Adobe Viewer iPad application icon

Following changes to Adobe's Publishing Suite sideloading from iTunes to the Adobe Viewer became a casualty of the desire to make money. But you'll be glad to know it hasn't been removed entirely, .folio files are now actually much more accessible than before. You just need to know how to do it. Sure you aren't provided with a source .folio file, which would be nice for independent distribution, but it's good to know that you can still test your files, the process and the product.

To view .folio files on your tablet you must firstly have an Adobe ID. If you don't already have one (if you have ever purchased an Adobe product you will) then visit this link to register for free. Once you have completed the registration process then visit acrobat.com to sign in. Acrobat.com is an online repository of files and a hint towards the possibility of cloud computing in the future.

InDesign interacts with acrobat.com via the 'Folio Builder' panel. Launch InDesign and access the 'Folio Builder' panel by selecting 'Window > Extensions > Folio Builder'. On access to the panel you will be prompted to sign in. This is simply your Adobe ID which will display a replica of the .folio files on acrobat.com and vice versa. Actually, this is quite a nice feature if you wish to continue production but have no means of accessing the source files. Again it could also benefit production where multiple people are working on a file at the same time.

So how do I view my .folio file on my tablet?
On your respective app stores download 'Adobe Viewer'. On installation and launch you will be presented with an instructional document (which contains out-of-date information). Exit the document and return to your document dashboard. Located in the top left hand corner is a 'Sign In' button. Select this and enter your Adobe ID details into the presented fields. Your tablet viewer is now synched to your acrobat.com account.

Adobe Viewer iPad application sign-in

Now when you make any changes to your .folio file within InDesign the revised files are pushed to acrobat.com and in turn pushed to your Adobe Viewer application. I have found this process to be temperamental and can take a good deal of time, it does work though so patience is key.

Limitations
It is worth noting that acrobat.com possesses some nice features, but also limitations. The account I am using is the 'Free Trial' which allows me to create only one workspace, translating to only having access to create one .folio file at a time. This also limits you to creating one .folio file from within the InDesign 'Folio Builder' as all elements that make-up the service are interconnected.

If you wish to produce and test numerous .folio publications then your options are:

• 'Basic plan' at £11.52 a month
• 'Plus plan' at £28.82 a month
  

Once again an added cost to any publication house looking to invest in the production of subscribed digital magazines. Clearly these costs demonstrate Adobe's desire to make this a money spinning operation, discarding the desire of individuals looking to create independent files for personal use.

There is one work around for individuals which is to create multiple Adobe ID accounts in order to create and test multiple .folio files. The disadvantage is that you would have to sign-out and sign-in each time you wish to test your various files on your tablet device.