Create PDF content from job metadata

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MrFox
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Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2021 4:19 pm

Create PDF content from job metadata

Post by MrFox »

Not sure if this is a long-shot, or if it's simple and I've missed it...
Let me try and word this correctly.
Is it at all possible to use the metadata from a file in the flow to populate the content of another PDF?

File in flow has metadata pulled from MIS system. Metadata contains 2x pieces of information (1)customer ID and (2)delivery date
What I would like is for the metadata to then be used as the information on a separate label file.

Example PDF in flow
PDF title "JOB123.pdf"
Metadata (1) ID00056789
Metadata (2) 12-12-2021

Using this information a separate label file is created and the printed content on the label is:
----------------------------
Title: JOB123 {taken from [job.name]}
Customer ID: ID00056789 {taken from Metadata (1)}
Delivery Date: 12-12-2021 {taken from Metadata (2)}

I know there is an option to add content to a PDF as a PitPtop action, but not sure if it will work with metadata.
jan_suhr
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Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2011 1:12 pm
Location: Nyköping, Sweden

Re: Create PDF content from job metadata

Post by jan_suhr »

You can do this with PitStop, pdfToolbox or PDFToolkit. In all cases you can use the metadata as variables that is added to the PDF page.
Jan Suhr
Color Consult AB
Sweden
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MrFox
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Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2021 4:19 pm

Re: Create PDF content from job metadata

Post by MrFox »

Magic. Thanks for that.

I've been testing with the 'Add Object' action within pitstop server but can currently only see a small list of preset variables and no way of adding variables from switch.

I have exhausted my trial for metadata but this function opens a new door which could well be worth the investment.
jan_suhr
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Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2011 1:12 pm
Location: Nyköping, Sweden

Re: Create PDF content from job metadata

Post by jan_suhr »

For PitStop you first have to create a variable set, then in that you read the Metadata tags to the variable set. Since they will come from Switch you do that from the property settings for PitStop Server inside of Switch.

When you have that you can select variables for the field in the PitStop Action, this is also done from inside of Switch.
Jan Suhr
Color Consult AB
Sweden
=============
Check out my apps
MrFox
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Re: Create PDF content from job metadata

Post by MrFox »

Thanks for the guidance. I played around with the variables within pitstop server while I had the switch trial for metadata. I'm sure if we choose to unlock the metadata functionality I'll soon get the hang of it.
jan_suhr
Advanced member
Posts: 586
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2011 1:12 pm
Location: Nyköping, Sweden

Re: Create PDF content from job metadata

Post by jan_suhr »

The Metadata module is essential if you want to get the true benefits and power from Switch. There is so much more you can do if you have it.
Jan Suhr
Color Consult AB
Sweden
=============
Check out my apps
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JimmyHartington
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Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:38 am

Re: Create PDF content from job metadata

Post by JimmyHartington »

I have also created PDF content from Switch-data by writing a HTML-file with the data.
And then converted the HTML to PDF using Google Chrome.
This works fine for something like labels and other things.
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