Is that possible to write acrobat plugins in javascript?

[prakashguru@adobeforums.com]

Dear guys,

I am very new to acrobat development. I want to develop a plugin for both acrobat and reader. It shows some dialog box on a toolbar button click and do some simple operations.

I read the acrobat sdk it have some samples to develop the plugins in the C++. I have a little knowledge in C++.

In the sdk I found some documents for javascript API (SOAP to call webervice,...). How can we use javascript plugin development?

Is that possible to develop plugins natively in javascript?
What is the role of the javascript in plugin development?

-
prakash

[malkyt8@adobeforums.com]

Hi,

Short answer - "yes, but not in the same way."

Long answer -
"It is not possible to create a plug-in that is build entirely of JavaScript. although it is possible to place a JavaScript in a location that will be loaded by Acrobat at startup and will act exactly like a plug-in."

To split your problem into separate questions to give you an idea of what you can achieve.

Q - Can I create a menuitem from JavaScript?
A - Yes

Q - Can I create dialogs when the item is clicked?
A - Technically yes, although they are limited, Relies on Adobe's Dialog Manager that is no longer supported by Adobe

Q - Can I make calls to webservices?
A - Yes

Q - Can I make JavaScript calls from a Acrobat/Reader plug-in?
A - Yes (see AFExecuteThisScript)

If you have a lot of or complicate dialog requirements I would advise that you use the c/c++ plugin.

If you can provide more information about exactly what you want to do with your script I can provide more guidance on how to achieve that.

HTH

Malky

[prakashguru@adobeforums.com]

Thank you very much for your detailed reply Malky.

You are exactly a mind reader Malky. Exactly I have the above questions in my mind.

We have some complex ui requirement such as showing grid and popup menus, etc. We are planning to give first preference to javascript. Because it is easier and quicker to develop then compared to C/C++. We may also reduce our ui requirements for javascript if it have only limited ui controls. You said that "Adobe's dialog manager" was not supported, except that is there any other technologies for acrobat javascript ui development? if any can you give me some pointers on that?

Also we want the plugin to communicate with soap web services. We can acheive by using some c++ library(is that possible are limitied only to acrobat sdk)?

If we write a plugin using c++/javascript is that work on both acrobat and reader? ( I menat that, Is the same codebase can be used for both acrobat and reader. we can write code based on the acrobat versions).

Thanks & Regards
Prakash

[Leonard_Rosenthol@adobeforums.com]

The jsADM functionality of Acrobat JavaScript is fully supported - no concerns there. Check the documentation and samples to understand if it is rich enough for your needs.

SOAP via JavaScript is FULLY supported - no problem there. Of course, that only works in Acrobat not in Reader.

While your plugin doesn't need to be re-written for Reader, you WILL need a license from Adobe in order to develop for Reader. Do that before you get too far along in case your license isn't granted...

[prakashguru@adobeforums.com]

thanks for your reply Leonard Rosenthol.

I got good idea about the things now.

Just one more question, Is that possible to customize the Left side panel which shows the bookmarks, thumbnails by adding our own items in addition to that?

Thanks & Regards
Prakash

[Leonard_Rosenthol@adobeforums.com]

There are no supported APIs for adding your own panel.

[prakashguru@adobeforums.com]

thank you very much for your help Leonard Rosenthol.