pdf-viewer addon

I just installed the pdf-viewer addon.  From the description it sounded like it would allow for the inline display of PDF files but I'm not able to figure out how that works.  For example, I was hoping it would allow for a View option to appear for PDF's (along with the download option, which we have today).  So in addition to be able to downloading a PDF from the Downloads section, you could View them as well (without having to download first).

Is that not the way this addon works?  And if not, how does it work?

Thanks in advance for your help!
 

Hi,

I have updated the addon description to be clearer:
"PDF media (including the Comcode media tag, Comcode attachments, and in galleries) will be displayed inline using a PDF viewer than prevents easy download or printing."

It's not in any way related to the downloads addon I'm afraid.

There is, however, a config option "Downloads open in associated program". Perhaps that would work for you. Downloads will open in whatever the system viewer is rather than downloading. Then if users want a download then they can save from that viewer (typically).

Chris Graham said

Hi,

I have updated the addon description to be clearer:
"PDF media (including the Comcode media tag, Comcode attachments, and in galleries) will be displayed inline using a PDF viewer than prevents easy download or printing."

It's not in any way related to the downloads addon I'm afraid.

There is, however, a config option "Downloads open in associated program". Perhaps that would work for you. Downloads will open in whatever the system viewer is rather than downloading. Then if users want a download then they can save from that viewer (typically).

From “Post #6702”, 10th Feb 2021

Okay, thanks Chris for the clarification.  I was hoping to save time when simply wanting to view a download to be able to directly view without having to download.  Even if "downloads open in associated program" is enabled you still have to download the file first (it just goes to a temp location) and then the OS loads it up using the associated app.  I was trying to save the download time by having the view process occur on the server (i.e. in the browser).

I'll have to check with my users to see if they want me to enable "Downloads open in associated program".  That may still be a useful feature.

Even the PDF Javascript viewer this addon uses (PDF.js by Mozilla) requires the .pdf file to download. In that case it doesn't save as a regular Windows/whatever temporary file, but probably does save to the browser's cache. In any case, data is being downloaded, and JavaScript is rendering out the PDF file client-side.

I think with  "downloads open in associated program" most browsers would show in their own built-in PDF viewer nowadays, but I'm not 100% sure and it may depend on configuration.