Use file name metadata to define the media size automatically when files are imported. This method creates a temporary format based on the dimensions extracted from the file name.
Info
File name property extraction works when files are imported through an Input folder with a running recipe or when files are imported manually.
Related articles:
Metadata used for media size
Use the following metadata in the file name:
- formatHeight
- formatWidth
- formatName (optional)
Warning
- This method does not select an existing format configured in PrimeCenter. It creates a temporary format using the dimensions defined in the file name.
- If you include formatName, it is used only as a label. It does not retrieve dimensions from existing formats.
- Dimensions must be written in millimeters.
Configuration
- In Layout Creator, open the Files tab.
- Open Import settings.
- Enable Automation.
- Enable Extract metadata.
- Configure the file name template.
- In Layout Creator, open the Files tab.
- Open Import settings.
- Enable Extract metadata.
- Configure the file name template.
Example 1: Extract a sheet size
Objectives
Extract the sheet size 48 × 96 inches and assign a format name.
Example file name
1234567_Sheet 4x8_1219.2_2438.4_x30.pdf
Extraction template
JobName_formatName_formatWidth_formatHeight_xcopies.anyText
The underscore (_) is used as the separator.
Extracted values
- JobName: 1234567
- formatName: Sheet 4x8
- formatWidth: 1219.2 mm (48 in)
- formatHeight: 2438.4 mm (96 in)
- copies: 30
Example 2: Extract a roll width
Objectives
Extract the roll width 54 inches and assign a format name.
Example file name
89101112_Roll 54_1371.6_0_x20.pdf
Extraction template
JobName_formatName_formatWidth_formatHeight_xcopies.anyText
The underscore (_) is used as the separator.
Extracted values
- JobName: 89101112
- formatName: Roll 54
- formatWidth: 1371.6_0 (54 in)
- formatHeight: 0
- copies: 20
Use extracted metadata in layout and output file names
You can reuse the extracted metadata when naming layouts and output files.
Layout name
The metadata formatName, formatWidth, and formatHeight can be used directly in the layout name template.
- Open the Nesting function.
- In Layout name template, define the naming structure.
Example template
Nest_autoIncrement_-_gang_-_formatName_-_copiesx
Example result
- Nest 21 - 1234567 - Sheet 4x8 - 1x
- Nest 25 - 89101112- Roll 54 - 1x
Print and cut file names
Templates for print and cut files are configured in Export settings.
Good to know
- The metadata formatName, formatWidth, and formatHeight cannot be used directly in export file name templates.
- To include this information in output file names, use layoutName, which already contains the extracted metadata.
Example template
layoutName
Example result
- Nest 21 - 1234567 - Sheet 4x8 - 1x
- Nest 25 - 89101112- Roll 54 - 1x