User Manual

1.4 Applying Fixups

Updated on

In this article, you will learn

  • how to apply Fixups
  • which files are used in the Workflow during this process
  • which default values are displayed in Fixups, and
  • how to save a Fixup with your own custom values.

1. Introduction

In the article General Overview you have already learned where to access Fixups. The methods for finding the desired Fixup were also explained in the article Finding Fixups. Once you have found the desired Fixup, you simply need to apply the Fixup.

To apply a Fixup, two valid files with the same name must be available in the Workflow. These two files are:

  • KFPX file – Contains the actual rule set that is passed to the callas pdfToolbox SDK. Creating this rule set can be complex and should, in most cases, be carried out by experts. For more information on how to create your own Fixups, please refer to the chapter Creating and Uploading Custom Fixups.
  • XML file – Contains information such as the name, description, labels for the options, and entries for dropdown menus. It also defines the categorization of the Fixup in terms of Category, Action, and Property.

2. Adding Values for Fixups

When applying a Fixup, a dialog open, or the Fixup is displayed in the right-hand section of the tab Data Preparation. Depending on the selected Fixup, the corresponding parameters will appear. In general, you will work with four types of dialogs:

  • Dialog without parameters – No additional input is required from the user to execute the Fixup. Only the Name and Description of the Fixup are displayed.
  • Generic dialog – Only a few self-explanatory parameters are required. The input fields appear in a simple list format.
  • User-defined dialog – A large number of parameters are required for execution, and are partly interdependent. Input fields are grouped using tabs or section headers, allowing users to configure the Fixup correctly.
  • Dialog for combined Fixups – Multiple Fixups are bundled into one Fixup. This is useful in everyday production. The parameters of each Fixup become available only after activating the corresponding processing step.

The following section provides a detailed explanation of the structure and functionality of these dialogs.

2.1. Dialog without Parameters

Many Fixups perform actions that require no further configuration. In such cases, the Fixup dialog consists of only three pieces of information:

  • Name [1] – Briefly describes the Fixup.
  • Description [2] – A more detailed explanation of what happens when the Fixup is applied. This often includes example use cases.
  • Parameter Area [3] – Informs the user that no additional settings can be configured for this Fixup.

Figure 1: The dialog of the Fixup Make all Layers Visible, in which no additional parameters are available

PMS WebGui :: Data Preparation

2.2. Generic Dialog

If the Fixup consists of a correction instruction that requires only a few parameters and explanations, all parameters are listed sequentially in the Parameter Area [4]. In this case, it is referred to as a generic Fixup dialog.

Figure 2: The dialog of the Fixup Add Background, used here as an example for a generic Fixup dialog

PMS WebGui :: Data Preparation

Which parameters are displayed and in what order?

The display and order of parameters in the dialog are defined by setting attributes in the XML file. The creator of the Fixup determines whether a parameter is displayed in the dialog and in which order the parameters are listed.

Additionally, the XML file can include attributes that define whether the input values should be provided as numbers, percentages, or text. Selection options – such as dropdown menus or checkboxes – are also defined by adding the corresponding attributes in the XML file.

2.3. User-defined Dialog

For Fixups that require a larger number of parameters and a specific "user guidance", user-defined Fixup dialogs are used within the Workflow. These custom dialogs are characterized by the following features:

  • Templates [5] – Settings defined within this Fixup can be saved as a template and applied to other Articles or Print Items. Templates can also be available in generic dialogs.
  • Tabs [6] – Available options are distributed across multiple tabs, usually two tabs. The tab Basic Settings contains options required to execute the Fixup. The tab Advanced includes additional options that either complement or refine the settings in the tab Basic Settings.
  • Sample Image [7] – For highly complex Fixups, an image is shown alongside the description to illustrate how selecting a specific option affects the output.
  • Variable Content [8] – For certain Fixups, the option Variable Content is available. By enabling this option, the user can access metadata of the Print Item or values from user-defined fields to apply the Fixup based on this information. Variable Content may also be available in generic dialogs.

Figure 3: The dialog of the Fixup Create Bleed by Mirroring, used here as an example for a user-defined Fixup dialog

PMS WebGui :: Data Preparation

2.4. Dialog for combined Fixups

If a Fixup consists of multiple individual Fixups, the dialog is structured into the following sections:

  • Templates [9] – The settings made in this Fixup can be saved as a template and applied to other Articles or Print Items.
  • Activating the Fixup [10] – Enable the checkbox in front of the desired Fixup to include it in the processing.
  • Fixup Parameter Configuration – Once a Fixup is activated, the corresponding parameter section opens automatically. It can also be expanded or collapsed manually using the arrow icon [11].

Figure 4: The dialog of the Fixup Remove ICC Source Profiles, used here as an example of a dialog for combined Fixup

3. Applying Fixups

Once the appropriate Fixup has been identified, it only needs to be applied. Several methods are available within the Workflow to do so:

  • Apply standard Fixups from the tab Print Data to a single Article or Print Item.
  • Execute a Fixup directly in the tab Data Preparation for a specific Article or Print Item.
  • Apply a Fixup to selected Print Items within an Order or Production Job.
  • Apply a Fixup to any Articles or Print Items listed in the overview list of the Article/Print Item.
  • Apply multiple Fixups combined in a Fixup Chain, which can be executed in a single step.
  • Apply Fixups automatically – as part of predefined Automation processes.

3.1. Applying Standard Fixups in the Tab "Print Data"

The tab Print Data [12] is available in the Workflow under Article, Order, and Production Job. The tab displays the currently selected Print Item along with relevant information from the various configuration areas. In the footer section [13] of each configuration area, you will find commonly used standard Fixups designed for day-to-day work within the Workflow.

To apply a Fixup, simply select the desired Fixup from the appropriate Fixup group. Enter the required parameters in the dialog that appears and confirm the dialog. The Fixup will then be immediately applied to the currently displayed Print Item.

Figure 5: The tab Print Data in an Order

3.2. Applying Fixups in the Tab "Data Preparation"

The tab Data Preparation [14] is available in the Workflow under Article, Order, and Production Job. This tab displays all Fixups available in the Workflow.

To apply a Fixup, select the desired Fixup [15] from the list. In the adjacent panel [16], enter the required parameters for the Fixup and confirm the dialog by clicking Apply [17]. The selected Fixup will then be applied to the Print Item currently displayed in the tab Print Data.

Figure 6: The tab Data Preparation of an Article

PMS WebGui

3.3. Applying Fixups to Selected Print Items in an Order or Production Job

To apply Fixups to selected Print Items within a Production Job or Order, proceed as follows:

  1. Navigate to the Production Job or Order and open the tab Print Item [18]. In the Print Item overview [20], select the Print Items to which the Fixups should be applied.
  2. Click the button Fixups [19] and select the option Apply Fixups to selection from the dropdown menu.

Figure 7: The tab Print Item of a Production Job

  1. The dialog Apply Fixup opens. In this dialog, select the desired Fixup [21] and enter the required values for the Fixup in the adjacent panel [22]. Please note that the values set here will be applied to all selected Print Items. If different parameters need to be set for individual Print Items, those items must be selected separately and the Fixup must be applied again. If applicable, Variable Content can also be used.
  2. By clicking Apply [23], the Fixup instruction will be executed for all previously selected Print Items. The system processes the Fixup in parallel, significantly reducing the time required for data preparation.

Figure 8: The dialog Apply Fixup with the selected Fixup Create Bleed by Mirroring

3.4. Applying Fixup to Any Articles/Print Items

If you want to apply a Fixup to any Articles or Print Items, proceed as follows:

  1. Select one of the following menu items:
    • Articles > Articles – Select the desired Articles from the list of Articles.
    • Orders > Print Items – Select the desired Print Items from the list of Print Items.
  2. In the action bar, open the Fixup [24] dropdown menu and select the command Apply Fixup [25] to selection. This will open the dialog Apply Fixup.

Figure 9: The list of Articles in Articles

  1. Search for the desired Fixup by entering a relevant keyword in the search field [26]. This will filter the list of available Fixups to show only relevant entries.
  2. Then select the desired Fixup [27] from the list, enter the required values, and click Apply [28]. The Fixup will be applied to all previously selected Articles or Print Items. The Fixup process is executed in parallel by the system, allowing you to save significant time when preparing print data across multiple orders.

Figure 10: The dialog Apply Fixup with the selected Fixup Create Bleed by Mirroring

3.5. Apply Multiple Fixups Using Fixup Chains

As outlined in the previous procedures, most areas of the Workflow allow only a single Fixup to be applied at a time to one or more Articles or Print Items. However, if you want to apply multiple Fixups to the same Articles or Print items, you have two options:

  • Apply the previously described procedure multiple times to the same selected Articles or Print Items, or
  • Create a Fixup Chain that includes the desired Fixups and then apply that Fixup Chain to the selected Articles/Print Items. A dedicated operation is available for this procedure in the context of Automation.

Just like individual Fixups, Fixup Chains can be applied in various areas of the Workflow to one or more Articles or Print Items. The following options are available:

  • Apply Fixup Chains when uploading files to the Workflow
  • Apply Fixup Chains via the tab Print Data for the Article or Print Item
  • Apply Fixup Chains to selected Print Items within an Order or Production Job
  • Apply Fixup Chains to any Articles or Print Items from the list of Articles/Print Items
  • Apply Fixup Chains as part of an automation process

The easiest way to apply a Fixup Chain to the currently displayed Print Item is via the tab Print Data. By clicking on the option Fixup Chains [30], the dialog Apply Fixup Chains opens, where you can select the desired Fixup Chain [29].

Figure 11: The tab Print Data of an Article with the dialog Apply Fixup Chain

Working with Fixup Chains

For detailed information on how to create, parameterize, and apply Fixup Chains, refer to the articles in the chapter Creating and Applying Fixup Chains in the user manual.

3.6. Applying Fixups and Fixup Chains in Production Configurations

Production Configurations, which can be created under Automation > Production Configurations, serve as the basis for automation within the Workflow. They define a procedure that a Print Item must go through as part of its production process. These Production Configurations are used in Quick Print, Hotfolder, and when creating Automation Jobs.

Operations are used to describe the individual process steps within a Production Configuration. These operations each represent a specific task in the overall sequence. For applying Fixups, two specific operations are available:

  • Apply Fixups – Allows individual Fixups to be applied to a Print Item.
  • Apply Fixup Chains – Allows a Fixup Chain (consisting of one or more Fixups) to be applied to a Print Item.

To create a Production Configuration using the operation Apply Fixups, proceed as follows:

  1. Navigate to Automation > Production Configurations in the Workflow.
  2. Click Add to create a new Production Configuration.
  3. In the tab General [32], enter the Name and optionally a Comment for the Production Configuration.
  4. Switch to the tab Operations [31] and click the Add icon [33] to insert the desired operations in a logical order.
  5. Add the operation Apply Fixups [34]. Under the option Add Fixup and select Template [35], select the required Fixups in the desired order.
  6. Use previously defined Fixup Templates [36] to parameterize the Fixups.
  7. Complete the setup by clicking Save [37]. The new Production Configuration is now available for use in Quick Print and Hotfolder applications, and the creation of Automation Jobs.

Figure 12: The Add Production Configuration dialog with the Apply Fixups Operation selected

Only Fixup Templates Available!

Please note that within the scope of Automation, Fixups cannot be parameterized individually. You can only select preconfigured Fixup Templates for the respective Fixup. Therefore, make sure that the required Fixup Templates have been created and saved in the system beforehand. The default templates provided in the Workflow for Fixups are also available in this selection menu.

4. Default Values for Fixups

When opening a Fixup dialog, you may notice that the same default values are always displayed – even if you have already changed them multiple times before. The reason is that the default values are always pulled from the associated XML file when the dialog is opened. Only the values currently set in the dialog are passed on to pdfToolbox when the Fixup is executed.

If you would like to work with different values by default, you have three options:

  • Create Fixup Templates – Enter the desired values in the dialog of the respective Fixup and save them as a template within the Fixup. When opening the Fixup again, you can simply select the desired template. This method is particularly useful when the same Fixup is applied multiple times to different products. Users can create user-defined templates for various use cases.
  • Fixup Chain – Create a Fixup Chain, add the desired Fixup to the Fixup Chain, and define your preferred values. You can then apply this Fixup Chain with the new defaults to Articles and Print Items. Please note, when using a Fixup Chain, individual parameters cannot be adjusted later during execution.
  • Duplicate the Fixup and Edit the XML File – You can download the corresponding Fixup file (KFPX file) along with the XML file, save it under a new name, and make the following adjustments:
    • Change the automationKey (must be unique throughout the Workflow) and
    • Modify the default values in the XML file.
    • After editing, upload the Fixup again.

This method is only recommended for experienced users, as it can lead to inconsistencies or unexpected behavior in Fixups with user-defined dialogs. In such cases, editing the XML may not be viable.

Create and Using Templates

Instead of manually overwriting the default values of a Fixup, we recommend creating and saving Fixup templates. This allows you to quickly and efficiently apply the desired values the next time you open the Fixup by simply selecting the appropriate template.

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