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AdforceX

Ad Layout Planning Built for Deadline-Driven Publishers

AdforceX is the Mac-native ad dummying tool that handles display ads and classified flows in one modern, streamlined workflow.

AdforceX is Cognitive’s flagship ad layout system — completely reimagined and built from the ground up for the way publishers work today. It runs natively on every current Mac and is fully compatible with macOS Catalina through Tahoe. It integrates end-to-end with Adobe InDesign CC 2023 through CC 2026 via our AdImport, Fido, and Split & Folio plug-ins — giving you a complete plan-to-print production system for every publication you run.

What’s included in your AdforceX subscription

An AdforceX annual subscription license is designed to keep your operation running without surprises.

  • Always current: Use the latest macOS versions and workstations, and receive all AdforceX upgrades automatically with your subscription.
  • Unlimited technical support: Real support from the team that built the product — no ticket queues, no support tiers.
  • No dongles: AdforceX uses a product license key that can be transferred between workstations as needed. Simple to activate, simple to move and share.
  • Predictable cost: A subscription is a fixed, budgetable line item — no unexpected upgrade fees.

Feature Overview

With a modern, streamlined interface, AdforceX makes the ad dummying process faster and more intuitive than ever. Here’s what it does:

Ad Data Management

  • Imports tab-delimited runsheet files from any front-end order-entry system.
  • Calculates the number of pages needed to reach desired ad percentage.
  • Has built-in Smart Link intelligence to automatically links ads to their digital files.
  • Supports page filtering along with runsheet filtering.

Layout & Planning

  • Displays the issue as a full graphic representation of pages and ads.
  • Supports ad placement by drag and drop, runsheet automation actions, or stored layout routines.
  • Displays issues as pages, spreads, or married pages.
  • Supports multiple column models and page sizes within the same issue file.
  • Supports user-defined conflict rules — and live conflict warnings during ad placement.

Sectioning & Configurations

  • Physical sectioning and content sectioning allows precisely targeted ad placements.
  • Automates simple or complex page folios — even after adding, moving or removing pages.
  • Stores and recalls physical sectioning and color press configurations.
  • Stores and manages templates for efficient reuse of issue setups.

Outputs and InDesign Integration

  • Stores user-defined settings for printing issue dummies for distribution and review.
  • Exports AdforceX issue pages as press-ready PDFs.
  • Overlays completed pages directly onto InDesign layouts — with ad links, folios, and all layout information inherited.
  • Exports runsheet data for ad indexes and to front-end booking systems for tearsheet support.
  • Export full issue description files to external content management systems.

Usability & Support

  • Customize fonts and sizes for issue display and runsheet appearance.
  • Manage issue windows and runsheets across two monitors.
  • Access tool tips in interfaces, menus, and dialogs to guide your way.
  • Use the fully integrated Help system.
  • Easily move and share AdforceX licenses and preferences among multiple users.
  • Contact Cognitive Support right from AdforceX, with issues and preferences automatically emailed for efficient troubleshooting and assistance.

SmartFlow – Classifieds and display ads, planned together

Managing classified flows and display ads used to mean juggling two separate systems. AdforceX SmartFlow changes that.

Set up your classified import data — main classifications, sub-classifications and headers — with a simple import mechanism. From there, SmartFlow lets you create and manipulate multiple flows alongside your display ads. Drag ads in and out of flows, move whole classifications to a different page, and watch the flow reflow automatically around placed ads — all at lightning speed, even in image mode.
Classification and sub-classification headers place automatically above their ads. When you drag additional ads into a placed SmartFlow, everything adjusts without manual intervention.

Rules Manager – Set ad rules in AdforceX, not InDesign

Hairline rules between ads, and between ad stacks and editorial space, are a standard part of well-designed publications. Historically, that meant manual rule creation in InDesign — every issue, every page, every ad and ad stack.

With AdforceX Rules Manager, you define the rules — rule weights, positioning, how applied — and those rules are “drawn” automatically in your AdforceX issue. When you open or overlay your layout in InDesign via AdImport, the rules come with it — already placed, already correct. Saving loads of time in page production.

Automations – Coming Soon!

With an in-app Script Editor, a curated snippet library, live logging, and the complete AdforceX scripting dictionary — you’ll have everything your team needs to build reliable automations today and maintain them tomorrow. Cut repetitive issue planning and ad layout steps from minutes to seconds, and run lights-out production on scheduled issues and editions.

Want to find out how AdforceX can work for you?

Let’s Talk!

Easy Adoption for AdForce and ALS users

Our customers have relied on Cognitive’s ad layout solutions, day in and day out, for years. We built AdforceX so that switching doesn’t mean starting over.
An intelligent import process brings in your existing ALS or AdForce preferences. That means all your settings — your ad types, section names, ad sizes, colors, etc., as well as all your import and export maps — will work with AdforceX right from the start. And all the core capabilities you’ve relied on are here in AdforceX:

  • Keeps track of color placements, page and section requests, pickups and a host of other requirements.
  • Imports tab-delimited runsheet files from any order-entry system.
  • Supports a wide array of customizable page and issue attributes.
  • Controls double truck placements and accurately exports bleed ads to InDesign.
  • Manages ad conflicts and even shows you a potential conflict as you drag and drop ads.
  • Links ads to their digital file paths — but without requiring file path entries in the runsheet.
  • Completed issues and pages can be opened in InDesign with ad links, folios and all the other layout information inherited — or export AdforceX issues to a CMS.

System Requirements for AdforceX

AdforceX runs on any Macintosh computer running macOS 10.15 Catalina through 26 Tahoe. Supports both Intel and Apple Silicon M-chip (ARM) processors. Minimum 4 GB RAM recommended.
AdforceX layouts open or overlay onto Adobe InDesign using our AdImport Plug-in for InDesign CC 2023 through CC 2026 on both Mac and Windows.

Click HERE to see full compatibility chart.