InDesign equivalent of LiveCycle's "Image Field" in PDF form creation?

Question

LiveCycle has a PDF form field called "Image Field". We add this field to the PDF files we create so that our end users can select and import a JPEG image into their PDF document using Adobe Reader.
Now we would like to use InDesign to produce the same PDF form files as an alternative to using LiveCycle. Does InDesign have a PDF form field like LiveCycle's "Image Field"? We haven't found it yet.
In other words, does someone know in InDesign how to create a field in PDF forms which has the same functionality as LiveCycle's "Image Field"? LiveCycle's field works in enabled Adobe Reader files, and permits JPEG format, among others.
Thank you,
Kevin
P.S. We discovered a way to create PDF forms in Adobe Acrobat Pro XI with similar functionality by using JavaScript, but the Acrobat Pro created documents only permit Adobe Reader to import PDF files, not JPEG or other image formats. So Adobe Acrobat Pro XI was not a viable alternative to LiveCycle for creating our PDF files. We'd like to know if we need to rule out InDesign, too.

Answer 1

It's worth separating out the different responsibilities and products.
Whether a functionality exists in Reader depends on the Acrobat team. Reader, being free, is limited by design, the aim of the design being to sell copies of Acrobat. Obviously, Reader can't make PDFs or do preflighting. Less obviously, there are a bunch of JavaScript functions that don't work. Sometimes, with Reader enabling, more functions become available. (There are different kinds of Reader enabling, some of which need very expensive extra products).
Whether a form capability exists at all is largely down to the PDF specification (now an ISO standard) or the XFA specification. Adobe can choose to go beyond the specification but largely choose not to.
So, the InDesign team can make form fields, not because the Acrobat team approves, but because the way this is done is written down in the PDF Specification. InDesign _could_ choose to make XFA forms, but thank goodness that will never happen.
So, if you want InDesign forms to do something you first have to ask: can Acrobat forms to this. NOT XFA (LIveCycle forms) which are done by a different team to different rules. So far as I know Acrobat forms cannot do the sort of thing you want; that is, placing arbitrary graphics, but in certain circumstances they can place PDF files.
Why make the distinction?
- If Acrobat can make forms that do this, then so can InDesign: it's worth asking the InDesign people to do it.
- If Adobe limit Adobe Reader, there is no use asking the InDesign team to solve this.
- If Acrobat can't make forms that do this, then nor can InDesign.