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CMYK vector art in LiveCycle?

cfinley
Registered: Jan 9 2008
Posts: 70
Answered

can I use CMYK vector (.ai) graphics in a dynamic form created in LiveCycle?
 
I already know how to start as a pdf exported from InDesign and replace artwork in a form with fixed pages but this limits my options - I would like to have my high quality logo art be moveable/hidable based on script commands
 
My company has asked me to redo our product labels, and so far creating fixed page pdfs from ID templates has cut the number of label files from 500+ MS doc templates (one for every single part #) down to less than 40 (single master for each product family, dropdown box handles specifics)
 
If I could find a way to have all artwork variations for every product family in one pdf and let dropdown boxes determine visibility, I could have ONE single label file to rule them all!
 
Because they are product labels and destined for off-set print, matching our company color and crisp professional looking logos are mandatory

My Product Information:
LiveCycle Designer, Windows
thomp
Expert
Registered: Feb 15 2006
Posts: 4411
The "Picture" element in a LiveCycle form only handles raster images.

However, you can handle multiple images. Just use multiple Picture elements, each with a different logo. Then use the dropdown box and a script to control the visibility of each.

Thom Parker
The source for PDF Scripting Info
www.pdfscripting.com
Very Important - How to Debug Your Script

thomp
Expert
Registered: Feb 15 2006
Posts: 4411
If you want really nice looking graphics then you should be using an AcroForm, i.e. regular PDF. Because LiveCycle forms are a "Forms Only" technology, they do not handle CMYK or calibrated color spaces. You only get this in regular PDFs.

Having said this, there might be a way to handle multiple versions of good looking graphics in a LiveCycle form. Acrobat 8 has the ability to use a regular PDF as a backgroud, this handles the good graphics bit. The next bit is more difficult and I don't know if it is even possible but you might be able to control which backgroud is visible on which page.

Thom Parker
The source for PDF Scripting Info
www.pdfscripting.com
Very Important - How to Debug Your Script

cfinley
Registered: Jan 9 2008
Posts: 70
Well here is what I've figured out so far - I can take my InDesign .pdf, open in LiveCycle and it wants to make it a static page .pdf(as art background) - I can still add my text/combo boxes and save, when I open in acrobat, print (with pdf as my printer) then open the "printed" pdf in photoshop it still shows as opening in CMYK color....

And I can use replace artwork to "slide" new ID CMYK pdfs in place, so changes to art or logos is still a breeze

I was just hoping for EVERYTHING in one file... In future versions that would be great if they could make a "plug in" to unlock Vector & CMYK support for users who already own PS/IL/ID!As soon as I've worked out a few bugs I think I'm going to make a tutorial - even still, going from 500+ labels to 30 is a BIG improvement.