party DLLs or one humongous dependency? Which will the user be less affected by?
Rowan