�Igor, & others,

Thanks for the info/links/leads.�

To be honest, I would rather just use a toolkit than create one.�That is not accurate, more accurately: I would rather create the toolkit than use it ... if I had the time.�Unfortunately for me, I do not have the time. So, if there is only a possibility that I can generate PDFs that meet my standards with pango/athens/cairo, then I should probably redirect my efforts.

Previously I used ReportLab in Python to generate my reports. See the following sample that was generated by code crafted back around 2002/2003:�http://ac.functional-analyst.com/fa-reports.php?table=2003-02-28/fa_reports&s=BDOG. ReportLab allowed for simple mark-ups in the text (e.g. <b> ... </b>) and for that version of report, I wrote code that allowed me to use XMLs to define my document components & flow ordering/control. I guess ReportLab's new PLUS version uses XML to give one full control of the document layout.

Of course, I want something more attractive than that sample, in this day and age. Color, floating text & image boxes. The reports must meet the standards of today. Perhaps something more like�http://debrispublishing.com/images/stories/Reports/2011/06-2011/ECA_2011-06-15_REPORT.pdf. But going further than that, in terms of charts, color usage, footnoting the tables, etc. See Standard & Poor's stock reports -- at that quality. The ideal toolkit would have some nice chart making abilities so that we don't have to invest 2 man months in creating a chart-making suite.

These reports will be generated weekly for about 9000 companies/funds. The process must be automated.

Ideally the report generation would be integrated with my data processing engine, which is in Pharo. Perhaps I will check out PDF4smalltalk. Once I can get my software talking to my DB (soon i hope), I can push my data into the DB and use Python or any other toolset for report generation... *if* I cannot do it in smalltalk.�

Any leads that anyone can offer are greatly appreciated!

I will have to poke around and learn what NativeBoost is... and which VMs were built with it.

How dirty?�

Thanks again for all of the responses.

-Cam�