This PDF Portfolio layout was created as the first in a series of examples that I’ve created for developers to learn the Adobe Acrobat Portfolio SDK. Source code will be available shortly.
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| Billboard Layout with Billboard showing | Billboard Layout displaying files |
The Billboard layout functions the same way as the default Click-Through layout and includes the following modifications.
Billboard Properties Panel
Billboard: A “Billboard” has been added as a replacement to the “Welcome Screen” that was available in Acrobat 9. A panel willl open on the right that allows you to configure the Billboard.
When the layout is first applied, the Billboard is active and your files will be hidden to reduce screen clutter. You can close the Billboard at any time and recover it by clicking on “Show Billboard” button in the lower right of the layout.
The Billboard is fixed at 800 x 600. This is to prevent the objects inside from moving around unpredictably at different screen resolutions.
While in Editing mode and the Billboard is visible, click inside the Billboard to activate the Billboard properties panel and add Text, Images and Videos. You can select from any FLV or F4V video that is already in the Portfolio or you can “choose” one from your disk that will be stored with the Billboard, meaning that it will appear only in the Billboard and not as an an item in the portfolio.
The Billboard will always appear the first time a user opens the Portfolio unless you deselect the “Show Billboard on Open” box in the Billboard properties panel. The user has the option of checking the box at the bottom right of the Billboard so that never shows it again.
Deep Folder Navigation: Folder contents display in the same layout as the root rather than the grid view as is the default. The behavior is similar to the behavior of Acrobat 9. You’ll see the folder path in the upper left of the layout. Click “Home” to get to the root of the Portfolio.
Simple Bar Theme: The SimpleBar theme is the first Flex theme I’ve created. It was designed as a learning tool for Flash Builder 4 developers and was intentionally very simple and clean. Other Flash themes and backgrounds can be imported into the Billboard layout.
How to Use this Portfolio Template:
- Download the Billboard Portfolio Template. The Billboard Portfolio Template is a PDF file with the Billboard layout already applied.
- Open "BillboardTemplate.pdf" in Adobe Acrobat X or higher.
- Press "Edit" in the Portfolio button bar at the top of the Acrobat user interface. The Billboard Properties Panel should be open.
- Remove the items in the default Billboard by selecting the object and pressing delete or "remove" in the properties panel.
- Add any text, images and video that you want to be part of your personalized Billboard
- Close the Billboard by clicking the close button inthe upper-right of the Billboard. (If you need to reopen it press the "Show Billboard" buton at the bottom-right of the layout)
- Click on any of the header objects to personalize the header with your own information.
- Use the Coor Palettes to adjust the colors to suit your needs.
- Save the file. You may want to also make it read-only so that you don’t over write your new template when you begin to add files.
- Add the files that you want by either dragging them into the Portfolio or using the Add Content Panel.
- If you do not want the Billboard to display when the user opens your new Portfolio, deselect "Show Billboard on Open" in the Billboard properties panel.
- Save your new Portfolio. In the future, open your new template that you saved in step 8 and you’ll only need to do steps 10 and 11.
Is there any way to get this as an actual Layout that I can import via Import Custom Layout?
thanks
AM
Unfortunately no, I’ll be posting the Flash Builder project soon and you’ll be able to build the .nav file yourself though.
Is it possible to add the billoard functionality to an existing layout template? I really like the Linear layout but it is not the same without the billboard. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
It’s not possible to modify an existing layout with new components but Joel, who is no longer with Adobe, is doing some interesting things at http://blog.practicalpdf.com/portfolios/
Is the Mac Version of a .nav file different then the PC version for customizing portfolios? The tutorial I saw looks like it’s a SWF for the Mac?? and a .nav for PC HELP????
It appears that the MAC version of Adobe X is far easier to make a customized portfolio layout. I found an excellent PDF that made it look easy compared to the PC way?
The .NAV file is cross platform. Since you’d be developing the customized Portfolio in Flash Builder 4.5, it’s the same level of difficulty on both platforms… which is pretty easy if you already know ActionScript and MXML.
How the positioning of miniNavigator is achieved. I want it placed to the left side like a typical web page TOC. Also can I disble the MiniNavCard thumbnails and just display plain text.
Thank You
Vijjy
You can’t with this layout. You’d need to modify the source code to do that.
Great Stuff! I had considered going back to Acrobat 9 simply because of the terrible things that Acrobat X had done to portfolios. Please keep up the good work and thanks very much for your efforts.
Bob
Seaspray, Victoria
Australia
Thanks for this nice template using a billboard, as in version 9.
Thanks so much for this. I too was considering going back to V9. What in the world are they thinking at Adobe?
When you add a video file to the opening billboard, I am not seeing any way to totally remove the container for the video. With text and image, there is a remove button. Any help is appreciated.
Just select the video pod and press the delete key. It should get removed.
I am getting a major glitch with a large image placeholder that opens up, and won’t close. Any chance you are going to correct this problem. Here are some screen shots. If you want me to make a video screen capture of this happening, let me know.
http://www.tecaeast08.com/files/BillboardGlitches/
Thanks,
–Mark
Joel is no longer with Adobe and these tools are no longer being maintained by us. You can track him down at http://blog.practicalpdf.com and maybe get a fix.
Once the card becomes large, the x (close button) does not work. See: http://www.tecaeast08.com/files/BillboardGlitches/
This seem to happen once I navigate into subfolders.
I need to create a portfolio and then put it in PDF form for a job application. Problem however is that I have an old Mac (2003) with an older version of word and no way of even reverting any document into a PDF. I can create a portfolio if I have a nice template and then download it to a computer tht does have a PDF formatting option but where do I find the templates? Surely there must be a simple one out there somewhere? I love to see all these wonderful downloads which I cannot use because my computer cannot load these applications. What are my options…when I have lemons… And don’t tell me I need to buy new stuff. Are there any strands of democracy to be found in this mired consumer driven rat-race. Very frustrated.
Great work! Is there a way to remove/hide the creation date, modified date, size or tag?
Thanks
CJ
There isn’t. It’s built into the layout.
Its a great layout, just what i needed.
But its bugging like crazy!
Im starting fill up the portfolio, and when i double click on one PDF that i want to view, then try to close it on the “X” up in the corner its doesnt dissapear?
Some other freaky black square shows up behind the preview, then i click on the “X” again a big blurry folder icon shows up and i have to restart everything to make it dissapear..
So frustrating as i really need to use this layout. The default ones that comes with Acrobat X pro really sucks..
Do you might have any idea whats happening or how to get rid of the icon?
thanks!
Joel is no longer with Adobe and this layout will not be updated. However, you can track him down at http://blog.practicalpdf.com wher ehe is doing more POrtfolio work.
Joel-
Thank you so much for your time and effort. I had been diligently searching for a workaround for version 9 welcome screen and now found this working model.
Can I email you outside of this reply loop on related question? or where and how is best way to ask another question?
Joel is no longer with Adobe but you can reach him at http://blog.practicalpdf.com/portfolios/
Is there any way to add the “billboard” screen to an existing layout template in the portfolio layouts section? I really prefer the “Linear” layout but I really want the billboard functionality?
By the way, kudos on developing the billboard. I don’t know what Adobe was thinking bu removing this in the new version???