Embed pdf files into project and reference them

[sanderson]

I have a project and am trying to place about 50 PDF files directly into it and have the code display the files.

Currently, I have setup a folder structure under the project name, thus

Solution
    enginrev4
        PDF_Outlines
            TS-PL
                pdf file 1.pdf
                pdf file 2.pdf
                .
                .
                .

I have no idea of the syntax to reference this information, or if it is even a good idea, or if there is a better way to do it (please advise). My goal is to get away from having to reference a file on a CD or network, but to include this information within the application.

Thanks in advance for your direction.

[kebo]

If you add your pdf files to your application as a resource, you can read them as a byte array, create a temporary file from the array and open it. The code looks something like this....

'get a temporary filename
        Dim fName As String = IO.Path.GetTempFileName
 
        fName = IO.Path.ChangeExtension(fName, "pdf")
 
        'write the byte array to a file
        IO.File.WriteAllBytes(fName, My.Resources.myPDF)
 
        'make sure the file exists and open it
        If IO.File.Exists(fName) Then
            Process.Start(fName)
        End If

How many files are you talking about? I don't know for sure, but I would think that your performance may take a hit if you add too many files or if they are too big.
kevin

btw, If you are building an installer, you could include the files in the installer and have them placed in the applications's program data store, or (if they are read only) in the application's start up directory.

[kareninstructor]

Hello,

How to extract PDF from resource.
How to show PDF in Windows forms.
Now the show code may or may not work, for instance under XP which is where the code was done it works as expected but under Winodws 7 it will be funky.