X-Rite InkFormulation 6: Print Layout Editor
InkFormulation offers users the ability to customize individual print layouts using the new user-defined Print Layout Editor. This feature provides flexibility to create print layouts incorporating logos, bar codes, and labels, which can be inserted and printed on ink cans to simplify inventory creation.
How to Edit a Print Layout with NC Report Designer Software (Included)
NC Report Designer (NCRD) is an additional program bundled with InkFormulation. NCRD can be launched directly from within the InkFormulation software.
Step 1: Set Up the Printer
From the “Settings” menu, select “Setup Printer”. A new dialog box will appear.
A screenshot shows the InkFormulation software menu with 'Settings' expanded, highlighting 'Help', 'General', 'Formulation', 'Display', 'Batching systems', 'SPM', 'Communication', 'Library folders', 'Units', 'Set up printer', and 'Workflows'.
A dialog box titled 'Report layout' is displayed. It shows a 'Layout directory' path (e.g., 'c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Templates X-Rite\Reports\') and options such as 'Set up printer', 'New from existing', 'Copy to database', 'Modify', 'Rename', 'Delete', and 'Close'.
From this dialog, users can adjust several settings. Clicking on "Set up printer" displays the system window for printer setup. Depending on the printer, users may have options to select layout orientations (landscape or portrait), paper size, and paper feed.
Step 2: Create a New Layout
To create a new print layout, click on “New from existing”. To modify an existing layout, select it and click “Modify”. After defining a designation, NCRD opens, and the selected layout is displayed.
Step 3: Copy a Layout to the Database
This option allows copying an existing layout to the database.
Step 4: Modify/Rename and Delete Existing Layouts
Users can manage existing layouts through renaming or deletion.
A visual representation of an XML structure for a recipe layout is shown. It includes sections like 'target', 'assortment', 'substrate', and 'recipe', with placeholder data variables like '$D{...}' and descriptive labels. The layout is split into sections outlining different details:
- Page Header
- Recipe 1
- Component List
- Recipe 2
- Graph
- Additional Data
- Page Footer
Modifying Layout Content
All details within a layout can be modified. Data items can be moved using drag & drop, provided they remain within the same section. Data cannot be moved across sections.
Font, size, and color of text elements can be modified, and information can be deleted.
Note: The borders as outlined by the software should not be altered.
A visual depicts two instances of a 'Detail [recipe1]' section. The first shows data items like 'target', 'assortment', and 'substrate'. An arrow indicates that data items can be moved within the same section but not across sections.
In addition to editing single lines and elements, entire details can be edited as a whole. Choose “Report Detail Settings” from the “Report” menu. A dialog box appears allowing users to delete individual details and rearrange the order of existing sections.
A dialog box titled 'Report detail settings' is shown. It lists 'Details' such as 'recipe1', 'ComponentList', 'recipe2', 'graph', and 'AdditionalData'. Options to 'Add' or 'Remove' details are available, along with controls to move items 'Up' or 'Down'. The dialog also shows fields for 'Detail ID', 'Datasource', 'Height' (e.g., 68,95 mm), and 'Page break' options like 'Starts on new page'.
In addition to configuring print information, company logos or company-specific data can be inserted. Users select the desired item from the “Insert” menu.
Logo Insertion
The “page header” and “page footer” sections can be deactivated in the menu via “Report” -> “Report and Page settings” in the “Section Options” tab.
After specifying the desired location on the page and the image size, the “Image Properties“ dialog box will open. Here, users can specify the file name of the image.
A dialog box titled 'Image properties' is displayed. It includes fields for 'Image resource' (Static), 'Image file', 'Format' (Native), and 'Scaling options' such as 'Enable scaling image', 'Aspect ratio' (with options like 'Ignore aspect ratio', 'Keep aspect ratio', 'Keep aspect ratio by expanding'), and 'Transformation' (Fast/Smooth image transformation). A preview area is also present. A checkbox for 'Print only when expression is true' and a 'Zone ID' field are also visible.
A preview of a 'Page header' section is shown, featuring the X-Rite and PANTONE logos. A '+' symbol is also visible, likely indicating an image insertion point. The 'Detail [recipe1]' section is partially visible below.
The image is immediately displayed in the dialog box. Choose “OK” to have it inserted into the layout.
Page Sizing and Text Insertion
Page Sizing
In the menu, users can change the orientation and size of their layout. They can select from pre-defined formats or specify custom dimensions.
Text Insertion
From the “Insert” menu, choose “Text”. A new dialog box appears where users can type in their desired text. They can also load a separate HTML file.
A dialog box titled 'Text properties' is shown. It has fields for 'Text source' ('Static' selected) and 'Text column expression'. A 'Text file' field is present. Options for 'Automatic height', 'Size correction', 'Default size and margins', and 'Use system font settings', 'Template mode', 'Adjust item's size in designer' are available. Font settings include 'Arial', size '10', and buttons for Bold [B], Italic [I], and Underline [U]. A text input field shows 'The NEW Print Layout'. A checkbox for 'Print only when expression is true' and a 'Zone ID' field are also visible.
Click “OK” to accept the changes.
A preview of a 'Page header' section is shown, displaying the X-Rite and PANTONE logos, followed by the text 'The NEW Print Layout'.
Modification of Decimal Places
This section details how to modify decimal places in basic and correction recipes:
- Please open a layout with NC Report Designer.
- Double-click in Detail “ComponentList” on “Amount” for basic recipes or on “Amount2” for correction recipes.
- A new window titled “Field properties” appears.
- Select the option “Numeric”.
- On the right side, users can define the decimal places.
A dialog box titled 'Field properties' is displayed. It has tabs for 'General', 'Numeric', 'Date/Time', and 'Other'. The 'Numeric' tab shows options for 'Number formatting' (checkbox checked), 'Decimal precision' (set to 3 with increment/decrement controls), 'Field width' (set to 0), 'Blank if value equals zero' (checkbox unchecked), 'Format character' (set to 'f'), and 'Fill character'. A checkbox for 'Print only when expression is true' and a 'Zone ID' field are also visible.
Previewing and Using Layouts
When done, users can preview the draft by pressing Ctrl+P. Changes can be saved as public or user-specific.
The new layout is then immediately available in InkFormulation.
Using Your Layouts
Users can select only one layout from the “Print” menu at a time. The selection can be verified using the “Preview” feature.
A dialog box titled 'Farbrezept drucken' (Color Recipe Print) is shown. It includes fields for 'Bezeichnung' (Name: Recipe Orange), 'Erstellt am' (Created on: 09.12.2009 10:42:04), 'Ordner' (Folder: test recipe folder), and 'Zusatzbeschreibung' (Additional description). Options for 'Layout', 'Recipe', 'Etikette', and 'Printer Version' are present, with 'Recipe' selected. A 'Preview' button and 'OK'/'Abbrechen' (Cancel) buttons are visible.
A preview of a printed report is displayed. It includes a header with X-Rite and PANTONE logos and the date '03. März 2010 10:32:23'. The report details include 'Vorlage' (Template) with 'Bezeichnung' (Recipe Orange), 'Ordner' (test recipe folder), 'Erstellt am' (09.12.2009 10:42). 'Sortiment' is described as 'Flexo/gravure printing incl. colorant elements (Pol, Leneta)'. 'Substrat' details include 'Bezeichnung' and 'Rauigkeit' (Roughness). 'Rezept' (Recipe) lists colorants like 'Solvent', 'Conc. Transp. white', 'Conc. Orange', and 'Additiv A' with their concentrations. Color values like L*a*b* (64,02, 61,14, 99,52), L*C*h* (64,02, 116,80, 58,44), dE2000[D50] (0,0), and M1[A] (0,0) are shown, with 'Visuell' (Visual) values of 0,0. The report also includes 'Preis' (Price: 0,00 1), 'Farbschichtdicke' (Film thickness: 100%), and 'Viskosität' (Viscosity: 20 s).
