Variable data in Illustrator

Hello,
Before I go crazy here, I am wondering if you can populate a document with a different image and name using variable data.
Can the image and name be outside the document in an excel sheet for example? If so, how would images be handled...
If anyone could lead me to a really good tutorial on this, I would he very grateful.
The ones I have found so far, are not helping me.
thanks!!
babs

Babs,
You can use the Variable Data feature (the Variables palette) to create DataSets. You can then "bind" objects on the page to act as "placeholders," so to speak, for the text, images, visibility settings, or graph data that is contained in the current DataSet. You can then switch between DataSets to automatically re-populate the "placeholders." You can then semi-automate the swapping out of the DataSets to, for example, run exports or saves or prints in batch mode.
The file that contains the data can be an external file that you import as an Illustrator Variables Library.
However, the Variables feature set is based on XML, not on ordinary tab-delimited rows/columns like you are accustomed to in Excel. So you can't import an Excel file or any other ordinary row/column delimted text file into the Variables palette to create your DataSets. Excel and other programs (FileMaker Pro, for example) can export XML from their rows/records. But unfortunately that's not all there is to it.
XML is a tag-based markup language. An XML file doesn't necessarily follow a consistent rows/column kind of order germane to a spreadsheet or database table. The occurrances of Column/Row intersections (Elements) can be arbitrary. For example, imagine a spreadsheet with columns A, B, and C, and rows 1, 2, and 3. The arrangement in an XML file is not necesarily:
1A, 1B, 1C
2A, 2B, 2C
3A, 2B, 2C
It may be:
1A, 1A, 3A, 2B, 2C, 1B, 1B, 1B....
...or any other arbitrary order and/or nesting arrangement of the Elements.
So an XML file has to be "described" in order to be understood by the program that imports it. The XML file contains reference to a Schema or a Document Type Definition (DTD file) for that purpose. So to use Illustrator's Variables palette in that way, you have to get somewhat into the arcana of XML.
That's about the extent of what I know about XML. Correction by anyone who acutally understands and works with XML is welcome.
I haven't taken any polls, of course, but I dare say that the vast majority of users who actually ever touch the Variables palette just tediously enter the data directly into the bound objects in the Illustrator document and capture the DataSets as they go. A small minority does that with just a few sample DataSets, then exports the DataSets as a Variables Library (an XML file), and uses that file as the "template" into which they then insert the rest of the data from their spreadsheet or whatever, using a script or some other semi-automated routine. An even smaller minority actually creates the ready-to-import XML file from scratch.
I have found it possible to import XML exported from FileMaker Pro directly into InDesign. But I cannot do that in Illustrator. For text-only purposes, I have resorted to writing a Javascript that lets me enter (or paste) ordinary tab-delimited text into a text object in Illustrator. The script then converts that text to Variable DataSets. I imagine it would not be hugely difficult to modify that script to also accommodate references to linked images, but I have not had the occasion or need to do so.
I personally think the Variables feature would have been of much broader value across the AI user base had it been based on straightforward tabular data, like the data merge features in many programs, instead of XML. I guess that would be anethema to the XML users whom I assume must have asked for this feature being implemented this way. Or, it may have just been driven by Adobe-internal "me, too" gotta-have-it direction.
JET

Similar Messages

How do I create multiple-up pages populated with variable data?

I am trying to create a variable data Illustrator file but with a catch, I have to create multiple points of data on one artboard. I am using a template with 36 identical shapes, and I'm trying to add a different image to each based off of using variable data. I understand the premise of creating multiple output files based off of an illustrator file and data, but I have to create a single output file using 36 points of data, all QR codes. The reason is that this 36-up 14.5" x 14.5" sheet will be printed on a large format inkjet and then be fed into another machine (not a cutter) that requires that specific layout for it's process. I cannot create individual files, I need sheets based off of my 14.5" x 14.5" 36-up template.
Any suggestions other than making each shape in the template a separate variable (even though they are all the exact same shape) would be greatly appreciated.
My goal is to populate each of these shapes with a different QR code and then output the whole sheet as a single .EPS or .PDF file.

My goal is to populate each of these shapes with a different QR code and then output the whole sheet as a single .EPS or .PDF file.
You're barking up the wrong tree for this with Illustrator's Variables palette.
Think of it like this:
Imagine a typical spreadsheet with multiple rows of the same kind of data, except for the first row which serves as the "labels" of the columns.
The on-page objects which you define as Variables in Illustrator correspond to the first row; the column labels.
The datasets correspond to the following rows of values below the label row.
Cycling through the datasets simply moves up and down the rows, revealing one row's data at a time for each of the column labels.
Your multi-up array does not fit that data model. You are essentially trying to make a layout showing all the individual cells below the single label of one column (downward across all rows). (Illustrator's Variables feature doesn't even let you put multiple instances of a single variable in the document, so that the same value occurs in multiple places.)
You're trying to build the functional equivalent of a typical "gang up" press sheet, like a 10-up layout of business cards, each showing the same kind of data (name, phone, etc.) for multiple employees, so that you don't have to do separate press runs for each employee. That's certainly a common need, and one quite appropriate to a program like Illustrator. But Illustrator's Variables feature does not do that.
Essentially, what you are wanting to do is to replicate the basic functionality of any program which is used to print labels from data (like the typical mail merge function for address labels which are ganged up with some number of different labels on a page). What you want could be done in Illustrator via a custom JavaScript, but it would be a pretty silly exercise in reinventing the wheel. If it were me, I'd probably build the solution in FileMaker Pro (a database program), depending on the specific graphics requirements. However, you should be able to do it in InDesign, using its data merge feature.
JET

Batch Printing Variable Data

I have a small design (about 1.5" dia) that has 2 variables, one image and one text. I am struggling to find the best way to output the batch data to print multiple images onto a desktop printer.
Basically, I have a 1.5" circle that has 2 variables, and 48 data sets, and I want to output the 48 data sets onto one sheet of paper from my desktop printer.
I am limited in terms of software available. PC based. Illustrator/Photoshop CS5. Microsoft Office. Don't have InDesign. Would consider any freeware options out there if I can't do this with the software at hand.
I'm very impressed with the help that has been given on this forum especially from the people who have responded to Variable Data questions. If anyone has helpful advice on this, you would really make my day!

I have a 1.5" circle that has 2 variables, and 48 data sets, and I want to output the 48 data sets onto one sheet of paper
Are you talking about printing a sheetful of dupicates for each of the 48 DataSets, or are you talking about printing as many different DataSets (one occurrance of each) as will fit on one sheet?
The Variables feature does not support having two objects on the page bound to the same variable. So if you want to print, for example, a 6 x 4 array of DataSet 1, you can do that by applying Transform Effect twice to the bound variables so as to have 24 instances of a single set of the bound objects on the page.
If you want to print 24 of the 48 sets of bound variable objects on one page (24 different DataSets on the page at once), doing so would obviate the whole purpose of trying to use Variables for this, because you would have to have 24 different bound variables in one DataSet. In other words, there would just be two DataSets, each having 24 different sets of bound objects, so you might as well enter the 48 different sets of values as ordinary objects anyway.
If the latter, then once again an ordinary data-merge feature (like that in any database program or InDesign) would be more useful than Illustrator's Variables feature.
JET

Variable Data in Symbol

Windows XP AI SC3
Not sure if AI is suited for this or not...
I would like to be able to create a symbol, that when placed in a document, it can pull from a dataset to populate certain data. The customers phone number and address for example.
I have played around with variable data for some things, but trying to accomplish this has been less than fruitful...

function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
Specifically, I was referring to AI's "Variable" panel and Dynamic object. Dynamic Text to be more exact.
So all the Variables are text Variables? There are no GraphData, Visibility, or LinkedFile Variables involved?
For my own purposes, I have devised a Javascript that populates the Variables Palette with DataSets from ordinary tab-delimited text. But again, I would have to see a thorough description of your problem to tell you if it is applicable to your situation.
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
I am pretty sure I can get the Dataset file to load when a file is opened (custom plug in).
Assuming the XML file is formed to Illustrator's liking, you could also probably accomplish the auto-import with a Javascript that runs at launch. But that would, of course, just load one row (one DataSet) of the data into the bound objects. What's the big deal about using the Import XML command when the file is opened?
So, if I have a template that has Dynamic Text elements, I should be able to open a file and have the data pulled from the XML dataset on open, automatically populating the variable text elements.
Again, I don't know what you mean by "have the data pulled." The bound objects on the page will only contain one DataSet (one "row" of the data, were it tabular data) at a time. You could then use a mere Action (macro) to cycle through the DataSets and export the versions, if that's what you're talking about. But a startup script would only import the data Variable Library into the Variables Palette. Again, that's a one-shot deal; I don't see what's the big deal about invoking one command in the UI to load the whole Library.
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
This will work well for variable text elements that are in the document. However, if I create an Illustrator symbol and try to make the text dynamic, it does not appear to work. I can go through the motions, but loading different datasets doe snot appear to affect the symbol.
Ilustrator Symbols cannot be bound as Variable objects. There are four types of Variables: Text, GraphData, LinkedFile, and Visibility. Why do you need this to be a Symbol? Is it required that multiple instances of the same column from the DataSet occur in various places on the page? If so, the Variables Palette is probably not your best solution. You would have to have multiple columns in your DataSet containing the same value, because even with ordinary textFrame objects, you cannot bind several to one Variable.
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
First, I would like to accomplish this within AI if possible, so whatever tools AI may give me, is what I am talking about.
Workarounds are conceivable. But frankly I probably wouldn't bother (again, depending upon the specifics of the problem). InDesign provides a proper and straightforward data merge feature that works with ordinary tab delimited text, so you can enter the same placeholder as many times as you need on a page, and anywhere within a textrange (whereas Illustrator's Variables feature does not allow binding of multiple variables within a single textFrame).
JET

Text Manipulation and Variable Data in Photoshop

Our company is getting into variable data printing. There are a few ways to get variable data into photos. I've played with a program called Direct Smile. Its text manipulation tools are rather good. It lays a grid over the text and you can select each grid intersection and pull and push to get the text into the shape you want.
There are other programs that work through InDesign and Photoshop, using scripts to insert the variable data into the Photoshop text layer.
When I tried to warp the text in Photoshop I found that beyond a certain point, you have to flatten the text, at which point, it's no longer a text layer that can accept variable data from a database.
Is there anything like the grid tool in Direct Smile in Photoshop?

I’m unfamiliar with Direct Smile.
But for text-manipulation in Photoshop You might want to consider converting the Text to a Smart Object which can then be warped or treated with the Distort-Filter Displace, all the while maintaining the text-layer within the SO and thusly its editability.
And if I remember correctly one can even make Liquify applicable as a Smart Filter, but one would have to save the Mesh separately … possibly too problematic a solution.
Or You could go via Illustrator which offers Envelope Distort (which provides a grid-based »plasticity«) and then embed the result thereof as a SO in the Photoshop-file. Unfortunately Illustrator doesn’t Script as comfortably as Photoshop in my limited experience and Envelope Distort my be unscriptable altogether.
But if I understand correctly You will want to automate all that stuff, so maybe You should check out the respective Scripting-Fora.

How do I create an interactive PDF file with variable data

We would like to basically do a 'mail merge' of our list of customers with an interactive PDF file (including videos, menus, etc - not just form fill out and web links) to create a single PDF file that contains multiple mail pieces ... one for each customer ... with each mail piece being customized for that customer. Customizations would include different greetings (Dear Bob, Dear Dana, etc), as well as different charts based on data unique to the customer, different photographs, etc.
I've seen that InDesign and Acrobat Professional can be used to create an interactive PDF (such as from http://tv.adobe.com/watch/ask-the-adobe-ones/14-calling-rufus-about-interactive-pdf-making). However I don't understand how I can insert data from a database, csv file, excel file etc into the PDF file so that each page, or each set of pages, within the PDF can be customized.
Can anyone point me to a tool to use for this?
Thanks,
Bob Kendall

For that kind of volume and unattended operation, you want InDesign Server – which is the server/high volume edition of INDD.
From: Adobe Forums <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Reply-To: "[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>" <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 06:58:07 -0700
To: Leonard Rosenthol <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Subject: How do I create an interactive PDF file with variable data
Re: How do I create an interactive PDF file with variable data
created by Ti26E31DSxxx<http://forums.adobe.com/people/Ti26E31DSxxx> in PDF Language and Specifications - View the full discussion<http://forums.adobe.com/message/4005459#4005459

How to create a PI Sheet with variable data

Hi, I am working in version 6.2 of SAP.
The requirement that I am trying to configure in PP PI is to create a PI Sheet that contains variable data in the instructions. I have been attempting to use Process Instruction type 2, Simple DATA_REQUEST_TYPE, and a basic Message Characteristic that is similar to PI_COMM.
The problem that I am having is in using PPPI_VARIABLE with PPPI_DEFAULT_VALUE. When I run a check on the Process Instruction I constantly get sequence errors; "Assign PPPI_VARIABLE before the corresponding mess. characteristic" or "Characteristic 0020 PPPI_VARIABLE cannot be used in this position".
Can someone please help! I have read through SAP Help so much I can't see straight any more.
Thanks,
Also, if someone knows of a GOOD book on PP PI, please let me know.
Thanks again,

Hi,
I am using the Process Instruction Cat. INSTR in the first Process Instruction and a similar Cat. INSTR3 in the second Process Instruction.
Here are the entries:
INSTR -
0010     PPPI_DATA_REQUEST_TYPE          Simple Data Request
0020     PPPI_MESSAGE_CATEGORY          ZPI_ALL
0030     PPPI_PROCESS_ORDER
0040     PPPI_VARIABLE          SLEW_TEMPERTURE
0050     PPPI_DEFAULT_VALUE          150.00
0060     PPPI_VARIABLE          DEF_STRING
0070     PPPI_DEFAULT_STRING          F
INSTR3 -
0001     PPPI_DATA_REQUEST_TYPE          Simple Data Request
0002     PPPI_MESSAGE_CATEGORY          ZPI_COMM
0010     PPPI_OUTPUT_TEXT          Phase
0020     PPPI_OUTPUT_CHARACTERISTIC          PPPI_PHASE
0030     PPPI_PHASE_SHORT_TEXT
0040     PPPI_OUTPUT_CHARACTERISTIC          PPPI_PHASE_SHORT_TEXT
0060     PPPI_OUTPUT_TEXT          Operation 1: Slew to
0070     PPPI_OUTPUT_VARIABLE          SLEW_TEMPERTURE
0080     PPPI_OUTPUT_VARIABLE          DEF_STRING
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    PI Sheet
    PI sheet        000000000000000001     New
    Recipe group    50000014               CtrlRec.Destin. 01
      Operating grp. : PVCME GROUP 1
                                                 Phase
                                                 Operation 1: Slew to
As you can see the variable data is not produced in the instructions.
And I have these errors:
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Ideas?

Using variable date in a VIEW

Can I create a view in Oracle whereby the date I use to select the records can be a variable?
For example:
select * from marketer_account
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I want to get a list of all records on the marketer account table that were active on 30-NOV-2009.
But more importantly the users want a view that they can run every month to get this information, so in another month we may need the same query but:
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This will take the last day of 2 months ago from current: ie. If they run it now, they will get 31-JAN-2010 here.
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Hi,
Besides SYS_CONTEXT, you can also store the base date in a table. If you make it a Global Temporary Table, then different sessions can use different parameters at the same time. You can even have multiple copies of the the same view in the same query, all with different parameters.
If the variable date is always the same distance from today's date, then you can simply use SYSDATE in the view.
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select *
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and     mka_service_type = 'E';If you run this any time in March, 2010, it gets the same results as:
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from marketer_account
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and     mka_service_type = 'E';but in April, it's as if the magic date was automatically changed to '31-Jan-2010'.

How to mount an url with variable data?

Hello fellas, i need to use a variable url in an a tag to send emails.
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Anyone knows how i can encodeURI of an variable data in Eloqua???
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Respect!

Hello fellas, i need to use a variable url in an a tag to send emails.
Something like: <a href="exemple.com?guest=Name%20Of%20My%20Guest">
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Saving user variable data in XML file

I am using Captivate 5.5. Can I save user variable data of several variables on an XML file ?

Can be done with Javascript, have a look at the Javascript articles by Jim Leichliter, here is one link:
Retrieve variables in Captivate
Lilybiri

Variable data for InDesign

I've been using Xmpie with InDesign for variable data and graphics for years, however the recent Xmpie versions are buggy and crash all the time. Xmpie doesn't know how to resolve this and are ignoring my support cases. I am now using an old computer with an equally old version of Xmpie with InDesign 3. They're old but they work. I was wondering what others are using and what they recommend. Thanks for any info in advance!

You have two choices. The cheapest choices is to learn to use a font tool and do it yourself.
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http://www.fontlab.com
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In Design Data merge into separate pdf files with variable data name

Hi all, thank you for taking the time to read this.
Here's what I have.
I've created a file in indesign using a 65 page document.
With this document I've set it up to have specific data in certain areas with data merge. I have that part setup and it works fine.
When I go to export PDF it creates one massive pdf document with all the variable data in it. However here is the scenario I would like.
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I don't know if this script works in CS4 or not:
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How can I do a multiple record data merge, but specify that a specific text frame with variable data only merges on the first record?

I'm doing a multiple record data merge, I have 2 frames both with variable data placed inside.
I would like to specify that one of the text frames only merges once(first record) and the other frame multiple times for each record in the data file.
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I'm going to try it through scripting next, but thought that perhaps there is an easier way that I'm not aware of.
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Suzanne,
If you were trying to post a screen shot, you would need to return to the forum and post it using the "camera" icon at the top of the post editing windows.
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I imagine this all could be scripted somehow in ID. But I have no idea how and the plug-in just lets me keep working.
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Japanese characters alone are not passing correctly (passing like ??? or some unreadable characters) to Adobe application when we create input variable as XML data type. The same solution works fine if we change input variable data type to document type a

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Infotype 0082 - variable data

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In the user exit ZXPADU02 I put some logic for infotype 0082 (variable data)
The variable data screen have table control with few fields.
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Any clue why and how to avoid this situation.
E.g.
When other screens are running and message type E is issue the fields are open for change
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Thanks Sikindar & Carlos.
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