Chapter.16 Frequently Asked Questions

16–1 Features and Programming

16–1–1 What type of font is applied when text is added using Antenna House PDF API to a PDF that does not have embedded fonts?

  • [For Windows version]
    If you do not specify a font when adding text, additional processing is performed in the following state:
    • Font name: "MS-Gothic" in Japanese environments, "Arial" in other environments
    • Font size: 12 points
    • Font embedding: Additional processing is performed while the font is embedded.
  • [For Linux version]
    Font setting is required when adding text.


16–1–2 If I use Antenna House PDF API to add text to a PDF that does not have embedded fonts, will the font of the text originally in the PDF be maintained?

Even if you add text using Antenna House PDF API, the font of the text originally on the PDF will not be changed.


16–1–3 Can I specify the PDF version number of output files processed with Antenna House PDF API?

Cannot be specified. For details on restrictions regarding PDF versions, see "8-1-2 PDF version of input/output files" in this manual.


16–1–4 What happens to the PDF version of PDF files saved with encryption security?

The PDF version of a PDF file is determined by the encryption type you set.

encryption type
PDF Version
 128bit RC4
 1.5
 128bit AES
 1.6
 256bit AES
 1.7

However, if the PDF version of the input PDF file to be processed is larger than the PDF version corresponding to the encryption type, the PDF version of the input PDF will be retained.

For instructions on how to set security and save, see "-encrypt: PDF security settings" in this manual.


16–1–5 Can I remove embedded font information from a PDF with embedded fonts?

Cannot be deleted.


16–1–6 Is there a limit to the file size of PDF files that can be edited using Antenna House PDF API?

The maximum read/write PDF file size is 2GB. If it exceeds 2GB, an error will occur when loading/saving. Note that an error will occur if the resulting output file exceeds 2GB, so an error may occur even if the total input file is less than 2GB.

For details on other limitations, see "8-2 Limit Size on Read / Write" in this manual.


16–1–7 I would like to know the contents of the error code that occurs when I run the Command-line.

[For Windows version]

Success
0
Parameter error
-1
PdfTk (Antenna House PDF API internal library) error
PdfTk error code (see “PdfTk Error Code List” in this manual)
Other error
-2

[For Linux version]

Success
0
Error
1

For other details regarding errors, see "14-3 Error Handling" in this manual.


16–1–8 I would like to know if there are any environment variables that can determine the execution results of the Command-line.

  • [For Windows version]
    This can be determined using the environment variable "ERRORLEVEL".
  • [For Linux version]
    This can be determined using the variable "$?".

For other details regarding errors, see "14-3 Error Handling" in this manual.


16–1–9 I would like to know where to output the Command-line error details.

  • [Common for Windows and Linux versions]
    Command-line error details are output only to standard output.

For other details regarding errors, see "14-3 Error Handling" in this manual.


16–2 Installation/Upgrade/License File

16–2–1 What do Antenna House PDF API versions and maintenance release mean?

A version is a combination of a major version (n) and a minor version (m) expressed in the "Vn.m" format. An increase in n is called a major version upgrade, and an increase in m is called a point release version upgrade. A maintenance release version is a product in which the old and new version numbers (n and m in Vn.m) are the same, and only the release date is new. The MR number is written after the version number.

For other details regarding version upgrades, see "Chapter 15 Upgrading" in this manual.


16–2–2 Can I overwrite the maintenance release version (MR) of Antenna House PDF API? What happens to the files then?

  • [For Windows version]
    You can overwrite and install the maintenance release version. In overwrite installation, the executable binary file is replaced with a new one, checking the date and file version. Non-executable files such as header files are checked for date and replaced with new ones. It does not replace the license file. If you need to replace the license file, replace it manually.
  • [For Linux version]
    Overwrite installation is not available on the Linux version. Uninstall the previous version before installing the maintenance release version. If you have placed the license file in the default installation folder, the license file will also be deleted during uninstallation.

For details on installation, see "Chapter 3 Installation Instructions" of this manual.


16–2–3 When upgrading the version of "Antenna House PDF API", do I need to uninstall the old version?

  • [For Windows version]
    Different versions of Antenna House PDF API can be installed on one PC.
  • [For Linux version]
    We recommend uninstalling the old version before installing the new version. It is also possible to newly install the Linux version in a different directory from the previous version.


16–2–4 A maintenance release version (MR) was released after installing the evaluation version. After that, I purchased the product, but what are the steps to upgrade?

  • [For Windows version]
    If you want to update to the maintenance release version (MR), you can perform an overwrite installation.
    Therefore, you can update it by following these steps (It doesn't matter which order comes first, 1 or 2.):
  1. Install the maintenance release version (latest version) over the folder where you installed the old evaluation version.
  2. Replace the license file at the installation destination with the regular license file.
  • [For Linux version]
    The Linux version installer cannot be overwritten. Therefore, please uninstall the old evaluation version and then reinstall the maintenance release version.
    At this time, the license file folder in the installation folder will be deleted during uninstallation. Therefore, place the regular license file after installing the maintenance release version.


16–2–5 I have purchased a license for the product version, so I would like to convert the evaluation version to the regular version. What should I do?

The license file (file name [ptalic.dat] (regular license file)) is included in the electronic delivery. Replace [ptalic.dat] in the evaluation version installation folder with the regular version license file included in the delivery.

Alternatively, you can place the official license file in any location and specify the location of the license file using the environment variable [PTL80_LIC_PATH]. For more information, see "Chapter 4 License File" in this manual.


16–2–6 How can I check the information contained in the Antenna House PDF API license file?

You can display license information on screen by running AHPDFToolCmd80 -lic on the Command-line.

For details, see "-lic: Getting License Information" in this manual.


16–2–7 How do I uninstall the Linux version?

The Linux version is provided as an rpm package, so use the rpm -e command to uninstall it.

Next, delete the environment variables [PTL80_LIC_PATH], [PTL80_FONT_CONFIGFILE] and [ PTL80_ICCPROFILE_PATH] if they are set. If you have set any other environment variables, also delete them.


16–2–8 When upgrading Antenna House PDF API, is it necessary to replace the license file (ptalic.dat)?

For major version upgrades, it is necessary to replace the license file. For point release version upgrades, it is not necessary to replace the license file if the version was released within the maintenance period.

A new license file for major version upgrades is available within the maintenance contract period. Request it from the sales division (sales@antennahouse.com) to obtain it.


16–2–9 When updating Antenna House PDF API to a maintenance release version, is it necessary to replace the license file [ptalic.dat]?

If Antenna House PDF API maintenance release date falls within the maintenance period specified in the license file, replacing the license file is not required.

To use a maintenance release version released after the maintenance period written in the license file has passed, you must replace the license file with one that has the updated maintenance period.


16–2–10 I was using the regular version of Antenna House PDF API. When I installed a maintenance release version and started it up, a watermark of the evaluation version was output. Why?

The maintenance period for the license file may have expired.

You will need to replace the license file with one that has an updated maintenance deadline. If you have already renewed your maintenance contract, replace it with the new license file you received.

For details on obtaining and replacing license files, see "Chapter 4 License File" in this manual.


16–2–11 When I migrated the version, an evaluation version message is output. Who should I contact to issue a new license?

Product upgrades can be requested at the following contact point:

  • Sales division: sales@antennahouse.com

During the maintenance support service period, you can upgrade for free or for a fee that is the difference from the purchase price. For more information, see "Chapter 15 Upgrading" in this manual.


16–2–12 [Windows version] Is it possible to operate Antenna House PDF API without installing VC++ runtime?

The Windows version of Antenna House PDF API is developed using Microsoft's Visual C++ (VC++).

Therefore, a runtime library that is binary compatible with the VC++ version used for development is required. The installer will launch the VC++ redistributable package installer if necessary.


16–2–13 [Windows version] What happens if the VC++ runtime exists on the installation destination PC?

The installer for Antenna House PDF APIV6.0 or later launches the Microsoft VC++ redistributable package installer.

When an older VC++ runtime is present in your environment, the Microsoft VC++ redistributable package typically replaces it with the newer one. Note that you may be asked to restart Windows at this time.


16–2–14 [Windows version] When upgrading after uninstalling the current version, the "Setup Failed" screen appears. It seems that if I close this error screen, the installation will continue and end normally, but is there any problem with this procedure?

The Microsoft VC++ redistributable installer may display a "Setup Failed" screen when a newer runtime is present.

In this case, if you close the error screen, the installation will continue and complete successfully. Even if "Setup Failed" is displayed, there is no problem in using Antenna House PDF API.