Using PDF files to distribute design prototypes

Fireworks CS4 comes with the ability to export files in the PDF file format. There are many reasons to incorporate PDF files into your design workflow:

• PDF offers a compact, cross-platform file format to securely deliver ideas, concepts, and designs to your clients in an electronic distribution.
• Interactive PDF files demonstrate website or application flow without requiring you to upload files to a server—and clients don't need to access a staging server.
• Clients using Adobe Acrobat Reader can place their written feedback directly in the document.
• Designs exported in PDF format improve printing functionality and ensure that your artwork will print exactly as it looks in Fireworks.

I'll discuss the first three points listed above first, and then I'll talk about printing.

Delivering content with unprecedented ease

I'm a big fan of deliverables. They improve my cash flow. When a client views and approves a design, I usually send an interim invoice. The catch phrase that describes Fireworks, "Design once, deliver to many," really resonates with me now. I have had several methods for delivering the designs I create. The PDF export feature offers yet another way to share files with other team members and clients.

Once a client receives the PDF file by e-mail or on disc, they can enjoy an interactive experience without an Internet connection. Previously clients had to be online in order to click through my sample HTML pages. This means that design can be reviewed and comments can be added, whenever and wherever it is convenient. For example, clients can even review and provide feedback while sitting in a plane.

Embedding comments inside review documents

The PDF files you export from Fireworks can also be set up to accept comments. This improves the experience for clients because they can provide input right in the document as they are reviewing it. If you wish to activate the commenting feature, you need to also install Acrobat Professional. However, your client only needs to download a free copy of Adobe Reader to view the PDF and add comments.

Setting up PDF files for interactivity

The process for creating an interactive PDF is very similar to creating an interactive HTML click-through. You can use hotspots or slices, or a combination of both, to create the interactive elements. For more information on this concept, see the article I wrote for the Adobe Edge newsletter: How to create a click-through mock-up with Adobe Fireworks CS3. As you create new pages, Fireworks tracks them and adds them as HTML links in the link field in the Property inspector.

As you can see, there are many advantages to exporting your designs in PDF format. Beyond the obvious small file sizes for easy distribution and the ability to print your design to exactly match your Fireworks document, you gain the security of knowing that your hard work cannot be reused or copied, and an interactive click-through really facilitates the approval process. Best of all, your clients will love the ability to review the PDFs you send them—even if they are offline. In the next section we'll take a look at the provided PDF sample file and deconstruct how it was created.

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