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1. Download the program.
2. Install the program according to the instructions.
3. When starting the program, select the “Free-Edition Plus” option to test all functions of the free version for 30 days. After the 30 days have expired, you can continue to use the program as “Free-Edition” without any restrictions.
You can find an overview of the editions HERE.
1. Select “Help – Manual” from the menu to solve a problem using the manual.
2. You can also use the search function on this website to solve a problem.
3. If you are still stuck, you can always send us a message with questions.
VivaDesigner is available for Windows, macOS and Linux. Please click HERE to check the system requirements.
VivaDesigner is a true replacement/alternative because it has 99% of all the options of InDesign, a very similar user interface, and many options that InDesign doesn’t have. These include Linux and web support, access rights, automatic translations, font embedding, and more. For many customers, the lifetime license is also crucial.
Install the desktop version as described and simply open the InDesign document via the “Open” option and select the filter or drag the InDesign document directly onto the document window. Follow the instructions in the manual.
Yes, you can continue to use InDesign and open and edit InDesign documents in VivaDesigner. You will then have full access to all VivaDesigner options, including the option to edit documents in the web browser.
You can edit your InDesign® documents directly in the web browser. Without any installation and with all options. This makes VivaDesigner not only the ideal replacement, but also the optimal extension for InDesign®.
Yes, you can open VivaDesigner documents back in InDesign. However, you should not use any options in VivaDesigner that InDesign does not have (e.g. contour initials). However, there is usually no compelling reason to export the data again. On the one hand you have to check the import in any case, on the other hand VivaDesigner can create perfect PDFs from your documents.
Yes, if you select “Cross-Upgrade” at the time of purchase, you will receive a reduced discount. You will need the serial number of your InDesign license.
Unfortunately, no. If the INDD file itself is corrupted, VivaDesigner generally can’t open it reliably. We recommend keeping document backups and also saving InDesign files regularly as IDML (an XML-based interchange format).
If you have an IDML copy of the document, there’s a good chance VivaDesigner will be able to open that IDML file.
You can do either. VivaDesigner is available for purchase and, depending on the product/edition, also as a rental/subscription option. Please review the options shown for each item in the shop—some products are offered as subscription-only. In most cases, VivaDesigner is available both as a one-time purchase and as a subscription, depending on the offer listed in the shop.
Yes. A purchased license can generally be used indefinitely—as long as the operating system and environment it’s installed on are still supported or remain available. If you upgrade your operating system and your purchased version is no longer compatible, you may need to upgrade to a newer version of VivaDesigner to keep using it.
You can also pay for the software with the “Wire transfer – prepayment” option. When the shop asks for your data, please choose the payment option “Wire transfer – prepayment”. We will send you the required wire transfer information with your order confirmation by e-mail after your order has been received by our system. Please do not make a payment before you have received this order confirmation. This will allow us to correctly allocate your payment to your order.
Yes, if you already possess other layout programs, you will receive a discount. Choose the type “Cross-Upgrade” (instead of “Full Version”) in the product selection. When you place your order, you just need to provide your program version and serial number.
Yes, the “Personal Edition” is a discounted full version. You can find an overview of the functions HERE
Yes, the special “EDU Edition” for schoolschildren and students is a discounted full version. You can find an overview of the functions HERE
Yes, the special “EDU Edition” for teacher/pensionier is a discounted full version. You can find an overview of the functions HERE.
For details on how to verify eligibility (teacher/retiree status), please see the separate FAQ entry.
We’ve simplified the verification process for teachers: If you place your order using an email address from your school’s domain (for example, name@school.edu) and provide your school’s website URL, this is considered sufficient proof for us. In this case, we typically don’t require any additional documentation. In individual cases, we may request further information.
Yes, the “NGO/NPO Edition” is a discounted full version. You can find an overview of the functions HERE.
For details on how to verify eligibility (NGO status), please see the separate FAQ entry.
For non-profit organizations and associations (e.g., NGOs), we simplify the verification process: If you place your order using an email address from your organization’s domain and provide your website URL, this is considered sufficient proof for us. In this case, we typically do not require any additional documentation. In individual cases, we may request further information.
Yes, the “GOV Edition” is a discounted full version. You can find an overview of the functions HERE
Yes. We offer a Classroom License for up to 25 workstations—it is a full version (paid license) intended for use in school classes and computer labs. If you need a quote, please contact us via our contact form.
If you want to deploy VivaDesigner to many students or devices without purchasing licenses for each workstation, you can also use the Free Edition at any time. The Free Edition is available to everyone at no charge.
Click on the following link:
https://account.mycommerce.com/SubscriptionCancellationRequest/index
You may only use the subscription license until the end date stated in your termination confirmation. After that date, the subscription license is no longer valid and the paid version may not be used.
The Free Edition allows you to open your documents without an active subscription license, and they will continue to display correctly.
Please note that some features and certain document settings may no longer be editable in the Free Edition (for example, hyphenation settings or other licensed modules).
Follow the installation instructions
Please check the platform-specific installation notes, which can be downloaded HERE.
Check the system requirements (very important)
Next, review our system requirements and make sure your operating system and environment are supported. Many installation issues are caused by unsupported setups (for example, certain Linux configurations that are not explicitly supported).
The system requirements are listed HERE.
Review the manual and FAQs
If you still run into problems, please consult the user manual and our FAQ. Many common installation questions are answered there.
The FAQ are listed HERE.
Contact support
If the issue persists, please contact us via our contact form. To help us assist you quickly, include your operating system, VivaDesigner version, whether you’re using a VM/remote desktop setup, and the exact error message (if available).
The contact form is available HERE.
If you want to use a free of charge edition, you don’t have to do anything. A paid version is licensed using a license key that you receive by email with your order. In exceptional cases, a license file is also delivered.
You may use the desktop version of the software on ONE PHYSICAL computer only. A dual-boot setup (e.g., Windows and Linux installed on the same hardware) counts as ONE physical computer. No additional license is required provided the software is used by the same license holder and not run concurrently (including via virtual machines, remote sessions, or parallel instances). If you want to use the software on more computers, you have the following options:
Additional license
For the Commercial and Personal Editions you can buy ONE additional license for a second computer. This additional license may be purchased with your order or afterwards. The deciding factor is that the main and additional licenses are used by the SAME user. furthermore, the version numbers must be identical. If the version number that you need for the additional license is no longer sold, you must update your main license.
Free Edition
You can install the Free Edition of VivaDesigner on additional computers. The Free Edition has no licensing limits. However the Free Edition has no hyphenation/spell check and no PDF Export.
Web Edition
The VivaDesigner Web Edition is of course also an excellent solution, particularly if you have several additional computers that are also used by different users. The VivaDesigner Web Edition can be used on a monthly rental basis.
If you have a new computer and no longer have access to your old emails, you can send us a message asking us to resend you the license and download link.
No. If you’ve moved to a new computer and you’re no longer using the software on the old one, you don’t need to take any action.
If the old computer is broken and you can’t access it anymore, that’s also fine—no deactivation is required in that case.
However, if you plan to sell or give away the computer, we recommend uninstalling the software (and removing any license files) beforehand, just to be safe.
No. A dual-boot configuration on the same hardware counts as ONE physical computer. No additional license is required, provided the software is used by the same license holder and not run concurrently (including via virtual machines, remote sessions, or parallel instances).
Yes. If your organization provides desktop software via virtual machines, VivaDesigner can be installed and used in a VM and is widely deployed in many companies (e.g., for centrally provisioned workstations). The VM must provide sufficient system resources (CPU/RAM/storage) and reliable graphics/display support. In highly restricted VM or remote-desktop environments, performance may vary depending on the configuration.
It’s simple: Your license file / license code is automatically sent to you in the order confirmation email. Please check your email inbox (including your spam/junk folder) and search for the order email — you will find your license code there.
If you no longer have access to your email account, you can contact us via our helpdesk system. We will verify your request and then resend your license code.
Yes. With your order, you will receive a download link for all supported platforms, allowing you to switch at any time. It does not matter whether you have purchased or rented the software. Simply install the appropriate installer for Windows, macOS, or Linux. It is important that the license is used in accordance with “one computer / no simultaneous use on multiple computers.” If you switch platforms, simply uninstall VivaDesigner from the old system and install it on the new system; if necessary, reactivate the license there.
Quick note: If you specified a platform when placing your order, this is for informational purposes only.