Alternative to latex / a way to typeset good looking documents from Java to PDF
- by drasto
I'm working on application in Java that will maintain database of song lyrics in plain text and print out some songbooks/chordbooks(that is create PDF file from selected songs). I was planing that the Java application will generate source code for pdflatex and after compiling this source user will get PDF file.
Lately I've run into a lot of problems because of latex limitation: fixed memory size (some pictures will also be drawn to PDF) - error when exceeded, no way to query end of line or and of page dynamically, it's very hard to override latex placement algorithm in a complex way,... see also some my other questions regarding latex. I come to conclusion that latex is not good option for automated PDF generation.
So I need replacement. I need to be able to typeset:
Chords over lyrics when the lyrics are in variable char width so I need to be able to measure text width
Chord diagrams that means I'll have to draw quite complex pictures
Each song on separate double page
Different fonts etc.
Thanks for all answers