How to enable a custom Adobe plugin?

Question

The plugin is basically an enterprise policy restriction to share files by users. The application that holds the PDF writes a boolean attribute to the file's XMP file. The plugin we create will read the XMP and based on the Boolean either allows or disables the access to create a copy of the file (Save as, export, print).

More robust solution is underway but that will need time and we need a stop gap solution. So, we are going with a plugin that will be deployed by the IT to all client machines. The XMP file will be written by the application that stores or the PDF file with a Boolean attribute that will regulate if users can create a copy of not.

In my plugin I need to read the XMP file and based on the value either allow or disable the option to create a copy. We are not worried about the usability here just that it needs to do the job anyway. This is a stop gap solution.

We are good with all the code. Only question is how to enable our custom Adobe plugin? As we have not been able to load it in session in anyway.

Please note that it is for a single enterprise and deployed by IT. Not for sharing publically or over a marketplace.

Is the plugin code itself responsible to register the plugin or there is some process to it? Any help. Will be valueable! Thanks!

Thom Parker · Accepted Answer

@AanarkarYes, there are a few things that can go wrong. The first one is making sure that the code is compiled for the correct version of Acrobat32bit or 64bit. Almost everything is 64bit now, unless you have an old version.Next, the security needs to be setup so that Acrobat will load 3rd party plug-ins. In the Preferences, Under the General category there is a checkbox at the bottom labeled “Use only certified plug-ins”. This must be unchecked.It’s also best to turn off “Protected Mode” in the “enhanced security” category. Protected mode prevents the plug-in from accessing external resources.Of course, you’ll also need to but breakpoints in your plug-in code and walk through the start up to make sure it’s all working appropriately.

Thom Parker · Answer

So, are you writing this plug-in? Or was it provided by someone else?If you are writing it, then did you compile and install any of the sample plug-ins, such as the “BasicPlugin”?

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