How to prepare multi-layer files in PrimeCenter for automatic processing in CalderaRIP?

This guide provides instructions on creating a multilayer-ready file in PrimeCenter and processing it with CalderaRIP.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• Printer: A printer capable of printing multilayer jobs (e.g., HP, SwissQPrint, etc.).
• Software Versions: Version 4.4 for PrimeCenter and version 19 for CalderaRIP.
• Printer Driver and License: A printer driver from version 19 or newer (ML-specific or not) and the corresponding license.

CalderaRIP: Preliminary Setup

In this example, we will use a "CalderaJet" printer driver including a multi-layer configuration called "3L":

We have also configured a hotfolder in CalderaRIP, enabling any print-ready file exported to the PrimeCenter Output Folder to be automatically retrieved by CalderaRIP and subsequently sent to the printer driver with the appropriate multilayer configuration:

PrimeCenter: File Creation

1. Launch PrimeCenter.
2. Open the Layout Creator and go to the Layout tab:
   • Verify your media settings as necessary:
     

   • Expand the "Layout and Editing Tools". Click the   "Add" button to open the tool list and select "Double-sided & Multi-layer":

     Choose the Multi-layer mode option.  In the "CalderaRIP Layer Configuration" field, enter the name as specified in your printer driver (in this example, "3L"). Select your generation method and mirror direction as necessary, and adjust the layers configuration accordingly. In this example, we named the second layer "White". Click "Back" to add and save the tool to your recipe.

3. If you don’t have images in PrimeCenter yet, go to the Files tab and import some using the File Manager.
4. Add as many copies of your images as necessary in the Studio:
   
5. "Generate" the layouts:
   
6. After processing, you will see one layout per layer ("Layer 1", "White", "Layer 3") in the right side of the main interface:
   
   
   
7. When you’re ready, click the "Print & Cut" button to export (send the print/cut files to the Output folder):
   

CalderaRIP: Job Processing

Since PrimeCenter's Output folder is configured as a hotfolder in CalderaRIP, the files will be automatically processed upon detection.

You can track the progress in the Spooler. In this example, the job was recognized as a multipage PDF (one page per layer), and the multilayer settings ("3L") of the "CalderaJet" printer driver were applied, ensuring that the white layer is designated as the second layer: