[CS3] Need an advice : pure XML, pure Javascript or both ?

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5 total messages Started by loic_aigon Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:26

#560

Author: loic_aigon
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:26

27 lines
1878 bytes

Hi all,
I am trying to help someone on a automation process.
However, I get to a point where I need some bright advice.

Here is the point.

We start from a xml workflow for a catalogue. Each major entries consist in a logo placement, some text and can contain a extra picture too.

A page is divided in 4 vertical blocks. The minimum that a block can contain is the logo & text. So we can have a page filled with 4 entries.

But some entries can consists in one block for the logo & text and one up to 3 blocks for the extra pictures.

They may be a few entries consisting in one 4blocks picture without text& logo.

To spice the thing up, we want to flow the datas based on this concept :
"If you can place an entry, do. If you don't have space, go to next page".
It's like a tetris workflow.

Basically XML should do the trick but I can't success dealing with the variant extra pictures and the placement of all the pageitems.

So I think I can conceive a script. But I am afraid it's a bit complex, long to process and absolutely not as flexible as xml for updating the datas.

I have been starting writing it but before spending a lot of time on it, I wanted your advices.

Sorry for the length of the message, I tried to sum the things up as easy as possible.

Loic

Re: [CS3] Need an advice : pure XML, pure Javascript or both ?

#561

Author: E_G_R
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:44

5 lines
948 bytes

Hi:

I would use the database to calculate in advance where everything will be in the publication, then use it to also calculate and write the necessary InDesign tagged text files to disk and then place them, as well as the graphics, with simple scripts. No ridiculous inflexible XML needed.

egr

Re: [CS3] Need an advice : pure XML, pure Javascript or both ?

#564

Author: loic_aigon
Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 11:49

4 lines
770 bytes

Well indesign tagged text, never thought about using it.
You are right it may be helpful to determine in advance items postionning.
Thx for your msg.
Loic

Re: [CS3] Need an advice : pure XML, pure Javascript or both ?

#565

Author: loic_aigon
Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:13

4 lines
967 bytes

Dropped an eye on Tagged text and I didn't find any instructions for positionning pictures :-(
However, I think I am gonna autoflowing all the xml entries and then reposition the item based on their attributes. I prepared already objetc styles that I can apply on items easily.
I just have to deal with pages junctions but I am confident on this.
Loic

Re: [CS3] Need an advice : pure XML, pure Javascript or both ?

#566

Author: E_G_R
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:29

5 lines
1141 bytes

Hi:

Correct, InDesign tagged text has always been deliberately crippled to prevent processing graphics/inline frames. :( In practice I don't find this to be a problem, however. Using a db as a proxy system offers other benefits besides simple document construction, of course, such as true automation, pagination/content reports, managerial/sales/accounting participation, rule enforcement/notification, elimination of certain types of errors, better re-purposing of content, etc.

egr

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