Is InDesign SDK (CS4) cross platform

Hi
I am newbie to Adobe SDK and had a quick question.
I remember reading in some documentation that Adobe SDK CS4 is "almost" cross platform. I am wondering if anyone here has experience with both windows and mac development to mention if that is the case or if there is some big differences. Also I am wondering if to use InDesign SDK on Mac would I need to use objective C or would C++ work fine. Is using the SDK on Mac as simple as simplying copying the C++ files from windows and doing minor tweaks to them to compile?
thanks
Sam

Hi
Your source is the same for Windows and MAC
The only difference is the compiler.
Meaning if you are using source control, you can check out the same source om both Windows and Mac
When dealing with files and Strings there are functions that only exist on Windows and some only on MAC
But it's pretty straight forward....
Of cource you have to download the SDK for both platforms

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Saving down from CS5 to CS4 cross-platform

Working on a PC, I am saving down from CS5 to CS4, exporting as an idml. The client is using CS4 on a MAC. When the file opens, the Master Page content is superimposing over the content of the page. Help!

Hi Bob and thank you for your help.
The answer to your question is yes. But now I have more information:
- I opened the idml file on my PC and I see the same thing as my client who is using a MAC.
- It occurred to me that my client created the original ind file himself (on a MAC) then sent it to me to work on.
- BUT my client's ind file was a originally a Quark file converted to InDesign CS4.
- I just completed another project for the client but I created it from scratch in CS5 then saved as an idml file so his MAC could read it. He had no problem with the idml file.
Judy
From: BobLevine <[email protected]>
To: Judy Schultz <[email protected]>
Sent: Mon, Sep 13, 2010 12:46 pm
Subject: Saving down from CS5 to CS4 cross-platform
Is CS4 fully patched to 6.0.5?
Bob

No Pre-CS4 cross-platform upgrades anymore?

I bought CS3.3 Web Premium for Windows 2 1/2 months ago. Before I purchased I confirmed with Adobe Customer Service that I can exchange it to the Mac version for free.
This week I finally purchased a Mac and called Adobe to get the Mac version, and was told that my only option would be to upgrade to CS4 Mac (for $$$) and that they no longer sell / send out version 3.3.
Can this be for real? I just bought it 2 1/2 months ago and they are no longer honoring their free cross-platform upgrade policy. It's hard to imagine that they don't have 3.3 in stock any more. It's not like I am requesting a CS2 Win to CS2 Mac upgrade. I just spend a lot of money, and now they want me to spend even more money...
Any ideas? Anybody at Adobe reading this?
Greg

Now that makes sense. I'm beginning to thing that the techs and sales people at Adobe don't really know anything. I spoke to three, and none of them even hinted at that possibility.
I also spoke to someone at Apple who said that their software couldn't damage the Mac's hardware, as well. It's hard to believe they'd keep it on the market without warnings, recalls or disclaimers, knowing it could do that much damage.
Sure leaves a bad taste in my mouth about Adobe. Maybe it's time for me to look at other software.
Thanks,
Michele

Cross platform issues with InDesign CS5 or earlier

Potential client would like me (designer on a Mac) to design print docs which they can then edit on their PCs. Would love to hear feedback from others about any cross-platform issues/best practices suggestions. Thanks!

No problem at all, the only thing you have to do is make sure you both have the same fonts in a flavour (Opentype) that you can both read. So when you send them a Indesign document using these fonts they should be able to open it up on a PC without getting a "missing fonts" warning. Once you've got that sorted you're away, I do exactly this all the time.
Oh and of course you must have the same version of Indesign! You can save back one version (or from CS5.5 to CS4) but it's not recommended for this type of workflow.

Loss of Edits in a non cross-platform InDesign/InCopy Workflow

I have read, and understand, the cross-platform issues related to loss of edits in InCopy. We are experiencing the same issue on an all Windows network. Some authors have experienced the following issue:
Author checks out a story and edits the content
Author checks the story in
Later, the Author checks out the story , but the edited content is missing
Author becomes frustrated ;-)
The worst part of this issue is that it does not happen consistently, it is random.
We are running InDesign on Window-7 64 bit machines, InCopy on Windows XP 32 bit machines, and the file server is a Windows 2003 server. Or workflow is designed so that only one author and the InDesign designer has access to the assignment file (We create assignments by author instead of by section).
So my question is, has anyone else experieinced these problems? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Yes, we are using InDesign, InCopy, Illustrator, and Photoshop CS5. We were very excited about having the ability to mix 8.5x11 and 11x17 pages for the proposal we are in the process of creating and decided to be early adopters. I hope they get the bugs fixed soon....I am confident that they will.
Thanks!

Book Adobe InDesign CS3/CS4 SDK Programming by Kris Coppieters

Hi there, I would like to ask if anybody knows whether Adobe® InDesign® CS3/CS4 SDK Programming Book by Kris Coppieters is available as ebook, since I could find only printed version on Lulu.com. Thanks for your help

Hi Maciej,
No, I've never released my book as an ebook. Not sure if it would be worth the effort - it's an awfully small market! I have my book up on Lulu primarily for my own use, as course notes that I use when I run an InDesign SDK training session - so I can quickly print some nice quality handouts for my students.
Cheers,
Kris

Cross platform, multiple versions, multiple architectures.

I am fairly new to Illustrator plugin development. I played around with the ADM on the Windows side and got that working. Then realized we needed to build a plugin to run on Mac. And although the SDK says you can target multiple platforms in the PiPL, it never really worked right.
Now I'm working on Mac with Xcode. I'm running CS5. Some of the machines I'm developing for are running CS4. I've tried building the samples from the CS5 SDK and they work on my machine great. When I build the CS4 SDK samples the tester can't load the plugin. (LiveDropShadow). Do you think it is the version of Xcode? I targeted the right OS version... made sure of that.
So next question.. can I build/deploy the same Flex UI in CS4 and CS5? Any tips/suggestions?
thanks,
Will

You can absoultely hit both CS4 & CS5, Mac & PC -- we do! Hell, we used to hit CS3, CS4 and CS5
Your problem with CS5 & CS4 is probably that you're using a suite version that is only available in CS5. When Adobe updates a suite, they still make the old version available, but the headers will always use the version that shipped with their Illustrator by default (makes sense). So, for example, the Art Suite might be version 14 in CS4 and 15 in CS5. If you use the CS5 headers, kArtSuiteVersion is 15, but 15 doesn't exist in CS4.
Its easy to see if that's the problem -- add a message if AcquireSuite fails and have it print out the suite & version that failed. If that's the case, you'll just need to look at the CS4 SDK and figure out what version it shipped with (likely one less than you requested!). If you're not using anything added in the CS5 version, just switch the types & version requested to the CS4 one and after a recompile, you should be fine. Of course, this may repeat for several suites It might be faster to look at what suites you're requesting and then just check each one. A fast way is to look in the legacy folder -- if theres an AI140*.h version of your suite, that means it was updated in CS5, and you'll run into this problem.
As for the ADM, well, we had the same experience. That's why we switched to Qt. There are undoubtedly other cross-platform toolkits you could use, but that one will work (albeit with some work). The next version of Illustrator won't even have the ADM in it, so its definitely wise to avoid the ADM at this point.
I'm not too familliar with Flex, but I believe you can hit CS4 & CS5 with the same UI. I'm not the one to answer that unfortunately, as we don't use Flex. There's another thread from the last week that discussed the finer points of 3rd party vs Flash UI that you might find useful. It should be one or two down from this one in the thread list.
Good luck!

Cross platform CS on PC to CS3 on Mac does not work like video says

Your video on cross platform workflow states that you can import older Premier CS files on a PC into CS3 on a Mac. I tried this and get the message, "this project was saved in a aversion prior to Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 and cannot be opened on a Mac. Please refer to the User Guide for import options." I guess I have to assume then that the video, www.adobe.com/go/vid0236, is wrong about this? Can someone please explain how I can salvage the work I did 3 years ago on Premiere Pro 1 on a PC when I am now exclusively working on the Mac in CS3?
Thank you.

Ty,
This has come up a few times and the solution is to find a PC CS3 user, who will Open the Project and then Save it in CS3-CS4 for you. I does mean that you'll have to befriend a PC-person, but who knows, maybe you can reciprocate later on. In each previous instance, this workflow, PC to PC to Mac worked perfectly. Note: the same holds for Encore Projects, and there is some PC to PC incompatibilities between very early versions and later versions. I had to Open and Save an Enocre 1.0 Project in CS2, so a CS4 (only) user could then Open in CS4. This stuff happens, and the skip in Mac porting can play a role in it. If I had CS3 on my PC's, I'd do it for you, but CS2 will not hlep you.
I believe that P 6.5 was the last previous version ported for the Mac, until CS3.
Good luck,
Hunt

Which product to purchase (cross platform necessary from Mac to PC) Adobe Photoshop 6.0.x to ???

I have ancient Mac photoshop and pagemaker files. i need best cross platform product for windows that can access these files. adobe photoshop is my primary concern. I understand the indesign cs2 will import old school mac photoshop 6.0.x but is not compatible with windows 7 ... thank you.
In particular we use windows 7 x64
So in summary, need to determine which Windows 7 x64 version of Indesign CSxx will still open archaic Mac Adobe files (layouts, EPS, etc). Or is there a similar product that must be obtained. I prefer to stick to Adobe products, however, if I must go elsewhere and you can help -- please advise.
Also, if you know what I should obtain, does this product have a trial download option that I can test functionality before purchase? Warranty when I do buy information -- and return policy in general?
Many thanks.

PM support has long been pulled from InDesign. You are going to need some old version like CS or CS2 and save an intermediate step to ID files. PS is not a probelm at all. All programs have 30day trials and Adobe has a general 14day return policy. Refer to the product pages on teh website.
Mylenium

File size comparisons, InDesign CS3, CS4 and CS5?

Hi, all.
It seems there was a trend for several major releases where each time Adobe released a new version of InDesign and InCopy, average file sizes grew by 20% or so from the old release to the new release, at least back in the older CS days. Has this trend continued, such that file sizes in CS4 are substantially larger than file sizes from CS3, and CS5 files are substantially larger than those from CS4?
Adobe, of course, wants to keep writing functionality that will keep the user community coming back to buy in to upgrades. The added functionality sometimes comes at a cost beyond the price tag. If file sizes are larger in a newer version, then page saves over a network or to a database are likely to be slower, and user productivity takes a hit while users are waiting for files to be saved.
Has anyone done any testing to build the "same" page in multiple versions of InDesign to understand what the effect is on the file sizes? I'm specifically interested in the file sizes between InDesign CS3, CS4 and CS5. To be meaningful, the test page would have to be at least moderately complex, with a couple of photos, multiple text elements and so forth. By "same," the page wouldn't take advantage of new functionality in newer versions but would be saved as a native page of the current version, though the file sizes may be bloated by the new functionality like it or not.
If you've done any testing along these lines, I'd like to hear more about it.
Thanks.
Mark

The overall structure of ID's files have been exactly the same for -- as far as I can see back -- CS. No change at all, in there.
There have been significant additions to the 'global' spaces; stuff like InCopy user data, table styles, object styles, and cross references. Each of these add a major chunk of data to each file, whether you use it or not, plus a few bytes per object (again, whether you use them or not -- ID also needs to know where you did not use them, that's why). I think these might be the main source of 'global' file size increase (a single object style in one of my files, for example, eats up a healthy chunk of 11,482 bytes).
For the rest, all new stuff like 'span columns' is a handful of bytes per paragraph style. Tracking changes may very well double the size of text runs -- but 1 character takes up 1 byte of storage (plus perhaps some overhead of indicating its 'tracking' status). Any single measurement unit always uses 8 bytes at least (for example, the left inset for a column span -- even if it's not used, or set to 0pt).
I think we're talking about a couple of K's here (oh -- perhaps a max of a hundred or so), in a file format that has been designed around the concept of "disk pages", each 4K big, meaning that sometimes adding one single character to a text box increases the file size by 4 K.
Your idea of comparing the size of a file created in CS3 against the same saved as CS4 and as CS5 is certainly feasible -- I might try it some time, just to confirm it's purely the extra 'new objects' data that accounts for the size increase and to confirm my guesstimates of the number of Ks involved.

Can you still get a cross platform upgrade for CS3?

I'm a mac user and recently purchased CS3 Design Premium for windows used -- does anyone know you can still get a cross platform upgrade from windows to mac without upgrading to CS4?

I am very, very sorry to read that. My windows pc is just crashed because of a virus my payed anti-virus program could not deal with, and everything have to be cleared totally. (XP pro - browser used at the virus-time = Mozilla. Anti-virus program = The price winning PC-tools)
Have to start all over again from scratch.
Therefore I wanted to change to a new Mac machine for my CS3.
I know I could upgrade to CS4, but do not need the CS4 for the time being, so I have to stay with Windows.
Alle my other programs - Nikon - Topaz - Nik-software - Hemi. - Jason Odell - have been so very helpfull and trusted me and have send me new keys - THANK YOU, you have a lot of problems when this problem happens, so they removed some of the stones, , but not Adobe, they said by telephone (I also tryed a mail, but no answer), that I have to sit at the pc for installing and then try to call them by telephone to get help for autentification, and nobody can promise me it will be the same day.
Last time it took one and a half our to get through by telephone.
I really love your program (CS3 extended) ....... but not this.

Old Macromedia - Adobe cross platform font issues

This message is more directed to Adobe.
I am aware that currently OpenType fonts are cross platform compatible but only with Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign.
However, my primary workspace is Fireworks-Flash. There are serious cross platform issues with fonts - I have looked at truetype, postscript and opentype and they all have issues translating onto PC - many of the styles are not available.
In our studio I design on Mac but our Flash developers are on PC - our final renders and review renders always need to happen on Mac as a result of this cross platform issue. This is a little inefficient.
When is Adobe planning on resolving this issue?

"I am aware that currently OpenType fonts are cross platform
compatible but only with Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign."
No, they are fully cross-platform compatible. The Adobe products you
mention, along with a very few others, are the only applications
capable of taking full advantage of the advanced features available in
some opentype fonts. And even the three products you mention don't all
necessarily support open-type in the same way.
"However, my primary workspace is Fireworks-Flash. There are serious
cross platform issues with fonts - I have looked at truetype,
postscript and opentype and they all have issues translating onto PC -
many of the styles are not available."
If you are using the same application version on both platforms, you
should have identical functionality. If you're using an older version
of Fireworks.
The only cross-platform style issue with TT or T1 fonts is that
Windows doesn't recognize any styles other than Regular, Bold, Italic,
and Bold Italic. Also, there's a font menu difference between MacOS
and Windows. Mac display all available styles, whereas Windows only
displays the family name, and you have to select the variants from
somewhere else (typically "B" "I" "U" buttons). SOME font families
from some vendors use the style function to define such variants as
Small Caps, Light, etc. MS products get ... confused.
"In our studio I design on Mac but our Flash developers are on PC -
our final renders and review renders always need to happen on Mac as a
result of this cross platform issue. This is a little inefficient."
If you're using different applications for design and rendering, and
their functionality is different, then you have a cross-application
compatibility issue. You didn't mention what applications or versions
are involved.
"When is Adobe planning on resolving this issue?"
It may be more a Microsoft issue than an Adobe issue. In addition to
the style limitations, There are no MS products that yet support
open-type features.
Although Adobe personnel do sometimes visit here, this is not a
"talk-to-Adobe' forum. Since your problem is application related, I'd
suggest taking it to the appropriate application forumsFireworks
General Discussion looks right.
And, as Bob said, you might also contact Adobe support directly with
your concerns.

Cross-platform upgrade question

I'm posting this question here as I have had less than satisfactory results from asking Customer Support about this issue. I know this forum is moderated by some great folks at Adobe and am hoping someone can clear up this question for me.
I currently own CS3 Design Premium for Windows, and need to purchase CS5 for Mac. A search for "Cross platform swap" on Adobe brought me to this page: http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/405/kb405819.html. However, the instructions there don't match what is offered on the support page. Under Return/Exchange/Refund I have only the following options:
Duplicate Order
Product Didn't perform/ work as expected
Purchased Incorrect upgrade
Purchased Wrong Product/Platform/Language
Shipping Problems
Unable to Download Order
Wrong Product delivered
None of those options is correct as described in the KB article. I decided to chat with Customer Support, and the rep told me that all I had to do is order the upgrade and I could choose which platform to install on first run. Really? The Rep said CS5 included two discs, one for Windows install and one for OS X. He assured me that I would have no problem installing a CS5 upgrade on my Mac, even though I have never installed CS3 on that machine.
I am skeptical about this solution for two reasons: one, Adobe has never offered Win and Mac discs together for CS versions. Two, when I go to pre-order CS5 I need to make a choice between platforms.
Has Adobe changed its method of delivering Creative Suite products? Are both platform discs really included? If not, there are two things that need to be done:
Article http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/405/kb405819.html needs to be corrected. The steps as described cannot be completed.
Customer Support reps need to be notified that they are providing incorrect information regarding cross-platform upgrade procedures.
Finally, I need correct information as to how to go about upgrading my CS3 Windows to CS5 Mac. Do I purchase an upgrade disc and use my CS3 serial number to install? Do I do some sort of return, and if so, how?
Thanks in advance to anyone from Adobe who is willing to take the time to answer my question.

I don't represent Adobe in any capacity other than a mostly satisfied user. Here's what I did on a cross platform (Windows to Mac) exchange--not an upgrade, but my experience may help you.
I, too, found that the directions didn't match the support web site. So I used 'Purchased wrong...' as my subject. I then completely described what I wanted to do in the comments section. I included my current platform version and serial number in the comments. After posting I had a case number to enter onto the Letter of Destruction (LOD) which I then attached to the case. I don't know if a LOD is required in your situation as you will be paying for an upgrade. You should be able to keep both packages active-but customer support will probably know. In my case I had to certify that I had destroyed the original Windows package.
After this was posted to the Adobe Customer Support Portal I then had a case number I could give to the telephone customer support so I called them. While on the line with them they read my case file and informed me my credit card would be charged $5.95 for shipping. Six days later I had the CS4 Design Premium for the Mac. It *should* be just as easy for you.
I must say that I have had to call Adobe Customer Support a handful of times in the last couple of years. In each and every case I received prompt and accurate information that solved my problem or pointed me directly to the solution. I am aware that this is not always the case and wish you good luck.

Photoshop Touch SDK and development platform

The photoshop touch SDK announcement is very exciting, however I own a CS5 windows license and of course I do my ipad/ipod development on Mac: given that unfortunately photoshop licenses are not cross-platform I was wondering if there is/will be a way planned for SDK developers to run photoshop on both platforms for testing etc. (maybe via a limited/timed/no-saving/... version of Photoshop on the platform we are not licensed for?)

Can we now assume that the touch SDK has been abandonned by Adobe? It's now a year after "should be updated soon", and currently if you try to download the touch SDK from this page you get the Photoshop 3 SDK instead!!!
I ask as I'm about to remove Touch support from my app; the very few people that use touch are now having problems e.g., timeouts, with the latest version of Photoshop.
Sandy

I need a cross-platform upgrade.

How can I get that? Did one of you has been able to get it?
Is it just me of ADOBE customer service is simply uncapable???
My story is a long one! I'll make it short.
I've moved from Windows to Mac.
So I've ordered a CS4 upgrade on your web site on may 26th. When, 3 weeks later, i wanted to activate it, it said my previous windows key was not valid.
I called, mailed, open cases, filled out LOD, sent them, uploaded them, faxed them, called again, again, etc, etc... Problem is the on the website, YOU CAN'T ORDER cross-platform upgrade!!!!! But it is not mentionned anywhere!!
I then tried to get reimbursed and just redo the process over phone. Refund? Did I say refund?? So I called, mailed, open cases, filled out LOD, sent them, uploaded them, faxed them, called again, again, etc, etc... End of July, I was completely resourceless, so I called MasterCard and told them my story. They reimbursed me.
10 days ago I called back by phone to order the cross-platform upgrade since they told me it was the way of doing it. I ordered, and even added on the order a lightroom 2. I paid again on credit card. They asked me again (!) to fill out a new LOD and upload it. I did. Now, 10 days later, today, I called back and guess what? They will escalate my case to upper level!!!!!!! They haven't ship anything yet!!!!!!!!!!!
I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!!! Please tell me that someone cares for loyal customer at Adobe!!! I could just pirate the software but I want to pay and use it legally!!!! And this is how I am being served!!!!!
Is it just me or somebody else could help?? By the way, when I called today, the Indian guy hung-up on me!!!! I can't believe this!!!
Who else had the same problem and more important, How did you get your product shipped??
Serge

That's exactly what I did!! I called them, placed my order, paid for it, filled the Letter of Destruction they asked, uploaded it on the open case in the support portal and then, 10 days later, I call back to hear the same story again!
Nothing has been done and they will escalate my case!!!!!! Could you imagine?! I originally started the process of simply buying a product on May 26th and still can't get it!!!!!!!!!!
Again, I'm not surprised if a lot of people other alternatives!!!!! They really are lucky not real good alternatives existed to Photoshop cause I would be gone weeks ago!! The product is good and is the only one, so they know!
Do you have other suggestions?? Phone numbers? What about a VP Customer Service? VP Sales? Someone that is based in USA and cares for customers!!!!!
Thanks for any kind of help!!!

Is InDesign SDK (CS4) cross platform

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