Rapls PDF Image Creator automatically generates thumbnail images when you upload PDF files to your WordPress Media Library. The plugin uses ImageMagick (Imagick PHP extension) to convert the first page of a PDF into an image.

Key Features

• Automatic Generation – Thumbnails are created instantly when PDFs are uploaded
• Featured Image Support – Generated thumbnails are automatically set as the PDF’s featured image
• Multiple Sizes – Images are generated in all registered WordPress image sizes
• Media Library Integration – Display thumbnails instead of default PDF icons
• Editor Integration – Insert PDF links with thumbnail images into your posts
• Bulk Generation – Generate thumbnails for all existing PDFs at once
• Flexible Output – Choose from JPEG, PNG, or WebP formats

How It Works

1. Upload a PDF file to the Media Library
2. The plugin automatically converts the first page to an image
3. The image is registered as the PDF’s featured image
4. Use shortcodes or template functions to display the thumbnail

Generated Files

When you upload my-document.pdf, the plugin creates:

• my-document-pdf.jpg (Full size cover image)
• my-document-pdf-1024×768.jpg (Large)
• my-document-pdf-300×225.jpg (Medium)
• my-document-pdf-150×150.jpg (Thumbnail)
• Additional sizes based on your theme settings

Shortcodes

• [rapls_pdf_thumbnail id="123"] – Display thumbnail image
• [rapls_pdf_thumbnail_url id="123"] – Output thumbnail URL
• [rapls_pdf_clickable_thumbnail id="123"] – Thumbnail linked to PDF
• [rapls_pdf_download_link id="123"] – Download link with thumbnail

Template Functions

• rapls_pic_get_thumbnail_url( $pdf_id, $size ) – Get thumbnail URL
• rapls_pic_get_thumbnail_id( $pdf_id ) – Get thumbnail attachment ID
• rapls_pic_get_thumbnail_image( $pdf_id, $size, $attr ) – Get thumbnail HTML
• rapls_pic_has_thumbnail( $pdf_id ) – Check if PDF has thumbnail
• rapls_pic_generate_thumbnail( $pdf_id, $force ) – Generate thumbnail

Requirements

• WordPress 5.0 or higher
• PHP 7.4 or higher
• ImageMagick with Imagick PHP extension and PDF support

Most shared hosting providers have ImageMagick available. Check the Status tab in plugin settings to verify your server meets the requirements.

Using Template Functions

Display a PDF thumbnail in your theme:

$pdf_id = 123;
if ( rapls_pic_has_thumbnail( $pdf_id ) ) {
    echo rapls_pic_get_thumbnail_image( $pdf_id, 'medium' );
}

Link thumbnail to PDF file:

$pdf_id = 123;
if ( $thumbnail_id = get_post_thumbnail_id( $pdf_id ) ) {
    echo '<a href="' . esc_url( wp_get_attachment_url( $pdf_id ) ) . '" target="_blank">';
    echo wp_get_attachment_image( $thumbnail_id, 'medium' );
    echo '</a>';
}

Display All PDFs Attached to a Post

$pdfs = get_posts( array(
    'post_type'      => 'attachment',
    'post_mime_type' => 'application/pdf',
    'post_parent'    => get_the_ID(),
    'posts_per_page' => -1,
) );

foreach ( $pdfs as $pdf ) {
    if ( rapls_pic_has_thumbnail( $pdf->ID ) ) {
        printf(
            '<a href="%s">%s</a>',
            esc_url( wp_get_attachment_url( $pdf->ID ) ),
            rapls_pic_get_thumbnail_image( $pdf->ID, 'thumbnail' )
        );
    }
}

Available Filter Hooks

• rapls_pdf_image_creator_thumbnail_page – PDF page to use (default: 0)
• rapls_pdf_image_creator_thumbnail_max_width – Maximum width
• rapls_pdf_image_creator_thumbnail_max_height – Maximum height
• rapls_pdf_image_creator_thumbnail_quality – Image quality (1-100)
• rapls_pdf_image_creator_thumbnail_format – Output format
• rapls_pdf_image_creator_thumbnail_bgcolor – Background color
• rapls_pdf_image_creator_thumbnail_image_attributes – Image tag attributes
• rapls_pdf_image_creator_custom_insert_html – Custom insert HTML
• rapls_pdf_image_creator_hide_thumbnails_in_library – Hide in Media Library

Available Action Hooks

• rapls_pdf_image_creator_before_generate – Before thumbnail generation
• rapls_pdf_image_creator_after_generate – After successful generation
• rapls_pdf_image_creator_generation_failed – When generation fails