Create PDF with TCPDF Export, attach to email, then delete

Hey there

recently updated our site to Joomla 4 and now I'm rebuilding the all the forms with Chronoforms 7.

The pdf files are created on the server and look okay. However, I cant get it to work, so that the created pdf is attached to a following email.I tried to add {var:tcpdf_3} or {var.tcpdf_3.path} to the email action at "Advanced settings" / "Attachments", but only get a blank page after submitting.
Extra question: How can I automatically delete the created pdf file, after it has been sent.

Thank you very much in advance,

Marc

Array
(
    [end_page_upload] => Array
        (
            [path] => /.../grusskarten/
            [var] => Array
                (
                )

        )

    [end_page_validation] => Array
        (
            [log] => Automatic validation enabled.
            [var] => true
        )

    [tcpdf_3] => Array
        (
            [path] => /.../images/grusskarten-tcpdf/grusskarte.pdf
            [var] => Array
                (
                    [path] => /.../images/grusskarten-tcpdf/grusskarte.pdf
                )

        )

    [email_12] => Array
        (
            [recipients] => Array
                (
                    [0] => info@xxxx.de
                )

            [subject] => Test
            [body] => <h1>Grußkarte</h1>
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,<br/><br/>
es wurde eine neue Grußkarte erstellt.
<h2>Informationen</h2>
<table>
<tr><td><strong>Name VersenderIn:</strong><br/><br/></td><td>Test<br/><br/></td></tr>
</table>
<hr/>
<br/><br/>
<table>
<tr><td><strong>Name EmpfängerIn:</strong><br/><br/></td><td>TestTest<br/><br/></td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Station und Zimmernummer:</strong><br/><br/></td><td>TestTestTest<br/><br/></td></tr>
</table>
Nachricht<br/>
TestTestTestTestTestTestTestTestTestTest<br/><br/>
#1: {"path":"\/...\/images\/grusskarten-tcpdf\/grusskarte.pdf"}
#3: /.../images/grusskarten-tcpdf/grusskarte.pdf
<hr/>

            [from_name] => xxx
            [from_email] => xxx@xxx.com
            [reply_name] => Super User
            [reply_email] => xxx@xxx.com
            [result] => the Mail sent successfully.
            [var] => true
        )

)

HI Marc,
​
I'm not very familiar with CFv7 but will try to help you here.
​
You don't have anything in the Email Attachments settings. Please see this old CFv4 FAQ which should give you the basic idea.
​
The simplest way to do the housekeeping and delete old files is to set up a Cron Job on your site and have that run a form every day , or every few hours. In the form add Custom PHP that checks the contents of the uploads folder and deletes all files more that say, one hour old.
​
Bob

Hey Bob,
​
as always: Thank you for taking your time to try to support me.
​
If you would look at my screenshots: So far I dont use an "Upload"-action, but only a "TCPDF Export"-action "Store" named "tcpdf_3".
In CF6 I had the option to add "{var:tcpdf_3}" in the E-Mail action in the field "Attachment list" and it worked. IN CF7 i tried the same by adding "Attachments" / "Add new attachment" and put "{var:tcpdf_3}" or {var:tcpdf_3.path} in the field "File Path on Server", but it wont work: I only get a blank page after submitting the form.
​
By the way: If i put {var:tcpdf_3.path} in the E-Mail body, the generated E-Mail shows the complete path correctly.
​
Do you think I need a file upload action after the tcpdf-action first? Because your link points in that direction...
​
There is no manual for CF7 yet, right?

Update:
​
If I manually enter a 100kb pdf file on the server in "Attachments" in the E-Mail-action, it works. If I try to attach the tcpdf-generated file I get a blank page. There is no error message tho😟
​
Could it be the file size?

Hi Marc,
​
I doubt it's the file size if it's generated from the form data. But you can check the size by looking at the saved pdf; and double check by attaching that manually.
​
If you turn the debugger on you will hopefully get some more useful info about what is happening.
​
Bob