About APID

Classically, there are only two separate ways to automate InDesign—C++ programming and scripting.

Scripts are a series of commands written in one of the three supported scripting languages: AppleScript for the Macintosh, Visual Basic for Windows, or ExtendScript for both platforms. ExtendScript is Adobe’s version of javascript. For scripts to run, they must be placed in the application script folder and explicitly run. For automation to be truly automatic, it requires “event processing”. This means that certain events trigger specific processes to take place. There is limited event-triggered scripting available in CS3. Aditionally, there are many aspects of the inner working of InDesign which are not accessible through the scripting DOM. A further shortcoming to automation through scripting, is that in certain areas, scripted solutions are much less efficient and slower to run.

To achieve true integration, plug-ins must be programmed using C++. Developing C++ plug-ins is a very involved, and lengthy (and therby costly) process. For this reason even rather simple plug-ins are generally very expensive. Plug-ins which are very complicated can cost many hundreds or thousands of dollars.

APID ToolAssistant was created to bridge the gap between C++ plug-ins and scripting. APID ToolAssistant allows very fine grained event processing using ExtendScript. The use of ExtendScript programming alows for creation of advanced plug-ins in a fraction of the time required when programming using C++. Additionally, it adds to the scripting DOM many functions which allow for processing more common in true plug-ins. It also aids in the creation of hybrid plug-ins which mix ExtendScript and C++ for maximum efficiency.

What does this mean to you?

Without the APID ToolAssistant, it would not have been possible to create the collection of plug-ins we offer in the same amount of development time. This increased programming efficiency means very cool plug-ins at great prices!

Additionally, APID ToolAssistant offers the ability to attach scripts to specific objects. These attached scripts can be run automatically when triggered by specific events. Anyone who has a licensed version of the APID ToolAssistant plug-in installed can create and use these attached scripts. We hope to create some templates with useful attached scripts for free download. For more information on APID ToolAssistant see Rorohiko’s web site.