Interactive pdf design

[RED TICK]

I am working on a project and would like to take a completely new direction with it and build it in an interactive PDF. Now I have searched youtube, and the forums here for some of these questions and they are all old posts, like 5 plus years in some cases. So I am hoping some of this has been resolved in the time since. If I am not in the right area please feel free to yell at me and where I should go to post these questions. Feel free to not provide in depth answers if you are time constrained. Anything even simple search terms or related criteria will help me research the answers I need.

(((Lets assume Adobe will be the only viewer used and that file size is not an issue)))

1. I would like to design an interactive PDF that does not look like a PDF. No scroll bars, bookmarks, etc that you normally see when opening a PDF in a business environment. Can these types of features be removed or hidden from view when building a pdf to be viewed in Adobe's reader?

2. Can you nest a small video in the PDF so that it travels with the PDF where ever it is sent that way the video and audio will always work and not require an internet connection to have you point to a location on the web to play the video from? I believe this is possible but just want to verify.

3. Recent (last 5-10 years) updates basically make PDF's "like" zip containers in that you can attach many file formats for use or reference in the pdf. Is that correct and if so are there any limitations on the files types that can be used? I assume video files, other pdf's, word documents, etc are supported but what about cad files or other open design formats or database files, or perhaps more appropriately excel spreadsheets?

4. So I know PDF's can be password protected from viewing and or editing but can you password protect different pages within the document?

5. On that note I should probably ask, is it possible to restrict movement around the pages of a pdf to just those interactive bits I build into each page?

6. Can a PDF require X509 certificate-based authentication (CAC Card or Smart Card)?

7. If I design an animation or effect using after effects can those elements be used in the pdf? Or would I need to render the effects out as a small movie and turn that clip into an animated gif to use it in the PDF?

[try67 · Accepted solution]

1. You can set the Initial View options to hide these objects, yes. Look under File - Properties - Initial View.

2. Yes, that's possible. Use the Add Video tool under Interactive Objects to do it.

3. That's correct and these file-types are not a problem. You will have issues with executables, though.

4. There's no built-in function that does that, no.

5. Again, no built-in function allows you to do it. It might be possible with a script, but it's generally not a good idea.

6. Yes. Look under File - Properties - Security - Certificate Security.

7. I don't think you can include a native AE file in a PDF. You will need to export it to a supported movie format (not an animated gif, though).

[RED TICK]

Thank you for the prompt response. Where your answers indicate there is no built in function but there might be a possible script solution, are you referring to Java Scripts, and if so can you point me to a good starting location to begin researching what scripting options are available when working with PDFs? Also how far do you think I can push a PDF beyond its normal functionality with scripts? Are we talking simple navigation modifications like you already mentioned or can I have an interactive bit/bobble that can call on a nested script to say run a hashing function on a users response in an input field.

[try67]

Yes, I'm talking about JavaScript.

Good resources to start with Acrobat JS are:

http://www.adobe.com/devnet/acrobat.html

https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/

http://www.pdfscripting.com/

JS can be used to make serious modifications to how a PDF works and feels, but it has its limitations, and what you're describing are not trivial tasks. But yes, everything you described should be possible.

[try67]

PS. If you're interested in hiring someone to develop these scripts for you, feel free to contact me privately (try6767 at gmail.com) and we could discuss it in more detail.

[RED TICK]

Thank you I might take you up on that. I need to flesh out the concept and put together a straw-man/surrogate to "story board" with but after that if you don't mind signing an NDA and the like then that could work.

[try67]

Not a problem, but let's continue over email.