Dynamic Panels User Guide

Dynamic Panels 14.1

User Guide

Dynamic Panels

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Contents

1. Introduction to Dynamic Panels... 3

2. Getting Started...5

3. Making a Panel Dynamic: Overview... 9

4. Working with BackStage / Automation Engine...10

5. Making Text Objects Dynamic... 11

5.1 Using Dynamic Fields... 14

5.1.1 Categories and Types...14

5.1.2 Formatting Dynamic Fields...18

5.2 Editing Multiple Dynamic Text Objects at Once...21

6. Making Ink Patches Dynamic...23

6.1 Making Inks Dynamic Using the Existing Ink Order...24

6.2 Making Individual Inks Dynamic... 26

6.3 Changing an Object's Dynamic Ink...26

7. Selecting and Zooming... 28

8. Editing a Dynamic Panel... 30

8.1 Adding Objects to a Dynamic Panel...30

8.2 Making Objects Static Again...30

8.3 Deleting Dynamic Objects...31

8.4 Reflowing Text...32

8.5 Updating Your Dynamic Panels... 32

9. Preferences...34

9.1 When Are Dynamic Fields Auto-Updated... 34

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1. Introduction to Dynamic Panels

With the Dynamic Panels plug-in for Adobe^® Illustrator^®, you can make artwork panels (showing document, ink or job information) dynamic.

This means that the panels will synchronize with the host document or job, and display the correct ink, document and / or job information for that document / job.

When you paste them into another document, they will be automatically updated to reflect the new document's information. This means you can reuse panels in many documents, without having to manually update all the information every time.

You can use the Dynamic Panels plug-in with new or existing panels, and you can make text or other objects (ink patch, logo, etc.) dynamic.

The example below shows an Illustrator document containing two artwork panels, with the Dynamic Panels palette to its left.

Notice that when copy / pasting the two panels in another document, the information in these panels gets updated automatically to reflect the new document's information.

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Note: This user guide assumes you already have Dynamic Panels installed, licensed, and ready to run.

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2. Getting Started

This Getting Started chapter will show you how to make a simple dynamic panel, from a single text object.

1. Open a file containing an artwork panel in Illustrator^® (create an artwork panel if your file doesn't contain one).

2. Select a text object in the artwork panel.

3. Go to Window > Esko > Dynamic Panels to open the Dynamic Panels palette.

4. Check that the object is still selected, and click the Create a Panel link in the middle of the palette.

This adds your text object to the Dynamic Panels dialog, and moves it to a new layer called Panel 1.

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5. Double-click the text object in the Dynamic Panels palette.

This opens the Edit Text Art dialog. You can see the existing text in the Content area.

The existing text is static, which means it won't change when you paste your panel into another document.

You can make all or part of the text dynamic, to have it change with every document you paste your panel into.

Note: If you want to have some static text, just leave that part of the text as it is (or type in new text) in the Content area.

6. To get dynamic text, you need to insert dynamic fields.

Place your cursor where you want the field to be, or select the text to replace with a field, and click the Insert Field... button.

7. In the Insert Field dialog that opens, choose the fields to insert:

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a) Select Local Variables to select variables from the local file, or Server Variables to use SmartNames from the Automation Engine server. In that case, all Database queries defined on the server will be available, as well as all job and product parameters.

b) choose a field Category, for example Barcodes, Date & Time...

c) in that Category, choose the Field you want to use (see Categories and Types on page 14 for a list of available categories and fields),

d) if applicable, choose the Format to use for your chosen Field (see Formatting Dynamic Fields on page 18 for details),

Note: The Preview line shows how the field will be resolved in the current document (you can see this both in the Insert Field and the Edit Text Art dialogs).

e) when you are satisfied with how your field will look like, click OK.

The dynamic parts of a text object will appear between square brackets.

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In the Dynamic Panels palette, you can see a icon that indicates that the text object is now dynamic. In your document, the dynamic object is resolved with the document information.

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3. Making a Panel Dynamic: Overview

With the Dynamic Panels plug-in, you can make any artwork panel dynamic, so its information updates automatically for every document you paste it in.

In your panel, you can make any type of object dynamic (ink patch, logo, other design element...).

1. Open a file containing an artwork panel in Illustrator^® (create an artwork panel if your file doesn't contain one).

2. Select one or more text object(s) in the artwork panel and make it/them dynamic (see Making Text Objects Dynamic).

3. Select one or more ink patch(es) in the panel and make it/them dynamic (see Making Ink Patches Dynamic on page 23).

4. Copy your dynamic panel into another document.

The dynamic text objects and ink patches in your panel update automatically to reflect the new document's information.

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4. Working with BackStage / Automation Engine

If you are working with a BackStage / Automation Engine server, you can use the server’s Job and Product information in your dynamic panels (see Categories and Types on page 14).

For information on how to connect to BackStage / Automation Engine, see the Data Exchange documentation.

For details on Job and Product information, see the BackStage / Automation Engine documentation.

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5. Making Text Objects Dynamic

1. Open a file containing an artwork panel in Illustrator^® (create an artwork panel if your file doesn't contain one).

2. Select one or more text object(s) in the panel.

3. Go to Window > Esko > Dynamic Panels to open the Dynamic Panels palette.

4. Click the Create a Panel link in the middle of the palette.

Tip: You can also use the New Panel button at the bottom of the palette, or the New Panel entry in the fly-out menu.

This adds your text object(s) to the Dynamic Panels palette, and moves it / them to a new layer called Panel 1.

Note: You can create multiple panels in a single document.

5. Double-click (one of) the text object(s) in the Dynamic Panels palette.

This opens the Edit Text Art dialog. You can see the existing text in the Content area.

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The existing text is static, which means it won't change when you paste your panel into another document.

You can make all or part of the text dynamic, to have it change with every document you paste your panel into.

Note: If you want to have some static text, just leave that part of the text as it is (or type in new text) in the Content area.

6. To get dynamic text, you need to insert dynamic fields.

Place your cursor where you want the field to be, or select the text to replace with a field, and click the Insert Field... button.

7. In the Insert Field dialog that opens, choose the fields to insert:

a) Select Local Variables to select variables from the local file, or Server Variables to use SmartNames from the Automation Engine server. In that case, all Database queries defined on the server will be available, as well as all job and product parameters.

b) choose a field Category, for example Barcodes, Date & Time...

c) in that Category, choose the Field you want to use (see Categories and Types on page 14 for a list of available categories and fields),

d) if applicable, choose the Format to use for your chosen Field (see Formatting Dynamic Fields on page 18 for details),

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Note: The Preview line shows how the field will be resolved in the current document (you can see this both in the Insert Field and the Edit Text Art dialogs).

e) when you are satisfied with how your field will look like, click OK.

The dynamic parts of a text object will appear between square brackets.

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8. Repeat steps 5 to 7 for each text object you want to make dynamic.

5.1 Using Dynamic Fields

5.1.1 Categories and Types

Local Variables

Barcodes • Number of Barcodes

• Barcode Type

• Barcode Code

• Bar Width Reduction

• Barcode Magnification

• Barcode Device Compensation

• Barcode Narrow Bar

Date & Time • Date

• Time

• Date and Time

Document • File Name

• Fonts

• Layer Names

• CMYK Profile

• RGB Profile

• Color Mode

• Trim Box

• Crop Box

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• Bleed Box

• Media Box

• Art Box

File Info (XMP) • Description

• Author

• Document Title

• Author Title

Inks • Number of Inks

• Number of Technical Inks

• Ink Names

• Technical Ink Names

• Short Ink Names

• Abbreviated Ink Names

• Ink Types

• Ink Dotshapes

• Ink Angles

• Ink Rulings

• Printing Method

Links • Placed Files

• XML Content Files

• Structural Design File

System • Illustrator Version

• Creative Suite Version

• OS Type

• OS Version

• Short User Name

• Full User Name

Server Variables

File Info • Extension of File

• File

• File Type

• First Folder of File

• Folder of File

• Folder of Input

Job Info • Job Name

• Order ID

• Sub Order ID

• Description

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• Job URL

• Category

• Category2

• Category3

• Category4

• Category5

• Category6

• Category7

• Customer Ref

• CSR

• CSR Email

• Customer ID

• Customer Name

• Customer Description

• Due Day

• Due Time

• Job Container Name

• Job Container URL

• Job CT URL

• Job ID

• Name of Folder of Job

• JI Legacy Job (JDF)

• JI Originator (JDF)

• PS Printer Name

• PS Printer Name (JDF)

• Job Parameters

• Number of Barcodes

• Barcode Type

• Barcode Code

• Bar Width Reduction

• Barcode Magnification

• Barcode Device Compensation

• Barcode Narrow Bar

• Number of Inks

• Number of Technical Inks

• Ink Names

• Technical Ink Names

• Short Ink Names

• Ink Types

• Ink Dotshapes

• Ink Angles

• Ink Rulings

• Ink Printing Methods

Global <user defined smart names>

Misc • Server

Path Info • File URL

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• Job Temp URL

• URL Folder of Input

• URL of Input

Product Info • Customer's Product Reference

• Product Amount

• Product Custom Field 1

• Product Custom Field 2

• Product Custom Field 3

• Product Customer Description

• Product Customer ID

• Product Customer Name

• Product Description

• Product ID

• Product Name

• Product Part Custom Field 1

• Product Part Custom Field 2

• Product Part Custom Field 3

• Product Part Datazone

• Product Part Name

• Product Part Status

Job Barcodes • 2of5

• Bobst

• CLF8

• Codabar

• Code 39

• Code 128

• Code 39 Extended

• Data Matrix ECC 200

• EAN 8

• EAN 13

• GS1 128

• GS1 Databar Omnidirectional

• GS1 Databar Expanded

• GS1 Databar Expanded Stacked

• GS1 Databar Limited

• GS1 Databar Stacked

• GS1 Databar Stacked Omnidirectional

• GS1 Databar Truncated

• GS1 Datamatrix

• GS1 US Coupon Interim

• HIBC-39

• HIBC-128

• ITF-14

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• Laetus Pharma

• MS7

• MSI

• Marks and Spencer

• NDC-HRI

• PDF417

• MicroPDF417

• Plessey

• PZN

• PZN8

• Paraf Italy

• QR

• MicroQR

• UPC-A

• UPC-E

• UPC-SCS

5.1.2 Formatting Dynamic Fields

You can format certain fields so they look a certain way (for example, have the date in European or American format).

You can use predefined formats or create custom formats. You can also choose to use a different format for each field, or the same format for all fields.

Using an Existing Format

• You can choose an existing format to apply to your field in the Format list.

For example, use [name][ext] to display the file name and extension when using the File Name field.

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Tip: Hover over to get more information about the different formats.

Defining a Custom Format

To define your own field format:

1. Choose Custom in the format list.

2. Define your format in the box below (using the predefined formats and the information under for help).

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Note:

• The items in square brackets, like [major], are dynamic, the rest of the text is static.

• Use the Enter key to get a new line.

3. Check how your format resolves for the current file in the Preview line.

4. Click OK when you are satisfied.

Repeating the Format for All Items

If the field you want to use can have several values (e.g. Fonts, Ink Names, Placed Files...), you can put them all in one dynamic object.

You can also set the same format for all those values at once.

After choosing an existing format or defining a custom one:

1. Select Repeat format for all items.

2. Choose the Separator you want to use between the values (Comma, Space...).

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Note: You can also specify your own separator by typing it directly in the Separator list.

3. When you are satisfied with what you see in the Preview, click OK.

5.2 Editing Multiple Dynamic Text Objects at Once

Once you have defined several dynamic text objects, you can easily edit them if necessary.

1. Select the dynamic text objects to edit in the Dynamic Panels palette and double-click them.

2. In the Edit Text Art dialog, select an object to edit in the Text Art column, and edit the Content, Fields, Format...

Do this for each object you want to edit.

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3. Click OK when you are done.

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6. Making Ink Patches Dynamic

A dynamic panel containing ink information is composed of dynamic ink patches. Each patch shows a specific document ink: for example, you can set the first patch to show the first document ink.

The ink order used is the order shown in the Ink Manager plug-in.

1. Open a file containing an artwork panel in Illustrator^® (create an artwork panel if your file doesn't contain one).

2. Select the ink patches you want to include in your dynamic panel.

3. Go to Window > Esko > Dynamic Panels to open the Dynamic Panels palette.

4. Click the Create a Panel link in the middle of the palette.

Tip: You can also use the New Panel button at the bottom of the palette, or the New Panel entry in the fly-out menu.

Your ink patches are moved to a new layer called Panel 1.

Note: The Dynamic Panels palette doesn't list ink patches in a panel, only text objects.

5. Make your ink patches dynamic. You can either:

• make them all dynamic at once, using the existing ink order to assign dynamic inks to your

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Note: If you need to use different dynamic inks later, you can always change them (see Changing an Object's Dynamic Ink on page 26).

6.1 Making Inks Dynamic Using the Existing Ink Order

1. Select the panel containing the ink object(s) in the palette, and click Make Inks Dynamic... in the fly-out menu.

This opens the Make Inks Dynamic dialog.

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This dialog shows all the ink patches you selected, with the inks sorted the same way as in the Ink Manager plug-in.

Each ink you selected is assigned a Dynamic Ink: the first ink in the list (here Process Cyan) is assigned DP Ink 1, the second is assigned DP Ink 2, etc.

Tip: If you want the ink order to be different, drag and drop the inks in the Ink Manager to rearrange them.

When you paste the dynamic panel into another document, DP Ink 1 will be assigned to the first ink of that document (first in the Ink Manager list). This means that the dynamic ink patch that has DP Ink 1 assigned will show that first ink.

2. Optionally, you can convert an ink (e.g. the ink used for linework and text) to DP Darkest Ink.

When pasting dynamic objects containing DP Darkest Ink in a document, they will get colored in the darkest ink available in that document (either Process Black or another dark ink).

In the Preferences, you can define whether this should always be Process Black if available (see Preferences on page 34).

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6.2 Making Individual Inks Dynamic

1. Open the Swatches palette.

2. Select one of the patches of your panel.

3. Click on a dynamic swatch to assign it to that ink patch.

Note: You can choose from 15 regular DP Ink swatches, 8 DP Technical Ink swatches and 1 DP Darkest Ink swatch.

4. Repeat for each ink patch to make dynamic.

6.3 Changing an Object's Dynamic Ink

To change the dynamic ink assigned to an ink patch / object:

1. Select the ink patch.

Note: Select several patches / objects at once if you want them all to have the same dynamic ink.

Attention: Each object must have only one ink (spot or process) in its stroke or fill.

2. Click Apply Dynamic Ink... in the palette's fly-out menu.

3. In the Apply Dynamic Ink dialog, choose the new dynamic ink to assign to your object(s).

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4. Click OK.

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7. Selecting and Zooming

• Select a dynamic object in your document to also select it in the Dynamic Panels palette.

• Click at the far right of an entry in the Dynamic Panels palette (where the red square is) to select the corresponding object in your document.

• To select a document object and zoom on it from the Dynamic Panels palette:

a) select the corresponding entry in the palette,

b) click the Select and Zoom button or use Select and Zoom in the fly-out menu.

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8. Editing a Dynamic Panel

8.1 Adding Objects to a Dynamic Panel

If you have already created a dynamic panel, but want to add extra objects to it:

1. Select the object(s) you want to add to the panel.

2. Click the Add to Panel button at the bottom of the palette, or the Add to Panel entry in the fly-out menu.

3. Make your object(s) dynamic as explained in Making Text Objects Dynamic (for text objects) or Making Ink Patches Dynamic on page 23 (for other objects).

8.2 Making Objects Static Again

To remove an object from the dynamic panel only (keep it as a regular object in your document):

• For all object types: cut and paste the object from the panel layer (e.g. Panel 1) into another layer.

• For text objects: select it in the Dynamic Panels palette and click Make Text Static in the fly- out menu.

This only works on dynamic text (with a icon).

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Tip:

To only see dynamic text objects in the palette, select Dynamic text only in the Show filter.

Note: If you want make your whole dynamic panel static again (turn it into regular artwork), use the Illustrator functionality to expand objects.

8.3 Deleting Dynamic Objects

To remove an object from the dynamic panel and the artwork panel in your document:

1. In the Dynamic Panels palette, select the object you want to remove from your dynamic panel.

2. Click the Remove Selected Item button or use Remove Selected Item in the fly-out menu.

3. Confirm the object removal.

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8.4 Reflowing Text

If the text box is a part of the panel, resizing using standard transform tool will resize it "as is" instead of reflowing the text inside resized text box. Click the Reflow Text button or use Reflow Text in the fly-out menu to switch transform tools temporarily to the reflow mode.

• To do this, click the Reflow Text button or use Reflow Text in the fly-out menu.

8.5 Updating Your Dynamic Panels

When you paste a dynamic panel into a document, the information in the dynamic panel is updated automatically.

But when some information used in a dynamic panel (text or other object, document information, job / product information...) is changed later, the panel needs to be updated again.

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Note:

If you want the panels to be updated automatically, you can set this in the Preferences. You can choose to have them updated when:

• the information used in the panel changes,

• you save the file as Normalized PDF / launch a task on it on your BackStage / Automation Engine server.

See Preferences on page 34 for details.

If the panels are not updated automatically, and some associated information is changed, you will see a pen icon near the affected dynamic object(s).

• To update the affected object(s), click the Update Panels button or use Update Panels in the fly-out menu.

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9. Preferences

You can find the Dynamic Panels Preferences under Illustrator > Preferences > Esko > Dynamic Panels Preferences…

When pasting a dynamic panel in a document, the information in the panel is updated automatically.

But if you then make changes to the document's artwork or change other information used in the panel (document metadata, job information...), it needs to be updated again.

Select Update Artwork Panel when Associated Information Changes to have your document's panels updated automatically after making changes to your document.

Select Update Panels when Writing Normalized PDF or Launching Server Task to automatically check for artwork changes and update the panels if necessary when saving your document as Normalized PDF or launching a task on it on your BackStage / Automation Engine server.

Note: If you choose not to have the panels updated automatically, you will need to use the Update Panels button to update your panels after making changes to your artwork.

Always Consider Process Black as the Darkest Ink: When a dynamic ink patch using DP Darkest Ink is copied into a file, that patch will be:

• Process Black if this option is selected (and Process Black is available in the file),

• the darkest ink (the ink with the least luminosity), whether or not it is Process Black, if this option is deselected (for example the darkest ink could be Pantone Reflex Blue).

9.1 When Are Dynamic Fields Auto-Updated

• Ink information (fields in the Inks category): when the Ink Manager list is updated.

• Fonts field (in the Document category): when saving the document, exporting to Normalized PDF or using the File > Esko XMP dialog.

• Placed files (in the Links category): when saving the document, exporting to Normalized PDF or using the File > Esko XMP dialog.

• Fields in the File Info (XMP) category: when using the File Info dialog from Illustrator's File menu.

• Dynamic Content's XML Files: when switching between documents.

• All other fields are updated live.