Creating Dynamic Forms with Adobe LiveCycle Designer (Paperback)

by J. P. Terry (Author)
Key Phrases: master pages, dunning notice, design view, Text Field, Select Preview, Contact Information (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Anyone who's had to deal with paper forms knows the pain of badly placed check boxes and cramped text entry fields. And the situation is just as bad for those interpreting the data on the other end. Using Acrobat to create forms is a step in the right direction, but even these forms present challenges for data gatherers. What the world needs is an electronic form that marries user-friendliness with the power of modern database technology. A well-designed interactive form can make life easier for everyone who works with it, from the original designer and programmer, to the user, to the compiler of data. Adobe LiveCycle Designer brings the goal within reach of everyone who creates forms. Digital Forms expert J.P.Terry shows the best way to get the most out of this powerful, versatile tool, whether you're a designer who weeps at the thought of programming or programmer who doesn't get design concepts. This book is for anyone who needs and appreciates the power of the perfect interactive form.

You'll learn:

Why LiveCycle Designer is the best choice for form design and creation How LiveCycle Designer combines PDF and XFA for the best form performance Why form design matters, and how it can effect your form's effectiveness and user's responses How to work with the LiveCycle Designer tools and objects How to add power and automation to your forms with simple and advanced scripting

About the Author
J.P. Terry is the VP of Client Services for SmartDoc Technologies, a leading company in the field of intelligent and dynamic document solutions. SmartDoc develops interactive PDF systems for Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, MetLife and Blue Cross Blue Shield. SmartDoc Technologies is a member of the Adobe Solutions network and a Google Enterprise Professional. Prior to SmartDoc Technologies, J.P. founded BrandWizard Technologies and was the CEO of BrandWizard from 2000 until 2005. Mr. Terry is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, the Omnicom Executive training program and Wharton's Financial Executive program.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Adobe Press; 1 edition (September 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321509870
• ISBN-13: 978-0321509871
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #53,527 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Book!!, September 11, 2007

By	J. Babin "CA Patent Lawyer" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the book that should have been included with Adobe LiveCycle Designer! It takes you step-by-step through the process of designing a and creating an interactive form and explains how to add scripts using both Adobe's Form Calc and JavaScript. First it goes through an overview of the software interface and explains the differences between different form types. Chapter 2 provides a discussion of basic design concepts and considerations for making forms readable and user-friendly. Don't skip that chapter - there's lots of great suggestions there! Next the book shows you how to create a form and incorporate all the built-in objects and tools like fill-in fields, menus, and buttons. There's also a section explaining master pages, body pages and most importantly sub-forms which are the real key to getting the most out of the software. Chapter 4 has all the basics for adding functionality with JavaScript and Form Calc. The explanation here is very straightforward and easy to follow, especially for a non-computer person like me. There are tons of examples in the text and Mr. Terry has provided a link to download all the forms he created and discusses, including several examples linked to xml data files that you can use as a starting place to make your own. In chapter 5, he shows you how to use the forms to enter and collect data, including very understandable examples of what should happen when you take various actions. Finally, the last chapter provides sample scripts for common tasks and explains how and why they work. Use this book as a workbook - go through the examples and sample files and you will be well on your way to creating very useful and functional forms. I tried using the tutorials that came with the software, but felt like I had only scratched the surface of knowing how to use LiveCycle Designer. This book filled an essential gap in my knowledge. I find a lot of computer books virtually incomprehensible, but Mr. Terry's writing style makes this book very easy to read and use. Never thought I could get excited about making a form, but the software is really pretty cool and this book helped me find that out. Highly recommended!!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Adobe LiveCycle Book, March 25, 2008

By	Smooth Shaver "Smooth Shaver" (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This book tells you everything you need to know to get started creating dynamic forms with Adobe LiveCycle Designer. And it tells it in a concise, succinct, and easy-to-read manner.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, December 11, 2007

By	Bob (Tucson, Arizona USA) - See all my reviews

This book gave me all the answers I needed. I struggled with some of the instructions because I was using version 7.0 and some things did not line up with version 8.0. Scripting was a little difficult at first but after playing around I got the form to do exactly what I wanted. There was reference to a form that I never did find in either version 7.0 or 8.0.

Although a little expensive, if you want to get a form developed and in production quickly this book can help.