The full automatic workflow is available with PrimeCenter package   

The semi-automatic workflow is available from PrimeCenter package   

With PrimeCenter software, you can set up an 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 metadata extraction from file names. 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 metadata extraction and hotfolder concepts. Check our dedicated articles:

• How to extract metadata from a job file name
• How to set up an input folder
• Global hotfolder

Objectives

At the end of this application case, you will:

	Know how to automatically retrieve jobs from a unique entry point by using metadata extraction
	Understand how to import these jobs in the appropriate recipes
	Know how to generate print files and cut files automatically

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 information of the orders directly written in the file names.

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.

Preparation outside of PrimeCenter

Download jobs to be processed

To perform this example with your proper software, please download the following ZIP file:

• Useful files for the application case.zip

Unzip the file, it contains 6 images. File names are ready for metadata extraction, no need to change them, 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".
• 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 cut files. We will name it "Ready_to_cut".

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

1. Still in the Settings menu, go to the Global hotfolder tab. In the Folder field, select the folder you have created, named "Global hotfolder". And choose "By file name properties" for Extract recipe parameter.

2. The Extract properties from file name field allows to retrieve the recipe name linked to the job to be processed. Images used for our application case have the same naming convention:

jobID-orderID-recipeName-customerID-copies.format

This corresponds to the following template:

anyText-anyText-recipeName-anyText-anyText.anyText

Write this template in the Extract properties from file name field.

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 file names.

Input module

1. 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.

2. As in the Global hotfolder tab, we find also here an Extract properties from file name field. We can consider that:

• In the Global hotfolder tab, it's like a 1st level of metadata extraction, to know in which recipe to send the job.
• Here, in the Input module, it's more like a 2nd level of metadata extraction. Once we know the recipe name, we complete the information with the number of copies, the name of the customer, etc...

As seen before, images used for our application case have the same naming convention:

jobID-orderID-recipeName-customerID-copies.format

Thus, write the following template in the Extract properties from file name field:

jobID-orderID-anyText-customerID-copies.anyText

For more information on metadata extraction, please refer to this article.

Nesting module

Select "Customer ID" as Ganging parameter to sort the layouts by client.

For more information on the Nesting, please refer to:

• How to set up nesting
• How to gang

Cutter options module

1. Select the PDF cutter that you have created/chosen in the general settings, configured with the right output folder named "Ready_to_cut".

2. Enable Add edge cut marks.

For more information on Cutter options, please refer to this article.

Print file options module

Select the Output folder where print files will be generated, the folder named "Ready_to_print".

For automatic print file generation

Enable Automatic Print file export.

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".

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...

1. Run the 2 recipes by clicking .

2. Run the global hotfolder via the Global hotfolder tab by clicking Run.

Results

	Jobs are sent to the appropriate recipes.
	They are processed with the right number of copies specified in the job names.
	Layouts are generated, sorted by customer ID.
	Print files are automatically generated in the "Ready_to_print" folder.
	Cut files are automatically generated in the "Ready_to_cut" folder.

With a Pro package, for each recipe, click on Print & Cut to generate print files and cut files in their defined folders.