Virtual Documents

[ElTimuro]

Context

• As we move further away from actual paper being signed, it's time to rethink the format of the document being signed
• Currently Documenso allows for uploading documents to sign them
• The uploaded document are stil inspired by the piece of paper they represent
• This requires
  • Creating the document before uploading
  • Adhering to the format of a classical document
• Both limitations don't have to exist in digital form

The Goal

• We want to remove these limitation in favor of a new paradigm, the virtual document
• A virtual document can be designed (like a web page) free in terms of
  • Content
  • Visual Characteristics
• Virtual Documents will be an extention of the current template model, giving a lot more freedom in designing the "thing" being signed/ agreed upon
• Allowing the community to create high quality, peer reviewed templates is planned via Document Template Store #28

Implementation

• Virtual Documents will be createable via the visual web editor UI or freely using HTML and CSS. Using HTML and CSS will ofc be also possible via the API
• To allow a great deal of freedom and quality this requires us to build some custom infrastructure, we also plan to publish: PDF Libraries #29
• Virtual Documen will consist of these elements
  • Content (e.g. text, structured with HTML)
  • Fields supported by Documenso (structured with HTML)
  • Visual Design using custom CSS