Adobe® LiveCycle® Reader® Extensions was initially introduced to the LiveCycle family with LiveCycle 7.0 in June 2007. Before that, it was available under the name Adobe Document Server for Reader Extensions versions 5.0 and 6.0. In October 2009, Adobe announced the LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2 module, which is the most current release.
To learn more about the benefits of upgrading to LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2, choose the tab that best represents your current software version.
Reader Extensions ES or Update 1
Upgrading to LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2
- What are the new features in LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2?
- In addition to enhancements of LiveCycle Foundation and LiveCycle Workbench ES2, LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2 also now includes functionality for barcoded forms.
LiveCycle Reader Extensions already included the following capabilities in the ES version:
- Batch rights enablement: Multiple PDF files can now be enabled for Reader with LiveCycle Reader Extensions.
- Adobe Flex® user interface: Administration of LiveCycle Reader Extensions has been enhanced by applying a Flex based user interface.
- Multiple credentials: The user interface now supports users who may have multiple credentials with type and expiration displayed.
- If I upgrade to LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2, does everyone in my organization need to upgrade to Reader 9?
- No. When you upgrade your server to LiveCycle ES2, users inside or outside your organization who use PDF forms created by LiveCycle will not have to upgrade to Adobe Reader 9 software. LiveCycle ES2 has been designed to work with Reader 7.0.5 and later, Reader 8, and Reader 9. The only reason you may need to upgrade your version of Reader is if your form authors choose to use some of the new form features offered by LiveCycle ES2.
- Will my existing Reader extended PDF forms work with Reader 9?
- Yes. Reader extended PDF forms created with LiveCycle Reader Extensions 7.0 and later should work as expected.
Contact Adobe
Reader Extensions 7.0
Upgrading to LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2
- What are the top reasons to upgrade to LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2 from Reader Extensions 7.0?
- The top reasons to upgrade include:
- Performance and integration capabilities have been further enhanced and optimized.
- A new Flex based user interface makes it easier and more streamlined to Reader enable PDF files, including batch enablement.
- Through LiveCycle Foundation, you can access watch folders and web services support for easier integration.
- If I upgrade to LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2, does everyone in my organization need to upgrade to Reader 9?
- No. When you upgrade your server to LiveCycle ES2, users inside or outside your organization who use PDF forms created by LiveCycle will not have to upgrade to Adobe Reader 9 software. LiveCycle ES2 has been designed to work with Reader 7.0.5 and later, Reader 8, and Reader 9. The only reason you may need to upgrade your version of Reader is if your form authors choose to use some of the new form features provided by LiveCycle ES2.
- Will my existing Reader extended PDF forms work with Reader 9?
- Yes. Reader extended PDF forms created with LiveCycle Reader Extensions 7.0 and later should work as expected.
Contact Adobe
Previous generations
Upgrading to LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2
- What are the top reasons to upgrade to Adobe LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2 from Adobe Document Server for Reader Extensions version 5.0 or 6.0?
- The top reasons to upgrade include:
- Support for Adobe Reader 9
- Enhanced and optimized performance and integration capabilities
- A Flex based user interface that makes it easier and more streamlined to Reader enable PDF files, including batch enablement
- The ability to access watch folders and web services support for easier integration through LiveCycle Foundation
- Will my existing Reader extended PDF forms work with Reader 9?
- No. PDF forms that have been Reader extended using Adobe Document Server Reader Extensions 5.0 and 6.0 are no longer supported starting with Reader 9.
- Why did Adobe drop support for Adobe Document Server for Reader Extensions 5.0 and 6.0 files in Adobe Reader 9?
- There were security vulnerabilities in the Reader Extensions algorithm in Reader, as well as documented server issues. Adobe also decided to focus testing on current Reader Extensions algorithms, which are also supported by Reader 6.0, Reader 7.0, and later.
- Who is affected by this decision?
- Customers using Reader Extensions 5.0 or 6.0 or still distributing forms and documents that had been Reader extended with these products are affected. A user who opens Reader extended forms created with Adobe Document Server for Reader Extensions 5.0 (or 6.0 in Reader 9) will be told that the rights are no longer available and that they should continue to use the earlier Reader version. Of course, you can still view and print the PDF document without the benefit of the Reader extended capability.
- What options do I have to overcome the problem?
- Adobe has shipped three subsequent versions (Adobe Document Server for Reader Extensions 6.1, LiveCycle Reader Extensions 7.0, and LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES). Each uses a different mechanism for authentication and credential management. You have the option of asking users to continue using Adobe Reader 5.1–8.1. The best solution for longevity, however, is to migrate to LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2.
- How do I get new Reader Extensions credentials to Reader extended forms that will work with Reader 9?
- The credentials that work with Reader 9 are available when you migrate to LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2. The serial numbers and credentials are delivered with the upgrade and can then be used to Reader extend your forms to work with Reader 9.
- What will customers see if they open a form using Reader 9?
- When customers open a form in Reader 9, a dialog box appears that says, "This document enables Reader capabilities that are no longer enabled in this Reader version."
- Does the issue happen with Adobe Acrobat® 9?
- Acrobat 9 software has all the functionality licensed and does not need Reader extensions.
- How do I test that my forms work in Reader 9 when I use LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2?
- After you have extended your forms using LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES2, open the form in Reader 9 and test the options you've enabled for that form. For example, if you enabled the form for doing local save from Reader, enter some data and check to see if you can save it locally.
