Using Buttons in InDesign for an Interactive Puzzle

[lca1986]

Hi all,

I am trying to create an interactive puzzle using indesign. Essentially. There will be three answers per puzzle piece and if you select the correct one it will turn to part of the picture.

I know using the button feature I can set two of the thee answers to stay white and the third to change to the picture, the problem is that I don't want the check box to be the same size as the puzzle piece.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[Steve Werner]

You haven't told us what kind of output you're planning: Interactive PDF, Fixed Layout EPUB, Reflowable EPUB? Publish Online?

It definitely couldn't be done with interactive PDF. It sounds like something that would have to be HTML using JavaScript.

[TᴀW]

Hi Steve,

I think it could be done as an interactive PDF, but it would need a bit of Acrobat Javascript to get the logic in place.

So, as you say, the question is what kind of output the OP is looking for. Both HTML and PDF are possibilities.

Ariel

[Steve Werner]

So, bottom line, it can't be done in InDesign. It would either require Acrobat and knowledge of JavaScript or HTML (like in5) and JavaScript.

[TᴀW]

Right, it can't be done natively in InDesign. If interactive PDF is the target, though, it could all be done in InDesign with our (not free) FormMaker product: FormMagic | Id-Extras.com

With FormMaker, there would still need to be Javascript code written, but it could be attached to the form fields in InDesign.

Ariel

[BobLevine]

This falls into the “when all you have is a hammer, the whole world is a nail” category.

[TᴀW]

Look, if you can play Space Invaders in InDesign (GitHub - schlompf/layout-invaders: a space invaders inspired game for indesign ) you can certainly make a simple puzzle with 3 questions and a picture...

[Derek Cross]

Will it be readable on all devices?

[TᴀW]

Probably not. But it would be readable on the free desktop Adobe PDF Reader if nothing else.

[lca1986]

If interactive pdf isn't possible , what would the next easiest option be ?

[Derek Cross]

Have a look at FXL ePub or possibly InDesign Publish Online.

[lca1986]

Would they be able to open using Acrobat?

[Derek Cross · Accepted solution]

Acrobat Reader is for reading PDFs only.

Alternatives:

1) You need a reader for FXL ePub, such as: EPUBReader - Chrome Web Store  also have a look at: https://www.circularflo.com/

2) For Publish Online you have to be online and any device with a HTML5 browser and you can't monetise it, but it can be viewed easily on any device.

3) Alternatively, have a look at in5, you can create a stand alone app (and with some effort sell it through the Apple app store): Export HTML5 from InDesign with in5 - Home

Sadly, there's no simple solution, each format has advantages and disadvantages.