What software to use to programmatically addinteractive fields to XFA forms?

[RamonHerrera@adobeforums.com]

I am trying to decide whether to stick with AcroForms for a while (after all, they aren't dead yet, are they?) or make the LJMP (long and painful jump) to LiveCycle forms.

My application inserts interactive fields into PDF documents, as they are programmatically created. I am pretty much familiar with the tools used to create the AcroForms, from Adobe and 3rd. parties, but am clueless when it comes to XFA technology.

This issue is very similar to the use of XMP to replace the Info dictionary. In this case of metadata, Adobe nicely provides the XMP toolkit, which is multiplatfom -not to mention free of charge.

Is there an XFA SDK that allows me to create XFA forms?

I seem to recall that the only way to deal with XFA forms is by licensing Adobe's server?

TIA,

-RFH

[RamonHerrera@adobeforums.com]

In case it matters: my forms have a fixed image in the background, and I have no control over it. My application's task is simply to place the fields on the proper places of PDF files that have been created by an upstream app.

-RFH

[Leonard_Rosenthol@adobeforums.com]

Doesn't sound like yolu need to switch to XFA, then does it?

AcroForms aren't going away - and if they solve your problem, there is no need to change.

Leonard

[RamonHerrera@adobeforums.com]

Doesn't sound like you need to switch to XFA, then does it?




So your advice (and I presume, Adobe's) in reference to XFA is not the same as the one in reference to XMP?

Since I have been looking around, shopping for and evaluating XML parsers, I decided that this was a good moment to revise both the XFA and the XMP issues.

-Ramon

[RamonHerrera@adobeforums.com]

The thing about XFA that kills me and makes me green with envy is the date picker. :-(

I am sure my clients would love that sample of cool user-friendliness.

-Ramon

[Dimitri_Munkirs@adobeforums.com]

Hi Ramon,

You can have a datepicker for AcroForms. A few people have worked on a JavaScript calendar for AroForms over the last few years, improving it greatly over time. We just published an AcroForm calendar datepicker with instructions on how to copy it into AcroForms at [url]www.pdfscripting.com[/url], but you have to be a paying member of the site for access.
Another one is called EZ DatePicker and is for sale as a commercial product.
You can create a datepicker for AcroForms yourself with JavaScript, but it's many hours of work.

Hope this helps,

Dimitri
WindJack Solutions
[url]www.pdfscripting.com[/url]
[url]www.windjack.com[/url]

[PDL@adobeforums.com]

after all, they aren't dead yet, are they?




No they're not.

I seem to recall that the only way to deal with XFA forms is by licensing
Adobe's server?




The Adobe LiveCycle Server products are the only method provided by Adobe for automating manipulation of XFA forms.