The dynamic forms included in docmetrics documents are created using Flash, the ubiquitous technology most commonly used to add rich media content to web pages. Different versions of Reader and Acrobat deal with Flash differently, so the reader experience will vary slightly between versions.
Version 6
This version of the Acrobat product family (Adobe Reader and Acrobat), as supplied by Adobe, does not support Flash by default. In order to view enhanced docmetrics documents in version 6, readers are required to download an additional Flash player plug-in.
A reader attempting to open a docmetrics document, using a copy of version 6 without the Flash capability, will receive a series of prompts that will make it easy to download and install the necessary plug-in. After installing the Flash plug-in, the reader will be able to access docmetrics documents without receiving these prompts.
Version 7
The ability to display Flash-based content is a standard feature of Adobe Reader and Acrobat 7. Therefore, a reader using version 7 will be able to view enhanced docmetrics documents in full, without having to download any additional software or install any plug-ins.
However, Flash content will not display automatically the first time a reader opens a docmetrics document. Instead, the reader will receive an Adobe prompt, asking whether the viewer should play Flash content in the document. The reader must agree to play Flash content, in order to view the document.
The Flash prompt also includes a check box, which offers the reader the option to automatically play Flash content in the future. By checking this box, the reader will be able to automatically bypass the Flash prompt in future docmetrics documents and ensure a totally seamless reading experience.
Unlike versions 6 and 8, version 7 is unable to display docmetrics forms for readers who are not connected to the Internet. To maintain a positive reader experience, an offline reader who tries to access a docmetrics document using version 7 will be given automatic access to the document’s content, without having to view or submit any forms.
Version 8
The most recent version of the Acrobat product family provides the most user-friendly reader experience with docmetrics documents. However, readers using version 8 are still required to agree to play Flash content in documents and – unlike users of version 7 – they are not given the option of allowing Flash content to play automatically in future.