Variable Data print

My company is looking at Darwin as a VDP print application. I am curious if anyone here might have any good information about this application, or advice on wether this is a good way to go, or if there is some other easier more robust software.

please post the question clearly.

Similar Messages

In Design and Variable Data Printing....

Does In Design have VDP capabilities. I am thinking of designing a 2 part NCR form that is numbered. Is it possible to include the numbering sequence in the design so that as it prints it numbers each form sequentially (similar to name and address info but a specific number)?
Thank you!

on the indystimer website there is no set of instructions or tutorials but the script is only used to generate the range of numbers that I want for the database e.g. 000201-000500. this can be done in excel too but i just find the indysnumbergenerator a lot quicker.
in terms of actually making a datamerge, see the adobe tutorial http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/indesign/articles/indcs2at_datamerge.html
to make a datamerge so that the end result is pages printed single sided but in duplicate so the records appear:
pdf page 1 - record 1 top sheet
pdf page 2 - record 1 bottom sheet
pdf page 3 - record 2 top sheet
pdf page 4 - record 2 bottom sheet...
is to design the merge on one page including the variable data, BUT once it is finished, duplicate the page from the pages palette so that there is now two pages in the file. when exported to PDF via the data merge as above should result.
is this what the OP is after?

Konica Minolta Announces New Sophisticated Variable Data Printing Software T...

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This topic first appeared in the Spiceworks Community

And a couple more suggestions.
The Generic PCL Laser Printer included with Lion will only print in black and white. So open Print & Scan, select the Konica printer, click on Options & Supplies and then select the Driver tab. Ensure this does not show Generic PCL Laser.
And, there is also a Generic Postscript printer driver included with Lion that does print in colour. So to rule out an issue with the KM driver, create another queue to the printer but this time select Generic Postscript in the Print Using menu and see if this prints in colour.

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.

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 solution for full color variable inkjet printing

Looking for a variable data solution for full color variable inkjet printing.
Currently we use objective lune / Planet press and it is not keeping up with the times...any adobe products that might be suitable??
Thanks
Everett

Hi Everett,
I am an employee of Objectif Lune and just stumbled upon this post.
I am sorry to hear that you feel that way about PlanetPress.
As we highly value feedback from our users to continuously improve our products, I would like to know why you think PlanetPress is underperforming so I can pass it onto our team. Please email me at [email protected] if you would like to share your frustrations.
Thank-you and looking forward to hearing from you.
Cheers,
Nancy

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

Any Function Module to translate variable data in smartform

Hi All,
I am working with smartform.
My requirement is, when user logins with Japan language.
then all the data ( text template and variable data ) should be in Japan .
By using SE63 ,i can translate only text data. How about the variable data in smartform?
Please suggest any solution.
Regards,
Kishan

Hope you are passing the variable from print program. If not then do the same. and in the print program do the below thing.
   wf_spras = sy-langu.
CALL FUNCTION 'CONVERSION_EXIT_ISOLA_OUTP
      EXPORTING
           input = wf_spras
      IMPORTING
           output = wf_language.
SET LANGUAGE wf_language.
wa_control_parameters-langu = wf_spras.
PS : wa_control_parameter , you pass through control_parameters, in to the SMARTFORM calling FM .
Make sure that the data, which u fill into the variable you are talking about in maintained in the log on language also.

Help Working With Variable Data Sets (PS CS3)

I have two different projects for which I believe the Variable Data Sets would / could work.
Project 1:
I have created a student badge for our TV Media class and I would like to be able to use a Variable Data Set to automatically read a data file with First and Last names and then place them in the locations of my choosing. I would like to be able to import the list and have it automatically create the 30 ID cards I need and/or print them too.
Project 2:
I have created a really nice looking school dance ticket. Currently they are about 1.5" x 6". I would like to be able to use a Variable Data Set to automatically add a couple of different pieces of information: Date, Ticket Number (sequential).
In each case, I have been able to successfully create a data set and replace a single variable, but I have not been able to modify more than one variable in a file.
Each text selection is on its own layer. I have tried to create a text file that looks like this:
FName, LName
Joe, Smith
Barney, Jones
Thalia, Chamoix
I have also tried to create two different files, such as for project two:
Date
January 04
February 12
March 19
Number
1001
1002
1003
No matter what I have tried, I still cannot seem to get more than one variable to function at a time.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

I don't hink Data Merge is sophisticated enough to skip a page if the entire record is null, but it will skip blank lines if there is a null field and nothing else on the line.

Merging variable data using data merge plug-ins for In-Design

Has anyone had any experience with merging variable data (such as articles for a newsletter) with either of these plug-ins:
DesignMerge, www.meadowsps.com/site/marketing/productinfo/designmerge.htm
or Pageflex Studio ID, www.bitstream.com/publishing/products/studioid/index.html

Only Pageflex Persona (cut down version of Studio - doesn't require InDesign Server).
Variable stuff is extremely customisable, but design stuff is !@##%. Like Quark 3 simplicity... Customer support is poor in my experience. Program is clunky - they've only just added keyboard shortcuts to access tools... woohoo. Spot colours aren't fully supported - you have to specify them as CMYK and tell your printer to substitute later... you can't design across a spread at all - any two-page graphics have to be placed twice... I could go on!
For a newsletter, I'd just find a way with InD CS5. Maybe with the Copyfit plugin if you want more functionality, but not with standalone software. For complex variable areas in InD, I just create pdfs or separate InD files of the variable area, and list these as you would images in the csv file. The free LayoutZone addon (Thanks Martinho!) makes region exporting very simple - beware of some occasional bugs with strokes changing.
I did a job recently with 36 variables per entry, including 2 embedded InD files. The layout was a 3-fold A4 double-sided flyer, with each 3rd page being a few mm shorter to allow for the fold-in. CS5 multi-page size and 3-page spreads made this quite simple to set up.

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

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
These are the instructions that are created:
    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:
- Charact. 0070 PPPI_OUTPUT_VARIABLE: Define variable SLEW_TEMPERTURE first
- Charact. 0080 PPPI_OUTPUT_VARIABLE: Define variable DEF_STRING first
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
where '30-NOV-2009' between mka_eff_dt and mka_exp_dt
and mka_service_type = 'E';
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:
select * from marketer_account
where '31-DEC-2009' between mka_eff_dt and mka_exp_dt
and mka_service_type = 'E';
So I want to replace the '31-DEC-2009' with a generic date. I tried this:
select *
from marketer_account
where last_day(add_months(sysdate,-2)) between mka_eff_dt and mka_exp_dt
and mka_service_type = 'E';
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.
Is this OK to do? Or is there a better way? Maybe the users want to change the date and run it for a date of their choosing?

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.
For example, to find what was active on the last day of the month 3 months ago:
select *
from marketer_account
where   ADD_MONTHS (TRUNC (SYSDATE, 'MONTH'), -2) -1
        between mka_eff_dt
        and     mka_exp_dt
and     mka_service_type = 'E';If you run this any time in March, 2010, it gets the same results as:
select *
from marketer_account
where   TO_DATE ('31-Dec-2009', 'DD-Mon-YYYY')
        between mka_eff_dt
        and     mka_exp_dt
and     mka_service_type = 'E';but in April, it's as if the magic date was automatically changed to '31-Jan-2010'.

Printing FILE NAME and DATE PRINTED?

when i was on a mac i used to be able to have a default in the printer dialog so that every page printed showed the file name and the data printed. i would like to do this in the mac but i am guessing that this has to be done in either the specialized software dialog box or perhaps in a mac dialog box?
in any event, can anyone help me figure out where i might find a place to do this? i haveadobe acrobat but i wold also like to do it in something like Preview as well.
TIA

hotwheels 22 wrote:
if i have documents coming that i print for a project and these are quite naturally coming from different software it i have no way now of being able to FIND this file in my computer when i am looking at it.
Consider using Find from the File menu or Spotlight to search for the document. In one of your previous posts, you stated that you name documents with a date and name. Then perhaps search for the name. Also, with your method of naming documents, if the document is a letter, wouldn't the date on the letter and the person to whom the letter is addressed to give clues to the filename and thus finding it on your computer?
this is a major organizational issue over here and customizing a template for all my various software should be unnecessary IMHO.
I do not know how many documents you deal with but I do know that there a many organizations that deal with billions of documents. In addition, if you share documents with others or others with you, there is not a filenaming method that works for everyone. People adapt to each other. A date in a filename could have several forms such as month-date-year or year-month-date, two digits or four digits for year and so on and so forth.
Are you saying it IS necessary to have this dual file type that has a Pages document which then prints a PDF?
No. Please re-read what I wrote and the Pages Help Center articles.
also, is there in fact a way to save a PDF back out as a Pages document?
Yes, re-read what I wrote (that which you quoted).
"Acrobat has the capability to save a PDF in other formats such as Microsoft Word, which can be opened in Pages. That said IMO, a separate Pages document for each "custom" letter/report would not be necessary."
alternatively i guess i could create a Pages TEMPLATE - that has a DATE in the header that automatically updates .../but/ i am realizing that this has the unfortunate consequence of having the DATE updated if i open the Pages document again
But that is what you stated you wanted because
...and try to remember to SAVE AS this document with another name with the original FILE NAME but a NEW DATE. this does not always work and sometimes i write over the original accidentally.
anyway, maybe the answer here is to create a Template for any new document type and simply use this template any time i need to create a PDF and then not save or delete the original Pages document but this seems a bit hairy and dangerous in terms of possibly losing a file if i forget to print to PDF or something.
You have redundant backups, yes?
It seems that your understanding of a template is different from what it actually is, its purpose and its use. If you have not already done so, try using one of the included Pages templates to create a document that you would reuse to get a better understanding of how it works and to help determine your workflow. What you wrote in the last post seems to be a lot of what ifs but not hands on experience with the software itself. My response was based on my experience of using many types of software and in particular to your questions, Pages and Acrobat. Perhaps you will find better responses in the Pages forum and for Acrobat there is a forum at the Adobe web site.
is there a lock file functionality in Pages in Mountain Lion or was this in Lion?!
Perhaps reviewing the tutorials for Pages or searching with Google would help answer many of your questions.

Variable Data print

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