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Adobe Exchange Help

Contacting the Adobe Exchange Team

About the Adobe Exchange

What is the Adobe Exchange?: At the Adobe Exchange, you can download extensions, custom tags, scripts, content, and other items that extend the functionality of Adobe applications. These items are created by Adobe and by members of the community. Most items are available free of charge. Items that cost money have a Buy icon next to them. You can also upload your item to the Adobe Exchange for others to use.

What is the "My Exchange area?": The My Exchange area provides quick access to your favorite Adobe Exchange items, as well as those you wish to be alerted about and those you upload to the Adobe Exchange. To add an item to Your Exchange, click Add to Alerts or Add to Favorites on the corresponding Details page of an Adobe Exchange Item.

About Extensions

What is an extension?

Extensions allow you to easily add new features to Adobe applications. Partners and customers have created many extensions available through this site that are often free. Extensions extend the functionality of the product to enable you to do more with it. For example, you'll find extensions that allow you to:

Build complex interfaces with pre-built Smart Clips
Learn advanced techniques with tutorials
Integrate ActionScript code samples into your projects
Add more clip art to your built-in libraries
Create projects using FLA source files

What is an extension package?: An extension package (ZXP/MXP) file is compressed installation file containing the extension(s) to be downloaded and installed by the Adobe Extension Manager. Note ZXP format extension package can only be installed by Adobe Extension Manager CS5 and later.

Do extensions cost money?

Most extension developers got their start by creating extensions for their own use. As a service to the community, they've decided to share them through this site at no charge. However, some developers make their living creating extensions and need to sell them. While we do not actually sell extensions on the Adobe Exchange, we allow developers to link back to their own sites, where they may sell their own extensions.

Although many extensions authored by Adobe developers are available for download at no cost on the Adobe Exchange, you can purchase the Adobe MX Developer Resource Kit for additional extensions and components. The Developer Resource Kit also includes a set of unique and practical tutorials and articles.

How do I know if an extension is any good?

Prior to installation, you have two ways to evaluate an extension:

Check out the rating. The numeric rating ranges from one to five, with five being the best. The rating for each extension is the average of all the ratings given by people who have actually used it.
Read the reviews. Anyone who has registered on Adobe.com can post a review. Read how the extension has performed for actual developers in real-world situations.

How do I download an extension?: To download an extension, just click the 'download' button in the extension's detail view and the download should begin. Commercial extensions are not hosted directly on Adobe.com, and will redirect you to the developers' website where you can then purchase and download the extension.

Note: Windows XP Service Pack 2 users may experience difficulty in downloading extensions with default security settings. For more information on download blocking in Windows XP Service Pack 2 and how to work around these issues, please refer to Microsoft: Windows XP SP 2 Resources.

How do I rate an extension?: To rate an extension, simply click the 'star' icons in the upper right of the extension's detail view to specify your rating- from 1 to 5 stars, 5 being the highest rating. You can change your rating of an extension at any time, but can only have one rating per extension.
Please note- any attempts by third-party developers to manipulate the Exchange rating system will result in their extensions being removed permanently from the Exchange.

How do I discuss an extension?: To discuss an extension, you can use the online Adobe discussion forums. Other users may have experienced the same obstacle as you and can explain how to solve the problem. To discuss an extension, go to the Adobe Online Forums and post a message in a Adobe Exchange forum.

What if I need help or support using an extension?

If you run into trouble using an extension, your first line of defense is the extension's built-in help system. Some extensions actually have Help buttons that will point you to useful information; others do not. Either way, if you can't find what you're looking for, don't worry—other resources are available.

You can also post your question on the Adobe Online Exchange Forums. Individual extension discussion threads within the Adobe Exchange forums have been discontinued and removed, but extension authors are aware of our online discussion forums and do track posts related to their extensions. In many cases, you may also receive help from another member of the Adobe community.

If you post your question and still can't find a good answer, your third option is to e-mail the extension developer. Some extension developers have posted their e-mail addresses within the Support Info section of the extension's corresponding Detail page; others will list their contact information within their own site (see the Developer URL section). Please be considerate when contacting extension authors. Most developers have full-time jobs and write extensions on the side as a service to the community. If they're bombarded with questions, they may be reluctant to submit more extensions in the future.

What if I need help installing an extension?: Extensions available for download in ZXP/MXP format should be installed with the Extension Manager, note extensions in ZXP format can only be installed with the Extension Manager CS5 and later. However, ZIP files cannot be installed using the Extension Manager. The Help button in the Extension Manager will launch its help system. Take a few minutes to search for a solution to your problem, since this help system contains much useful information.

Can I use a single extension in all of my Adobe products?: Extensions mostly are written for a single product only. However, some extensions are developed for multiple products, for example, some Creative Suite extensions.

Do extensions work in non-English versions of Adobe applications?: All items currently listed on the Adobe Exchange have been tested with the English versions of Adobe products and the Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh operating systems. We've decided that the Adobe Exchange will serve as an English-only resource in order to provide the Adobe community with extensions in a timely manner. However, the fact that these extensions haven't been tested within non-English environments doesn't mean that they will not work for you.

About the Adobe Extension Manager

What is the Extension Manager?: The Extension Manager is a free program that lets you easily install new extensions and keep track of the ones you already have. Download the Extension Manager installer and save it on your local drive, then double-click the installer to begin the installation process. Once the installation is complete, you can launch the Extension Manager from within the application by selecting Manage Extensions from the Help menu. Please note that the Extension Manager is used to install extensions that are in the ZXP/MXP file format. For ZXP format extensions, Extension Manager CS5 and later should be used.; Extension Manager CS5.5 includes support for the new Bridge CS5.1, Contribute CS5.1, Dreamweaver CS5.5, Fireworks CS5.1, Flash CS5.5, Illustrator CS5.1, InCopy CS5.5, InDesign CS5.5, Photoshop CS5.1, and Premiere Pro CS5.5 releases.

Prior Versions

What are the system requirements for the Extension Manager?

The Extension Manager CS5.5 requires Mac OS X v10.5.8 or v10.6 or Windows XP with Service Pack 3; Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Enterprise with Service Pack 2; Windows 7 Enterprise, Ultimate with 1GB of RAM, 1,024x768 display with 16-bit video card, and at least one of the following products:

Dreamweaver CS5.5
Fireworks CS5.1
Flash Professional CS5.5
Illustrator CS5.1
InCopy CS5.5
InDesign CS5.5
Photoshop CS5.1
Premiere Pro CS5.5

Prior Versions

Extension Manager CS5 requires Mac OS X 10.5-10.6.2 or Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3; Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Enterprise with Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2; Windows 7 Enterprise, Ultimate with 1GB of RAM, 1,024x768 display with 16-bit video card, and at least one of the following products:

Dreamweaver CS5
Fireworks CS5
Flash Professional CS5
Illustrator CS5
InCopy CS5
InDesign CS5
Photoshop CS5
Premiere Pro CS5

For more information, view the complete Extension Manager CS5 release notes.

Extension Manager 2.0 or 2.1 requires Mac OS X 10.4.11-10.5.4 or Windows XP with Service Pack 2; Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Enterprise with Service Pack 1, or Ultimate (certified for 32-bit editions) with 1GB of RAM, 1,024x768 display with 16-bit video card, and at least one of the following products:

Dreamweaver CS4
Fireworks CS4
Flash Professional CS4
Illustrator CS4
InCopy CS4
InDesign CS4
Photoshop CS4

Is the Extension Manager available in other languages?: Extension Manager 2.0 and later are also available in Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, Finnish, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, and Ukranian.; Extension Manager 1.8 and earlier are available in the following non-English languages: French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese.

How can I suggest improvements to the site or to the Extension Manager?: We're always eager to improve your experience with this site. Please e-mail any questions, comments, or suggestions to adobe-exchange-admin@adobe.com.

Submitting to the Adobe Exchange

How do I upload my item to the Adobe Exchange?: Please refer to the upload instructions for creating and uploading items to the Adobe Exchange.

Contacting the Adobe Exchange Team

If you have a question about downloading or submitting a Adobe Exchange item, you can contact a member of the Adobe Exchange team by using one of the e-mail addresses below: