Application case: facade covering with Tiling

The tiling feature is available starting from PrimeCenter V3.2.

This application case is based on PrimeCenter V3.2.

Imagine you need to create a large covering for a facade measuring 8,6 meters by 4,6 meters. You want to ensure the image is divided into manageable pieces for easy installation and fits within the constraints of both the facade and the printing process, using a roll width of 1625 mm. You can download the image here if you want to do some tests.

Facade to cover	Image

Steps

1. Access the Tiling tool.
2. Import the image: Click Import and select the image file.
3. Define total size:
   • Set the total size to 8600 mm by 4600 mm.
   • Unlock the aspect ratio link to adjust the dimensions independently.
4. Set up the grid: Divide the image into 3 rows and 9 columns:
   • Rows: 1 for the upper part, 1 for the gap, and 1 for the rest.

   • Columns: 2 for the left and right parts, 2 for the gap, and 5 for the central part (to fit the roll width)

     

5. Resize tiles:
   • Adjust the height of the first two rows to fit the facade areas.
   • Adjust the width of the first two columns to fit the facade areas.
   • For the central part, select the first four columns and adjust their width to 1500 mm to fit the printer's maximum print area.

   • Select the last three columns. With the Selection size showing a width of 1800 mm, and knowing the last column is 600 mm and the gap is 200 mm, deduce the last column of the central part is 1000 mm. Adjust these columns accordingly.

     

6. Add overlap: 
   

   • Since the tiles will be installed from left to right, add overlap to the right edge: Select the first four columns of the central part and add a 10 mm overlap and a 20 mm white overlap.

     

   • To anticipate adjustments during installation, add an overlap to accommodate any slight shifts.

     • Select the tiles in the first row and add a 5 mm overlap to the bottom edge.
     • Select the tiles in the last row and add an overlap to the top edge.
     • Select the first column and add an overlap to the right edge.
     • Select the last column and add an overlap to the left edge.

     

       Info

     The screenshot is for visualization purposes only. The overlap preview feature is available since PrimeCenter V3.4.

7. Add annotations:
   • Enable Generate annotations.
   • Keep the default template and adjust the color to white with 50% opacity.
8. Export tiles:
   • Click Export.
   • Use the annotations to differentiate the generated tiles: Timestamp_InputFileName_TileTileAnnotation.
   • Select the output folder and click Export.

Result

27 tiles are generated, with each tile saved as an individual PDF. Delete the tiles that correspond to the gap and don't need to be printed: the tiles of the row 2, column 2 and column 8. Here are the final 15 tiles in case you want to compare your results: Tiles.zip

You can then reuse these tiles in a recipe in the Layout Creator tab.