Croptima Inplate: Install it for InDesign CC

Dec 15, 2016 | Featured, Propeller Head Stuff | 77 comments

You’re probably reading this because sadly, Croptima InPlate is no more, and you’re looking for a way to get it working with InDesign CC. Good news – you’ve come to the right place. I tweaked the InPlate code and got it working in InDesign CC.

(NOTE: THE FOLLOWING SCRIPT IS ONLY TESTED IN THE MAC VERSION OF INDESIGN. PLEASE READ COMMENTS BELOW FOR POSSIBLE WINDOWS WORKAROUNDS.)

  1. Download & unzip the Croptima-InPlate-2.0.zip file
  2. drop InPlate folder in: Adobe InDesign CC [version] > Scripts
  3. Restart InDesign. Voilà. You should be rockin’ (as long as you also have the Croptima InPlate application installed).

77 Comments

  1. Frantisek Rychnovsky

    Hello, unfortunatelly we are working on Windows system – have you tweaked version for win? FR

    Reply
  2. pixelboy

    Hi Frantisek,

    I’m not sure how similar the Windows version is to the Mac version but you could try the following:

    —-

    1. Go to Adobe InDesign CC 2017 > Scripts > InPlate > Startup Scripts > inplate_loader.jsx
    2. Add the following line after all the ‘if (app.version…’ lines:

    if (app.version.substr(0, 2) == “12”) iDVersion = “cc”;

    —-

    So, final complete script should look something like the following:

    #targetengine “session”;

    const hostOS = $.os.substr(0, 3).toLowerCase();
    var iDVersion = String();
    var scriptPath = String();
    var script = undefined;

    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “4”) iDVersion = “cs2”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “5”) iDVersion = “cs3”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “6”) iDVersion = “cs4”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “7”) iDVersion = “cs5”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “8”) iDVersion = “cs6”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “9”) iDVersion = “cc”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 2) == “10”) iDVersion = “cc”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 2) == “11”) iDVersion = “cc”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 2) == “12”) iDVersion = “cc”;

    scriptPath = String( app.activeScript.path );
    scriptPath += “/../” + “inplate_” + iDVersion + “_” + hostOS + “.jsxbin”;

    var script2Load = File(scriptPath);
    if (script2Load.exists)
    {
    script2Load.open();
    script = script2Load.read();
    script2Load.close();

    eval(script);
    }

    Reply
    • Doyle Oden

      I am getting an error saying that croptima cannot find “users/***/indesign_cc/prefs.txt file

      Reply
      • Andri

        You cut the folder startup script to script indesgn

        Reply
  3. Faravid

    Hi,
    Thank you for your trouble! Amazing work.

    Any chance you could help me a bit with setting up the script for Windows Indesign CC?

    If I drop it to “C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe InDesign CC 2017\Scripts” nothing happens.

    If I try to drop it to users folder “C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\InDesign\Version 12.0\fi_FI\Scripts” I get an error:

    Javascript error
    Error number: 40
    Error line: hostOS redeclared

    Engine: session
    File: (path to file)\inplate_loader.jsx
    Line: 3
    Source: const hostOS = $.os.substr(0, 3).toLowerCase();

    Reply
    • pixelboy

      Hi Faravid,

      Unfortunately, as I’m on a Mac, I am unable to test a fix for the Windows version. You could try the following but please be aware that I’m really guessing here –

      Try the following with your ORIGINAL inplate_loader.jsx script (i.e. not my Mac version of the script above):

      —–
      1. Quit InDesign if it’s running

      2. Go to C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\InDesign\Version 12.0\fi_FI\Scripts\inplate_loader.jsx

      3. After the line that says ‘if (app.version.substr(0, 2) == “11”) iDVersion = “cc”;’

      add the following line and save your change

      if (app.version.substr(0, 2) == “12”) iDVersion = “cc”;
      —–

      Good luck.

      Reply
      • Faravid

        Thanks.

        I didn’t realize first that I need a existing installation of Inplate to get this work.

        I recently installed a new computer and lost the installation of Inplate and now that Croptima website is down I can’t activate it.

        Also I don’t have that free version installer that was up at Croptima’s site before it went down.

        I tried copying the installation from old computer’s HDD (All the files, from users folder and program files). I got it running, but gives a Adobe AIR error: “Initial content could not be found for this application”.

        Reply
        • Faravid

          I did get it working on two other computers that had the plugin already installed.

          I just copied the InPlate folder from CC 2015 scripts folder to CC 2017 scripts folder, added the line you mentioned and got it working!

          Now to somehow install it to my work computer…

          Reply
    • Faravid

      Trying to install gives a error that installer is damaged.

      Reply
      • Ningnong

        The installer is fine, but you do need to install Adobe Air to use it … BUT, although they give your the activation codes, the activation server is no longer working, so it won’t actually install and is completely useless. 🙁

        Reply
        • Sherry Baker

          Has anyone figured out a way around the activation? I’m in the same boat. Had to install on a new computer when the hard drive crashed and get to the activation, and of course, it hangs because no one is home.

          What makes this worse? I had a valid code that I actually purchased :/

          I’ve been able to get the Trial Version running, which doesn’t have the full capabilities, but I’m curious… has anyone figured a work around to the registration?

          Reply
          • pixelboy

            I’m only guessing here but if you’re on a Mac, I’d say the activation info is held somewhere in these 2 locations:

            /Users/[your-user-name]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/AIR/ELS/Croptima-InPlate-CC.[some-very-long-number]

            /Users/[your-user-name]/Library/Application Support/com.apple.sharedfilelist/com.apple.LSSharedFileList.ApplicationRecentDocuments/croptima-inplate-cc.[some-very-long-number].sfl

            If you have a Time Machine backup from a time when InPlate was working you could try restoring the above folder and file and hopefully activation will be restored.

            Good luck.

            Pixelboy

          • Roberto Sala

            I’m facing the same problem: I had a valid code purchased but activation is no longer working.
            Any update?

  4. Joselyn

    Hi, I’m so glad I found your post. I’m running into the same problem Faravid had where I bought a nee computer and need to install croptima but I don’t have the free download. Every time I try to install is asking for activation but the croptima site is no longer up to activate. Is there any way around this?

    Reply
    • pixelboy

      Hi Joselyn,

      Not that I’m aware of, unfortunately. However you could try the following –

      If you had InPlate installed on your old computer then you could try copying all the relevant files across to your new one. The following only applies to Mac:

      1. Applications/Croptima InPlate CC
      2. ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/AIR/ELS/Croptima-InPlate-CC.[some-really-long-number]
      3. ~/Library/Preferences/Croptima-InPlate-CC.[some-really-long-number]
      4. [your Adobe Indesign application folder]/Scripts/InPlate
      5. [home]/InPlate_cc

      That’s about all I can suggest. Good luck.

      Reply
      • Joselyn

        Thanks for the reply! I’ll try that and see what happens.

        Reply
  5. Kirk

    Hello. I tried installing the 2017 version in my 2015 InDesign to find it didn’t work. Now, however, I can’t seem to get “CropTima Inplate” off of my top menu after removing the other files from Scripts. Any ideas? Thanks. Kirk

    Reply
    • Ningnong

      Yep. I’ve got the same issue in InDesign CC 2017.

      I tried putting this version of InPlate in the Scripts folder, but then InDesign complains about not finding a preference file, so I’m trying to uninstall that again. (I had better luck with this one though: http://www.zenodesign.com/forum/ImpositionAS.zip)

      Removing the InPlate folder from the Scripts folder doesn’t get rid of the CropTima Inplate menu in the menu bar and there’s nothing in the Extensions Manager (not surprising since it’s not a plugin). 🙁

      Reply
      • Anna

        I had same problem, were you able to solve it in the end?
        Same message about not finding preference file. Do not know how to proceed.
        Any help?
        thanks

        Reply
  6. Sherry

    Until last year, I had been using InPlate since 2007. I was devastated to see that he’d closed up shop.

    Every few months I Google Croptima to see if the programmer has resurfaced or if someone has picked up in his stead… and I’m SOOOo glad that you did. I’ve tried at least TEN different options from various imposition companies and haven’t found anything with as simple and easy an interface as InPlate. I’m beyond BLISSFUL to see it back. Bless you!

    Reply
    • pixelboy

      Thanks Sherry. Glad it was helpful. I appreciate your appreciation.

      Reply
      • Bravo

        Hi, did this work? am still having the same problem, its asking for activation code

        Reply
        • pixelboy

          Hi Bravo,

          It works but you still need to have the Croptima InPlate software installed with your activation code.

          Reply
    • Katkov

      Sherry, man, which competitor software exists? I need a solution to print a deck of poker cards, I was surprised that it’ so hard to do.

      Reply
      • Sherry

        Cheap competitor? None. One that works pretty flawlessly?

        Quite Imposing.
        http://www.quite.com/imposing/

        It’s super vanilla and boring, and there is NO previewing (at least in all the incarnations I’ve tried) but it’s chock full of features, so as long as you don’t mind wading through text setups without previews, it works alright… if not a little pricey.

        Reply
  7. Grimey

    Excellent work!
    Many thanks. I’d been sticking to CC2015 because of this.
    Any plans to maintain it over the following versions?

    Cheers

    Reply
    • pixelboy

      Hi Grimey,

      It totally depends on future versions of InDesign. I’m not re-writing the InPlate code per se, just tweaking the associated script to enable it to run on a specific version of InDesign. If InPlate base code becomes incompatible with a future version of InDesign then unfortunately, all bets are off.

      Reply
  8. Gary

    Hi Guys,

    I’m feeling the same pain that you all mention only IT is not my thing, is anyone able to break the install scenario for PC to me slowly and easily? Much Love

    Gary

    Reply
  9. Alan

    Hi PixelBoy,

    This doesn’t seem to work. Indesign still asks for the Activation code. We have the code and Croptima closing down means there is no server for the code to check and confirm the license. We had 3 iMacs running Croptima and I needed to restore one and we can’t get it past the Activation Code. Shame as Croptima was very useful and easy to use.

    Can you recommend anything else?

    Reply
    • pixelboy

      Hi Alan,

      I’m only guessing here but I’d say the activation info is held somewhere in these 2 locations:

      /Users/[your-user-name]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/AIR/ELS/Croptima-InPlate-CC.[some-very-long-number]

      /Users/[your-user-name]/Library/Application Support/com.apple.sharedfilelist/com.apple.LSSharedFileList.ApplicationRecentDocuments/croptima-inplate-cc.[some-very-long-number].sfl

      If you have a Time Machine backup from a time when InPlate was working you could try restoring the above folder and file and hopefully activation will be restored.

      Good luck.

      Pixelboy

      Reply
  10. Bravo

    who has a fully activated version of croptima? may someone can share the relevant files to enable activation on a mac. Lost my activation details after my machine crushed.

    Reply
  11. Carl Lawrence

    You are a legend!

    Thank you very much!!

    Reply
  12. Katkov

    I’m trying to install it on Indesign 2017.1, build 12.1.0.56
    I followed your installation instruction, restarted InDesign and received the following error:
    Croptime Inplate doesn’t find its settings file here:
    /Users/katkov/InPlate_cc/prefs.txt
    in the end I see the ‘Croptime InPlate’ menu item, but it’s not clickable.

    Of course, there’s no such file or folder, so i tried to create an empty prefs.txt there, but this didn’t fix the situation.

    Reply
    • pixelboy

      Hi Katkov,

      You can try using mine which I’ve made available here: https://www.pixelboy.com.au/clients/InPlate_cc.zip

      You’ll just need to unzip it and change prefs.txt to reflect your own details. So InPlate_cc folder would go in /Users/katkov/

      Cheers

      Reply
      • jjlin

        the download link is disable

        Reply
    • Leanne

      I know this is old but I fixed mine. Change the folder in your katkov folder to say InPlate_cc
      (mine still said inPlate_cs3) so it couldn’t find it.

      Reply
  13. Subhankar Dassarkar

    Hello, Is there any tweak for the script to use it in windows 7 and cs6 or cs5.5?

    I’ve tried this but not worked :

    #targetengine “session”;

    const hostOS = $.os.substr(0, 3).toLowerCase();
    var iDVersion = String();
    var scriptPath = String();
    var script = undefined;

    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “4”) iDVersion = “cs2”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “5”) iDVersion = “cs3”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “6”) iDVersion = “cs4”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “7”) iDVersion = “cs5”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “8”) iDVersion = “cs6”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “9”) iDVersion = “cc”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 2) == “10”) iDVersion = “cc”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 2) == “11”) iDVersion = “cc”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 2) == “12”) iDVersion = “cc”;

    scriptPath = String( app.activeScript.path );
    scriptPath += “/../” + “inplate_” + iDVersion + “_” + hostOS + “.jsxbin”;

    var script2Load = File(scriptPath);
    if (script2Load.exists)
    {
    script2Load.open();
    script = script2Load.read();
    script2Load.close();

    eval(script);
    }

    Thanks

    Reply
  14. Klára

    Thank you so much but it’s doesn’t work, can you help me fix it pls?
    have a nice day, Klara

    hostOS is undefined
    Modul: main
    Soubor:/Aplication/Adobe Indesign CC 2017/Scripts/Scripts Panel/InPlate/inplate_cc_mac.jsxbin
    3959

    Reply
    • pixelboy

      Hi Klára,

      I notice that your InPlate script folder is in a different location to mine. Try moving the InPlate folder to the following location:

      /Applications/Adobe InDesign CC 2017/Scripts/ (i.e. move it out of the Scripts Panel folder to the parent Scripts folder)

      Then try the following:

      1. Quit InDesign if it is running
      2. Open the following file in a text editor: Soubor:/Aplication/Adobe Indesign CC 2017/Scripts/InPlate/Startup Scripts/inplate_loader.jsx
      3. Change the code on line 3 from –

      const hostOS = $.os.substr(0, 3).toLowerCase();

      to

      const hostOS = “mac”; //$.os.substr(0, 3).toLowerCase();

      4. Save the file
      5. Open InDesign and see if InPlate works

      Regards
      Glen

      Reply
  15. Kabeer

    Does not support InDesign CC 2018

    Reply
    • pixelboy

      I just tested it myself. Worked fine for me in InDesign CC 2018 (on Mac).

      Reply
  16. Grimey

    I’ve luckily got it working fine with CC 2018 (Mac).

    This is an excellent piece of software and Pixelboy has done us all a great service in maintaining it so far. However, I’m aware that its future is a grim uncertainty, and despite searching and trying many alternatives, there seems nothing quite as good.

    Unless anyone has any other suggestions to allay my future fears?

    Reply
    • jjlin

      How did you make it work with CC 2018 (Mac)?

      Reply
      • Grimey

        I just followed the instructions from above. All seemed to work okay.

        Reply
  17. Kristijan

    Have anyone made it work in windows?

    Reply
    • Mart

      I hope this to!!!!!!

      Reply
  18. Nicole

    I’ve tried uploading the code in the Scripts folder for InD and pasted in the code:
    #targetengine “session”;

    const hostOS = $.os.substr(0, 3).toLowerCase();
    var iDVersion = String();
    var scriptPath = String();
    var script = undefined;

    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “4”) iDVersion = “cs2”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “5”) iDVersion = “cs3”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “6”) iDVersion = “cs4”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “7”) iDVersion = “cs5”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “8”) iDVersion = “cs6”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 1) == “9”) iDVersion = “cc”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 2) == “10”) iDVersion = “cc”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 2) == “11”) iDVersion = “cc”;
    if (app.version.substr(0, 2) == “12”) iDVersion = “cc”;

    scriptPath = String( app.activeScript.path );
    scriptPath += “/../” + “inplate_” + iDVersion + “_” + hostOS + “.jsxbin”;

    var script2Load = File(scriptPath);
    if (script2Load.exists)
    {
    script2Load.open();
    script = script2Load.read();
    script2Load.close();

    eval(script);
    }

    But I get a Java error. Am I doing something wrong?

    Reply
    • pixelboy

      Hi Nicole. That script is the old version (for CC 2017).

      You can download the new version of the script here: http://pixelboy.com.au/Croptima-InPlate-2.0.zip

      or you can use the following script that no longer requires the iDVersion lines:

      #targetengine “session”;

      const hostOS = $.os.substr(0, 3).toLowerCase();
      var iDVersion = String();
      var scriptPath = String();
      var script = undefined;

      scriptPath = String( app.activeScript.path );

      scriptPath += “/../” + “inplate_cc_” + hostOS + “.jsxbin”;

      var script2Load = File(scriptPath);
      if (script2Load.exists)
      {
      script2Load.open();
      script = script2Load.read();
      script2Load.close();

      eval(script);
      }

      Reply
      • Mart

        Please can you get this to work in the Windows version?

        Reply
        • pixelboy

          I’m just guessing here but you could try changing the following line in the script from

          scriptPath += “/../” + “inplate_cc_” + hostOS + “.jsxbin”;

          to:

          scriptPath += “/../” + “inplate_cc_win.jsxbin”;

          Reply
          • mart

            no luck, it generates a java error.

  19. mart

    I’ve got 3 PC’s running with InDesign CS6 and croptima. On one of the PC’s crotima won’t work again. I tried to restore the crotima files from one of the other PC’s but no luck. I can use the PDF placer but when a try to make a inposition I get a black screen. Is there someone who knows where all the files are located on a windows machine????
    I did restore the:
    Program files: crotima
    The Air/ELS
    The inplate scripts

    Reply
    • DB

      I have this exact issue on PC. I have tried to grab everything and transfer across. I don’t think the licence is stored in the registry, which would make it virtually impossible to find I think. Script seems to load in Indesign, but I get a blank pop up screen rather than the interface and it eventually times out. Did you find a way around it Mart?

      Reply
      • mart

        Nope, sorry DB. I tried many ways but no luck. I know work with Montax Imposer.

        Reply
  20. Stewart

    Anyone got a working link to the program?

    Reply
  21. Sherry

    I’ve used your previous bandaids for Croptima before and they worked great. This new one is behaving weird, though, and I think it is because our IT department changed my mac’s home directory name to include my name, rather than the generic “User” that was formerly there. It now reads Users/Sherry rather Users/User. Croptima last worked under Users/User.

    Now when I run Croptima it hangs as it tries to draw the user interface. Could the new username on my computer be the problem? Could it be an uppercase/lowercase issue? Do you have any idea where it may have saved that information and where I could change it? I’m really stumped! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply
  22. JCLAF

    Hi all,
    Just off the top, I’ve been using Croptima for many years. Very sad to see it going away.
    Way too easy to impose files and there is currently nothing like it.
    I use it in our digital dept. on several machines.
    All Mac OS 10.11+
    Since rebuilding and upgrading Operating software and Adobe CC 2018, I can’t get any of the above solutions to work.
    Please help.

    Reply
    • Sherry Baker

      JCLAF,

      I was in the same boat, and while the tweaks helped us limp along for a while, it all went downhill when I got a new computer and had no way to authenticate.

      I finally found another program that is almost as easy and visual for imposition. It runs as a stand alone or as a part of acrobat. Give Imposition Wizard a try. It’s like $15 per month and has a very responsive service team.

      RIP Croptima InPlate. And Chad Williams, if you are listening… you left us hangin’ dude. You could have at least left the editable scripts so someone could pick up where you left off :/

      Reply
  23. Ninji Sky

    Hi Pixel Boy

    Need your help …

    I bought this Croptima application back to 2016 and I like it very much but why now all the versions when I installed (Croptima application) “an error has occurred”, The application could not be installed because the installer file is damaged??? please help and any website can I download the full application???

    Thank you
    Ninji Sky

    Reply
    • pixelboy

      Sorry Ninji but I can’t help you as I don’t have a full installer available.

      Regards
      Pixelboy

      Reply
  24. Ninji Sky

    Hi Pixel Boy

    May I know this Croptima is for FREE or need to purchase cos for version CS 5.5 I installed need passwords. please advise … Thank you

    Reply
  25. Sapphire

    Hi Pixel Boy,
    Is your script compatible with the most recent updates for indesign cc? We have been holding out on updating our cc software as we rely heavily on croptima and haven’t found a suitable alternative imposition software to use in its place. We are on mac osx.
    Any advice appreciated.

    Reply
    • pixelboy

      Hi Sapphire,

      Yes, it works as of Adobe InDesign CC 2018 (version 13.1).

      Regards
      Pixelboy

      Reply
      • Sapphire

        Thanks Pixel Boy. Going to try updates/adding the scripts at the weekend. Wish me luck!

        Reply
  26. libin

    Croptima inplate cc
    is not getting activated
    Checking serial integrity…
    Authenticating serial (****** -******) with server. Waiting for ‘ldr’ event to complete…
    how to Authenticate?

    Reply
    • Wiola

      Good morning,
      I have the same problem how to do authorization as the server does not exist, I have In Plate under Windows x7.

      Reply
  27. etrd

    Upload inplate folder from users directiory!!!
    Please. i cant solve prefs.txt issue/

    Reply
  28. Jclaffey

    Hi guys,
    I have macs running many versions of ID and OS.
    Have had luck updating some machines but just did a reinstall of High Sierra 10.13.6
    When Croptima launches, Adobe Air presents the authentication window where the serial numbers won’t work.
    I’ve read where your go into the user folder and find the “some-really-long-number” but the folder Application Support/Adobe/Air/ELS/Croptima-Inplate-CC isn’t there.
    Oddly it worked before the reinstall and ID/AdobeAir seems to find the authentication.
    I’ve searched the drives, back ups etc. and nowhere do I find the ELS folder.
    Please help.
    Tks.
    JCC

    Reply
    • pixelboy

      Hi JCC,

      There’s no solution I know of that can re-generate the ELS files without (the now defunct) Croptima activation. I would have thought it would be on a Time Machine backup (if you use Time Machine and backup regularly) but you say you’ve checked your backups.

      Sorry I can’t be of help.

      Cheers
      Glen

      Reply
  29. Lapeyre

    Thanks but with CC2019 it does not work.
    Do you have a solution ?

    Reply
    • pixelboy

      Hi Lapeyre,

      I’ve tested it on CC 2019 and it definitely works. Without having more information it’s hard for me to offer a solution.

      Do you have the Croptima InPlate application already installed with a working licence key? Do you have the InPlate folder in your Adobe InDesign CC 2019 > Scripts folder?

      Reply
  30. jclaffey

    Tried again, downloaded link from above. Relaunched ID Croptima started saving files for preview then the window for the serial number appeared.
    my serial numbers don’t work, not making contact with server.
    Read somewhere how to spoof the request but over my head.
    Someone must have done this.
    Help, nothing like croptima.
    Jim

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *