XDP For a PDF in AEM Forms

[Rama_KrishnaNy]

Hi all,

I have a PDF file for a form with logo, images and styling.

How to create an XSD that could be used as a Model while creating an AEM Adaptive Form so that while entering form in AEM Adaptive Form, the PDF appears exactly same?

Is there a tutorial for a sample PDF?

Appreciate all your responses.

Thanks,

RK.

[muskaanchandwani]

Hello @Rama_KrishnaNy 
Please post in the AEM Forms Community for our Forms' experts : https://experienceleaguecommunities.adobe.com/t5/adobe-experience-manager-forms/ct-p/adobe-experienc...

Thank you!

[VishalKa5]

Hi @Rama_KrishnaNy ,

You cannot make an Adaptive Form look exactly like your PDF using only an XSD, because an XSD provides only the data structure (fields and hierarchy) and does not include any layout, styling, fonts, images, or design elements. To replicate the exact look of your PDF in an Adaptive Form, you must first recreate or convert your PDF into an XDP file using Adobe AEM Forms Designer. The XDP format carries the full layout—logos, images, fonts, and styling—so when you build an Adaptive Form using this XDP as the template, the form can visually match your original PDF. There is no automated tutorial for converting any PDF to XDP; the design must be recreated manually in Designer.

Thanks

[Rama_KrishnaNy]

Thanks a lot @VishalKa5 for the clarity.

I posted this query in AEM Forms forum just now.

I have the below on my laptop:

     Adobe Experience Manager 6.5.23.0.
     AEM 6.5 Forms Add-on for SP23 (6.5.23.1) for Windows.

1. What version of Adobe AEM Forms Designer shall I install and use?

2. I should download it from Adobe Downloads?

https://experience.adobe.com/#/downloads/content/software-distribution/en/aem.html?

Appreciate it.

Thanks,

RK.

[VishalKa5]

Hi @Rama_KrishnaNy ,

You should install the AEM Forms Designer version that matches your AEM Forms service pack, which in your case is AEM Forms Designer 6.5 (latest available version). Adobe does not release a new Designer for every service pack — there is only one main Designer for AEM 6.5, and it works with all 6.5.x updates including SP23. Yes, you can download it from the Adobe Software Distribution portal using the same link (navigate to AEM Forms → Designer) and choose AEM Forms Designer 6.5 for Windows.

Summary:
Install AEM Forms Designer 6.5, and yes, download it from the official Adobe Software Distribution page.

Thanks

[Rama_KrishnaNy]

Thanks a lot @VishalKa5 .

This site has a lot of language specific pack installers in the beginning.

After this a list the full installers began and the below started for English.

AEM Forms Designer v6.5.19 English Full installer | x64-bit
AEM Forms Designer v6.5.18 English
AEM Forms Designer v6.5.17 English

Please confirm that I could go ahead with AEM Forms Designer v6.5.19 English Full installer | x64-bit.

Appreciate all your patience and help.

Thanks,

RK.

[VishalKa5]

Hi @Rama_KrishnaNy ,

Yes, you can safely use AEM Forms Designer v6.5.19 English Full Installer (x64).

AEM Forms Designer does not need to match the exact service pack version (6.5.23 in your case). Any 6.5.x Designer version works with all AEM 6.5 service packs, and Adobe simply releases updated installers over time.

So yes - AEM Forms Designer 6.5.19 is the correct choice and fully compatible with AEM 6.5.23 + Forms Add-on SP23.

Thanks,

Vishal

[Rama_KrishnaNy]

All these three are resulting in the same error while installing:

"The upgrade patch cannot be installed by the Windows installer service because the program to be upgraded may be missing or the upgrade patch may update a different version of the program. Verify that the program to be upgraded exists on your computer and that you have the correct upgrade patch."

I downloaded AEM Forms Designer Full Installer English(

aemforms_designer_6_5_0_wwe_win (1).zip) and unzipped it.

Ran Autoplay.exe, but the install screen  is disappearing.

Full URL for the download will help me.

Thanks,

RK.

[VishalKa5]

Hi @Rama_KrishnaNy ,

The error means Windows is treating the files you downloaded as upgrade patches, not as a true full installer. This happens when the installer package is incomplete or corrupted, which is why Autoplay.exe opens and disappears.

To fix it, you must re-download the AEM Forms Designer 6.5 English Full Installer (x64) directly from the Adobe Software Distribution portal (AEM > Forms > AEM Forms Designer > Full Installer). Unfortunately, Adobe does not allow sharing a direct URL — you must access it through the portal.

After downloading:

• Use Extract All (built-in Windows unzip).
• Right-click Autoplay.exe → Run as Administrator.

This is the only version that installs correctly without the upgrade-patch error.

Thanks