Figure 3: The menu bar of the VDP Editor

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

• Print Item or Article Name [12] – displays the name of the underlying Print Item enriched with variable elements. Please note that the Print Item or Article Name may differ from the actual file name.
• Save [13] – saves the current VDP specification, including the position, shape, and content of all variable elements.
• Close [14] – closes the VDP Editor without saving the current VDP specification.
• Edit [15] – provides functions for copying and pasting VDP elements. The following options are available in the dropdown menu:
  • Cut (Ctrl + X or cmd + X) – cuts the selected VDP element and places it on the clipboard.
  • Copy (Ctrl + C or cmd + C) – copies the selected VDP element to the clipboard.
  • Paste (Ctrl + V or cmd + V) – pastes the clipboard contents to the center of the Print Item.
  • Paste at Original Position (Ctrl + Shift + V or cmd + Shift + V) – pastes the clipboard contents at its original position on the Print Item.
• Warning Triangle [16] – displays warnings and errors that occur within the VDP Editor. These messages help validate VDP Jobs by alerting users early to issues that could affect output quality.
• Help [17] – displays available keyboard shortcuts to support fast and efficient use of the VDP Editor.
• VDP Editor Settings [18] – provides configuration options to customize the behavior of the VDP Editor to ensure a smoother operation.
• Dim Static Content [19] – when enabled, all static elements are dimmed according to percentage set in the VDP Editor Settings. This helps users more easily identify variable elements. When the function is active, the icon appears green.
• ImageBox [20] – when the icon is yellow, the ImageBox dimensions are displayed in the VDP Editor, allowing users to quickly check whether variable elements are placed too close to or beyond the TrimBox ([8] in Figure 2). If the icon is gray, the ImageBox is hidden.
• ImageBox + Bleed [21] – when the icon is turquoise, the Bleed area ([9] in Figure 2) is displayed in the VDP Editor. This helps users assess whether sufficient Bleed is present or whether Bleed needs to be added using a Fixup. If the icon is gray, the Bleed area is hidden.
• Show Transparency Grid [22] – toogles the visibility of transparent areas in the Print Item by displaying a checkerboard pattern, helping users to determine whether a variable element can be placed in the background and still remain visible.
• Zoom Level [23] – displays the current zoom level. A dropdown menu offers predefined zoom levels for quick selection.

The VDP Editor also includes several tools that can be used for creating variable elements. Some of these tools will already be familiar to users from the Impose Editor and the PDF Editor. In addition, the toolbar of the VDP Editor includes specialized tools for creating variable elements – these tools are marked with the symbol  </>  – as well as tools for editing paths.

Figure 4: The toolbar of the VDP Editor in the browser, with expanded sub-tools

The following tools are available in the VDP Editor:

• Selection Tool [24] – allows you to select objects by clicking on them. The shortcut key for the Selection Tool is (V).
• Direct Selection Tool [25] – enables the selection of segments of an object or path for further modification. First, select the object to be modified using the Selection Tool (V), then use the Direct Selection Tool for editing. The shortcut key for the Direct Selection Tool is (A).
• VDP Text Tools [26] – these tools allow you to create a path or object that serves as a placeholder – with the default text "Sample Content" – for a VDP text element. The position, content, and appearance can be configured in the appropriate settings areas. Holding the tool icon opens a submenu with additional VDP Text Tools suited to different use cases. These include:
  • VDP Text Tool – creates a straight line on which the variable text is positioned. The shortcut key for the Text Tool is (T).
  • VDP Text Ellipse Tool – creates an ellipse or circle along which the variable text is positioned, either inside or outside the path.
  • VDP Text Path Tool – creates a path composed of straight lines, on which the variable text is positioned. Corner points between the straight lines can later be converted into curve points.
  • VDP Bezier Curve Text Tool – creates a path composed of curves, on which the variable text is positioned. Curve points between the curve segments can later be converted into corner points.
  • VDP Text Polygon Tool – creates a polygon on which variable text is positioned. The number of corners and star shape can be defined during creation and adjusted afterwards.
• VDP Barcode Tool [27] – click and drag to create a placeholder for a barcode or QR code. The shortcut key for the VDP Barcode Tool is (B).
• VDP Image Tool [28] – you can click and drag to draw a rectangle that serves as a placeholder for the variable image element. The shortcut key for the VDP Image Tool is (I).
• VDP Object Creation Tools [29] – used to create additional graphic VDP objects whose fill and stroke colors can be set variable. Holding the tool button opens a dropdown menu with additional shape options:
  • VDP Rectangle Tool – click and drag to draw a rectangle. The shortcut key for the VDP Rectangle Tool is (R).
  • VDP Ellipse Tool – creates an ellipse or circle.
  • VDP Multipath Tool – creates a path composed of straight lines. Corner points between the lines can later be converted into curve points.
  • VDP Bezier Curve Tool – creates a path composed of curves. Curve points between the curve segments can later be converted into corner points.
  • VDP Polygon Tool – creates a polygon. The number of corners and star shape can be defined during creation and adjusted afterwards.
• Edit Path Tool [30] – this tool allows paths to be modified retrospectively by adding or deleting anchor path points, as well as adjusting tangent points. The shortcut key for the Edit Path Tool is (P).
• Scissor Tool [31] – this tool allows paths to be cut retrospectively, for example to split a circle into two semicircles. The shortcut key for the Scissor Tool is (C) .
• Measure Tool [32] – you can click on the Print Item to set the starting point of the measurement, and click again to set the endpoint. As you move the mouse cursor, the current measurement distance and angle are displayed. The shortcut key for the Measure Tool is (M).
• Hand Tool [33] – this tool allows you to move the Print Item within the editor workspace by clicking and dragging the mouse. It is especially useful when used in combination with the zoom function. The shortcut key for the Hand Tool is (G).
• Zoom Tool [34] – when this tool is selected, the mouse cursor changes to a magnifying glass with a "+" symbol inside. If you additionally hold down the key alt or option, the magnifying glass will display a "-" symbol instead. The shortcut key for the Zoom Tool is (Z) .
• Fit to Width [35] – this tool automatically zooms to fit the width of the Print Item. Note that selecting this tool immediately triggers the zoom-to-width action. The shortcut key for Fit to Width is (W).
• Fit to Height [36] – this tool automatically zooms to fit the height of the Print Item. Note that selecting this tool immediately triggers the zoom-to-height action. The shortcut key for Fit to Height is (H).
• Reset Polygon Tool Settings to Default [37] – this tool can be used to reset the most recently used settings for the number of polygon sides and the star shape back to the default value – a pentagon. The shortcut key for Reset Polygon Tool Settings to Default is(D).

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

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

The tab Content determines which content will be used for the variable element. This tab is only accessible if a variable element has been created with one of the available tools and the created element is selected.

The structure of the tab always follows the same logic. The following three sections are available:

1. Data Source [56] – select here the origin (source) or rule based on which the content should be generated. The following data sources are available:
   • String – the content can be freely defined in the text field. Placeholders, such as entries from a CSV file, serial numbers, or a date, can be used.
   • Date – the content is defined by a date. Additional options allow generating a date dynamically based on parameters or choosing 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 retrieved from the CSV control file. By selecting a Column Index, you specify which column in the CSV file is used for the individual record. It is also possible to define the starting row or whether contents should be trimmed.
   • Column Title – the content is retrieved from the CSV control file. By selecting a Column Title, you specify which column in the CSV file is used for the individual record. It is also possible to define the starting row or whether contents should be trimmed.
2. Definition Area [57] – depending on the selected data source, this section offers options allowing the user to assemble or select the desired content.
3. Preview [58] – this section displays a preview of the content that the user would generate through the chosen options for the current or subsequent records.

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

The options available in the tab Format define the appearance of variable elements. This tab is only accessible when a variable element has been created using one of the available tools and the created element is selected.  

Figure 15: The available Settings Area for Text Format, Barcode Format, Image Format and Object Format

Depending on the selected variable element, different formatting options are made available, organized into expandable configuration sections. The following setting areas are present:

• Blend Mode [82] – the Blend Mode (Blend Modes) defines how the content of the object is composited with the background. For example, the blend mode Normal sets the background to Knockout while the blend mode Multiply sets the object to Overprint. Additional blend modes include: Screen, Overlay, Darken, Lighten, Difference, Exclusion, Hue, Saturation, Color, Luminosity, Color-dodge, Color-burn, Hard Light, and Soft Light.
• Text Settings [83] – this section allows you to define the Alignment, Position, and Offset of the text relative to the starting point on the path. Available Alignment options include Align Left, Align Centered, and Align Right.
• Font Settings [84] – here, you can configure the Font Family, Font Style, Font Size, Horizontal and Vertical Scaling, Character Spacing, and Text Fitting options. Additionally, Stroke Settings such as Stroke Width and the ability to define dashed lines by specifying the Dash and Gap lengths are available.
• Fill Color Settings [85] – you can either assign static fill colors (including barcodes) using CMYK or Spot Colors, or values from the Data Source (CSV file) for dynamically setting Stroke Colors.
• Stroke Color Settings [86] – similar to Fill Color Settings, this section allows you to choose either static color values for strokes based on CMYK values or Spot Colors, or values from the Data Source (CSV file) for dynamically setting Stroke Colors.
• Barcode Settings [87] – provides barcode and QR code settings as already known from the Impose Editor. The available parameters vary depending on the barcode type.
• Background [88] – allows for setting a static background color for barcodes using CMYK color values or system-wide Spot Colors, or using values from the Data Source (CSV file) to dynamically generate barcode background colors.
• Image Settings [89] – here, you can select the Horizontal or Vertical Alignment – Left, Horizontally centered, Right or Top, Vertically centered, Bottom. You can also choose the image fitting mode: Fit Image – keep proportions and Fill Image – keep proportions. If the image should be stretched to fully cover the available frame, the Stretch checkbox can be activated.
• Rectangle Settings [90] – define the Stroke Width, Corner Radius, as well as the Dash / Gap lengths for creating a dashed line. The Ellipses and Path settings, the corresponding subset of settings can be used accordingly.

The tab Layers provides options to place variable elements either on the highest or lowest layer. It also allows users to toggle or delete individual variable elements.

The Layer on which a variable element is created can be determined by selecting either the layers VDP on highest layer or VDP on lowest layer. Variable Data Printing (VDP) elements placed on a layer are arranged accordingly below that point. Moving objects between layers can be done simply by dragging and dropping the variable element from one layer to another.

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

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

• Expand / Collapse Layer [93] – clicking the arrow icon displays or hides the list of elements assigned to the layer.
• Show / Hide Layer / VDP element [91] – all objects on the layer or individual VDP elements can be shown or hidden by clicking the corresponding icon.
• Lock / Unlock Layer [95] – locking a layer prevents its objects from unintentional repositioning of objects during editing. The layer can be unlocked at any time to enable changes.
• Set Layer Color [92] – clicking the colored stripe opens a color selection for the layer. Selected objects will be highlighted with a selection rectangle in the chosen layer color.
• Delete VDP Element [87] – to remove VDP elements from the Print Item, click the trash can icon. The element will be deleted immediately without further information. Accidental deletions can be undone using cmd + Z (macOS) or ctrl + Z (Windows).