Merging files

[etcremer]

I created (spent days) a form using LiveCycle Designer ES 8.2.  I has previously created some forms using adobe acrobat 9 Pro.  they both have similar data fields.  I want to merge them into one form.

i merged two forms when i was in adobe acrobat, but when i try to merge the AA9pro files with the livecycle file i get an error message something about xml file can"t merge with my regular .pdf file.

question  is there a way i can convert one or the other so they will merge??

this was my first experience with livecycle

thanks

erick

[Niall_O_Donovan]

Hi,

Acrobat forms and LiveCycle forms are completely different animals. LC uses Adobe XML forms architecture (XFA) and there are subtle differences in the Javascript that you code in Acroforms and LC Designer forms.

It is not possible to merge a XFA form with an Acroform.

Despite the differences, you have a few options available (as I see it; someone else may have better advice):

• This is the preferred option: decide what are the requirements for your project/form and decide which product delivers this. Both are very good for developing and deploying forms. /*Acrobat fans don't get upset...*/ It is generally easier to create complex forms in LC Designer and then deploy them through Acrobat.
  
• In relation to your existing Acroforms and LC XFA forms, you have a couple of options. To start with you cannot merge the LC XFA forms with the Acroforms. While the LC form looks fine in Acrobat, it is just wrapped in the PDF, the underlying structure is completely different. So one option is to import the existing Acroforms into LC and then amend the script so that it works in LC (the Javascript is different - not all aspects, but some). I tried this approach this morning and it "kind of" worked. The Acroform did import but some of the look and feel was different and some of the Javascript did require updating/amendment. If you want to try this select new form from LC and then the option to import a PDF. It is important to select the option "Create an Interactive Form with a flowable layout". You will get a summary of the import process, which may contain warnings (see below). Once you have the Acroforms in LC, you can copy pages/subforms into your existing LC XFA forms and tie the bits together. GOOD LUCK!
  
• Another option is to open your existing Acroform in Acrobat and attach the LC XFA forms using the paperclip tool. Then in your Acroform you can create either buttons or links with an action to "Go to a page view". While the set link window is open, go to the attachments and open a LC XFA form, then click "Set Link". You may want to edit the options, for example set to "open in a new window". You could do this for each form that you have attached to the Acroform. This way the Acroforms and LC XFA forms can co-exist in one PDF and the user can use both. It is going to be difficult to use Javascript to populate/transfer data from one form to the other (but I don't think impossible; tricky, yes,.... but possible - I think... hmmmm....).

Anyway there are a few options available. You can decide which suits your purposes best.

I hope that helps!

Niall

[etcremer]

Niall,

Thanks.  it seems to work just as you suggested in option #2.   i am now editing it so it looks more like the hard copy form.  all my fields are there just the Text is missing.  saved bunches of work. thanks thanks thanks!!!

one more question.  when i save the new file, ( the one i imported and am editing) which option do i choose? there are about 5 options:"

Adobe static PDF form (.pdf)

Adobe Dynamic XML form (.pdf)

Adobe XML form (.xdp)

Adove LiveCycle Designer Template (.tds)

i eventually want to merge this form with another LC form i already designed.  i saved that one as the default file type in LC (Adobe static PDF form (.pdf))

thanks for all your help

erick

[Niall_O_Donovan · Accepted solution]

Hi Erick,

I don't have LC fired up, so just a few points:

• I save all our files as "dynamic". The nature and capability of LC is that you will develop some dynamic aspect to your forms, so it is best to have this set as the default. There are times when your form will appear not to work. Save yourself time and double check that you have saved it as dynamic.
  
• We save our files as dynamic PDF. We are not working with the full Enterprise Suite so have no real use for .xdp. Also the PDF file size will generally be less than the .xdp file size.
  
• I am sloppy and should have set up some basic templates, but life is too short.
  
• In summary "Adobe Dynamic XML form (.pdf)" will do you fine.

When you have a few forms developed, please bear in mind that you will not be "merging them". At best (and this is very achievable) you will copy parts of a form or all of a form into an existing form.

What is important is that you start out with a consistent naming structure for your objects. This can prevent problems later. We are getting better at this! Decide what suits you, but stick to it:

• name your pages: p1; page1; page_1 (whatever)
• name your subforms: sDesign; SFdesgin; sf_Design (whatever)
• name your objects: scaffold_boards; scaffoldBoards (whatever)

This way when you copy parts of your forms into an existing form, it is easier to get the scripting amended to suit the new form.

In your existing form insert a new page. Go back to your new form and copy all of the elements (sometimes it is easier to select them from the hierarchy) and then paste them into the existing form. You may need to move them into the correct subform.

Good luck,

Niall

[etcremer]

Niall,

thanks a milliion. you made my life much easier.

erick

[Iakov_Qvaz]

>  I created (spent days) a form using...

:-)

I am just getting started with forms and unless I am only pasting fillable fields onto an existing form,  it's amazing how long one form can take to create from scratch.

That Niall fella gives some detailed replies, doesn't he?  Community Expert pguerett better watch his back.

[Niall_O_Donovan]

Thanks Lakov,

But respect to Paul. He has helped this novice (me) out of more Javascript "holes" than I care to mention. We are all working together.

N.

[etcremer]

Niall,

i am getting there, please bear with me.  i am not to the stage where i copy and paste my form into the LC form.  the LC form is portrait orienation and the New LC form is Landscape.  can one have portrait and landscape pages in the same form??  i found a button to change from portrait to landscape but it changed the whole document not just the new pages i wanted to paste into.

thanks again

erick

[Niall_O_Donovan]

Hi Erick,

Yes, it is possible to have pages of different layouts and sizes. You can set this out in the Master Page window.

When you set up a new file, LC will generate a master page (Page1), which will have the properties you set in the dialogue (A4, portrait).

LC automatically names the master pages, starting with a capital, Page 1. For the purposes of this excerise I am going to rename this Page1_A4_Portrait.

When you have the master page selected, go to the Object / Master Page tab, you will see the properties and that you can restrict the number of times the page is rendered. For example if your form does not expand vertically, growing into multiple pages, then you could set the max number here.

Now lets add a new master page. While you have a master page selected, go to the Insert / New Master Page menu. Set it up as A4 Landscape and rename it Page2_A4_Landscape.

Now if we have a 5-page form, with the first two pages portrait and the last three pages landscape. If the form is not going to grow in the number of pages then we can set the correct effect by restricting the number of pages in the Master Page tab.

Next go to the the first page and look at the Object / Pagination tab. This is where you set which of the Master Pages will be applied to that page. Using the menu next to "Place", you can set where you want the first page to be rendered. Here we will set it to "On Page "Page1_A4_Portrait".

Page 2 is set to Place: "Following Previous" using the same menu when you have page 2 selected.

Page 3 is then set to start on the next Master Page, by selecting "On Page "Page2_A4_Landscape".

You then set Pages 4 and 5 to Place: "Following Previous". If you find that you have more than 5 pages, it means that some of the root subforms (blue dotted rectangles) extend beyond one or more of the pages. Just grab the handles and drag back inside of the page (purple dotted Master Page content area).

The same approach would be used if you want to revert to portrait layout later in the form or want different page sizes.

Once you have your pages set up, it will be easier to paste the content into the pages that are orientated correctly.

Hope that works for you.

Niall

[etcremer]

Niall,

I was able to add various layouts to my form after your help. Thanks. I did find it easier to re build each page rather than copy and paste my ACRO forms in to LC.

Thanks for your help

Erick