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Caldera Direct-to-X RIP - Automation

Updated

This article explains how to use the Automation Module in Caldera Direct-to-X RIP to automate file loading and printing.

 

Overview

The Automation Module is located within the Caldera Direct-to-X RIP Settings area.

Starting with Caldera Direct-to-Film RIP v2.6, the Automation Module lets you create and manage multiple automation configurations. Each configuration has its own input folder, mode, print settings, and actions for successfully processed or failed files:

Caldera DTF RIP v26 new auto interface (edit2).png

  Info

Multiple Auto Load and Auto Print configurations can run at the same time. The legacy interface, which is still used in Direct-to-Garment, is described at the end of this article.

 

Manage automations

The configuration list shows all available automations. Select a configuration to review or edit its settings. Use the controls above the list to start, pause, stop, or remove selected configurations, and use + to add another configuration.

A configuration keeps its own settings, so different folders can use different printers, presets, and file-handling actions.

 

Create or configure an automation

  1. Click +: Create a new automation configuration.
  2. Set the Input Folder: Enter the folder path, or click the folder icon to select it. This folder acts as the configuration's hot folder.
  3. Choose a mode:
    • Auto Load: Loads files from the input folder into the File Manager.

    • Auto Print: Processes files from the input folder and sends them directly to a selected printer.

      Auto Print availability and the number of configurations available depend on your subscription. Use CalderaDock to check the features included in your license, or visit our website to compare subscription options.

  4. For Auto Print, select a print configuration: Choose the printer, media, and preset to apply to the processed files.
  5. Images Mirroring (available in DTF v2.5.1 and later): Enable this option to mirror images horizontally. This setting is independent of the Studio mirroring option.
  6. Set actions for processed files: For On success and On error, choose Ignore, Delete, or Move to. When selecting Move to, choose the destination folder.
  7. Name the configuration: Enter a clear, unique name that identifies its workflow.
  8. Save the configuration: Click Save to save it, or Save & Run to save and start it immediately.

 

Requirements and considerations

Before you start

  • Supported files: Auto Load and Auto Print support the same raster and vector file formats as the software.
  • Input folder: The input folder must remain available to Caldera Direct-to-X RIP while the automation is running. Avoid removable drives and unstable network locations. On Windows, Direct-to-Film v2.5.1 and later supports UNC paths for input folders.
  • Production-ready files: Prepare files before placing them in the input folder. For spot colors, including white ink, configure the selected preset correctly. See How to create a white underlay in DTF and How to create a white underlay in DTG.

  • Auto Print setup: Make sure the selected printer is powered on and configured before starting an Auto Print automation. See How to manage devices and How to preset your devices.

      Info

    If you change the selected preset or software settings, such as output file naming, restart the affected automation for changes to take effect.

  • Output folder: The printer’s output folder must remain available while Auto Print is running. On Windows, network output folders must use mapped drives; UNC paths are not supported.

 

Automation limitations

  • Image Adjustment settings, including color removal (previously called knockout) and color boost, are not applied during automation. Files are processed as imported.
  • Some print-preparation options are unavailable in Auto Print. For example, DTG pallet selection cannot be set during automation. Prepare and position files before adding them to the input folder.

 

XML Job Tickets

XML Job Ticket availability depends on your subscription. Use CalderaDock to check the features included in your license, or visit our website to compare subscription options.

When an Auto Print configuration moves a processed job to a destination folder, an XML job ticket is created automatically in that folder. There is no setting to enable or disable this feature:

Caldera DTFilm RIP V2.3, xml job ticket setup.png

 

The ticket uses the same base name as the input file:

Caldera DTFilm RIP V2.3, xml job ticket success.png

 

XML Job Ticket Elements

Click here to expand

Root

  • ticket
    • version – Ticket format version
    • lastEvent – Timestamp of the last event

Job

  • job
    • creationTime – Job creation timestamp

Source File

  • filespec – Path to the input file
  • pages – Number of pages
  • copies – Number of copies

Print Settings

  • device – Output device
  • preset – Print preset used

Media

  • formatName – Media format name
  • width – Media width (the unit attribute defines the unit)
  • height – Media height (the unit attribute defines the unit)

Margins

  • top, bottom, left, right – Margin values (the unit attribute defines the unit)

Layout

  • layout
    • name – Layout name
    • lastEvent – Timestamp of the last layout event
  • mediaName – Media used for the layout
  • unit – Measurement unit
  • width and height – Layout dimensions
  • copies – Number of copies

Output

  • output – Path to the generated output file
    • timeStamp – Time the output was generated

Contents

  • job
    • id – Job identifier
    • items – Number of placed items
  • item
    • x and y – Item position
    • w and h – Item dimensions

 

Troubleshooting

  • Job not processing: Verify that the printer is online and configured correctly. Check that the input-folder path is correct and remains accessible.

 

Legacy Interface

  Info

This section applies to the Automation Module interface currently available in Caldera Direct-to-Garment RIP.

Click here to expand

In the legacy interface, the Automation Module has two sections: Auto Load and Auto Print. Only one section can be active at a time:

Caldera DTF RIP v2.5.1, automation.png

 

Auto Load

Auto Load automatically loads files from a designated folder into the File Manager.

  1. Enable Auto Load: Set the Auto Load switch to On.
  2. Specify the folder: Enter its full path in the Path field, or click the folder icon and select it in the file browser. The selected input folder acts as a hot folder. 
  3. Start or stop: Click Run after selecting the folder and printer. Click Stop to disable automation before making changes.

A status message confirms when Automation is Running.

 

Auto Print

Auto Print availability depends on your subscription. Use CalderaDock to check the features included in your license, or visit our website to compare subscription options.

Auto Print processes files placed in a designated folder and sends them directly to the selected printer.

  1. Enable Auto Print: Set the Auto Print switch to On.
  2. Select the input folder: Enter its full path, or select it with the folder icon.
  3. Select the print configuration: Choose the printer, media type, and print preset.
  4. Images Mirroring (available in DTF v2.5.1 and later): Enable this option to mirror images horizontally. This setting is independent of the Studio mirroring option.
  5. Set post-processing actions: For successful and failed jobs, choose Ignore, Delete, or Move To. For Move To, enter the destination folder path.
  6. Start or stop: Click Run after selecting the folder and printer. Click Stop to disable automation before making changes.

A status message confirms when Automation is Running.

 

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