Why a new rendering engine?
PDF documents have long since ceased to be used “only” as a pure export format in List & Label. In many applications, they take on multiple roles, for example as:
• Target format for reports and documents – also for long-term archiving in PDF/A formats
• E-invoices for electronic exchange – XML embedding
• Container format with additional embedded files
• PDF object integrated directly into the report, for example, data from a document management system as terms and conditions or letterhead
Modern PDF documents contain, for example, transparencies, complex vector objects, embedded fonts in various formats, or structured attachments such as XML data in hybrid invoice formats.
By switching to a new rendering engine, we can provide more powerful support for current requirements for PDF documents and ensure that future requirements can be taken into account.
Improved display of embedded PDFs
The PDF object in the Designer is frequently used to embed archived receipts, contracts, terms and conditions, or letterhead. Forms in the background or technical documents in PDF format (CAD files or scans) can also be integrated directly into a report in this way.
In many applications, this makes it a central component of document display and generation within reports.
With the new rendering engine, the display of these embedded PDFs is significantly improved. Complex graphics and transparencies can be rendered more precisely, and different fonts can be embedded and displayed correctly.
Especially for PDFs from ERP, DMS, or scanning systems, this leads to a noticeable reduction in visual deviations between the original document and the result in the report.
Improved PDF export
The new rendering engine also improves the export of reports to PDF. The modernization achieves higher rendering quality, significantly improving the appearance of the entire report in the target format.
Fonts are recognized and embedded more reliably, particularly in complex reports, for example those using international character sets. Complex graphical elements are also rendered more precisely and in higher quality.
Current European e-invoice formats such as ZUGFeRD/Factur-X and XRechnung
Hybrid invoice formats such as ZUGFeRD/Factur-X are typically based on PDF/A-3 with embedded XML. An XRechnung XML file can also be embedded into the PDF in a standards-compliant manner.
The new rendering engine provides a modern technical foundation and enables standards-compliant PDF/A creation as well as reliable embedding of structured XML files.
It is particularly important to us to be able to respond quickly to regulatory and legal changes. The new PDF rendering engine ensures long-term reliability.
Impact on existing applications
Existing projects benefit immediately from improved rendering. Switching to the new rendering engine does not require migration in existing projects:
- No API changes
- No adjustments to
Export()calls - No changes to the PDF object
Leading the development at combit as Managing Director. Microsoft .NET enthusiast driving innovation & agile project management. Used to be a physicist in my first life. I love hiking and vanlife.
