Learn and Develop

Your first step is to evaluate InDesign Server to see if it’s the right technology for your solution. Plug-ins and scripts can be prototyped on InDesign software first. You should make sure you have the appropriate development skills, including a working knowledge of C++ and scripting and, ideally, some experience developing publishing tools or plug-ins for the desktop version of InDesign. If you don’t have these skills, you may want to contact a partner for consultancy, training, or licensing of existing technology.

To aid your evaluation, you can also download and review the following resources.

InDesign Server SDK

The InDesign Server Software Development Kit (SDK), gives an overview of InDesign Server. Review the Getting Started and Introduction sections which detail how to install and run InDesign Server in a simple environment and briefly describes how to communicate with InDesign Server through SOAP.

Most of the developer resources are available at Adobe I/O

The InDesign Server Scripting Guide, also part of the InDesign Server SDK, provides important background information on creating scripts for InDesign Server. It offers simple examples of common scripting operations and discusses the conversion of InDesign scripts for use with InDesign Server.

On the SDK page, you can also find several free introductory webcasts on developing with InDesign Server.

Because InDesign Server shares the same codebase as InDesign, many developers find it useful to start developing with the desktop version of the application. They use it to prototype their ideas before making the jump to InDesign Server.

Learn more about the InDesign Server SDK ›

Technology partners who want to develop their own solution should:

•  Join the Exchange Developer Program
• Commercial product developers who develop products or solutions for clients can request a license through their membership in the Adobe Exchange Partner Program for Creative Cloud. In house developers should purchase the Development license. 

Partners who wish to resell InDesign Server as an integrated component should work with their Adobe representative or an Adobe Distributor. 

License

Adobe InDesign Server can be licensed for use by systems integrators and third-party developers as well as in-house development teams. 

Pricing of the InDesign Server engine varies according to the nature of the solution, its usage, and how it is deployed. When you talk to your Adobe representative or solutions partner, be prepared with answers to the following questions:

• Is the solution for internal use only, accessible only by employees of the Licensee? If so, Limited license is appropriate
• Is the solution available to external employees? Are you a partner planning to offer a hosted service or an organization planning to offer a web-based solution that you want to make available to people outside your own network? If so, Premium license is recommended
• Do you need a server for Development, Testing and Staging? If so, the Development license is recommended. 
  

For more details including pricing, see the Licensing Information section.