[iText-questions] Design question using iText

[David Thielen]

Hi;   Please help on this.   I have a program that basically takes a rtf file as a template and creates a pdf file. Therefore, I have to do most everything the Word can do formatting wise. Specifically this includes: text mixed with tables and lists. And for paragraphs/tables/lists, being able to set the first line indent and the spacing before and after the para/table/list. And doing all of this in columns as well as regular (no columns) pages.   ColumnText supports part of this, but does not include tables or lists. And no class supports setting the spacing before/after a para/table/list. So the approaches I see are: 1) I use the absolute positioning for text and handle everything myself, including drawing table borders. + This approach will handle any needs. - This is a bit more work than the other approaches - but not a lot. - Other iText users gain no benefit from this as the work I do does not go to iText.   2) I use Paragraph, Table, and List and add the code to iText for the additional features I need. + This approach requires a bit less work. + Other iText users can also use the new added features. - Columns are still not handled - would probably require a different approach (a Column would contain Paragraph/Table/Lists).   3) I use ColumnText and add the code to iText for the features I need. + Probably less work than approach (2) when using Columns. + Other iText users can also use the new features. - Still have to add code for para spacing. - Tables and lists are not part of the column - this could be a major PITA to work around. - More work than approach (2) without Columns. I'm leaning towards approach (1) or (2). But my question to all of you is which do you think makes the most sense and more importantly - why?   thanks - dave