Desktop-based variable data print
Welcome to the first step in learning XMPie products. Whether you have one of our plug-in versions (for Adobe InDesign) that comes with a desktop package (uDirect), or a version that comes with your server configuration (PersonalEffect), everyone new to XMPie should start here.
Understanding the basics of how XMPie works, starts with learning about our Content Objects. We call them ADORs (Automatic Dynamic Content Objects).
Our dynamic Content Objects are built to be reusable elements, allowing you to place the same object not just on a print piece, but also on a personalized webpage or email. Our technology allows these objects to be customized when ordering a product through an online store, or generated by programming your platform’s integration.
With that thought in mind, everyone needs to walk before they can run. With XMPie, learning what content objects are and how they get started is like learning to walk. Therefore this is the best place to start.
Our plug-in for InDesign is called uCreate Print, and it has many features. Most features are available in every version, while a few functions require a particular license. The tutorials here are built with the thought you have the most common functions available to you. For more information on uCreate Print, check out the User Guide.
Track A: Dynamic print design with uCreate Print Standard
The first tutorial you should read and/or walk-through is called EDU Open House (or the uDirect Classic tutorial).
Track B: Dynamic print design with uCreate Print Standard, uImage & uChart
This second track is for uDirect Studio which includes uCreate Print Standard as well as uImage and/or uChart.
If you have uDirect Studio you should read and/or walk-through one or both of these uDirect Studio tutorials.
Track C: Advanced dynamic print design features with uCreate Print Standard
There are many advanced features within uCreate Print, including working with Audiences to help reduce the complexity of
business rules related to template versioning, or VDP Design Considerations, or using dynamic barcodes such as
the USPS Intelligent Mail, or GS128 or QR Codes. Check out this pathway in for your next steps in learning.
Tracks A & B - Option 1 (e-Learning)
XMPie Dynamic Design with uCreate Print (e-Learning course)
Overview
This dynamic print tutorial is a campaign for
EDU (a university), who is reaching out to prospective students, grabbing their
attention and inviting them to their Open House event.
This done with personalization that includes highlighting the school they are interested in with text and images, a discount based the application fees, and in special cases, a personal message when they are eligble for a scholarship. Once the design is complete, you generate a merged, dynamic print-ready document (output).
Aims & Objectives
In this step-by-step tutorial, you will learn the basics of variable data print (VDP) with XMPie uCreate Print/Print
Standard/Designer (plug-in for InDesign).
Prerequisites & Downloads
uCreate Print plug-in requires Adobe InDesign, and the appropriate XMPie version to match your version of InDesign. You will need basic InDesign skill to perform these tutorials.
Next Steps
Option 2 (detailed below) provides a similar level of product learning, but in a PDF Tutorial Guide, that you download and follow along at your own pace without having to watch/listen to
the e-Learning videos.
When you are comfortable with the basics, you may want to watch the
Designing for VDP
e-Learning course which highlights best practices for getting the best performance from your Dynamic InDesign templates.
Track A - Option 2 (PDF tutorial for uDirect Classic)
XMPie Dynamic Design with uCreate Print Standard (PDF Tutorial)
Overview
This dynamic print tutorial is a campaign for
EDU (a university), who is reaching out to prospective students, grabbing their
attention and inviting them to their Open House event.
This done with personalization that includes highlighting the school they are interested in with text and images, a discount based the application fees, and in special cases, a personal message when they are eligble for a scholarship. Once the design is complete, you generate a merged, dynamic print-ready document (output).
Aims & Objectives
In this step-by-step tutorial, you will learn the basics of variable data print (VDP) with XMPie uCreate Print/Print
Standard/Designer (plug-in for InDesign).
Prerequisites & Downloads
uCreate Print plug-in requires Adobe InDesign, and the appropriate XMPie version to match your version of InDesign. You will need basic InDesign skill to perform these tutorials.
Next Steps
In the next pathway, you repeat the above by expanding on the personalization to include Photoshop-generated personal imagery
and a school-based informational pie chart.
Track B - Option 2 (PDF tutorial for uDirect Studio)
XMPie Dynamic Design with uCreate Print Standard, uImage and uChart (PDF Tutorial)
Overview
These dynamic print tutorials are examples of campaigns for companies reaching out to their customers or propsective customers.
This done with personalization that includes changing basic text and images using database values, and rules based on database values. Added touches are personalized imagery (uImage), and a dynamic pie graph (uChart). Once the design is complete, you generate a merged, dynamic print-ready document (output).
Aims & Objectives
In these step-by-step tutorials, you will learn the basics of variable data print (VDP) with XMPie uCreate Print/Print
Standard/Designer (plug-in for InDesign), as well as how to incorporate uImage generated images using uImage (add-on) and setting
up a simple individualized pie chart (add-on).
Prerequisites & Downloads
uCreate Print plug-in requires Adobe InDesign, and the appropriate XMPie version to match your version of InDesign. You will need basic InDesign skill to perform these tutorials.
Links
uDirect Studio EDU Tutorial or
Starcomm Happy Birthday Tutorial
Next Steps
After you’ve done one or both of the uDirect Studio Tutorials, you should dive into learning more about specific features listed in the next track.
Track C
Advanced dynamic print features with uCreate Print Standard
Overview
Once you have the basics, the following video tutorials can show you how to do some very specific things with the uCreate Print plug-in
that you may need in your projects.
Aims & Objectives
The list of tutorials can be watched in any order desired, however we do have them listed in our suggested order.
Prerequisites & Downloads
uCreate Print plug-in requires Adobe InDesign, and the appropriate XMPie version to match your version of InDesign.
You will need basic InDesign and uCreate Print skills to perform the tasks within these tutorials.
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XMPie Audiences Panel This video tutorial shows how this feature helps you define segments or groups of audiences and how to use those groups to set your Content Objects (ADORs). Watch |
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Design for VDP It’s an art! In this video series, we look at tips and techniques to improve your design’s to increase the speed performance of your output. Watch |
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Creating the USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode This video tutorial demonstrates how to create the USPS Intelligent Mail barcode with uCreate Print / uDirect. Watch |
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Working with Barcodes (v6.2 +) This video tutorial shows you how barcodes to setup the function to generate barcodes in uCreate Print Standard v6.2 or higher. Watch |
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uImage Optimization Techniques Every second counts when generating hundreds or thousands of images with uImage. This video training will show you some techniques to help you save some time. Watch |
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Creating uImage Picture Fonts uImage can use it’s own assets to generate design rich images. This video tutorial walks you through creating your own assets for your uImage templates. Watch |