We have CSRs and Job Planners using Creo Upfront to select job templates and layouts for EPP to start out with. I am trying to determine what layout info can be exported from Creo Upfront in JDF. I have a screen shot of 3.0 attached here that says there is JDF Export capability. This is not necessarily a JDF imposition export?? But, I'm not sure if this is enough to specify a layout in JDF, The Menu of Upfront 3.0 Export Reads.

Preps Files, JDF Intent, JDF Cutting, JDF Folding, JDF Binding.

I am told that Preps can export a JDF File, but I see no capability in my version of Preps. I checked my preps and it's Preps 5.1.4 (build 4:87) preps plus for brisque.

I see no menu item or functionality to export a JDF, is this only in Preps Pro? You look in the Help menu and it gives you a Creo splash screen, that's so weak, useless...
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JoePostscript -- support administrator

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I worked for Creo/Kodak up until a couple months ago (merger casualty). To answer your question about UpFront JDF capabilites - you can output JDF info for various finishing equipment - cutters, stitchers, folders. Assuming that equipment can import JDF.

What UpFront exports to Preps is a Preps.job. The same info as if you created layout in Preps ie. you can open the .job that UpFront creates in Preps. So all the layout info that in contained in a Preps layout (marks, pages size, sheet size etc) is there.

If you want to test out these features, contact the Kodak (formerly Creo) response center at 1-800-472-2727 and they should be able to give you a temp license for the JDF export for UpFront.

Hello,

Thanks for input. We have Upfront, Preps, Brisque, Trendsetter. I am beginning to dig deep into all the JDF files, what's in them, what I can do with them. We have several Upfron 3.0 machines, Creo Upfront Builder, Creo Upfront Planner. We use them to export the preps layouts but have not exploited the JDF capability as of yet.

So, Kodak/Creo casualty huh.. Are you employed yet? What did you do there at Creo, sorry to be nosey but I read your posts and you are knowledgeable and helpful. Welcome.


RESPONSE FROM CREO SUPPORT

<SNIP>

JDF Intent export, in UF 3.x, the JDF intent is meant to create a JDF file for any process down the line from UpFront. What exactly that file is used for is up to you, it can go into another application, a workflow, etc.

JDF Cutting/Folding/Binding would be for any bindery equipment that has a JDF requirement for the file format instead of a CIP3 file. This is because one manufacturer might require CIP3 for cutting, and another (folder) might be JDF based. You do not have to use all of the same file formats exclusively; it just comes down to what your equipment will accept.

Second, let's talk about Preps and JDF.

With Preps there are no Import/Export file menu choice, Preps just works with the file through the normal use of the product. Let me explain.

In UpFront, select the JDF Intent, choose where you want that file to be saved to. Also I would like you to select the Include Stripping & Finishing Properties (individually).

Now in Preps, File/Open job, browse to the JDF file you created and Open. The JDF file should open into a Preps job with a complete Run List and a Signature List. Then the Preps operator would have a Resolve... button in the Signature List, this is so the operator "Resolves" which Signature to use from the Template that UpFront created. The reason an operator has to resolve the signatures, because there is no structure in the JDF file format that can account for a "signature" or "template".

<For now... to be honest, with respect to Preps using the Preps job/template is easier then having to Resolve the signature(s) that you need.>

Okay, now to export, I don't think it is a Pro only feature (I can't find any documentation detailing that and I only have Pro dongles with me - I'm on the road). Go to File/Print, in the Print menu under Send To... choose JDF, that will produce the JDF file that you need from Preps.

Let me know if that cleared things up or confused the issue more

Patrick, Kodak Product Training Group | Product Training Specialist
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JoePostscript -- support administrator

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Sam,

JDF Stripping was actually defined by Esko, and it is extremely rich in layout definition vs. JDF Layout, which is basically like a digital mask.  Therefore, by using JDF Stripping, you could eliminate manual imposition altogether.
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Aaron, technical sales specialist - indirect channels
Esko-Graphics, Inc.
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*this anonymous user account is used to post prepress forums user and customer inquiries for others to see and respond to.

I don't think you can export a JDF with Preps Plus for Brisque. I don't see that option, should be in same place as the print dialog in a pop up at the top. I'm pretty certain you will need Preps PRO to do this. Creo/Kodak Prinergy is sending impositions into it's RIP workflow by a JDF file now. But Preps Plus won't do this, also it won't bottle or even scale a page whether proprtionate or anamorphically, Preps Plus can't even scale a page, it's pretty weak really just basic impo.
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