This feature is available with PrimeCenter package
With PrimeCenter software, you can set up a full automatic workflow by:
- retrieving image files from a defined folder automatically,
- applying recipes automatically with nesting, cut marks, bleed and other options depending on your needs,
- generating print files and cut files automatically.
PrimeCenter can be part of a workflow with upstream applications like an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or a Webshop, and a RIP software as downstream software.
This article is an application case that will show you the steps to follow to configure your software using a Global hotfolder and XML job tickets. We will not go into detail in the configuration of the different modules by leaving some parameters by default, to focus on the steps directly related to the automation process. To get further information about each module, please refer to the Software modules section.
Prerequisites
Before starting this application case, be sure you are familiar with XML job tickets and hotfolder concepts. Check our dedicated articles:
Objectives
At the end of this application case, you will:
- Know how to automatically retrieve jobs from a unique entry point by using XML job tickets
- Understand how to import these jobs in the appropriate recipes
- Know how to generate print files automatically
- Know how to generate cut files automatically
- Know how to generate output XML job tickets
Context of the application case
We are in the case of a workflow with a Webshop, PrimeCenter and a RIP.
The webshop sends jobs to be processed in a dedicated folder with the instructions of the orders in XML tickets.
We received 6 jobs from 2 different clients: Karl Dera and John Doe.
2 different media are used: Acrylic PMMA and Aluminium Composite.
These jobs will be processed by PrimeCenter in 2 different recipes: one recipe for Acrylic PMMA media and another one for Aluminium Composite media.
We want to nest these jobs and add cut marks. We want to generate print files and cut files sorted by clients, and generate output XML job tickets to be processed by a RIP software.
Preparation outside of PrimeCenter
Download jobs to be processed
To perform this example with your proper software, please download the following ZIP file:
Unzip the file, it contains 6 images and their associated XML job tickets. No need to modify the file names or the content of the XML files, this could lead to errors.
Choose/create specific folders
- Choose a folder that will be our entry point that contains the jobs to be processed. Put only the provided images in it. We will name it "Global hotfolder".
- Create a sub-folder in this Global hotfolder that will contain the XML job tickets associated with the images. Put the provided XML files in it. We will name it "XML".
Warning
To associate an XML job ticket to its job, the path of the job must be specified in the XML file.
If you open one of the XML files, you will see that <filespec> tag contains the relative path of the linked image. The suggested configuration with a folder that contains images and a sub-folder that contains XML files is important to respect in our case to avoid changing manually all the paths.
- Choose a folder where you want to generate the print files. We will name it "Ready_to_print".
- Choose a folder where you want to generate the print files. We will name it "Ready_to_cut".
- Choose a folder where you want to generate the output XML job tickets. We will name it "Export ticket".
You can now open PrimeCenter.
General settings
Cutters
In the Settings menu, go to the Cutters tab to choose/create a PDF cutter. In the Output hotfolder field, select the folder you have chosen, named "Ready_to_cut".
For more information on this Cutters tab, please refer to this article.
Global hotfolder
Still in the Settings menu, go to the Global hotfolder tab. In the Folder field, select the sub-folder you have created, named "XML". And choose "By XML" for Extract recipe parameter.
For more information on Global hotfolder, please refer to this article.
Recipe 1 configuration
Create a new recipe named "Acrylic PMMA".
For more information on recipes, please refer to this article.
The recipe name is important since it must match the one specified in the XML job tickets. If you open one of the XML files named "[...]- Acrylic PMMA-[...]", you will see that the <recipe> tag contains "Acrylic PMMA".
Warning
To import automatically a job in the appropriate recipe in PrimeCenter, the recipe name must be specified in the XML job file. Otherwise, the job will not know which recipe to use. Beware of typos!
Input module
Erase the Input folder path to avoid the recipe fetching images in another folder than the defined Global hotfolder. This is just for our application case, depending on your needs you can combine the use of the Global hotfolder and input folders.
Nesting module
Select "Customer ID" as Ganging parameter to sort the layouts by client.
For more information on the Nesting, please refer to:
Cutter options module
- Select the PDF cutter that you have created/chosen in the general settings, configured with the right output folder named "Ready_to_cut".
- Enable Add edge cut marks.
For more information on Cutter options, please refer to this article.
Print file options module
- Enable Automatic Print file export.
- Select the Output folder where print files will be generated, the folder named "Ready_to_print".
- Select the Export ticket folder, named "Export ticket".
- Enable Track by image.
For more information on Print file options, please refer to this article.
Cut file options module
Enable Automatic cut file export.
For more information on Cut file options, please refer to this article.
Recipe 2 configuration
Duplicate the "Acrylic PMMA" recipe to retrieve the same settings and rename it "Aluminium Composite".
Info
To duplicate a recipe, right-click on it in the Recipe navigation bar, then Duplicate.
Input module
As before, erase the Input folder path.
Run the recipes
The recipes are now ready to process the jobs.
For our case study, we have kept the recipes simple to give you an overview of the automation process. In reality, the recipe parameters vary by setting the media, the format, adding check/fix, automatic file naming and so on...
- Run the 2 recipes by clicking
. - Run the global hotfolder via the Global hotfolder tab by clicking Run.
Warning
Both, Global hotfolder and concerned recipes need to be running to make the automation process works.
Results
- Jobs are sent to the appropriate recipes.
- They are processed with the right number of copies specified in the XML job tickets.
- Layouts are generated, sorted by customer ID.
- Print files are generated in the "Ready_to_print" folder.
- Cut files are generated in the "Ready_to_cut" folder.
- Output XML job tickets are generated in the "Export ticket" folder.