In this article, you will learn
- which prerequisites are required for this Fixup, and
- how to apply this Fixup.
1. Introduction
The Fixup Add Objects on Layer is available in the Workflow. This purpose of this Fixup to assign all objects found by a check to an existing layer or to place them on a new layer.
2. General
The Fixup Add Objects on Layer can be used to place individual objects – vectors, texts or images – on an existing or new layer. For example, technical lines, a white channel, an embossing foil, etc. can be placed on a separate Layer.
You can find this Fixup on the tab Data Preparation of an Article, Order or Production Job by:
- entering the name of the Fixup in the area Filter,
- activating the option Objects in the area Category,
- activating the option Create in the area Action,
- activating the option Spot Colors in the area Property.
3. Description
With this Fixup, all objects found by the check can be moved to existing or newly created layers.
3.1. Prerequisites and Functionality
For the Fixup to perform as intended, the following conditions must be met:
- There are optional layers in the file.
- Images, texts, vectors and Spot Colors are found by the check.
The Fixup Add Objects on Layers consists of six individual Fixups that have been combined in one dialog. It is possible to activate selected Fixup for certain object types and execute them.
Figure 1: The dialog of the Fixup Add Objects on Layer with the activated Fixup Add Layer
The individual Fixups are described in detail below:
3.1.1. Add Layer
This Fixup is activated by default, which is indicated by the activated checkbox [1]. This Fixup adds a new layer with a self-selected layer name.
To add a new layer or select an existing one, the following option can be selected:
- Layer Name [7] – enter the layer name here. If the layer already exists in the document, the objects found are moved to the layer. If the layer name does not exist, a new layer with the layer name is created and the objects found are moved to it. For the Variable Content [8], select the desired placeholder – Database Field or User-defined Field – from which the value for the layer name should be retrieved.
Fixup "Add Layer" is Required!
To ensure all Fixup function as expected, the option Add Layer must be enabled. Enter the name of an existing layer or the name of the layer to be created here, and additionally enable all Fixups for objects that are to be moved to this layer.
Figure 2: The dialog of the Fixup Add Objects on Layer with the activated Fixup Add Layer
3.1.2. Move Text on Layer
Click the checkbox [2] (Figure 1) to activate the Fixup Move Text on Layer. This Fixup moves all text objects in the file to the new or existing layer. To do this, first enter the name of the respective layer [9] in the Fixup Add Layer.
No further options can be selected.
Figure 3: The dialog of the Fixup Add Objects on Layer with the activated Fixup Add Layer and Move Text on Layer
3.1.3. Move Vectors on Layer
Click the icon Add [3] (Figure 1) to activate the Fixup Move Vectors on Layer. This Fixup moves all vector objects in the file to the new or existing layer. To do this, first enter the name of the respective layer [10] in the Fixup Add Layer.
No further options can be selected.
Figure 4: The dialog of the Fixup Add Objects on Layer with the activated Fixup Add Layer and Move Vectors on Layer
3.1.4. Move Images on Layer
Click the icon Add [4] (Figure 1) to activate the Fixup Move Images to Layer. This Fixup moves all images in the file to the new or existing layer. To do this, first enter the name of the respective layer [11] in the Fixup Add Layer.
No further options can be selected.
Figure 5: The dialog of the Fixup Add Objects on Layer with the activated Fixup Add Layer and Move Images on Layer
3.1.5. Move selected Spot Color Objects on Layer
Click the icon Add [5] (Figure 1) to activate the Fixup Move selected Spot Color Objects on Layer. This Fixup moves all selected Spot Color objects in the file to the new or existing layer. To do this, first enter the name of the respective layer [12] in the Fixup Add Layer.
The following option is available to move Spot Color objects to a Layer:
- Spot Color [13] – select the Spot Color of the objects that should be moved to the selected Layer from the drop-down menu.
Figure 6: The dialog of the Fixup Add Objects on Layer with the activated Fixups Add Layer and Move selected Spot Color objects on Layer
3.1.6. Add Processing Steps (ISO 19593-1) Information
Click the icon Add [6] (Figure 1) to activate the Fixup Add Processing Steps (ISO 19593-1) Information. With this Fixup, all information on processing steps (ISO 19593-1) can be added to the selected layer.
Figure 6: The dialog of the Fixup Add Objects on Layer with the activated Fixup Add Layer and Add Processing Steps (ISO 19593-1) Information
The following options can be selected to add information on processing steps:
- Group [14] – select which group the layer should belong to in the selection menu. The following options are available:
- Structural – includes all objects that describe downstream processing steps in the final processing.
- Dimensions – contains all objects that are used to specify sizes (lines, arrows, and also labeling (units of measurement).
- Braille – includes all objects that display Braille texts and information.
- Legend – contains all objects used to describe administrative information, e.g., product and technical information or control strips outside the printed product.
- Positions – includes all objects that are used to position information for various graphic and non-graphic elements.
- White – includes all objects that must be printed with white to print objects with a more intense color on metallic or transparent media.
- Varnish – includes all objects that need to be finished with varnish.
- Variable Content [15] – for Variable Content [15], select the desired placeholder – Database Field or User-defined Field – from which the value for selecting the group should be retrieved. The following values must be present in the selected field so that the group can be selected:
StructuralDimensionsBrailleLegendPositionsWhiteVarnish
- Type [16] – in the selection menu, select which type the Layer should belong to. For Variable Content [17], select the desired placeholder – Database Field or User-defined Field – from which the value for the type should be retrieved. The following values must be present in the selected field so that the type is selectable:
CuttingPartialCuttingReversePartialCuttingCreasingReverseCreasingCuttingCreasingReverseCuttingCreasingPartialCuttingCreasingReversePartialCuttingCreasingDrillingGluingFoilStampingColdFoilStampingEmbossingDebossingPerforating
- Bleed
VarnishFreeInkFreeInkVarnishFreeFoldingPunchingStapling
Figure 7: Left: Values in the selected field for the option Group; Right: Values in the selected field for the option Type
3.2. Before/After
To experiment with this function, refer to the sample file "Sample_Add Objects to Layers.pdf". The file consists of vectors, a line of text, an image and a Dieline that is placed on the TrimBox. The house on the left is an image. There is a line of text at the bottom of the Print Items. The rest of the Print Items are vectors. All objects in the file are on Layer 2.
After applying the Fixup, the file "Sample_Add Objects to Layers_End.pdf" is created. The text line of the file has been moved to the newly created "Text" layer. The image of the file has been moved to the newly created "Image" layer. All vectors and the Dieline are still on Layer 2.
Fixup must be Executed Several Times
To achieve the result, the Fixup must either be executed three times or the Fixup must be executed three times in a Fixup Chain with the same Fixup and different values.
Figure 8: Left: Original file; Right: Edited file where two new layers were created
Article update: Workflow 1.20.0 – 03/2025