Acro bytes by Kurt Foss

Today’s introduction of Creative Suite 3 showcases a chorus line of applications and application bundles from Adobe Systems and Macromedia, the next step in the integration of once-separate products from the once-competing, now-merged companies.

To witness the official launch event and expected product demos, browse over to the Adobe webcast today (March 27) at 3:30 EDT.

Shipping since last fall, Acrobat 8 got the jump on CS3 in several respects, being the first major update that offered a Universal Binary version that runs natively on the newer Intel-based Macintosh computers. The CS3 products–including creative pro stalwarts Photoshop (now in two versions) and InDesign–will now perform significantly faster on the Intel Macs.

But as Adobe executives pointed out to industry analysts and technology media last week during a conference call, many creative professionals may well have delayed purchases of the stand-alone version of Acrobat 8 in anticipation of the CS3 editions. Acrobat 8 is included in four of the six newly configured CS3 integrated bundles–available with CS3 Design Premium ($1799), Design Standard ($1199), Web Premium ($1599) and Master Collection ($2499).

So other than cost, is there any difference in purchasing the stand-alone Acrobat 8 ($449) versus the version included in the CS3 editions? We asked Lonn Lorenz, Creative Suite Product Manager.

Q: Is there anything different in the product, whether you buy it as a stand-alone or as part of one of the CS3 skues that includes Acrobat?

Lorenz: “Acrobat Professional is the same in Suites as it is stand-alone–as far as the product and features go.”

Q: Is the CS3-bundled version of Acrobat more integrated (feature-wise) in any way with the other Adobe applications in a particular bundle?

Lorenz: “No differences from Suite to Suite. There are new integration points in Acrobat 8 Pro with Design Suite–such as synchronized color management settings, direct interaction of Acrobat with native InDesign files, shared components like color profiles and PDF job options.”

Q: Will it have a shared license with the rest of the suite products rather than its own?

Lorenz: “Acrobat Professional, as part of the Suite will use the Suite license, not a stand-alone license. Users with CS2 licenses are NOT encouraged to purchase Acrobat standalone upgrades, but to purchase Suite upgrades to CS 2.3 or CS3 when it is available.”

The name alone conjures an image of fluid action and skillfully executed motion.

Acrobat.

The challenge for Adobe Systems: How to convey that visually in creating product identity and related branding materials for Acrobat 8.0.

According to the Camera Toss blog, the task was accomplished in a novel way. Working with a major design firm, Adobe was able to solicit a variety of images from select members of the Camera Toss community — like-minded people who create photographs by literally tossing cameras in the air, capturing an image while the camera is airborne.

Or as explained in this excerpt from a beginner’s guide to camera tossing:

“Find a simple light source such as a lamp or TV, about 5ft away from this place cushions (or anything else soft) on the on the floor then kneel down, holding the camera just above them. Toss the camera about a foot into the air and press the shutter as late as you can before letting go, being careful to toss the camera straight up. Then let the camera do all the work while you concentrate on the catch!

Remember it’s not about how high you toss, it’s all about the spin you put on the camera. Repeat the toss spinning the camera with a flick of the wrist as you let go, obviously there are many ways you can spin the camera and they all give different results, so keep experimenting checking your results as you go to hone your technique. Next try a different light source or try combining another light source with the existing one.”

Check out a variety of results on Flickr.

Adobe apparently purchased a number of these randomly captured images for use in Acrobat 8 product branding and identity, which naturally is quite a feather for camera-tossing enthusiasts. As noted in the Camera Toss blog:

” … the company that produces Photoshop thinks our photos … taken by some of the cheapest cameras out there … mostly produced in camera without Photoshop/editing … are cool enough to grace the design for one of their award-winning products.”

As Lori DeFurio first noted recently on her Adobe.com blog, the latest incarnation of the Adobe certification exam for Acrobat–now updated for version 8–is now available. Included as part of that is the likewise updated exam preparation guide [PDF: 172 kb], which includes a set of frequently-asked questions about the ACE exam–training options, benefits and so on–a checklist on the certification process, description of topical areas covered and a set of sample questions.

Those previously certified with Acrobat 7 will need to be re-certified with the current version within 90 days in order to maintain ACE status.

The “first and longest-running conference dedicated exclusively to PDF and Acrobat”–the PDF Conference, hosted by Carl Young–is on the verge of another ‘first’ later this month.

With company travel budgets slashed in recent years, many employees have been unable to get approval to attend career-enriching conferences and workshops. In the same timeframe, advancements in communications technologies and tools have continued to expand the possibilities for distance education courses and similar online-only experiences.

Fellow AUC blogger Young cited both circumstances in his recent announcement that the PDF Conference, launched in 2000, is adopting a new look and format–bringing the conference to users with a series of online events. First up is “Optimize Your Workflow with PDF Forms,” being conducted March 20-21 and enabled by Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional. There are other topical online events being scheduled throughout 2007.

“By moving to an online event, I can offer the same great PDF insights to more people at a lower cost,” says Young.

The upcoming March event includes six hour-long sessions–with separate east- and west-coast starting times–over two days, and feature some of the same expert speakers as previous PDF Conferences. And the cost is as low as $38 per topical session. NOTE: Early registration has been extended to Friday, March 2.

March 20 sessions include:

• Carl Young: “Acrobat AcroForms or LiveCycle Designer XML Forms, and Can I Use Both?”

• Ted Padova: “Leverage the New Forms Features in Acrobat 8.0″

• Al Weisner: “Using LiveCycle Forms to Automate Enrollment in the VA Health Care System”

March 21 sessions include:

• Thom Parker: “JavaScript for Adobe LiveCycle Designer”

• Lori DeFurio and Joel Geraci: “Collecting Data in Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional”

• PowerPanel of PDF Experts: Will answer questions from participants

There also are several post-conference workshops on related themes that require separate registration.

“I think this new format is going to open up PDF Conference to a much wider audience,” says Young, “and I hope all who attended our hotel events will give this new format a try.”

Registration information and forms for the conference sessions and workshops are available from the PDF Conference website, along with a link to test an Acrobat Connect configuration.