Set Up Enfocus PitStop PDF Profiles with Variables for Use in Infigo

How to Set Up Enfocus PitStop PDF Profiles with Variables for Use in Infigo

This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of creating and configuring Enfocus PitStop PDF profiles with variables using PitStop Pro, converting them to Job Ticket format, and integrating them into Infigo. By following these instructions, you'll be able to create dynamic PDF profiles that can adapt based on variables, enhancing your workflow and offering more flexibility to your customers.

Table of Contents

Creating Variable Sets in PitStop Pro

1.1 Understanding Variable Sets
1.2 Structure of a Variable Set

1.2.1 Variable Basics
1.2.2 Types of Variables
1.2.3 Examples of Variables

1.3 Creating a Variable Set
1.4 Exporting the Variable Set

Setting Up a PDF Profile Using the Variable Set

2.1 Activating the Variable Set
2.2 Using Variables in a PDF Profile

Converting the Variable Set to Job Ticket Format

3.1 Overview
3.2 Creating a Sample Job Ticket File
3.3 Converting Variables to Work with Infigo

3.3.1 Opening the Variable Set in the Job Ticket Editor
3.3.2 Converting Constant Variables to Job Ticket Variables
3.3.3 Exporting the Converted Variable Set

Integrating the Variable Profile into Infigo

4.1 Preparing the Job Ticket XML
4.2 Configuring the Profile in Infigo

Creating Variable Sets in PitStop Pro

1.1 Understanding Variable Sets

Variable sets in Enfocus PitStop Pro allow you to define dynamic elements that can be reused across multiple PDF profiles. By creating a variable set, you can control specific parameters within a PDF profile, making it adaptable to different scenarios without the need to create separate profiles for each case.

Reusability: A single variable set can be applied to multiple profiles.
Flexibility: Multiple variable sets can be used within a single profile if they contain all the required variables.

Recommendation: For simplicity and ease of management, we highly recommend using one variable set per profile, establishing a 1:1 relationship.

1.2 Structure of a Variable Set

A variable set consists of:

Name: A unique identifier for the variable set.
List of Variables: Individual variables that control specific aspects of the PDF profile.

1.2.1 Variable Basics

Each variable within the set has the following attributes:

Name: A user-readable name.
Description: Information about what the variable controls.
Default Value: A preset value that the variable assumes if no other input is provided.
Type: Defines the kind of data the variable holds and how it can be used.

1.2.2 Types of Variables

Supported Variable Types:

Number: Numerical input (e.g., 1, 2.5, 100).
Length: Numerical input measured in points (useful for dimensions).
Text: Any textual input, often with predefined values for dropdown selections.
Boolean: True/False flag to enable or disable features.

Variable Categories:

Constant Variables: Direct input variables that can be changed externally (e.g., through Infigo). Each item to be controlled requires its own constant variable.
Computed Variables (Rule-Based): Variables whose values are calculated based on rules applied to other variables within the set. They are not directly inputted but are derived from constant or other computed variables.

1.2.3 Examples of Variables

Example Using Constant Variables Only:

Suppose you want to check different page sizes by specifying the width and height separately.

Create two constant variables:

Width: Type Length
Height: Type Length

When using the profile, you need to input exact values in points (e.g., Width = 595 pt for A4).

Example Using Both Constant and Computed Variables:

To simplify input, you can:

Create a Constant Variable:

Size: Type Text with predefined values (e.g., "A4", "A5", "A6").

Create Computed Variables:

Width: Type Length, computed based on the value of Size.
Height: Type Length, computed similarly.

Setting Up Rules:

For Width:

If Size is "A4", Width = 595 pt.
If Size is "A5", Width = 420 pt.
And so on.

For Height:

Corresponding rules based on Size.

This approach allows you to input just the Size (e.g., "A4"), and the Width and Height are automatically calculated.

1.3 Creating a Variable Set

Open Variable Sets Preferences:

Navigate to PitStop Pro > Variable Sets > Variable Sets Preferences....

Create a New Variable Set:

Right-click in the variable sets pane and select New....
Assign a Name and Description to the variable set.

Add Variables:

Click the "+" button to add new variables.
Define each variable's Name, Type, Default Value, and if applicable, Predefined List of Values.

Example:

Size:

Type: Text
Predefined Values: "A4", "A5", "A6"

Width and Height:

Type: Length
Computed based on rules tied to Size.

Define Computed Variables:

For Width:

Set up rules that assign values based on Size.

Condition	Width Value
Size == "A4"	595 pt
Size == "A5"	420 pt
Size == "A6"	297 pt

Repeat similar steps for Height.

Save the Variable Set:

Click Save to store your variable set.

1.4 Exporting the Variable Set

To use the variable set outside of PitStop Pro (e.g., in Infigo), you need to export it:

Export the Variable Set:

Right-click on the variable set in the preferences pane.
Select Export.
Save the file with an .evs extension (this is an XML file containing your variable set definition).

Setting Up a PDF Profile Using the Variable Set

2.1 Activating the Variable Set

Before using the variables in a PDF profile, you need to activate the variable set:

Apply the Variable Set:

In PitStop Pro, go to Variable Sets > Apply Variable Set....
Select the variable set you created and click Apply.

2.2 Using Variables in a PDF Profile

Open or Create a PDF Profile:

Navigate to PitStop Pro > Preflight Profiles.
Open an existing profile or create a new one.

Enable Variable Usage:

In the profile editor, locate the option to Enable Variables (usually represented by a [ ] icon at the top right).
Click on the [ ] icon to activate variable linking.

Set Up Checks Using Variables:

For example, to check page dimensions:

Add a Page Size check.
Click on the [ ] icon next to the Width and Height fields.
In the dialog that appears, select the corresponding variables (Width and Height) from your variable set.

Link Variables to Profile Settings:

Ensure that only type-compatible variables are selected (e.g., variables of type Length for dimensions).
Confirm your selections.

Save and Export the PDF Profile:

Save your profile.
Export it for use in Infigo or other applications.

3. Converting the Variable Set to Job Ticket Format

3.1 Overview

To use the variable set within Infigo, you need to convert the constant variables to Job Ticket variables. This allows Infigo to modify the variables dynamically based on user input or product attributes.

3.2 Creating a Sample Job Ticket File

Before mapping variables, create a sample Job Ticket XML file that contains placeholders for your variables.

Example:

xml

Copy code

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

</JobInformation>

This XML file serves as a template that Infigo can modify based on user input or product attributes.

3.3 Converting Variables to Work with Infigo

3.3.1 Opening the Variable Set in the Job Ticket Editor

Open the Job Ticket Editor:

Use a compatible tool or the Job Ticket Editor within PitStop Server (since PitStop Pro does not support Job Ticket variables).

Load the Variable Set:

Open the variable set you previously exported.

3.3.2 Converting Constant Variables to Job Ticket Variables

Edit the Variable Set:

In the editor, right-click on the variable set and select Edit.

Change Variable Types:

For each constant variable you wish to make dynamic:

Change the Type from Constant to Job Ticket.

Map Variables to Job Ticket Paths:

For each variable:

Under Variable Value, specify the XPath to the corresponding element in your Job Ticket XML.
Use the Browse button to select the node from your sample Job Ticket file.

Example:

Size variable mapped to /JobInformation/Size in the Job Ticket XML.

Save Changes:

Save the updated variable set.

3.3.3 Exporting the Converted Variable Set

Export the Variable Set:

Right-click on the variable set in the editor.
Select Export.
Save the updated .evs file.

Integrating the Variable Profile into Infigo

4.1 Preparing the Job Ticket XML

Modify your Job Ticket XML to map Infigo attributes to your variables using placeholders.

Use Placeholders in the XML:

Replace static values with placeholders in the format {{AttributeName}}.

Example:

xml

Copy code

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<Size>{{Canvas Size}}</Size>

</JobInformation>

Mapping Options:

Constant Values: Hardcode values if they should not change.
Specification Attributes: Use for values that are consistent across multiple products.
Product Attributes: Allow customers to input or select values, making the variable dynamic.

Note: Ensure that the attribute values used in Infigo match the expected values in your variable set (e.g., "A4", "A5", "A6").

4.2 Configuring the Profile in Infigo

Upload the Variable Set and PDF Profile:

In Infigo, navigate to the section where you can manage preflight profiles.
Upload the exported .evs variable set and the PDF profile.

Associate the Job Ticket XML:

In the profile configuration, upload your modified Job Ticket XML.
Ensure that the placeholders correspond to actual attributes in Infigo.

Map Infigo Attributes:

For each placeholder in the Job Ticket XML, map it to a product attribute or specification in Infigo.
This allows Infigo to replace the placeholders with actual values during processing.

Test the Configuration:

Create a test product using the new profile.
Input different values for the attributes to ensure that the variables are being correctly passed to the PDF profile.

Finalize and Publish:

Once testing is successful, finalize the configuration.
Make the product available to customers, who can now benefit from the dynamic PDF profile processing.

By following this guide, you have successfully created a dynamic Enfocus PitStop PDF profile using variables, converted it to work with Job Tickets, and integrated it into Infigo. This setup allows for flexible and adaptable PDF processing based on user input or product configurations, enhancing your workflow and providing a better experience for your customers.

Set Up Enfocus PitStop PDF Profiles with Variables for Use in Infigo | PP_006

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