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August 8, 2017
Question

plugin creation

  • August 8, 2017
  • 34 replies
  • 15730 views

Hi!

I am new to acrobat plugins.  I am having set of tools developed in acrobat java script like auto bookmarking.  I wanted to convert this into plugins using c++.  I dont know where to start and how to start.  Can any one help me on this?  How to create?  Which platform is required to create plugin?  How to create .api file?

Ariv

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34 replies

Legend
August 9, 2017

You debug a plug-in by setting Acrobat as the executable. But you are probably getting ahead of yourself. There is a lot of work to getting the first plug-in to build and install.

August 9, 2017

I have found below in SDK documentation

In Visual Studio 2005, create a new project by clicking on New Project or choosing the File > New > Project command. Select "Visual C++ Projects" in the Project Types pane. Choose Acro9PIWiz in the Templates pane. Enter a name and location for the project and click OK.

There Acro9PIWiz template is not there in my IDE.  How to bring this inside Visual studio?

August 9, 2017

how to debug with VC++ IDE to generage .api file?

Legend
August 9, 2017

See item 4.  The specific API to issue a message, to add to the event processor (probably a menu item) is AVAlertNote.

August 9, 2017

how to debug with VC++ IDE to generage .api file?

Legend
August 8, 2017

Plug-in creation needs things to be done very precisely, because the plug-in becomes part of Acrobat and has to be built in the same way. Here are some thoughts.

1. There may seem to be alternative ways to do some things, and experts might succeed. But getting plug-ins to work at all is so specific and demanding that for a beginner to make any changes to how things are done invites even more frustration. As it is, it may take weeks before a starting plug-in developer finally persuades their plug-in to load.

2. Plugins MUST be created using Visual Studio (Windows) or xcode (Mac). More than that, you need to use the specific version recommended in the documentation for the SDK you use.  These are complex tools with more learning curve than I'd like, even from version to version.

3. Write plug-ins for Acrobat NOT FOR READER.

4. Always use a starter project or sample to start with. Get one of these working properly before adding a line. Be sure you know what you expect them to do: for example a plug-in has an entry in ABOUT only if it puts one there; no other magic does this.

5. Plug-ins can run JavaScript; this may be a good way to build on the investment of time you have made. But to move beyond a certain point you may need to rewrite all using the plug-in SDK.

6. New to C/C++? These are treacherous language, full of ways for the beginner (and experienced programmer) to shoot themselves in the foot. Writing a user interface beyond menu items, tool buttons, OK alerts and yes/no questions requires knowledge of the platform programming methods of showing windows, dialogs etc. - a very large subject in itself.

7. There are thousands of API entry points. Read all the documentation you can, including all the introductory material. Get to know the "layers" of the API so you can focus on what you need.

8. An SDK is often forwards compatible, but never backwards. For example the Acrobat XI SDK on WIndows can make plug-ins for Acrobat XI which also work in Acrobat DC, but not in Acrobat X. But on Mac, the Acrobat XI SDK cannot make Acrobat DC plug-ins; these must be new projects. Adobe do not keep old SDKs available for long; this will block you developing for older Acrobats because people are not allowed to share an old SDK either.

August 8, 2017

Hi!

Thank you for your answer.

I have implemented my problem using javascript.  Now I wanted to create plugin(.api).  I have installed visual studio, Acrobat & SDK.

Now I need to start...

for example I wanted to write plugin for simple alert box...

what i need to first for this using visual studio?

Legend
August 8, 2017

Have you read all the introductory documentation? What version of Visual Studio does it say you need for your version of the SDK?