Print PDFs with Python?

[Caleb1987]

People often come into my office requesting maps of their property. I have a script that will open up a command prompt window then allow the non-GIS users in my office to enter a Parcel ID number in the command window. Once user input has been accepted, the script will automatically select that parcel, zoom to it, then export it to PDF. I would like to add a print function to automatically print the PDF of the map. I know that I can use the PrintMap function to print straight from ArcMap, however, this does not come out very clear. I am wondering if anyone knows of a way to use python to print a PDF?

[lpinner]

You can use the Adobe Reader command line print option. If you leave the printer name blank, reader will print to the default printer.

AcroRd32 /N /T PdfFile [PrinterName [ PrinterDriver [ PrinterPort ] ] ]

Python example:

import subprocess

printer='MyPrinter'
pdffile=r'C:\Some Dir\some pdf.pdf'
acroread=r'C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe'

#'"%s"'is to wrap double quotes around paths
# as subprocess will use list2cmdline internally if we pass it a list
#which escapes double quotes and Adobe Reader doesn't like that
cmd='"%s" /N /T "%s" "%s"'%(acroread,pdffile,printer)

proc = subprocess.Popen(cmd,stdout=subprocess.PIPE,stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
stdout,stderr=proc.communicate()
exit_code=proc.wait()

[Caleb1987]

You are the smartest man alive!!! Thank you soo much, worked like a charm!

Here is the code in case anyone is interested in doing something similar:

# This script allows a user to input a parcel ID number
# This will automatically save the map to PDF so it can be printed
# Written by Caleb Mackey  9/17/2012
# Print PDF section courtesy of Luke Pinner 9/18/2012

import arcpy, os, sys, traceback
import subprocess
arcpy.env.overwriteOutput = True

def userinput():
    mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("G:\\Map_Documents\\Walkin_requests\\Customer_map.mxd")
    df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd, "Main")[0]
    parcels = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, "Parcels GIS Acres", df)[0]
    pdfpath = 'C:\\Documents and Settings\\gis\\Desktop\\PRINT_MAPS\\'
    txtfile = pdfpath + 'Parcelmap_ERROR.txt'
    acroread = r'C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 10.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe'
    try:
        print "Enter Parcel Number WITHOUT dashes and hit ENTER"
        parcelid = raw_input()
        parcel_num = str(parcelid)

        print 'selecting parcel...'
        query = "SOL_PID ='%s'" % parcel_num
        arcpy.SelectLayerByAttribute_management(parcels, "NEW_SELECTION", query)
        result = arcpy.GetCount_management(parcels)
        if str(result) == '0':
            print 'Invalid SQL statement, check parcel ID'
            print 'Please verify the Parcel ID and try again'
            return userinput();
        
        elif str(result) > 0:
            df.zoomToSelectedFeatures()
            df.extent = parcels.getSelectedExtent(True)
            df.scale *= 1.65
            arcpy.RefreshActiveView()

            print 'Exporting to pdf...'
            pdf = pdfpath + str(parcel_num) + '.pdf'
            pdfname = str(parcel_num) + '.pdf'
            if arcpy.Exists(pdf):
                arcpy.Delete_management(pdf)
            arcpy.mapping.ExportToPDF(mxd,pdfpath + str(parcel_num) + '.pdf')

            del mxd
            print 'PDF Exported, to view open ' + str(pdfname) + ' in the "PRINT MAPS" folder.'
            print 'Sending document to default printer'

            #### Print PDF Code thanks to Luke Pinner #####
            # '"%s"'is to wrap double quotes around paths
            # as subprocess will use list2cmdline internally if we pass it a list
            # which escapes double quotes and Adobe Reader doesn't like that
            cmd='"%s" /N /T "%s"' %(acroread,pdf)

            proc = subprocess.Popen(cmd,stdout=subprocess.PIPE,stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
            stdout,stderr=proc.communicate()
            exit_code=proc.wait()
            print 'Successful'
                    
    except:
           print arcpy.GetMessages(2)
try:
    userinput()
        
except:
    # Get the traceback object
    tb = sys.exc_info()[2]
    tbinfo = traceback.format_tb(tb)[0]

    # Concatenate information together concerning the error into a message string
    pymsg = "PYTHON ERRORS:\nTraceback info:\n" + tbinfo + "\nError Info:\n" + str(sys.exc_info()[1])
    msgs = "ArcPy ERRORS:\n" + arcpy.GetMessages(2) + "\n"

    # Return python error messages for use in script tool or Python Window
    arcpy.AddError(pymsg)
    arcpy.AddError(msgs)

    # Print Python error messages for use in Python / Python Window
    print pymsg + "\n"
    print msgs

    # Print Log file
    txtFile = open(txtfile, "w")
    txtFile.write(pymsg)
    txtFile.write(msgs)
    txtFile.write(query)

    txtFile.close()