Figure 3: The menu bar of the VDP Editor

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

• Print Item or Article Name [12] – displays the name of the underlying Print Item to which variable elements are being applied. Please note, that the name shown in the Print Item or Article Name can differ from the actual file name.
• Save [13] – saves the current VDP specification, which includes the position, shape, and content of all variable elements.
• Close [14] – closes the VDP Editor without saving the current VDP specification.
• Edit [15] – contains editing functions for copying and pasting VDP elements. The dropdown menu provides the following options:
  • Cut (ctrl +X or cmd +X) – cuts the selected VDP element and places it in the clipboard.
  • Copy (ctrl +C or cmd +C) – copies the selected VDP element to the clipboard.
  • Paste  (ctrl + V or cmd +V) – inserts the clipboard content into the center of the Print Item.
  • Paste in Original Position (ctrl + shift + V or cmd + shift + V) – pastes the clipboard contents in its original position on the Print Item.
• Warning Triangle [16] – displays warnings and errors encountered within the VDP Editor. Warning and error messages help validate VDP Jobs by notifying the user of potential problems that could cause errors in the output.
• Help [17] – displays available keyboard shortcuts for working efficiently in the VDP Editor.
• VDP Editor Settings [18] – offers configuration options for customizing the editor´s behavior, ensuring smoother operation.
• Dim Static Content [19] – when activated, dims all static elements according to the specified opacity setting in the VDP Editor Settings, helping the user to focus on the variable content. The icon turns green when the function is active.
• ImageBox [20] – displays the ImageBox (final visible area) when the icon is yellow, allowing the user to verify if variable elements are placed too close to or beyond the TrimBox [8] (in Figure 2). When the icon is gray, the ImageBox is hidden.
• ImageBox + Bleed [21] – displays the Bleed area [9] (in Figure 2) when the icon is turquoise. 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] – toogles a checkerboard pattern to indicate transparent areas in the Print Item. This allows 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 a selection of predefined zoom settings.

The VDP Editor also includes a set of tools that can be used to create variable elements. Some of these tools will already be familiar to users from the Impose Editor and the PDF Editor. In addition, the VDP Editor's toolbar provides dedicated 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 expanded sub-tools

The following tools are available in the VDP Editor:

• Selection Tool [24] – used to select objects by clicking on them. The keyboard shortcut for the Selection Tool is (V).
• Direct Selection Tool [25] – allows individual segments of an object or path to be selected and modified. First, select the object using the Selection Tool (V), then use the Direct Selection Tool for further editing. The keyboard shortcut for the Direct Selection Tool is (A).
• VDP Text Tools [26] – these tools allow the user to create a path or object that serves as placeholders – with the default text «Sample Content» – for a VDP text element. Determine the position, content and appearance in the designated settings areas. When you press the button for this tool, the selection menu will open, allowing you to choose additional VDP text tools based on your application. These include:
  • VDP Text Tool – creates a straight line as the baseline for positioning variable text. The keyboard shortcut for the Text Tool is (T).
  • VDP Text Ellipse Tool – creates an ellipse or circle on which the variable text is positioned, either inside or outside the path.
  • VDP Text Path Tool – creates a path consisting of straight line segments for the text placement. The corner points between the straight lines can later be converted into a curve point.
  • VDP Bezier Curve Text Tool – creates a path consisting of curves, on which the variable text is positioned. The curve points between the curve segments can later be converted into a corner point.
  • VDP Text Polygon Tool – creates a polygon shape for the text placement. The number of corners and the star shape can be defined while drawing or edited afterwards.
• VDP Barcode Tool [27] – click and drag to create a placeholder for a barcode or QR code. The keyboard shortcut for the VDP Barcode Tool is (B).
• VDP Image Tool [28] – click and drag to draw a rectangle placeholder for a variable image element. The keyboard shortcut for the VDP Image Tool is (I).
• VDP Object Creation Tools [29] – use these tools to create additional graphic elements with dynamically variable fill and stroke colors. Holding this tool opens a dropdown menu with further options:
  • VDP Rectangle Tool – click and drag to create a rectangle. The keyboard shortcut 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. The respective corner points between the lines can later be converted into curve points.
  • VDP Bezier Curve Tool – creates a path composed of curves. The respective curve points between the curve segments can later be converted into a corner point.
  • VDP Polygon Tool – creates a polygon. The number of corners and the star shape can be configured during or after the creation.
• Edit Path Tool [30] – this tool allows for post-editing of paths by adding or deleting anchor path points and modifying tangent points. The keyboard shortcut for the Edit Path Tool is (P).
• Scissor Tool [31] – this tool is used to cut open paths, for example to turn a circle into two semi-circles. The keyboard shortcut for the Scissor Tool is (C) .
• Measure Tool [32] – this tool allows you to set the start point of the measurement by clicking on the Print Item and to set the endpoint by clicking again. The distance and angle are displayed as you move the cursor. The keyboard shortcut for the Measure Tool is (M) .
• Hand Tool [33] – click and drag to move the Print Item within the editor workspace. This is especially useful in combination with the zoom functions. The keyboard shortcut for the Hand Tool is (G).
• Zoom Tool [34] – activates a magnifying glass cursor with a «+» symbol. Holding down the alt or option key, the magnifying glass is displayed with a «-» symbol. The keyboard shortcut for the Zoom Tool is (Z) .
• Fit to Width [35] – this tool automatically zooms to fit the Print Item to the page width. The keyboard shortcut for Fit to Width is (W).
• Fit to Height [36] – this tool automatically zooms to fit the Print Item to the page height. The keyboard shortcut 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 regular pentagon. The keyboard shortcut for Reset Polygon Tool Settings to Default is(D).

In the tab Transform & General Settings, functions with slightly varying options are available 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 defines which content is used for the variable element. This tab is only accessible if a variable element has been created using one of the available tools and the created element is currently selected.

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

1. Data Source [56] – select the origin (source) or rule from which the content should be generated. The following data sources are available:
   • String – the content can be freely defined in the text field. Placeholders can be used, such as entries from a CSV file, serial numbers, or a date.
   • Date – the content is defined by a date. Additional settings allow the generation of dynamic dates based on parameters, as well as the selection of different date formats.
   • Serial Number – the content of the variable element is generated based on a serial number definition, which can be freely configured.
   • Column Index – the content is retrieved from the CSV control file. By selecting a Column Index, specifies which column of the CSV file should be used for each data record. You can also define the starting row or whether the content should be trimmed.
   • Column Title – similar to the column index, the content is sourced from the CSV control file. By selecting a Column Title, you can define which column in the CSV file should be used for each individual record. In addition, you can specify the starting row and whether content should be trimmed.
2. Definition Area [57] – depending on the selected data source, this area offers options for configuring or assembling the desired content.
3. Preview [58] – displays a preview of the content generated by the selected options for the current and subsequent records.

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

The options in the tab Format define the visual appearance of the variable elements. The 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 in the tab Format, grouped into expandable settings areas. The following setting areas are present:

• Blend Mode [82] – the Blend Mode (blend mode) defines how the content of the object interacts 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 options include Screen, Overlay, Darken, Lighten, Difference, Exclusion, Hue, Saturation, Color, Luminosity, Color-dodge, Color-burn, Hard Light, and Soft Light.
• Text Settings [83] – allows you to configure the text Alignment, Position, and Offset from the starting point along the path. Available Alignment options include Align Left, Align Centered, and Align Right.
• Font Settings [84] – set the Font Family, Font Style, Font Size, Horizontal and Vertical Scaling, Character Spacing, and Text Fitting options. You can also add an outline with configurable Stroke Width and dashed line settings by specifying the Dash and Gap length.
• Fill Color Settings [85] – enables the selection of static color values for fill (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] – select the Horizontal or Vertical Alignment – Align Left, Align horizontally centered, Align Right or Align Top, Align vertically centered, Align Bottom – as well as Image adjustment options – Fit Image - keep proportions and Fill Image - keep proportions. If the image should be streched to fill the available space completely, the Stretch checkbox can be activated.
• Rectangle Settings [90] – define the Stroke Width, Corner Radius, and Dash / Gap length for defining dashed lines. The Ellipse and Path settings offer a subset of these functions.

The tab Layers allows you to create variable elements on either the highest or lowest layer, toggle the visibility of variable elements, and delete them as needed.

You can define the layer on which a variable element is created by selecting either the layers VDP on highest layer or VDP on lowest layer. Variable Data Printing (VDP) elements placed on the selected layer are arranged below. Moving objects from one layer to another is possible by simply drag and drop it to the desired layer position.

Figure 16: The tab Layers with variable elements on 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 icon to expand or collapse the list of elements assigned to the respective layer.
• Show / Hide Layer / VDP element [91] – click the icon to hide or show either all objects on a layer or individual VDP elements.
• Lock / Unlock Layer [95] – locking a layer prevents its objects from being accidentally moved during editing. The layer can be unlocked at any time to enable changes.
• Set Layer Color [92] – click the color bar to assign a custom color to the layer. Selected objects will then appear within a selection box in the chosen layer color.
• Delete VDP Element [87] – to remove a VDP element from the Print Item, click the trash icon. The element will be deleted immediately without confirmation. Accidental deletions can be undone using cmd + Z (macOS) or ctrl + Z (Windows).