Darwin is more sophisticated in this regard. It allows you to create contour models for each job. These contour models can then be merged with data files, layouts, and databases (such as images). With Darwin we do not need to consult the manual at all. Input of data files is very easy (only one tab or comma is required. Unlimited text files - simple output settings like Fikmaker Pro applications). Essentially, a file that is connected to the data is being generated, which brings us to a result...
* The key to creating good results with variable data Xtenwion is to set up the data file correctly - or at the very least, to be neat. If you have used a database program like Fikmaker before, you know the difference between the domain and the record. A domain is essentially a specific bit of data, such as "name," "street address," "style," and so on. Records are a complete set of domain values ​​for a single customer. According to the variable data software, there is one printing unit for each record in the database. In each record, the variable data itself is equivalent to the domain.
All software packages require that the data file be direct AscII text (some software, such as Darwin Desktop, can accept DBF files). This is a flaw in these programs. Ideally, any database file can be entered. However, now we have to coexist with these restrictions.
Generally, a database program can output a database as an unqualified text file. A typical name is currently known as a "tabulation unqualified" file, that is, a tabulation command symbol separates a domain from a domain. Similarly, a "carriage return" command can separate records, which allows the variable data program to know what is the domain and what is the record.
* Injecting variable data Once you have an unqualified text file, you need to merge it with the variable data XTension.
If you first create a layout, you can generate templates by adding variable data fields. Typically, this is a drag-and-drop operation; the created variable data fields appear in a menu or window and can be dragged to a location on the page, or dropped into their own text box, or a static text The middle of the box.
When the data file is incorporated into a layout or template, it is probably a bit discouraging to see that the file is still only one page - instead of having multiple pages as recorded in the data file. Don't worry, slightly happy. Each application has a data browser that allows you to curl every "page" (actually, it is a deformation of a single page). Each "page" (Oh, let's call it a simple form page, okay) will display variable data for each record. When you work with it for the first time, you think it's pretty cool.
Logically, there should be "pages" with the same number of records in the data file. If there is incoherence, the first thing that may come to mind may be to scroll through each "page" to ensure that nothing unusual has happened.
Regardless of the purpose, you may want to scroll through each "page" and just double check the correctness of the information flow. Of course, if there are tens of thousands of records in the data file - then, in the variable Quark file There are thousands of "pages" - this can be a daunting task.
* Variable picture.
The cool aspect of these applications is the ability to add different images to each "page" of the variable layout. Different applications have different ways of implementing this function. The Agfa Personalizer-X method is simpler. It includes a field in the data file for the file name of the image in question. The position of the image can be specified in the parameters (such as a specific folder in a particular disk). When creating a variable parameter file, it is necessary to indicate that the field containing the image file name is a picture. In the layout, the picture is placed on the page according to the size and can be annotated with a variable picture frame. When you merge data files, the image that represents each record will appear on each page.
On this issue, the defect of Agfa software is that you must arrange the use of images in advance. On the other hand, Agfa's other drawback with variable images is that each image should have the same size and orientation, and all of the image frames Changes must be made fully; for example, rotations can only be performed when images are used for special recordings. By using the same markup, each picture must have the same size, because the size of the picture frame cannot be changed, so each picture cannot be fit locally to the frame.
Darwin's method is to use what Scitex calls "scale" or to invoke images with simple commands. In the example, a set of rulers is created and an image is placed in the picture box according to the contents of the field "Pet". For example, if the field "Pet" contains the word "Snowl", the file name "Snowl" image will be called. This is a difficult job, but it seems to us to be effortless. Of course, it also depends on the complexity of the variable image. If there are only two maps - such as rifles and teddy bears - it is only necessary to use a single field to trigger any image. That is, if the "domain" "Gender" is "male", the teddy bear image can be triggered. So on and so forth.
The cool part of Darwin's approach is that when you add a ruler to a picture frame by holding down the option key, each picture is automatically scaled to match the picture frame. This works fine. In spite of this, no one has done any partial treatment.
* Output Although the variable page can be previewed on the screen, it is also possible to print the sample on the office (home) printer. (Different applications handle the problem slightly differently) You can also save the file as a large Postscript file, and each variable page can be output independently. In other words, if you are using PDF, you can also generate a variable-page PDF file.
* All results If someone lets users make choices in these programs, then choosing Darwin Desktop is a way. It looks not only the "" most "strongest", but it is also very intuitive and functional (it has a manual printing, which compensates for the fact that a hardware key or "dongle" is needed.) Personalizer-X The usage is simple, but it seems a little quirky, but perhaps the Focus Gold is the most powerful, but it is also the most difficult and the most unintuitive and difficult to understand.
There are other applications that deal with variable data - Varis' Variscript (designed for the Océ Demand-Stream 6060 printer), Database Publishing's Catalog Genie that supports traditional catalogs, Xerox's Private Eye designed for the DCP/50, etc. Wait. (Finish)