In version 1.10.2 of the Adobe Illustrator Plug–in, additional features have been added to the Data Matrix Barcode settings. The following Code Format options are available:  

• Default
• GS1/UCC/EAN
• Industry
• Format 05
• Format 06
• Reader
• DP Postmatrix

Follow these steps to access the Code Format options:

1. Open Adobe Illustrator and launch the Workflow Plug–in.
2. Open or place a document.
3. Create a Variable or Static Barcode.
4. Select the Data Matrix [1] type.
5. Open the Data Matrix Settings area [2].
6. Select the desired Code Format from the drop–down menu [3].

Figure 1: The Data Matrix Settings where the user can find the new Code Format options.

The user interface of the Impose Editor has been adapted to that of the Workflow and the Impose Editor has been integrated into the user interface of the Workflow. From this version on, the Impose Editor is displayed using a light theme to ensure visual consistency in the Workflow.

Figure 2: The Impose Editor now has a light theme in the Workflow.

From this version on, the Impose Editor is no longer opened in a separate tab. Instead, it will be opened directly in the Workflow using the new user interface. The navigation menu on the left side as well as the action bar in the header remains. This results in the following advantages for the user:

• Switching to other menu items is possible without having to click on a separate tab.
• Directly changing to the previous view in the Workflow, because the application is in the same tab.
• For future versions of the Workflow, a dialogue possibility Send to Printer will be added.
• A uniform and consistent visual  style using the light theme, with the possibility to switch to the familiar dark theme in future versions.

A new option has been added in »Tiling« Mode, where the user can add Edge Reinforcement (a white unprinted area) to the Print Item. Edge Reinforcement can be defined separately on all four edges of the Print Item. In succession the Tiling mechanism calculates to include the Edge Reinforcement per Tile. Therefore, the need for the user to calculate the Edge Reinforcement manually is eliminated and errors and unnecessary trial are reduced .

Figure 3: Edge Reinforcement can now be added to a Print Item in Tiling Mode.

To add Edge Reinforcement in Tiling Mode, proceed as follows:

1. Open the Impose Editor.
2. Switch to »Tiling« Mode.
3. Open the Artboard Settings tab [4].
4. Open the Overlap Parameters [5] drop–down.
5. Define the Edge Reinforcement [6] for each respective edge - the setting only affects the outer edges of the Print Item, so that the finished product will have an unprinted Edge Reinforcement.
6. After the Edge Reinforcement has been defined, you can view the added reinforcement using the Tile View option, where the Edge Reinforcement is highlighted in green (see Figure 3).

Figure 4: The Overlap Parameter area where an Edge Reinforcement can be added.

A new Caption placeholder has been added in this release.

• Cutter – Cutter Page Filename [7]

This placeholder ensures that the complete name of the cutfile can be written on the impose sheet. This allows a visual assessment to ensure that the cutfile matches the printing job when additional processing of the Production Job is necessary.

Figure 5: The Caption Placeholder Select dialogue with the new placeholder Cutter Page Filename.

Calculating and displaying ink costs have been newly implemented in this version and the range of functions has been extended. These new features are available for Articles and Print Items in Orders and Production Jobs under the »Statistics« tab. To perform an ink cost calculation, proceed as follows:

1. Open an Article or Print Item in an Order/Production Job.
2. Navigate to the »Statistics« tab.
3. Select the desired calculation variables on the left side:
   • Substrate [22] – In order to perform an ink cost calculation, at least one Substrate be selected. After a Substrate has been selected, ink cost calculations can then be performed. All other filter options can be used to calculate more specific ink costs.
   • Color Channel Configuration [23] – In addition to the Substrate, the desired Color Channel Configuration can be selected to narrow down the ink cost calculations or results for a specific Color Channel Configuration.
   • Color Policy [24] – Select a specific Color Policy here.
   • Save Ink [25] – In addition to the filter options, you can determine which Save Ink profile should be included in the calculation.
   • Sampling Method [26] – The Sampling Method can be overridden per calculation. By default, the system–wide settings determine the Sampling Method.
   • Info [27] – Based on the selected filter criteria, you will be shown how many ink cost calculations will be performed.
4. Press the Calculate button to start the calculation.

Figure 10: Calculating and displaying ink costs in the »Statistics« tab.

After the ink cost calculations have been performed, the results are listed on the right. From this version on, herein contained are the following information or functions:

• Used Substrates [28] – Because ink cost calculations can be calculated across multiple Substrates, this drop–down menu allows filtering of results using the selected Substrate. If no used Substrate is selected, then all results are listed. By selecting a Substrate, only the associated results are shown.
• Base Quantity [29] – The Base Quantity is defined by the default system–wide settings. It can be overwritten in this area. Recalculation is not necessary in this case. The values are adjusted based on the setting.
• Area Unit [30] – The Area Unit is defined by the default system–wide settings. It can be overwritten in this area. In this case, recalculation is not necessary and the values will be adjusted based on the settings.
• Calculation results [31] – The calculated results are displayed in this list, which are sortable per column. Each list entry contains the following information:
  • Header per list entry –  Ink Policy | Substrate
  • Save Ink – e.g.: Low, Medium, Extreme, or No Save Ink.
  • Base Unit per Base Quantity – e.g. Liter / 1000
  • Price per Base Quantity – e.g.: Price / 1000
  • Price per unit of area measurement – e.g.: Price / m²
• Download Report [33] – See section 2.5.2 Creating Ink Cost Reports for more information.
• Display Ink Consumption Analysis [34] – For more information, see section 2.5.3 Comparing the results.
• Recalculate Ink Consumption [35] – Use this option to recalculate individual results.
• Recalculate Ink Consumption for all entries [32] – Use this option to recalculate all results in the list.

As of version 1.10.2, the ink cost reports are available for download in the »Statistics« tab. Calculated ink costs can be downloaded as a report and used as needed. Follow the steps to create a report:

1. Open an Article or a Order Print Item.
2. Switch to the Statistics tab and calculate the ink costs as needed.
3. Select the desired result in the list.
4. Click on the Download Report icon [33] (see Figure 10).
5. The following settings can be selected in this dialogue:
   • Customer and E–mail [36] – By default, the Customer and the corresponding E–mail, assigned to the Order Print Item or Article, will be preselected here. These two variables can be changed as needed in this dialogue. Changing the settings in the dialogue will only affect the report currently being downloaded.
   • Currency [37] – By default, the Currency is taken from the system–wide settings under Administration > Settings > General under Display Options. This can be adjusted or changed when creating the report. Changing the settings in the dialogue will only affect the report currently being downloaded. Note that entering a currency symbol will not cause the ink cost to be recalculated.
   • Unit [38] – By default, the Unit Length is taken from the system–wide settings under Administration > Settings > General under Display Options. This can be adjusted or changed when creating the report. Changing the settings in the dialogue will only affect the report currently being downloaded.
   • Area Unit [40] – By default, the Area Unit is taken from the system–wide settings under Administration > Settings > General under Display Options. This can be adjusted or changed when creating the report. Changing the settings in the dialogue will only affect the report currently being downloaded.
   • Create a multi–page PDF file for all reports [39] – By activating this option, the report will be downloaded as a PDF. If several results were selected in the ink cost calculation list, you can click the Download Reports icon in the header of the list, which will then download all selected reports or reports in a multi–page PDF file.
   • Create individual reports packed in a ZIP [41] – By activating this option, the report will be downloaded as a PDF packed in a ZIP file. If several reports were selected in the ink cost calculation list, you can click the Download Reports icon in the list header, which will then download all the selected results or reports in a ZIP file containing one PDF per report.
6. To create and download the PDF/ZIP file(s) press Download.

Figure 11: The Ink Consumption Report download dialogue.

Calculated ink costs can be compared with each other from this version on. For this purpose a new view has been implemented, which allows the user to analyse ink cost calculations and to select and compare two specific calculations. Proceed as follows:

1. Open an Article, Order Print Item or Production Job.
2. Switch to the Statistics tab and calculate ink costs as needed.
3. Select a result that is displayed in the list with which you want to compare another ink cost.
4. Activate the Display Ink Consumption Analysis icon [34] (see Figure 10).
5. In the Ink Consumption Analysis dialogue, all information concerning the selected Color Policy and its ink consumption for the selected base quantity is displayed.
6. Select another Color Policy in the second drop–down menu Color Policy [42] to compare it with the previously selected Color Policy. Select the same Color Policy if you want to see the difference between the different Ink Save profiles, i.e., low versus extreme.
7. Select the desired Save Ink Profile [43] for both Color Policies to compare them as well, in this case, make sure that the ink cost calculations have also been calculated using a Save Ink Profile. Otherwise, you will not be able to select a Save Ink Profile in this drop–down menu.

Figure 12: The Ink Consumption Analysis dialogue with the option to compare two Color Policies with or without a Save Ink Profile.

Designed with the Durst P5 350 and P5 210 printing systems in mind, this new feature allows the user to control different print series (tracks), using a newly implemented processing method which is called ZIP for Multitracks [44]. This method makes it possible to feed the print series, which is configured separately on the Printer with print data by using a defined sequence. Read the next two sections to find out what preparatory work has to be done and how this Hotfolder has to be set up in the Workflow.

Figure 13: The Processing Parameter tab of the Hotfolder Setup dialogue with the newly selected Processing Mode »ZIP for Multitracks«.

Initial scenario and implementation goal

With the two printing systems P5 350 and P5 210, Durst offers the possibility of dividing the entire printing width into several print rows (tracks). This means that the Printer can be used with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 print rows or tracks. A separate auto–spooling Hotfolder can be set up for each print row or track via the printer's software.

The aim of the new Hotfolder processing method is to process all files from a ZIP file in the defined sequence (pages) and to send the rendered data to the defined print rows or tracks.

Preparatory work

Before the Hotfolder processing method can be used correctly in the Workflow, the following preparations must be made:

• The print series or tracks must be created as Auto–Spooling Hotfolders both on the printer and in the printer software.
• Each print series or track must be assigned its own target directory (Hotfolder) in the Workflow. These target directories of the print series/tracks must be created in the Workflow under Administration > Interfaces so that they can be used by the Workflow as target directories.
• The target directories created in the Workflow must then be linked to the respective printers under Administration > Printer Setup.
• Only then can the Hotfolder be set up in the Workflow.

After the preliminary work has been done, the Hotfolder can be set up or configured in the Workflow. Proceed as follows:

1. Navigate to Automation > Hotfolder.
2. Select New in the action bar.
3. Define the desired Hotfolder settings in the Hotfolder Setup dialogue.
   • General tab – Enter a Name and add an optional Comment.
   • Process Parameter tab – Select the ZIP for Multitracks under Processing Mode [44] (see Figure 13), selecting this option activates the Print Series tab.
   • Render Parameter tab – Select the desired Output Template, Lead–in/out parameters and Render Parameters for the RIP. Please note, which Substrate Definition you have selected, since it is on this size that the nesting will be imposed.
   • Impose tab – Select Nesting Impose mode with a multi–page Impose Template, by default, a multi–page Impose Template which is delivered with the Workflow is preselected.
   • Multitracks tab – Select the desired settings that are only available for this processing method.
     • Number of Tracks [45] – Shows the number of print series set up on the Printer. This number must match the number of tracks set up on the printer.
     • Files per Track [46] – Defines the number or the order of the data to be processed for the respective print rows.
     • File Sequence [47] – Defines the order in which the individual data must be processed alphanumerically. No numbers may be entered twice and no fields may be left blank.
     • Destination Directories [48] – A destination directory must be stored for each track so that the data can be automatically processed by the printer.
4. Complete the Hotfolder configuration and save your settings by clicking on Save.

Figure 14: The Multitracks tab of the Hotfolder Setup dialogue, which is only available if the Processing Mode »ZIP for Multitracks« has been selected.

To better understand how a Hotfolder, that uses the Processing Mode »Zip for Multitracks«, works, the following description will explain what is happening in the background when processing ZIP files. The following substeps are occurring in the background when using the ZIP for Multitracks option:

1. A ZIP file, in which individual Print Items are contained, is created in advance. Regardless, if they are single–page or multi–page PDFs, image formats or AI files, etc. The order in which the individual files are to be processed is determined in advance via the file name. Processing takes place in the Workflow in alphabetical ascending order. Multipage PDF files, if the Split Pages option is enabled under the Processing Parameter tab, are split into individual PDFs and assigned a sequential number, thus ensuring files are processed alphabetically and in ascending order.
2. The ZIP file is moved to the Hotfolder by the user.
3. The Workflow processes the ZIP file using the following steps:
   • The ZIP is unpacked.
   • All files are uploaded to the Workflow. Note that only file types that you have selected in the Process Parameter tab under Process Types will be processed.
   • If the Split Pages option has been activated under the Process Parameter tab, multipage pdfs will be split into individual PDF files when uploading.
   • The Workflow then sorts all files alphabetically based on the file name, which in this case corresponds to the original file name.
   • The Workflow then creates a Production Job for each print series (track). This means that all the Print Items that were assigned to the respective print series (tracks) in the Multitracks tab are in separate Production Jobs.
   • The individual Production Jobs are then imposed. The selected Substrate Definition and Impose Template are used to create a Nesting imposition.
   • The result will usually be an imposed, multi–page output PDF, which is then rendered page by page only.
   • The rendered data for the Production Job will be moved to the target directories that you have assigned to the respective tracks under the Multitrack tab with the corresponding job ticket.
   • Since the target directories on the printer are Auto–Spooling Hotfolders, the print images are processed immediately and sent to the print heads.

In version 1.10.2 some new Fixups, which were requested by many customers in the label and large format sectors, have been implemented.

The Convert to CMYK Fixup converts selected objects such as: text, vector, image and SmoothShades (with the exception of Spot Colors), to the selected working or output color space. Optionally, you can choose whether Spot Colors should be converted as well.

Use this Fixup if you want to convert data to a uniform CMYK color space for outputting a PDF file via a PDF printer for example.

Figure 15: The Convert to CMYK Fixup

The Fixup removes unused or hidden layers in the Print Item. Use this Fixup to reduce the contents of the Print Item to all used and visible layers.

To reduce the pdf complexity and to make analysing the pdf easier, you can apply the Remove Unused and/or Hidden Layers Fixup.

Figure 16: The Remove Unused and/or Hidden Layers Fixup dialogue

When applying this Fixup, OCR is used to extract text from the Print Item using the selected language and the result is saved as a text file .txt in the Additional Data tab. By enhancing the contrast, the readability of texts can be improved in many cases. Note that this Fixup does not alter the Print Item in any way.

Use this Fixup, for example, to spell check text in a Print Item before sending it to the printer. The extracted text can then be checked for spelling errors in a spelling programme of your choice.

Figure 17: The Extract text (OCR) Fixup dialogue

The Fixup generates the selected geometric shape using the specified position. You can choose between a rectangle or an ellipse (circle) as geometric shape. After applying the geometric shape, you may want to mask the Print Item with the desired Bleed to reduce ink consumption. To mask the subject, use the Fixup Clip Print Item with additional Bleed.

Use this Fixup to create a circular Bleed contour starting from the center of the Print Item.

Figure 18: The Create Ellipse/Rectangle as Technical Shape Fixup dialogue.

This Fixup places a specific page or pages of a multi–page document on the selected page(s). The user can also determine if pages should be removed after merging.

Use this Fixup to merge a white channel or Dieline that is on a separate page in a multipage document.

Figure 19: The Merge Pages Fixup dialogue.

This Fixup creates a Spot Color separation for all objects that use the selected Spot Color. The object can be under- or overfilled by entering a value under Adjust Size, respectively Tint Values and Opacity can also be adjusted. Whether white areas, located within the object, should be excluded in the process, can be achieved by deactivating the Fill whole object option.

Use this Fixup to add white to a text that has been created as a Spot Color, and in doing so reduce the size of the white channel slightly.

Figure 20: The Create a Separation for objects using the selected Color Fixup.

For some existing Fixups, functions have been added or the user guidance has been improved. Continue reading to find out which Fixups have been updated.

Figure 22: The Advanced tab of the Add Grommets/Drill holes dialogue.

Users of this Fixup can prepare the image for day–and–night output by adding a white channel and optionally reducing the opacity of the image. Note that by applying this Fixup, a single page PDF will subsequently consist of two pages, with the first page representing the printed content of the front side, and the second page representing the printed content of the back side.

With version 1.10.2, a new schematic illustration is provided, so that it is clear, which parts are on which page, after the Fixup has been applied.

Figure 23: The Basic Settings tab of the Day and Night Output Fixup dialogue.

By applying this Fixup, a hemstitch can be added for the selected edge of the Print Item on the front side. The Print Item on the reverse side will be mirrored to the Print Item on the front side. You can define the overlap on the front up to the maximum size of the hem.

The following options are new in version 1.10.2:

• Reference Edge – Until now the hemstitch could only be created on the top and bottom edge. With version 1.10.2 a hemstitch can be created on all four edges of the Print Item.
• Create hem also on side 2 – This allows the hemstitch to be created on both the front and back. The result is that the front and back sides are identical. Note that by activating this option, an overlap for the second side makes no sense and therefore the settings under Additional Overlap are deactivated.

Figure 24: The Add Pole Pockets Fixup dialogue.

In version 1.10.2 additional Mime types for .eps as well as .psd have been added. This now allows .eps and .psd files to be passed from an http(s) source via the Rest API.

In certain cases it was not possible to check in files from a network share. This problem has been fixed.

In isolated cases a GET workflows/{id} request resulted in a 404 error. This problem has been fixed.

Specifically, the methods for placing Marks and Captions have been revised, so that they can be better maintained. These improvements will allow placement errors to be fixed more quickly and with less risk in the future. Revision to the Mark positioning logic was also carried out in this version, due to minor errors occasionally appearing in the Impose Editor. The following minor problems have already been corrected in this version, due to revision of the logic.

• Sometimes Marks were not placed correctly on the artboard.
• Sometimes Marks were not centered correctly when the Origin Per Print Item was selected.
• Additional spacing was added to the origin for a Barcode Caption on the wrong side.
• Using Step & Repeat, Marks were not correctly placed or rotated when the Pattern option was used.
• Marks were not rotated when the Head Turn option was selected.
• Marks created with the Origin set to Per Row, were sometimes placed incorrectly.

With version 1.10.2 you can now select multiple Production Jobs in the Production Job List and change the Output Configuration for all Production Jobs via the Edit menu item. This process is especially important if you have to output a large number of Production Jobs to another printer, due to technical problems for example.

Figure 25: The Edit Production Job dialogue with the new function of editing the Output Configuration for selected Production Jobs.

Starting with version 1.10.2, EHVD provides an additional method for optimizing the rendering and processing of multipage print jobs, particularly for print jobs with variable content. By selecting IHVD or EHVD [53], the rendering time of VDP print jobs can be drastically reduced. The following options are available:

• None (Render pages individually): Each page of a multipage PDF is completely reinterpreted and rendered.
• IHVD: Only the variable parts of the pages will be interpreted and rendered. The rendered data is stored completely per page in the print job. This option can be used for any printing system.
• EHVD: Only the variable parts of the pages will be interpreted and rendered. Only the variable data is written per page in the print job. However, this method only works with certain printing systems. Currently, optimization with EHVD is especially recommended for TAU printing systems and the VariJet 160.

Figure 26: The Advanced tab in the Send to Printer dialogue with the selection of IHVD and EHVD.

Version 1.10.2 provides additional options for uploading print data and for checking complex blocks of print data.

Some PDF files have been created by the designer in an extremely complex way. In particular, this may include gradients made up of millions of vector lines, strung together, and superimposed objects with different blending modes (multiply, negative multiply, saturate, etc.). Such constructs slow down the processing of the PDF file when checking-in, rendering (creating preview images as well as print data images) and applying Fixups.

If possible, such data should be optimized beforehand using the Convert Page Content to an Image Fixup.  This will render the entire content or the selected objects in the selected target color space (CMYK) using the defined resolution, therefore reducing the complexity of the pdf and by extension the rendering time.

Figure 27: The Preflight results dialogue, displaying a warning that a Complex Content Stream is present in the checked-in pdf.

The scale factor of 1:4 was previously added to the Set Scale Factor Fixup in version 1.10.0. With version 1.10.2, this new scaling factor is also available when uploading data via Automation > Force Print as well as Automation > Hotfolder.

Figure 28: The Force Print menu item with a Scale Factor of 1:4 shown.

Until now, it was possible to create a Lead In/Out print job for Tau Series printers in addition to the normal Production Job. With version 1.10.2, it is now possible to create a separate print job with the contents of the Lead In/Out for Tau Series printers, as well as for the VariJet 160 [54]. This means that, especially for the VariJet 160, a few printed sheets containing the Lead In/Out can be added before or after a print job.

To send a Lead In/Out run to the VariJet as a print job, proceed as follows:

1. Navigate to the Production Job List.
2. Select the desired Production Job in the list and click on Send to Printer in the action bar.
3. Switch to the Lead In/Out tab.
4. Here you can enter an amount for the Lead In and the Lead Out and select Spot Colors and Technical Colors to be printed in the Lead In/Out.
5. Then click on Send Lead In/Out to Printer [55]. This will send a separate print job using the variables selected, in the screenshot below, we can see that the marks Spot Color and the Dieline ( Technical Color) will be printed.

Figure 29: The Lead In/Out tab in the Send to Printer dialogue using the Tau 330 LFS printing system.

The Interfaces section, which was added in version 1.10.0, has been improved with version 1.10.2 regarding its functionalities in the individual lists. The following new features can be found under Administration > Interfaces.

The following new features were added for the list view in the ZuniComm tab:

• Sorting: The list can be sorted for the columns by Name, Version and Status.
• Filtering: The list can be filtered with respect to the Active parameters or by the selected Printer.
• Search: The list can now be searched using the parameters Printer, IP Address, Name and PC Name.

The following new features were added for the list view in the Third-party Printer tab:

• Sorting: The list can be sorted for the columns by Name, Hosts and Status.
• Filtering: The list can be filtered with respect to the Active parameter.
• Search: The list can now be searched using the Host and Name parameters.

The option to exclude filter parameters is now available for the Article List under Article > Articles, the Print Item List under Order > Print Items, as well as for the Production Job List under Production Jobs. This should make filtering lists a more efficient and fluid process.

The Articles menu item displays both the Article and Collection Lists. The new exclude filter option can be set for these two lists.

Article List: The Exclude option is available for the filter options: Article Status, Created By, Color Policy, Substrate, Process Step, Collection and Tags.

Collection List: The Exclude option is available for the filter options: Created By and Collection.

Figure 30: The list of all filter options for Articles (left) and Collections (right) that can be excluded.

The Order menu item displays both the Orders and Print Item Lists. The new exclude filter option can be set for these two lists.

Order List:  The Exclude option is available for the filter options: Created By, Order Status, Order Item Status, Print Item Status and Tags.

Print Item List: The Exclude option is available for the filter options: Color Policy, Substrate, Order Status, Print Item Status and Tags.

Figure 31: The list of all filter options for Orders (left) and Print Items (right) that can be excluded.

The Production Job menu item displays a list of Production Jobs. The exclude filter option can be set for this list.

The Exclude option is available for the filter options: Job Type, Printer, Print Configuration, Created By, Substrate, Status and Tags.

Figure 32: The list of all filter options for Production Jobs that can be excluded.

Note that excluded filter options are displayed as a white chip in the filter bar. The filter set in the following figure can be interpreted as follows: Show all Production Jobs that do not have the status Printed or Closed.

Figure 33: Filters applied showing two different exclude options for Status, Closed and Printed.

In version 1.10.0 the possibility to change the status for multiple Print Items via the Edit option in the action bar was introduced. In version 1.10.2, this option was also implemented for Print Items in Orders. To change the status for Print Items from the same or different Orders, proceed as follows:

1. Switch to Order > Print Items.
2. In the Print Item List, filter out the Print Items whose status should be changed.
3. Select the desired Print Items in the list and click on Edit in the action bar.
4. In the Edit Print Items dialogue, select Status in the drop-down list under Select Property [56].
5. Then select the status to be set in the New Value [57] drop–down menu and click on Save [58].

Figure 34: The Edit Print Items dialogue, where the status can be set for multiple Print Items.

As of this version the selected Cutter Material, which can be imported from the Zund CutCenter into the Workflow, is consistently stored in the Output Configuration Template.

Whereas it was previously necessary to delete each individual Print Item in a Job, version 1.10.2 now provides the option of multi-selecting Print Items and using the Delete selected Print Items [60] command using the Actions for selected Print Items [59] selection menu.

Figure 35: The Print Item tab, with several Print Items selected.

Cutter Devices

The Cutter Devices list is now displayed alphabetically.