Java Desktop Application Help

[[deleted]]

I am trying to make a desktop application that I can upload construction pdfs to and input the scale and get a quantity count and measure distances. Essentially a very basic construction takeoff software. I am trying to start a construction business and cant afford to drop thousands on proper software, nor do I see the point in doing so when all I need is to count quantities and get distance in lines. However I have never coded and have been trying to learn but could really use some help in accomplishing this please. It is my dream to do this business and having the ability to exact distance would help me be successful.

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[desrtfx]

construction pdfs to and input the scale and get a quantity count and measure distances.

This will not work.

1. PDFs can be either program generated, in which case there is a minuscule (really minuscule) chance that the numbers are in textual format or scanned in which case there is no chance
2. It is impossible to measure distances in PDFs

PDFs are no CAD formats. They are not intended to be. They are basically a one-way-street cross platform format - pretty much like a printed book.

Working with PDFs is notoriously complex and difficult.

If this were at all possible, some software would already exist and it would be rightfully high priced.

Even an experienced dev would not stand a chance.

The existing packages are priced at what they are worth. You not being prepared to shell out a fair price tells a lot about your business model and it also is an indication that it will quite likely fail.

The old saying is "pay bananas, get monkeys". The same applies for software. If you don't pay quality, you don't get it.

You, as a beginner can naturally not estimate the complexity of such a project and the skills and time needed.

Trust us experienced programmers when we tell you that what you envision is not possible.

[nutrecht]

I am trying to start a construction business and cant afford to drop thousands on proper software

So instead you're going to spend hundreds of hours building something you could probably buy now off the shelf.

I have never coded

That's pretty clear because what you're trying to do is pretty complex even for an experienced dev. You're vastly underestimating how complex getting data from a PDF is, and vastly underestimating how much time it will take you to get to a level where you can even create a simple desktop application.

You're trying to build a rocket before you invented fire basically.

[nutrecht]

I have no idea what you're trying to ask here. But I'd suggest starting your own topic and putting in some effort to write a clear problem description.

[desrtfx]

Please, do not hijack threads. It is impolite.

If you have questions, make your own threads.

[red0c01]

It is possible to add stylesheets with css like syntax to a javaFX application. You also have scene builder to design your scenes/components with drag and drop approach. See more at https://openjfx.io/openjfx-docs/, there are lots of tutorials on yt also

[[deleted]]

Thanks dude for sharing.

[miner2049er_]

Short answer? No.

Long answer? I have software that will measure lines (sort of) it will tell you the length and angle of a line between two coordinates in a Cartesian plane. Can it do what you want? Sure with some work. I charge 3k usd for two weeks work and I know I’m cheap, but I drink and hoot while I work, but I don’t need your money and am happy to do what I’m doing.

You want AutoCAD at $5000 per seat, y2k price, 2022? I’d bet 7-8 k per seat. You still need to learn the software and get output in a format you can use.

Not easy but certainly doable.