Figure 3: The menu bar of the VDP Editor

The VDP Editor's menu bar contains the following information and functions from left to right:

• Print Item Name [12] – Name of the underlying Print Item to which the variable elements are added. The Print Item or Item Name may differ from the actual file name.
• Save [13] – function for saving the VDP specification, which includes the position, form, and content of the variable elements.
• Close [14] – function for closing the VDP Editor without saving the VDP specification.
• Edit [15] – functions for copying and pasting VDP elements. The following functions are available in the drop-down menu.
  • Cut (ctrl + X or cmd + X) – cut the selected VDP element and place it on the clipboard.
  • Copy (ctrl + C or cmd + C) – copy the selected VDP element and place it on the clipboard.
  • Paste  (ctrl + V or cmd + V) – Insert the contents of the clipboard into the center of the Print Item.
  • Paste in initial position  (ctrl + shift + V or cmd + shift + V) – Insert the contents of the clipboard into the original position in the Print Item.
• Warning Triangle [16] – Display warnings and errors that occur in the VDP Editor environment. Warning and error messages are used to validate VDP Jobs so that the user is informed at an early stage where problems occur and which issues can lead to errors in the output.
• Help [17] – Display keyboard shortcuts that are available to help you work quickly in the VDP Editor.
• VDP Editor Settings [18] – Options that affect the way the VDP Editor is used to ensure a smoother process.
• Dim Static Content [19] – Clicking this button dims all static elements according to the percentage selected in the VDP Editor Settings so that users can identify the variable elements more quickly. When dimming is enabled, the icon is green.
• ImageBox [20] – When the icon is yellow, the VDP Editor displays the size of the ImageBox so users can identify quickly if variable elements are being placed outside or too close to the TrimBox ([8] in Figure 2). When the icon is gray, the ImageBox is not displayed.
• ImageBox + Bleed [21] – When the icon is turquoise, the VDP Editor displays the Bleed area ([9] in Figure 2). This allows users to quickly identify whether there is enough Bleed in the Print Item or whether a Bleed should be created first using a Fixup. When the icon is gray, the Bleed area is not displayed.
• Transparency grid [22] – Clicking this button displays transparent areas in the Print Item using a checkerboard pattern. This allows users to see whether a variable element can be placed in the background at all and thus remain visible.
• Zoom level [23] – Display of the current zoom level. Predefined zoom levels are available in the drop-down menu.

The VDP Editor contains numerous tools that can be used to create variable elements. Some of these tools might already be familiar to users from the Impose Editor and the PDF Editor. Additionally, the VDP Editor's toolbar offers tools for creating variable elements – these tools are marked with the </> symbol and are also applicable for editing paths.

Figure 4: The VDP Editor's toolbar in the browser with the sub-tools expanded

The following tools are available in the VDP Editor:

• Selection Tool [24] –  This tool allows to select objects by clicking on them. The keyboard shortcut for the Selection Tool is (V).
• Direct Selection Tool [25] – This tool allows to select segments of an object or path in order to modify them. First select the element to be modified using the Selection Tool (V) and then edit it using the Direct Selection Tool. The keyboard shortcut for the Direct Selection Tool is (A).
• VDP Picture Tool [26] – This tool allows to click and drag in order to create a rectangle that will serve as a placeholder for the variable image element. The keyboard shortcut for the VDP Picture Tool is (I).
• VDP Text Tools [27] – These tools allow to create a path or object and use it to generate a placeholder with the default text Sample Content  for a VDP text element. Determine the position, content and appearance in the designated settings areas. When pressing the button for this tool, the selection menu will open. There you can select additional VDP text tools according to the application. These are:
  • VDP Text Tool – Create a straight line on which the variable text is positioned. The keyboard shortcut for the VDP Text Tool is (T).
  • VDP Text Ellipse Tool – Create an ellipse or circle on which the variable text is positioned inside or outside the path.
  • VDP Text Path Tool – Create a path consisting of straight lines on which the variable text is positioned. The respective corner points between the straight lines can be converted into a curve point afterwards.
  • VDP Text Bezier Curve Tool – Create a path consisting of curves, on which the variable text is positioned. The respective curve points between the curve segments can still be converted into a corner point afterwards.
  • VDP Text Polygon Tool – Create a polygon on which the variable text is positioned. The number of corners and the star shape can be determined while dragging and afterwards.
• VDP Barcode Tool [28] – Use this to click and drag to create a placeholder for a barcode or QR code. The keyboard shortcut for the VDP barcode tool is (B).
• VDP Object-Creating Tools [29] – Use these tools to create additional graphically variable objects whose fill and stroke colors can be varied. If you hold down this tool for longer, the selection menu opens, where further VDP object-creating tools can be selected according to the application. These are:
  • VDP Rectangle Tool – Drag and drop to create a rectangle. The keyboard shortcut for the VDP Rectangle Tool is (R).
  • VDP Ellipse Tool – Create an ellipse or circle.
  • VDP Path Tool – Create a path consisting of straight lines. The respective corner points between the lines can still be converted into curve points afterwards.
  • VDP Bezier Curve Tool – Create a path consisting of curves. The respective curve points between the curve segments can still be converted into a corner point afterwards.
  • VDP Polygon Tool – Create a polygon. The number of corners and the star shape can be determined while dragging and afterwards.
• Edit Path Tool [30] – Use this tool to modify paths by adding or deleting path points and changing tangent points. The keyboard shortcut for the Edit Path Tool is (P).
• Scissor Tool [31] – This tool allows to cut up paths retrospectively, for example to turn a circle into two semicircles. The keyboard shortcut for the Scissor Tool is (C) .
• Measuring Tool [32] – This tool allows you to set the starting point of the measurement by clicking on the Print Item and to set the endpoint by clicking again. When you move the mouse pointer, the current measurement distance and angle are displayed. The keyboard shortcut for the measure tool is (M) .
• Hand Tool [33] – This tool allows you to move the Print Item in the working window by clicking and moving the mouse. This is especially useful in conjunction with the zoom. The keyboard shortcut for the Hand Tool is (G).
• Zoom Tool [34] – When selecting the tool, the mouse pointer becomes a magnifying glass with a "+" sign. If you also hold down the alt or option key, the magnifying glass is displayed with a "-" sign. The keyboard shortcut for the Zoom Tool is (Z) .
• Fit to Page Width [35] – This tool automatically zooms to the width of the Print Item. Note that selecting the tool automatically zooms to width. The keyboard shortcut for Fit to Page Width is (W).
• Fit to Page Height [36] – This tool automatically zooms to the height of the Print Item. Note that selecting the tool automatically zooms to the height. The keyboard shortcut for Fit to Page Height is (H).
• Reset Polygon Tool to Default Values [37] – This tool can be used to reset the last used setting for the number of sides and the star shape of the polygon tool to the default value of a polygon.

The Transform & General Settings tab offers slightly different functions depending on the selected object. The tab is divided into two settings areas: Transform and General Settings.

Figure 5: The Transform & General Settings tab after selecting a VDP rectangle element

With the Content tab determine which content should be used for the variable element. The tab is only accessible when a variable element was created with one of the available tools and the created element is selected.

However, the structure of the tab always follows the same logic. The following three areas are available.

1. Data Source [56] - Select from which source or based on which rule the content should be created. The following data sources are available:
   • String - The content can be freely defined in the text field. Placeholders - entries of a CSV file, serial number, or a date - can be used.
   • Date - The content is defined by a date. Additional settings allow you to create a date dynamically depending on parameters or to choose different date formats.
   • Serial Number - The content of the variable element is generated based on a serial number definition. The serial number can be freely configured.
   • Column Index - The content is derived from the CSV control file. By selecting a Column Index, determine which column in the CSV file should be used for the individual record. Furthermore, define with which row to start or if contents should be trimmed.
   • Column Title - The content originates from the CSV control file. By selecting a Column Title determine which column in the CSV file should be used for the individual record. In addition, it is possible to define with which row to start or whether content should be trimmed.
2. Definition area [57] - Depending on the selected data source, options are offered in this area, with which the user can compile or select the contents.
3. Preview [58] - In this area a preview of the content that the user creates using the selected options, is offered for the current or the next records.

Figure 8: The three areas of the Content tab with selected Data Source String

The options in the Format tab determine the appearance of the variable elements. The tab is only accessible if a variable element was created with one of the available tools and the created element is selected.  

Figure 15: The available settings area for Text, Barcode, Image and Object Format

Depending on which variable element is selected, different options, grouped in expandable settings areas, are provided for the format of the variable element. The following setting areas are present therein:

• Blend Mode [82] – The Blend Mode (blend mode) defines how the content of the object is applied to the content of the background. For example, the Normal blend mode sets the background to Knockout, and the Multiply blend mode sets the object to Overprint. The other options include Screen, Overlay, Darken, Lighten, Difference, Exclusion,  Hue, Saturation, Color, Luminosity, Color Dodge, Color Burn, Hard Light, and Soft Light.
• Text Settings [83] – Specify the alignment, position, and offset from the starting point for the text on the path. Left-aligned, centered, and right-aligned are available for the alignment.
• Font Settings [84] – Set the font family, font style, font size, horizontal and vertical scaling, letter spacing, and text fitting options. If you still want to add an outline to the text, there's the option stroke width available. Furthermore, it is possible to create a dashed line by entering the length of the stroke and the gap.
• Color Settings [85] – Select static color values for color areas. Furthermore, select the barcode based on CMYK values or Spot Color. Additionally, use entries from the data source (CSV file) to generate the colors.
• Stroke Color Settings [86] – Static color values for strokes based on CMYK values or Spot Colors can be selected on the one hand. On the other hand, entries from the data source (CSV file) can be used to generate colors.
• Barcode Settings [87] – Select already known settings from the Impose Editor, which can be defined for barcodes or QR codes. Depending on the type, different setting parameters can be used.
• Background [88] – Select static color values on the one hand for barcodes based on CMYK values or Spot Colors. On the other hand, use entries from the data source (CSV file) to generate the colors.
• Image Settings [89] – Select the horizontal or vertical alignment - left, center, right or top, center, bottom - of the image in the placeholder frame on the one hand, as well as the Image adjustment options - Fit image - Keep proportions and Fill image - Keep proportions. When the image should be fully fitted into the available frame, activate the Stretch checkbox.
• Rectangle Settings [90] – Define the Stroke Width, Corner Radius, and the input of the length of stroke and gap for a dashed line. Use the ellipse and path settings for the values of the corresponding subset of functions.

The Layers tab allows to create variable elements at the highest or lowest layer, show or hide variable elements, and delete variable elements.

The layer on which a variable element is created can be determined by selecting the layers VDP on highest layer or VDP on lowest layer. VDP elements placed on the layer are arranged below. Moving objects from one layer to another is possible by simply moving the variable element.

Figure 16: The Layers tab with variable elements at the highest and lowest layer

After variable elements have been placed on the highest resp. lowest layer, the following functions are available:

• Expand / collapse Layer [93] –  Click the arrow to display the elements assigned to the layer in the list.
• Show / Hide Layer / VDP element [91] - All objects of the layer or individual VDP elements can be hidden and shown again by clicking on the symbol.
• Lock/unlock layer [95] – Objects of the layer can be prevented from unwanted position changes during editing by locking the layer.
• Select layer color [92] – By clicking on the colored strip, a selection color for the layer can be chosen. Selected objects are indicated by the selection rectangle in the selected layer color.
• Delete VDP element [87] - Remove VDP elements from the Print Item by pressing the trash icon. The element is deleted from the Print Item without further warning. Revert the deletion by pressing cmd + Z (macOS) resp. ctrl + Z (Windows).