EngageIT VDP for Adobe InDesign
EngageIT VDP is a variable data printing and publishing solution that has been developed exclusively for Konica Minolta Business Solutions, USA. The software is based on DesignMerge Pro technology, and includes a unique feature set and price point. There are two different versions of EngageIT VDP (Desktop and Pro), and output from both versions has been tested and approved on all Konica Minolta digital presses. Please visit the EngageIT VDP web site, or contact your Konica Minolta sales or support representative for more information about EngageIT VDP.
The EngageIT VDP Configurator for Enfocus Switch provides the ability to design and implement powerful and fully automated systems for producing Variable Data output in PDF, PDF/VT, or PPML output format. The system is designed to process InDesign documents that have been prepared using either EngageIT VDP Pro or Desktop software for Adobe InDesign, and can be used to create totally automated workflows capable of processing and routing thousands of records of variable data, all with complete error checking and virtually no user intervention. For more information, including a demo video, please visit www.EngageITVDP.com/configurator.
Configurators
AccurioPro VDP (formery EngageIt VDP)
Available for Adobe InDesign Creative Cloud, the EngageIT VDP Pro Configurator can be used to add automated Variable Data Printing and Publishing capability to any Enfocus Switch workflow. The system is very easy to install and set up because unlike other systems there is no requirement to install the Adobe Extend Script Toolkit (ESTK). All that is required is a copy of Adobe InDesign and the EngageIT VDP Pro software and Configurator.
The EngageIT VDP Pro Configurator supports a number of VDP features that can be used to perform the following automated operations:
- Merge data files and produce PDF, PDF/VT, or PPML Output
- Send output files to printer hot folders, print queues, or directly to the press
- Automatic multi-up imposition using pre-defined EngageIT VDP Imposition Templates
- Preflight input jobs for common errors such as missing fonts, missing fixed or variable graphics, invalid data, etc.
- Execute custom scripts for pre- and post-processing of data and job files
- Supports multiple input formats (flat-file, CSV, XML, InDesign documents, Job Folders, etc.)
- Route VDP output based on status, size, etc.
- Automatically adjust overset text
- Establish sophisticated rules to control merged content
EngageIT VDP Pro and Desktop software is available for Adobe InDesign CS6 and above, for the Macintosh or Windows platforms. Documents can be prepared for use with the EngageIT VDP Configurator using any supported version of Adobe InDesign. The EngageIT VDP Configurator for Switch requires Adobe InDesign Creative Cloud version for either Macintosh or Windows. For more information about EngageIT VDP, please visit www.engageitvdp.com, and for more information about the EngageIT VDP Configurator, please visit www.engageitvdp.com/configurator.
Example flows
EngageIT VDP Merge with XML Support
This Flow demonstrates the use of XML as input. The Flow is designed to process either a single XML file that refers to a complete Job Folder, a single XML file that refers to individual external files, or an input Job Folder that contains a local XML file (that refers to local assets stored within the Job Folder).
Sample InDesign documents, database files, and associated graphics for use with this Flow can be downloaded by visiting www.engageitvdp.com/configurator. There are three sample jobs provided for this flow:
XML Refers To Job Folder
This job provides a single XML file that defines a Switch kJobFolderPath element. The kJobFolderPath element specifies the full path to the entire Job Folder to be processed. This method can be used when a complete Job Folder has been prepared for processing, but an XML file is being used to trigger the flow.
XML Refers To External Files
This job provides a single XML file that contains EngageIT VDP kTemplatePath and kDatabasePath elements. These elements specify the full path to the InDesign document and the database file to be processed by the Flow. This method can be used when the InDesign Templates and database files are stored in separate locations. Note that the specified path for each element must be accessible to the Switch Server. To reference a file for processing, simply specify the full path to the file in the XML element (e.g. "/job-folder/sub-folder").
Job Folder with Local XML
This sample is a complete Job Folder that contains a local XML file. The local XML file will be picked up by the DesignMerge Flow Element when it processes the input Job Folder. The XML file defines the DesignMerge kTemplatePath and kDatabasePath elements. These elements specify the LOCAL path to the InDesign document and the database file that exist inside of the Job Folder. The partial paths in this example are relative to the Job Folder being processed. The InDesign document and database are both stored within sub-folders of the sample Job Folder. To reference a file or a folder that is relative to the Job Folder being processed, simply preface the path in the XML element with a period character (e.g. "./job-folder/sub-folder").
EngageIT VDP Merge with Preflight, Imposition, and PDF/VT Output
This Flow demonstrates how to utilize the following EngageIT VDP Pro Configurator Commands:
- Perform Preflight
- Build Multi-up Document
- Variable Data Merge
Sample InDesign documents, database files, and associated graphics for use with this Flow can be downloaded by visiting www.engageitvdp.com/configurator.
The Flow accepts input from a folder, and then routes the input first to an EngageIT VDP Flow Element that performs a VDP Preflight. The Preflight Flow Element examines the input job for common errors, such as missing fonts or graphics. All of these are configurable as properties of the Flow Element (see screen shots).
If the job passes the Preflight, it is next passed to an EngageIT VDP Flow Element for performing Multi-up Imposition. The Imposition Flow Element searches the input job for an EngageIT VDP Imposition Template to use. If found, the input InDesign document is imposed using this template. The resulting imposed version of the document becomes the new input document that is passed to the next Flow Element.
The final Flow Element performs a Variable Data Merge. The input job and database are merged, and the resulting PDF/VT file is placed into an output folder. The output folder could be a hot folder for a digital press. Options are also available with to pass the VDP output directly to a printer or print queue.
If a job fails at any point in the Flow, the output is directed to a Bad Jobs folder.
