PrimeCenter can automatically extract metadata from file names and use them to simplify repetitive prepress tasks. Metadata help automate steps such as nesting, layout naming, and print/cut file naming. This reduces manual input and ensures consistent production.
Watch the video or read the article below:
1. Configure your template
PrimeCenter V4.3
- In a recipe, go to the Files tab.
- Open Import settings, and enable Automation.
- Enable Extract metadata.
- Configure your Template by selecting the metadata elements that correspond to your file naming convention.
File naming example
|
KarlDera_1991_100x.pdf
|
JohnDoe_1991_50x.pdf
|
Template: anyText_customerId_copiesx.anyText
Metadata available for extraction from file names
| Metadata | Description | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| anyText | Placeholder to ignore a variable part of the file name during extraction | / |
| comments | Free text field for additional notes | Annotations |
| copies | Number of copies of the imported file | / |
| customerID | Identifier of the customer | Annotations Ganging Sorting |
| fillRatio | Scale of the image in percentage | / |
| formatHeight /formatWidth | Format height / width | Annotations Layout naming |
| formatName | Name of the format used | Layout naming |
| gangName | Name used to group multiple files into a gang | Annotations Ganging Layout naming Print/Cut file naming |
| jobID | Unique identifier of the job | Annotations Ganging Sorting |
| jobName | Name assigned to the job for printing | Annotations Ganging Sorting |
| orderID | Identifier of the order | Annotations Ganging Sorting |
| sequence | Number defining nesting order, used for sorting | Sorting |
2. Import files
When you import files (manually or through a hotfolder), PrimeCenter automatically extracts metadata based on the configured template.
Extracted metadata are displayed in File properties when a file is selected in the File manager.
Metadata extracted from file names can also be edited manually if needed, directly in the software.
3. Apply metadata in PrimeCenter
Once metadata are extracted, PrimeCenter applies them to different parts of the workflow:
Annotations
Metadata can be placed directly on layouts as annotations.
| Metadata | Description |
|---|---|
| comments | Free text field for additional notes |
| customerID | Identifier of the customer |
| cutterGUID | Indicates the printed barcode value for the layout, which can be used to track the cut or link with another system. |
| cutterName | Name of the selected cutter |
| date | Generation date in local tile (YYY-MM-DD-HH-mm-AM/PM) |
| dateGMT | Generation date in GMT |
| formatHeight /formatWidth | Format height / width |
| gangName | Name used to group multiple files into a gang |
| imageName | Name of the imported image |
| imagePath | File path of the imported image, ⚠️ not available with barcode |
| jobID | Unique identifier of the job |
| jobName | Name assigned to the job for printing |
| materialGUID | Unique identifier of the material used |
| materialName | Name of the material used |
| orderID | Identifier of the order |
| pageNumber | Page number for multipage files |
| totalPages | Total number of pages in multipage files |
Nesting with sorting and ganging
Sorting
Use metadata to define how files are ordered within a nest.
| Metadata | Description |
|---|---|
| customerID | Identifier of the customer |
| jobID | Unique identifier of the job |
| jobName | Name assigned to the job for printing |
| orderID | Identifier of the order |
| sequence | Number defining nesting order, used for sorting |
Ganging
Automatically group files that share the same metadata into separate layouts (e.g. same customer or order).
| Metadata | Description |
|---|---|
| comments | Free text field for additional notes |
| customerID | Identifier of the customer |
| gangName | Name used to group multiple files into a gang |
| jobID | Unique identifier of the job |
| jobName | Name assigned to the job for printing |
| orderID | Identifier of the order |
4. Layout and print/cut file naming
PrimeCenter allows you to generate consistent names for both layouts and exported files using metadata.
- Layout name template: Define the naming pattern of layouts in Nesting settings.
- Print & cut file name templates: Define the naming patterns for exported files in Export settings.
Info
When print or cut files are generated, special characters \ / : * ? \ " < > | in file names are automatically replaced with _. For example, Nest 1 36" x 18".pdf will be renamed to Nest 1 36_ x 18_.pdf.
Both options rely on metadata, but they don’t use exactly the same tags:
- Layout name tags focus on describing the layout (copies, format size, media coverage, etc.).
- Print/Cut file tags are richer, with export-related options (barcode, side, unique IDs, etc.).
- layoutName acts as a link: you can reuse your layout name inside your print/cut file name templates.
✂️ Cutter
| Metadata | Description | Layout naming | Print/cut file naming |
|---|---|---|---|
| cutBarCodeName | Indicates the printed barcode value for the layout, which can be used to track the cut or link with another system |
📌 Date and time
| Metadata | Description | Layout naming | Print/cut file naming |
|---|---|---|---|
| date | Generation date in local tile (YYY-MM-DD-HH-mm-AM/PM) | ||
| dateGMT | Generation date in GMT | ||
| timestamp | Generation date (YYYYMMDDHHmmss) |
📄 File properties
| Metadata | Description | Layout naming | Print/cut file naming |
|---|---|---|---|
| gangName | Name used to group multiple files into a gang |
#️⃣ Identification and naming
| Metadata | Description | Layout naming | Print/cut file naming |
|---|---|---|---|
| autoIncrement | Automatically incremented number | ||
| simpleID (⚠️) | Random 6-character ID, may not be unique | ||
| uniqueID | Random unique identifier |
Warning
The simpleId metadata can't guarantee the unicity of its value and can lead to conflictual IDs on a large production.
🖼️ Layout properties
| Metadata | Description | Layout naming | Print/cut file naming |
|---|---|---|---|
| copies | Number of copies for the layout |
* |
|
| dspSide | Identifies front/back side for double-sided printing | ||
| layer | Identifies layers for multi-layer printing | ||
| layoutName | Layout name |
(*) Note
If you change the number of layout copies after the layout is generated, the value in the layout name won't be updated. For dynamic updates, we recommend using the copies tag in your Print/Cut file name template instead.
🧻 Media information
| Metadata | Description | Layout naming | Print/cut file naming |
|---|---|---|---|
| fillRatio | Percentage of media coverage | ||
| formatHeight / formatWidth | Format height / width | ||
| formatName | Name of the format used | ||
| mediaName | Name of the media used |
Tips & tricks
To include format information in print/cut file names, use the layoutName tag and configure the Layout name template with the desired format tags.
ZCC-specific configuration
If you are using a Zund device with Zund Cut Center (ZCC) version older than 3.3, additional configuration steps are required
- Launch Cut Manager.
- Go to Settings > Hotfolder. Edit the hotfolder.
-
In Import settings, go to Optimization tab.
-
Disable Automatically group inner and outer shapes.
- Open Import options, go to the ZCC tab and enable Keep groups.
Info
For third-party ZCC files, apply the same settings under Server tab > Import settings.