Did you know you can configure the capabilities of the WebViewer in FileMaker using MBS FileMaker Plugin functions?
If you take a close look on the WebView.SetPreferences function for MacOS and iOS, you find a couple of options to set. Let's take a look on the most important options and what each option sets:
minimumFontSize
You may load some HTML into the web viewer, like the content of an email. Since you don't know the font sizes, you can define a minimum font size for the content.
If you show an email, it may be a good idea to disable JavaScript for the content. This avoids arbitrary HTML to include JavaScript, which may try and do network connections to track your user, trigger FileMaker scripts or exploit a JavaScript security problem.
In your scripts you can enable developer extras. This allows you to open the inspector via contextual mouse menus. As you can define this by script, you may want to enable it, if the current account privilege set is Full Access.
Nickenich, Germany - (January 19th, 2021) -- MonkeyBread Software today is pleased to announce MBS FileMaker Plugin 11.0 for macOS, iOS, Linux and Windows, the latest update to their product that is easily the most powerful plugin currently available for FileMaker Pro. As the leading database management solution for Windows, macOS, iOS and the web, the FileMaker Pro Integrated Development Environment supports a plugin architecture that can easily extend the feature set of the application. MBS FileMaker Plugin 11.0 has been updated and now includes over 6400 different functions, and the versatile plugin has gained more new functions:
This release adds more Drag & Drop support to our plugin. For both macOS and Windows you can now attach a drop area to a whole window with our new DragDrop.AttachToWindow function. Every item dropped will trigger the script, so you can process the drop as you like, e.g. import the files into container fields. Beside accepting drops you can now use the control as a drag source. Just pass a list of files to DragDrop.SetFilePathsToDrag function to let the user drag those files to the desktop or other applications. Use DragDrop.SetDragImage function to provide a picture to show while drag runs.
DynaPDF got updated to newer version and we now include a DynaPDF.SaveAndSignFileExt function to sign PDF files with digital keys with 2048 or 4096 bits in addition to 1024 bits. With a page break expression set using DynaPDF.SetPageBreakExpression function you can define what happens if DynaPDF.WriteFText or DynaPDF.WriteStyledText filled the text rectangle and need a new text rectangle. This allows to continue text output in a new column or a new page. To set color values instead of color components, you can now use DynaPDF.SetFillColorValue and DynaPDF.SetStrokeColorValue functions and pass a value you got from DynaPDF.Lab, DynaPDF.CMYK or DynaPDF.RGB functions. You can now specify a line spacing (leading) when converting styled text from FileMaker to DynaPDF syntax.
Our ListDialog functions go upgraded with a new filter field. It allows the user to search within the list and filter to the entry they look for. You decide whether the filter field is shown and what is the text and placeholder for it.
The SyntaxColoring functions got improved with newer color set for dark mode. You may need to use SyntaxColoring.FactoryDefaults to reset the colors. Our if/loop highlighting can better find matching exit loop even if it is within an If block. The bracket highlight and syntax highlighting got tuned for Big Sur.
You can now control the toolbar style ad display mode for Big Sur. With SystemInfo.IsiOSAppOnMac you can detect whether your FileMaker iOS SDK app runs on macOS. QuickList.SortWith can now sort by number. The EmailParser.HTMLToPlainText function is improved to better convert HTML to text.
Finally we updated SQLite library to version 3.34.0, curl to 7.74.0, DynaPDF to 4.0.46.132, LibXL to 3.9.3, SQLAPI to 5.1.3 and Xcode to version 12.3.
19. Januar 2021 - Monkeybread Software veröffentlicht heute das MBS FileMaker Plugin für FileMaker in Version 11.0, mit inzwischen über 6400 Funktionen eines der größten FileMaker Plugins überhaupt. Hier einige der Neuerungen:
Diese Version fügt unserem Plugin weitere Drag & Drop-Unterstützung hinzu. Sowohl für macOS als auch für Windows können Sie nun einen Drop-Bereich mit unserer neuen Funktion DragDrop.AttachToWindow an ein ganzes Fenster anhängen. Jedes fallengelassene Element löst das Skript aus, so dass Sie den Drop wie gewünscht verarbeiten können, z. B. die Dateien in Felder importieren. Neben dem Akzeptieren von Drops können Sie unser Steuerelement auch als Drag-Quelle nutzen. Übergeben Sie einfach eine Liste von Dateien an die Funktion DragDrop.SetFilePathsToDrag, damit der Benutzer diese Dateien auf den Desktop oder in andere Anwendungen ziehen kann. Verwenden Sie die Funktion DragDrop.SetDragImage, um ein Bild bereitzustellen, das während des Ziehens angezeigt wird.
DynaPDF wurde auf eine neuere Version aktualisiert und enthält nun eine DynaPDF.SaveAndSignFileExt Funktion, um PDF-Dateien mit digitalen Schlüsseln mit 2048 oder 4096 Bit zusätzlich zu den bisherigen 1024 Bit zu signieren. Mit einem Seitenumbruch-Ausdruck, der mit der Funktion DynaPDF.SetPageBreakExpression gesetzt wird, kann definiert werden, was passiert, wenn DynaPDF.WriteFText oder DynaPDF.WriteStyledText das Textrechteck gefüllt hat und ein neues Textrechteck benötigt. Dies ermöglicht es, die Textausgabe in einer neuen Spalte oder auf einer neuen Seite fortzusetzen. Um Farbwerte anstelle von Farbkomponenten zu setzen, können Sie nun die Funktionen DynaPDF.SetFillColorValue und DynaPDF.SetStrokeColorValue verwenden und einen Wert übergeben, den Sie aus den Funktionen DynaPDF.Lab, DynaPDF.CMYK oder DynaPDF.RGB erhalten haben. Bei der Konvertierung von gestyltem Text aus FileMaker in die DynaPDF-Syntax können Sie nun einen Zeilenabstand (Leading) angeben.
Unsere ListDialog-Funktionen werden um ein neues Filterfeld erweitert. Es ermöglicht dem Benutzer, innerhalb der Liste zu suchen und auf den gesuchten Eintrag zu filtern. Sie entscheiden, ob das Filterfeld angezeigt wird und was der Text und Platzhalter dafür ist.
Die SyntaxColoring-Funktionen wurden mit neueren Regeln für den dunklen Modus verbessert. Eventuell müssen Sie SyntaxColoring.FactoryDefaults verwenden, um die Farben zurückzusetzen. Unsere Wenn/Schleife-Hervorhebung findet nun besser passende Schleife Verlassen Befehle, auch wenn diese innerhalb eines Wenn-Blocks liegen. Die Klammerhervorhebung und die Syntaxhervorhebung wurden für Big Sur angepasst.
Sie können jetzt den Anzeigestil der Symbolleiste für Big Sur steuern. Mit SystemInfo.IsiOSAppOnMac können Sie erkennen, ob Ihre FileMaker iOS SDK-App unter macOS läuft. QuickList.SortWith kann nach Zahlen sortieren. Die Funktion EmailParser.HTMLToPlainText wurde verbessert, um HTML besser in Text zu konvertieren.
Schließlich haben wir die SQLite-Bibliothek auf Version 3.34.0, curl auf 7.74.0, DynaPDF auf 4.0.46.132, LibXL auf 3.9.3, SQLAPI auf 5.1.3 und Xcode auf Version 12.3 aktualisiert.
A client asked how to detect who locks a field or record in FileMaker. Since a recent FileMaker version (16 maybe) the error dialog shows who edits the record, but how to know in a script?
We recently learnt that setting a field of a locked error will return the error 301 and the error detail shows the name of the user with the account name in brackets, e.g. Christian Schmitz (admin).
Here is a test script:
Set Error Capture [ On ]
Set Field [ Contacts::Title ; Contacts::Title ]
# @variable $name
# @variable $error
Set Variable [ $r ; Value: Let ( [ $error = Get(LastError); $name = Get(LastExternalErrorDetail ) ]; "") ]
Show Custom Dialog [ $error ; $name ]
As you see we use Let statement to query LastError and LastExternalErrorDetail in one calculation. Why? Because if you split it in two lines, the Set Variable would clear the error state. If you notice the comments above it, we use those to tell MBS FileMaker Plugin that there are variables declared in the Let statement. Otherwise our variable check would be unhappy.
Not sure if you know, but for about 20 years already we offer academic discounts for students learning to program. Both our FileMaker and Xojo plugins are available with academic discounts including DynaPDF licenses.
Recently we cleaned up our order pages, so academic prices are no longer listed. This basically cuts the list of store items by half for us. It's much easier to provide you with a coupon code to order and use the same website as everyone else.
If you are interested in an academic license, please contact us via email and provide a proof of status. That may be a copy of a university or school identity card. For young people below age of 25, we may just accept a proof of birth date.
Over the years we got quite a few students, some of which grown up to now use full commercial licenses for their work. From time to time we also granted academic status to retired, unemployed or other people, who asked for this with a compelling reason.
Please note that an order for an academic license from a company doesn't usually work. We expect companies to buy commercial licenses. Same if you receive any compensation for your work.
For Non-Profit organization supporting humanity, we also provide a discount on request.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
As you may know we have a great Optimize command for DynaPDF. You can use it on PDF documents in both FileMaker and Xojo plugins. Over time the command got more and more powerful and we like to write here about some of the features.
In general the function rebuilds the content stream of all pages, templates, patterns, annotations, and form fields. This may remove errors in the content stream and produce a consistent document.
When you specify the flags, the default flag value (0) just rebuilds the content stream and fixes errors.
You may specify "InMemory" to have changes made in a way, that the PDF is in memory and not flushed to the current output. Normally you may not notice the difference, but if you like to continue writing to the PDF, the memory flag is needed.
Scale images
The Optimize function can reduce the file size of PDF files. You can pass the ScaleImages flag and then all images are checked. You can define a minimum and target resolution for images. All pictures with at least the minimum resolution are checked. This avoids that we look on icons for example and only process pictures with a significant resolution. DynaPDF scales the images down to the target resolution and compresses them with the compression algorithm you specify, usually JPEG. If the final picture is smaller in size, we store it, otherwise we keep the original image. The reason is that often one bit tiff images can be smaller than a reduced resolution JPEG file.
You can pass flag SkipMaskedImages to skip masked images as JPEG compression may not work well with pictures, where a specific color is used to mark transparency.
The check whether new picture is smaller than original image can be disabled via NoImageSizeCheck flag.
If you like to get images compressed with JBIG2, you can use CompressWithJBIG2 flag. This can drastically reduce the file size since JBIG2 compression achieves much higher compression rates than any other 1 bit image filter that PDF supports. The JBIG2 compression filter in DynaPDF is lossless, that means the original image quality will be preserved. Great to combine with ConvertGrayTo1Bit flag discussed below.
When you output styled text via MBS Plugins and DynaPDF, we convert the styled text for you in commands for DynaPDF. For this conversion we recently added a leading factor to define the line spacing based on the font size. You can still define leading (distance between two base lines) in points if you like, but the relative measure to font size is probably better for a lot of cases. Of course only makes an effect if font size changes within a text.
For Xojo we added LeadingFactor parameter for WriteStyledText, WriteStyledTextEx and ConvertStyledText methods in DynaPDFMBS class. The default value for the new parameter is -1, which allows us to detect whether you use the parameter.
For all the functions, please pass nothing (omit parameter) or zero for automatic behavior like it used to be: Leading being the font size. You can pass a factor like 1.2 or 1.5 to increase line spacing as needed.
Available in current pre-release. Please don't hesitate to contact us with your questions.
We have a new example for a client to add cutting edges and a crop box to a PDF document.
The picture on the left shows the debug version, where you see the red lines we add and a rectangle around the content. The crop box is put around the content, so the printing shop will crop the paper at the right position. Only for debugging, we show you the rectangle and leave the crop box away, so you see it.
Today I have the opportunity to résumé about these two years. I have learned a lot in this time, especially I got to know the programming language Xojo and the FileMaker platform and was allowed to realize some exciting projects. I also wrote some articles for the German FileMaker Magazine (see here) and the Xojo Developer Magazine. I also gave presentations at conferences on- and offline.
2020 was a very special year in which we all outgrew ourselves and had to find new solutions for problems that were unprecedented until then. Digitalization got the 7 mile boots on and home office was the new work routine for many. I was able to learn a lot in the last two years. Not only technical knowledge, but I also got to know many kind and interesting people and was allowed to work with them. I would like to thank all of you who have welcomed me so kindly into the community. I am looking forward to many new and interesting exchanges in the next few years, hopefully some of them will take place offline again.
I wish you now a happy, successful and healthy year 2021!
We updated the Plugin License Decision Graph for the newer targets:
Since Data API and FileMaker Go can't run the plugin directly, you have to use Perform Script on Server there. With FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Go you can use Perform Script on Server to do enjoy plugin functions.
Please let us know if you have a question or comment.
A long term project came to delivery just before Christmas 2020:
DynaPDF got a new feature to convert texts to outlines. And it's just a new flag for the Optimize function: ConvTextToOutlines.
The benefit of this conversion is that you can send the PDF to a printer shop and be sure that it will look exactly as you need. No font trouble, no missing fonts and no font rendering issues.
Please note that the process is not reversible. Once the text is converted, the text is gone. Just the look of the text stays, so you need OCR to convert it back to text. Copy & Paste is not possible for outlines, but for some uses this may be desired.
To show you what outlines means, we made this picture:
Based on our GlyphOutline example, we made a variations, which would change color for each line in drawing a character. This way you see the individual segments.
Please contact us if you have questions about DynaPDF, especially when using it with FileMaker or Xojo projects. This feature is available free of charge for all customers with a DynaPDF Pro license valid at least till 23rd December 2020 to include version 4.0.45.128. For MBS plugins, we included it in pr4 and will ship final plugins in January.
We have upcoming tax changes in Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
United Kingdom
Since the United Kingdom leaved the EU, the EU VAT rules don't apply any more from 1st January 2021. Orders will have to go through the web shop in future and always charge the VAT of currently 20% for customers from United Kingdom.
There is an exception for Ireland. The northern part is in United Kingdom, but still applies the single market rules. So for us the whole island of Ireland is part of the European Union in relation to VAT handling.
We may still be able to write VAT free invoices to businesses (Reverse-Charge) for clients in the United Kingdom, but may need a proof from you for that. A confirmation from HM Revenue and Customs about your company's status as being VAT registered in the United Kingdom may be enough. Having a VAT ID is no longer sufficient alone.
We avoid having to register in individual foreign countries like the United Kingdom. That's one of the key benefits in VAT handling of the EU, that a registration in one country is good for 27 countries.
Clients from United Kingdom can order with old rules within 2020 to get licenses setup before changes apply.
Germany
The VAT rate in Germany changes back from 16% to 19%. If you are a person (not a VAT registered company), you can still save 3% tax if you buy in 2020. VAT registered companies reclaim VAT, so there is no benefit from a lower rate.
Ireland
The country of Ireland temporarily decrease their VAT rate from 23% to 21%. The changed tax rate will be effective from September 1, 2020 until February 28, 2021. Customers in Ireland may order their licenses before 1st March 2021 to benefit from lower tax rate.
Let us know if you have questions. The whole tax scheme is subject to changes as newer laws are passed in parliaments.
For MBS FileMaker Plugin we recently added a new DynaPDF.SetPageBreakExpression function. Have you seen it?
It allows you to define a page break expression. This calculation is evaluated when a text rectangle is filled with text and we need a new page or a new rectangle on the same page.
Look on this sample database with three columns filled over many pages with one big text block:
Did you know you can configure the capabilities of the WebViewer in FileMaker using MBS FileMaker Plugin functions?
Nickenich, Germany - (January 19th, 2021) -- MonkeyBread Software today is pleased to announce 
When you output styled text via MBS Plugins and DynaPDF, we convert the styled text for you in commands for DynaPDF. For this conversion we recently added a leading factor to define the line spacing based on the font size. You can still define leading (distance between two base lines) in points if you like, but the relative measure to font size is probably better for a lot of cases. Of course only makes an effect if font size changes within a text.
Two years ago I had my first working day at MBS. 
