Skip to main content
Anonymous
Aug 8, 2017 5:13 AM UTC
Question

plugin creation

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

This topic is closed to new replies. Start a new post to keep the conversation going.

152 replies

Test Screen Name
Legend
Jul 11, 2019 11:10 AM UTC

Creative Cloud, in its full subscription (all apps) version includes Acrobat Pro DC. This does not change your project or needs in any way, but it is a choice for your end users, who will already have Acrobat Pro if they have an All Apps CC subscription.

Translate
Test Screen Name
Legend
Jul 11, 2019 10:47 AM UTC

1) You need to study the distribution models of Acrobat. Document Cloud Product Tracks — DC Deployment Planning and Configuration

2) You can let the end user do what they like. Of course it will not work in Acrobat Reader or if the wrong folder is chosen. My choices are made to reduce the level of tech support calls we have to deal with.

3) A custom app or a deployment based on Windows Installer. Your choice.

4) No, you have to develop your own sales/distribution channel. Adobe sold selected plug-ins at one time, but not for more than 10 years.

Translate
sheenam94333193
Known Participant
Jul 11, 2019 10:55 AM UTC

ques to your answer 4:::

there is an Acrobat Creative Cloud DC that has a number of acrobat desktop applications....

cant any of them achieve our purpose or not??

Translate
Test Screen Name
Legend
Jul 11, 2019 9:53 AM UTC

Plug-ins are installed in the plug-in folder. That's it. Adobe do not provide anything to help you download, integrate or install. The user has to copy the file to the Acrobat plug-in folder, or you have to provide an installer that you create which does that for the user. Each plug-in developer may spend weeks working on this part of the project, and makes their own solution. Or just written instructions for the end user.

The plug-in folder varies by release of Acrobat, and according to whether the user has the Classic or Continuous thread. Do not assume it is a fixed folder.

It would be wise, if you make an installer, to check the user has Acrobat, not Acrobat Reader, to avoid confusion.

Translate
sheenam94333193
Known Participant
Jul 11, 2019 10:25 AM UTC

ok i have few questions.....

1.) what do you mean by Classic or Continuous Thread?????

2.) Also, once the .api file is generated from our side, should we be concerned with whether the end-user copies that file under plug-ins folder of Acrobat DC or Acrobat Reader Dc???i mean isnt our job done once we create our .api file and share it with them?????

3.) If you answer NO to the ques2..in that case we require the INSTALLER that you were mentioning...

now how to create that installer???

4.) last question,,... like we have MacOS store, doesn't adobe have some store or cloud service(like adobe creative cloud DC) where we can put our plugins and those plugins can be used by with the end user...because, the final goal was never to develp the plugins on our local system, they have to be finally shared with the clients....

so how can that be achieved???

Translate
Test Screen Name
Legend
Jul 11, 2019 9:15 AM UTC

You continue to ask questions which have been answered already. This is wasting your time and ours. For your convenience here is my reply: "You can add tools using the AVToolbar/AVToolButton methods. These were designed for a release of Acrobat that worked differently, and are difficult to figure out for DC. But it is possible."

You now need to study the documentation for the AVToolbar/AVToolButton methods, and experiment. Expect many frustrating failures.

Translate
sheenam94333193
Known Participant
Jul 11, 2019 9:38 AM UTC

hmm ok..

also, a very important question which is no where there in the acrobat documentation...

which is.... now that i have made custom plugins and integrated with the Acrobat Pro DC.... but these plugins are there in acrobat pro DC of my local system...

my question is.... how can these plugins that are developed by me be shared with a third party...????

i mean there must be some delivery mechanism for these plugins using which any other client can buy the license from us and download our plugins to be used on his acrobat pro dc..?????

Translate
Test Screen Name
Legend
Jul 10, 2019 3:59 PM UTC

Please tell me which part of "You cannot add tools to the right hand bar in your code." is not clear.

Translate
sheenam94333193
Known Participant
Jul 11, 2019 8:22 AM UTC

i need a reason for that answer.. if the plugins be added as a sub menu item on the toolbar....then why is it not possible to add them on the right side panel???

(or a link explaining the reason for the same would also be greatt)

Translate
Bernd Alheit
Community Expert
Bernd AlheitCommunity Expert
Community Expert
Jul 11, 2019 8:35 AM UTC

There is no function in the API for this feature.

Translate
Test Screen Name
Legend
Jul 10, 2019 1:38 PM UTC

Click the Tools tab. This is where all tools are shown. You can add tools using the AVToolbar/AVToolButton methods. These were designed for a release of Acrobat that worked differently, and are difficult to figure out for DC. But it is possible.

You cannot add tools to the right hand bar in your code. The USER chooses what tools are in their right hand bar by clicking ADD on the tool icon in the main panel.  This is the user's space, and does not belong to your plugin.

Translate
sheenam94333193
Known Participant
Jul 10, 2019 2:33 PM UTC

So by using the AVTool methods will the plugins be added in the right side

through code?

On Wed, Jul 10, 2019, 7:09 PM Test Screen Name <forums_noreply@adobe.com>

Translate
Test Screen Name
Legend
Jul 10, 2019 7:49 AM UTC

No, they are nothing to do with the plug-in API or PDF display in Acrobat. They relate to a non-Adobe product I never heard of.

If you are not willing to learn how to program by examining code, reading documentation, and writing your own C/C++; instead of Googling, I don't think we can help you any more. Good luck.

Translate
sheenam94333193
Known Participant
Jul 10, 2019 8:01 AM UTC

do we have markup or annotating pdfs in documentation?

Translate
Bernd Alheit
Community Expert
Bernd AlheitCommunity Expert
Community Expert
Jul 10, 2019 8:23 AM UTC

Read the documentation:

Acrobat DC SDK Documentation

Translate
Test Screen Name
Legend
Jul 10, 2019 7:42 AM UTC

You need to actually program. Not hack pieces of code you find. Read the code and examine each line until you understand it. This is a long process of learning and discovery. Copy and paste is not programming.

Translate
Test Screen Name
Legend
Jul 10, 2019 7:04 AM UTC

This is not plugin code. Googling is not programming.

Translate
sheenam94333193
Known Participant
Jul 10, 2019 7:34 AM UTC

ya..its not working even

Translate
Test Screen Name
Legend
Jul 9, 2019 11:31 AM UTC

You have to use callbacks for their intended purpose. MyPluginIsEnabled is called (if you specify it on AVMenuItemNew) to check if your plug-in menu item is enabled. That's all you can do. This may be called zero, one or more times, at unpredictable intervals. If you don't understand event driven programming this is going to be difficult for you.

Translate
    sheenam94333193
    Known Participant
    Jul 9, 2019 12:03 PM UTC

    k so i have finally integrated my HighlightWords plugin in AcrobatSDK menu...

    The word is highlighted in blue colour.

    but that particular word gets de-highlighted if i press anywhere else in the file..this should not happen..

    basically, the word has to stay highlighted(in other words,stay annotated) in yellow color at all times till that pdf is loaded there.

    how can that be achieved???

    Translate
    Karl Heinz Kremer
    Community Expert
    Karl Heinz KremerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Jul 9, 2019 12:07 PM UTC

    Look at TSN's remarks five replies back regarding the redraw event.

    Translate
    Show more replies
    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices