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How to define media dimensions using file name extraction?

This article is an application case processed with PrimeCenter V2.4.

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Metadata

To extract the media dimensions from the file name, use the following metadata:

  • formatHeight
  • formatWidth

You can also associate a name for this format with formatName.

  Warning

Using this metadata does not allow you to select formats that are already configured in PrimeCenter. It allows you to create a temporary format with dimensions and optionally a name.

Defining a file name with FormatName does not retrieve the associated dimensions in PrimeCenter. Always use this metadata with formatHeight and formatWidth.

Dimensions must be written in millimeters in the file name.

 

Extract a sheet size

Objectives

  • Extract the sheet size from the file name: 48 inches x 96 inches.
  • Include a format name for easy identification.

 

Configuration

From the Input module, define a template for your file names in Extract properties from file name field.

Example of file name: 1234567_Sheet 4x8_1219.2_2438.4_x30.pdf

The underscore is the separator so this translates to:

  • JobName: 1234567
  • formatName: Sheet 4x8 (4 ft x 8 ft = 48 in x 96 in)
  • formatWidth: 1219.2 (this value is in millimeters and converts to 48 in)
  • formatHeight: 2438.4 (this value is in millimeters and converts to 96 in)
  • copies: 30

 

Extracted properties

Extraction of file name properties requires automatic import of files with an input folder and a running recipe. Extraction is not performed when a file is opened manually.

 

Layout name

From the Nesting module, define a template for the name of the generated layouts to include the format name.

Layout name template: Nest_autoIncrement_-_gang_-_formatName_-_copiesx

The layouts will result in:

  • Nest 21 - 1234567 - Sheet 4x8 - 1x
  • Nest 22 - 1234567 - Sheet 4x8 - 1x

 

Print file

From the Print file options, define a template for the generated print files to include the format name.

Print file name format: layoutName

The print file name is configured here to be exactly the same as the layout name, because the layout name already contains all the necessary information we want.

The print files result in:

 

Extract a roll size

Objectives

  • Extract the roll size from the file name: 54 inches.
  • Include a format name for easy identification.

  Info

When using a roll size, define only one dimension and set the other to 0. But both parameters must be defined.

 

Configuration

From the Input module, define a template for your file names in Extract properties from file name field.

Example of file name: 89101112_Roll 54_1371.6_0_x20.pdf

The underscore is the separator so this translates to:

  • JobName: 89101112
  • formatName: Roll 54 (4 ft x 8 ft = 48 in x 96 in)
  • formatWidth: 1371.6 (this value is in millimeters and converts to 54 in)
  • formatHeight: 0 (no limit)
  • copies: 20

 

Extracted properties

Extraction of file name properties requires automatic import of files with an input folder and a running recipe. Extraction is not performed when a file is opened manually.

 

Layout name

Same as for sheet size extraction, from the Nesting module, define a template for the name of the generated layouts to include the format name.

Layout name template: Nest_autoIncrement_-_gang_-_formatName_-_copiesx

The layouts will result in:

  • Nest 25 - 89101112- Roll 54 - 1x

 

Print file

Same as for sheet size extraction, from the Print file options, define a template for the generated print files to include the format name.

Print file name format: layoutName

The print file name is configured here to be exactly the same as the layout name, because the layout name already contains all the necessary information we want.

The print files result in:

Attached files

Attached are the 2 example files and the recipe used. Change the input and output folders and modify as you like.

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