Can't Access Mini-Bridge from Indesign

[sarapia777]

Hi. My computer shut down unexpectedly yesterday and since then the Mini-bridge panel is empty in InDesign. Yes, I saw another thread from 2014 with a similar issue but I don't understand the instructions, nor was the issue resolved.
I can open Bridge but Bridge doesn't reflect changes to files in my project as I go along, even if I close and reopen file location. I can make changes and save to a new folder and access via new folder, but have lost the ability to save the changes I make in PS immediately to the folder I'm working in.

Can anybody explain  in simple English how I might reconnect Mini-bridge with InDesign.

I've tried clearing preferences in Bridge and I've checked my start-up preferences and Bridge is checked.

I'm running ID with CS5.

Thank you.

[Barb Binder]

What is the operating system?

[sarapia777]

Oops, sorry. Win 7

[Barb Binder]

Ok, so CS5 was supported on Win7 so that's good.

Do you have your serial number? If resetting preferences didn't take care of it, you might want to deactivate, uninstall, run the Adobe Cleaner tool and then reinstall. But make sure you can reactivate it with your serial number before you start.

Adobe - Adobe CS5 Clean Tool

[sarapia777]

I must have purchased CS5 as a download because I don't have a CD. Will Adobe have a record of this? And if so, whom do I contact?

oy, it's been years since I've had to deal with this stuff.

[sarapia777]

Okay, I found my serial number in my account. How do I assure that the serial number will work prior to uninstalling and reinstalling? Also, will my InDesign project be saved somewhere?

[Barb Binder]

How do I assure that the serial number will work prior to uninstalling and reinstalling

That I can't tell you—I'm a user like you. You need to have the correct serial number for the product you purchased, and you need to download the same product. CS5 has long since reached end of life, so Adobe isn't supporting it anymore. Proceed with caution.

Also, will my InDesign project be saved somewhere?

As always, save your files locally and on a back-up drive. Removing the program does not remove documents, but things can go wrong and you want to play it safe.

The link that Ten A​ gave you is interesting. Note that it is on a Photoshop thread and not an InDesign, but you might want to go through it before you start the uninstall.

[sarapia777]

I've looked at some of the other threads and there's a lot of info that is just too confusing.

So what does that mean, not supported? I'm basically on my own?

Same with CS6, I suppose? No help unless one is subscribed to the cloud?

[Ten A]

mini Bridge stop to work since yesterday. This issue is extension side problem not app side.

We can set PlayerDebugMode=1 to get it work.

[Barb Binder]

Ten A. that would explain why we had one of these yesterday, and another today. Can you tell Sara exactly what she needs to do?

And Sara yes, CS5 and CS6 have eached end of life (no longer supported by Adobe) and yes that means you are on your own. Hold off uninstalling to see what Ten A​ has to say.

[Ten A]

I've researching about it now. I beleave that checking sign system not work and we can't lunch extensions.

On Mac using Terminal

defaults write ~/Library/Preferences/com.adobe.CSXS.3.plist PlayerDebugMode 1

On Windows using command line:

reg add HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Adobe\CSXS.3 /t REG_SZ /v PlayerDebugMode /d 1 /f

each command copy and paste in Terminal app or command line tool and return to apply it.

After apply it, restart ID to come back Mini Bridge.

[sarapia777]

Sorry, but I don't understand any of that. What/where is command line? I've seen other technicians using it on my machine but don't know where it is? Is this dangerous?

What is terminal app?

[sarapia777]

I would need specific, step by step instructions.

[sarapia777]

Maybe my LR guy could help me follow the above instructions. He's in Switzerland and he accesses my machine and knows computer language.

[sarapia777]

Or maybe Ten A would be willing to help me follow the instructions?

[Ten A]

Thank you UssNorway​ for your pointing.

Here is a step to apply commands in Windows.

Navigate "Start button", followed by "All apps".

Find the "Windows System" folder from the list of "apps" and you can find and select "Command Prompt".

Select and copy below line (command).

reg add HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Adobe\CSXS.3 /t REG_SZ /v PlayerDebugMode /d 1 /f

Go back "Command Prompt" window and right click to get menu and select paste, you will see previous command in there and hit return key.

[sarapia777]

Thank you for your help.  I'm going to look at this tomorrow. I'm in Eastern US time and it's time to say goodbye to this day. It will look better in the morning. See you tomorrow. Thanks again.

[sarapia777]

Hi. Thanks for the suggestion. I followed the instructions, the message in the command prompt reported it was successfully applied, I closed everything down, rebooted, and still no mini-bridge. I should also add, no mini bridge in PS either.

Any more ideas?

Should I consider subscribing to CCIndesign? I have dreaded this day.

[sarapia777]

To clarify, I followed Ten A's instructions as posted in #25.

[Barb Binder]

Sara—Mini-Bridge is not part of the Creative Cloud applications, starting with CC 2014. It used Flash and was removed once Flash was no longer supported. You will eventually need to upgrade to continue using InDesign, but hoping to get Mini-Bridge working again should not be the motivation.

~Barb

[davidblatner]

Yeah, I was very sad that they removed Mini Bridge. It was such a good idea, but never really caught on well enough. Sigh.

[sarapia777]

Barb - I would move to CC in order to get an Indesign app that works with all its functions working, not necessarily only for mini-bridge. I'm able to continue with my Indesign, even without mini-bridge - though it was so convenient, especially being able to edit images and instantly apply the changes. It's a little, but not terribly, cumbersome to drag and drop from Explorer library, but I gather that that's how it was once done. I was ready to pull the trigger on CC yesterday but I think I'll just continue with what I have. $49.00/mo is more than I want to pay at the moment. I'd love to find a copy of CS6 - something I meant to purchase back in 2012 when CC was threatening to take over.

Thanks.

[sarapia777 · Accepted solution]

Okay. I am back on track and realizing that I never even needed mini-bridge to begin with. I've set myself up with the compact version of bridge, and all features are working well, including the save-new-edit feature I thought I had lost previously. I should mention, though I've used PS/LR for many years, I'm a new user of InDesign, so some of the nuances are yet to be worked out. "Don't need no stinkin' mini-bridge!"

Thanks, all, for your help. Though it wasn't the fix I thought I needed, I consider this issue fixed.

Cheers.

[Barb Binder]

Great news, Sara.

[Ussnorway]

sarapia777  wrote

Sorry, but I don't understand any of that. What/where is command line? I've seen other technicians using it on my machine but don't know where it is? Is this dangerous?

What is terminal app?

Adobe software asks Adobe servers about any extensions (extra bits of software) before loading them… so that you don’t end up with doughy plugins or malware running on your system.

Adobe servers keep a list of good extensions i.e, signed and this is what your system is asking Adobe to check against but once Adobe takes that server function down then your system never gets an answer and doesn’t know what to do, so it just times out and shuts down.

The hack Ten A posted will work because it will force your local computer to stop asking Adobe servers about any extensions and that “work around” allows the software to run but is NOT a “fix” because anything can now run on your system and hackers know | target these patch jobs as a way to get their malware onto your system.

• Technically A terminal app is system editing for 3^rd party software (like Adobe) and a command tool is different because that allows a user to override default functions in their system i.e, Windows but most people use the terms interchangeably now days… yes there is risk to damage your system when using these.