The Compose module has been part of CalderaRIP since the very beginning. This module includes tools that might be very useful for you to control "composed” files, prepare your printing jobs, as well as to add last-minute elements to your Direct-To-Print compositions.

Some of the functions you can use in Compose have their own module or can be applied in another section of CalderaRIP, however, Compose brings together the most useful tools on the fly with the flexibility you need in one place. 

With this module you can nest several copies of the same or different images, do templating, and tiling, add extra cut marks inside the composition (to increase cut accuracy), add various manual vector elements, etc. 

It is also possible to manage "composed" files: you can replace the composition already opened and add one composition on top of another. In both cases, it is possible to make as many modifications as you require.

Module layout

The module is composed of different areas.

In the very first part:

• Preview (canvas): a preview of the composition file you are working on at the moment

At the bottom, you have options that you can apply to the composition file:

• Page format
• Nesting
• Units & Actions

Preview (canvas)

Add images to the composition

To add images to your canvas, just drag and drop them onto it.

To add more copies of the same image, just press the ctrl key at the same time you drag and drop: you will then see a message that will allow you to choose how many times you want to repeat the image:

Shortcuts

By right-clicking on the composition, you will be able to see all the keyboard shortcuts in the menu displayed as well as some of the most important settings:

Display/Magnetize Grid: Enable and/or magnetize a grid to place your images more accurately. Zoom: You have several dimensions to choose from, or you can choose to have the composition fit the window. Select all: Select all the images in your composition. Image/Text Bloc: Turn left Turn right Mirror Fit Bloc to Image Remove Image (shortcut: backspace) Wizard (opens a new window to guide you) Properties: This function opens an additional window where you will see the same properties that appear in the toolbar next to your composition.

Page Format

• Standard formats / Printer model: The first drop-down on the Page Format area, includes one option called "Standard formats" and one option for each printer installed in your station of CalderaRIP.
  Depending on what you select in this first drop-down menu, you will have the options that appear in the second drop-down menu.
  When you select a printer, for example, you will only see the formatting options that come pre-configured in the driver of that printer (although you can always customize formats manually). When you select "Standard Formats", these are the options that will appear:

• Color bar: By checking this box, a color test bar will be printed on one side of the composition with all inks. It is possible to customize the characteristics of this color bar by clicking on the button with three dots on the right.
• W (Width) and H (Height): The values shown already include the margins deducted (the margins shown in the Page Setup of the printer).
• "Adjust page" button: after nesting or other, reduce the document to the minimum size (within 2 dimensions). Shortcut: Alt + E.
• "Adjust height" button: Adjust the page height to all the entities, while preserving the page width. Shortcut: Alt + F.

Nesting

• Nest: Nest all the entities of the document. Shortcut: Alt + K
• Nest & Adjust height: Nest all the entities, then adjust the page height. Shortcut: Alt + I
• Activates/disables the Contour Nesting feature.
• Allow rotation: Enables automatic rotation of entities and groups, to save paper.
  • Per step of 90 degrees.
  • Per step of 180 degrees, for true shape nesting (only used for materials that have a specific direction in which they should be printed like brushed aluminum or textile fabrics).
• Make rows: Enables the creation of independent rows, to ease cutting.
• Do not reorder: This option tries to preserve the position of the entities on the page.
• Automatically add cut marks: Automatically add cut registration marks positions to the nesting. The actual marks are added at printing time. See the Cut marks panel on the right (you may have to scroll) for more parameters.

• Drop-down menu to select the cutting driver available in your CalderaRIP station.
• Margin: Select a value in millimeters/inches.
• Bleed: Select a value in millimeters/inches.
• No overlap when moving entities. If this button is enabled, you will not be allowed to overlap images or to move an image outside of the page. This option is helpful for manual nesting only. 

You can also prepare, group, and nest your cut/print files with PrimeCenter, Caldera's prepress software developed to help print service providers optimize their job preparation for digital printing and cutting. Click here to learn more.

Units & Actions

• mm/inch: Select the measurement format you prefer to use.
• Import: This button allows you to import a document model or clipart.
• Export: This one allows you to save the document in various formats.
• New: Open an empty compose document.
• Create: Transform the current composed document into a file that will go to the File Manager/Image's bar (ready-to-print).

• Quit: Close and exit the Compose Module. 
• Setup: Click here to open the module's configuration window:

• • Document: In this tab, you will find options to set the type of document image you will compose, as well as the margins and other miscellaneous settings such as the horizontal/vertical grid step, the cut contour display, the background color, etc. 

• • • Entities: We call "entities" those pre-designed elements that you can add to your composition document. This tab is very useful for setting up cut contours, for example. Learn more about it with this article. 
    • Fonts: In this tab, you can set the font of the text you want to add to your composition document.