This video shows how to download and run Tornado from the command line on Windows, then access the Tornado Console from a web browser.
Watch the Video (7 min).
Request a Tornado license key (00:14)
If you haven't done so already, Tornado trial here.
Download Tornado (00:46)
Download the latest Tornado software from the Docmosis resources website as a zip file.
The zip file includes the Tornado executable and the documentation needed to run the software.
Prepare Tornado folders and files (01:04)
Tornado requires a working area and a templates folder.
The working area is used for generated cache and log files. The templates folder is the location Tornado uses to source templates for document generation.
In the example, a top-level Docmosis folder is created on the C drive, with a Tornado folder inside it. Within the Tornado folder, separate folders are created for the working area and templates. Tornado can also be placed in another folder location if preferred.
The required WAR file and the Windows batch file are copied into the Tornado folder.
Review the BAT file (01:48)
The Windows batch file contains the command used to start Tornado.
Most of the batch file is commented out, but it includes settings that can be adjusted before Tornado is run. One of these settings controls the port used by Tornado. By default, Tornado uses port 8080. If port 8080 is already in use, the port can be changed in the batch file.
The batch file also contains the Java command used to start Tornado. This can be updated to point to a specific Java installation if required.
Tornado requirements and dependencies (02:33)
Tornado is a Java application and requires Java to be installed.
The example uses OpenJDK from Azul Java. For a Windows installation, Java should be a 64-bit Windows version.
LibreOffice for Windows 64-bit is also required. Very new LibreOffice versions should be avoided unless confirmed as suitable. Docmosis support can advise which LibreOffice version is recommended at the time.
Start Tornado and access the console (03:19)
Tornado is started from the command line using the Windows batch file.
After Tornado starts, the Tornado Console is available in a standard web browser at:
http://localhost:8080/
Configure Tornado (03:38)
When Tornado first starts, the engine status is down because the required configuration has not yet been completed.
The Configuration page is used to add the trial license key, set the LibreOffice location, specify the templates folder and specify the working area.
During a trial, the admin password can be left blank by selecting the option that allows a blank admin password. After the required settings are saved, Tornado needs to be restarted from the command line.
On restart, Tornado reads the saved configuration and displays information about the license key. When the service is available and listening on port 8080, the Tornado Console can be refreshed in the browser and the engine status should show as running.
The admin password setting can then be updated. The option to allow a blank admin password should be removed, a password should be entered and the configuration should be saved. The next time the console is opened, Tornado will require this password.
Test document generation (05:41)
The Status page shows the templates that Tornado can access from the configured templates folder.
Tornado includes a bundled Welcome Template. This template contains simple fields for a date and a message.
The Tornado Console can query the selected template and generate matching sample data in JSON or XML. With PDF selected as the output, the test button sends the data to Tornado and returns a generated document in the browser.
This confirms that Tornado is running, connected to the configured folders and able to generate documents.
