New to Adobe Forms. Do I need LiveCycle Form Server to use web services?

[Former Community Member]

I got LiveCycle Designer trial and trying to get it work with my web service I build in .NET. I put a button (execute type) on form and created new Data Connection. Data connection finds web service and lists methods, but when I save it, open on web server, fill with data and click button - nothing happens.



In the Adobe documentation I've seen, it doesn't say that you need Form Server for version 8. Before I pull my hair out, can someone explain to me if it's possible to submit forms to web service without Form Server?



Links to info, docs would be great.



Thanks much



- Steve

[HowardTreisman]

Hi Steve

You don't need Forms Server.

Adobe Reader doesn't support Web Services, only Acrobat does.

You need to either:

a) Open your form in Acrobat.

b) Reader-Extend your form.



You can Reader Extend your form using Acrobat 8 for a maximum of 500 users. If you require more than 500 users, you need to purchase an Adobe product called Reader Extensions.



Hope this helps.

Howard

http://www.avoka.com

[Former Community Member]

Thanks Howard. I'm trying to find a solution to collect data from unknown number of anonymous web users and store data in a database (XML or some other form).



My understanding was that I can create form in LiveCycle Designer, enable usage right for Reader in Acrobat, and collect data on web service side when user submits form using Reader.



Regarding 500 user limit, is it concurrent or 500 users in total? I don't know how Adobe keeps track of users.



I probably will look into MS InfoPath to see what it offers also as we're trying to stay away from custom ASP/ASP.NET forms.

Thanks.



- Steve

[HowardTreisman]

Hi Steve

Instead of using a Web Service (i.e. SOAP protocol), just use a simple http submission.

Just drop a button on your form, change the type to Submit, select XML data, and enter a URL. Then write a ASP.Net page to process the submissions.



The 500 limit is a total number of users. Check the EULA to be sure. Adobe does not appear to limit this programmatically, it's an honor-based system. However, knowing their legal department just a little, I would be very careful to stick to the letter of the law :-)



Howard

http://www.avoka.com

[Former Community Member]

Howard,

Thanks so much for your help. I wish it would be that simple as it seems, but it's not working, and it gets frustrating as I tried different approaches.



Here's what I did per your suggestion:



1. Create blank form, add subform, put a textbox and http submit button.

2. Change http button to simple button, ControlType=submit, SubmitAs=XML Data, my URL. Saved as Acrobat 7 (static), enabled usage rights.



3. Open in Reader, fill textbox and submit. Get an error: "No Input File Page Data http://localhost/ws/pdf.asp"



4. ASP page is simple test at this point. It creates a text file and suppose to put in retrieved PDF data. Tried getting all form data and specifying control name (f.WriteLine(Request.Form("TextField1"))), but text file is blank, which tells me data is not being submitted from PDF.



I also tried saving as Acrobat Dynamic XML Form (ver. 7 & 8), but then it pops-up Email selection form during submission. Do you know if there any limitations in trial versions? I think not but getting a little desperate here. :)

Anything I'm missing here? Thanks.



- Steve