Invoking CutePDF from within Python

[Tim Golden]

John Henry wrote:
> I have a need to invoke CutePDF from within a Python program.  
> 
> All I need is to say "Print this to CUTEPDF and store as xyz.pdf".

> Private Sub Print_PDF()
> 
>      lRetVal = RegCreateKeyEx(HKEY_CURRENT_USER, "Software\Custom PDF
> Printer",  _
>                     0&, vbNullString, REG_OPTION_NON_VOLATILE,
> KEY_ALL_ACCESS, _
>                     0&, hKey, lRetVal)
>      sValue = "C:\Sample.pdf"
>      RegSetValueExString hKey, "OutputFile", 0&, REG_SZ, sValue, Len
> (sValue)
>      sValue = "1"
>      RegSetValueExString hKey, "BypassSaveAs", 0&, REG_SZ, sValue, Len
> (sValue)
> 
>      Dim worddoc As Word.Document
>      Set worddoc = wordapp.Documents.Open("C:\Sample.doc")
>      wordapp.ActivePrinter = "Custom PDF Printer"
>      wordapp.PrintOut
>      worddoc.Close
> 
>      sValue = "0"
>      RegSetValueExString hKey, "BypassSaveAs", 0&, REG_SZ, sValue, Len
> (sValue)
>      RegCloseKey (hKey)


Direct translation (untested since I don't have CutePDF installed)

<code>
import win32api
import win32con
import win32com

hKey, ret = win32api.RegCreateKeyEx (
  win32con.HKEY_CURRENT_USER, 
  "Software\Custom PDF Printer",
  win32con.KEY_ALL_ACCESS
)
win32api.RegSetValueEx (hKey, "OutputFile", None, win32con.REG_SZ, r"c:\sample.pdf")
win32api.RegSetValueEx (hKey, "BypassSaveAs", None, win32con.REG_SZ, r"1")

word = win32com.client.gencache.EnsureDispatch ("Word.Application")
doc = word.Documents.Open (r"c:\sample.doc")
doc.ActivePrinter = "Custom PDF Printer"
word.Printout ()
doc.Close ()

win32api.RegSetValueEx (hKey, "BypassSaveAs", None, win32con.REG_SZ, r"0")

</code>


FWIW, I usually generate PDFs by printing to a Postscript printer
(some random Apple Laserthingy) and then using Ghostscript to
do the conversion. I'm happy to post if you're interested.

TJG