PDF Margins
Editing Tool
Intelligent full-stack web application for precise PDF margin adjustment with automated content detection, smart cropping, and professional-grade processing capabilities.
Project Overview
PDF Margins is a sophisticated web application that intelligently adjusts PDF margins through automated content detection and smart processing algorithms. The tool analyzes document content, removes existing whitespace, and applies new margins with precision.
Built with a robust three-tier architecture, the application handles complex PDF manipulation while maintaining a clean, user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality and real-time processing feedback.
Core Features
- Intelligent content detection and bounding box analysis
- Automated whitespace removal and uniform cropping
- Multi-unit margin specification (cm, in, mm, pt)
- Paper size templates and auto-calculation
- Secure file processing with UUID generation
- Real-time processing feedback and download management
Technology Stack
Frontend Technologies
- • HTML5 for semantic structure
- • CSS3 with modern properties
- • Vanilla JavaScript (ES6+)
- • Fetch API for HTTP requests
- • Inter font for typography
- • Responsive design patterns
Backend Framework
- • Python 3.x
- • Flask web framework
- • Flask-CORS for cross-origin
- • RESTful API architecture
- • UUID for secure file handling
- • Subprocess management
PDF Processing
- • PyMuPDF (fitz) library
- • pypdf for manipulation
- • argparse for CLI interface
- • Custom bounding box detection
- • Coordinate transformation
- • Multi-format unit conversion
System Architecture
Frontend Layer
The user interface built with modern web standards provides an intuitive experience with drag-and-drop file upload, real-time margin controls, and responsive design for all devices.
Interactive Features
- • Drag-and-drop file upload with visual feedback
- • Dynamic margin input with unit conversion
- • Paper size templates with auto-calculations
- • Mobile-responsive hamburger navigation
Backend API Layer
Flask-powered RESTful API handles file management, processing orchestration, and secure data handling with comprehensive error logging and CORS support for cross-origin requests.
API Endpoints
- • POST /upload - Secure file reception with UUID
- • POST /process - PDF processing orchestration
- • GET /download - Secure file delivery
- • GET /status - Processing status monitoring
PDF Processing Engine
Sophisticated command-line script performs intelligent content analysis, automated cropping, and precise margin adjustment using advanced PDF manipulation libraries.
Processing Steps
- • Content bounding box detection
- • Uniform crop calculation across pages
- • Automated whitespace removal
- • Precision margin application
Technical Implementation
Content Detection Algorithm
Advanced bounding box detection analyzes multiple content types across all PDF pages:
- • Text elements with precise positioning
- • Embedded images and graphics
- • Vector drawings and shapes
- • Form fields and annotations
- • Union calculation for optimal bounds
Security & Performance
- • UUID-based file naming for security
- • Command injection prevention with shlex.quote()
- • Temporary file cleanup and management
- • Comprehensive error handling and logging
- • Subprocess isolation for PDF processing
Unit Conversion System
Flexible unit system with automatic conversion to PDF points:
- • Centimeters (cm) conversion
- • Inches (in) with 72 points per inch
- • Millimeters (mm) precision
- • Native PDF points (pt)
- • Paper size template calculations
Margin Application Process
- • Target dimension calculation
- • New page creation with proper sizing
- • Content positioning with transformation matrices
- • Margin offset application
- • Final PDF assembly and optimization
Processing Workflow
File Upload
Drag-and-drop PDF upload with secure UUID generation and temporary storage
Content Analysis
Intelligent detection of text, images, and graphics with bounding box calculation
Smart Cropping
Automated whitespace removal and uniform crop application across all pages
Margin Application
Precise margin adjustment with new page creation and content repositioning
Technical Achievements
This full-stack application demonstrates advanced PDF manipulation techniques, intelligent content analysis, and secure file processing, delivering professional-grade results through sophisticated automation and user-friendly interface design.