You knew everything about blankets, screens ruling, color bars, etc. Now you have to add variables, loops and conditions to your daily job! There are more and more software which offers a Javascript engine to drive your production workflow. Let’s have a quick overview.
Javascript, remember?
Blinking animations, counters for everything, crazy mouse cursors? Those times are over. Javascript has become an extremely powerful language. It is used everywhere, from web to IoT, and now it can be found in our software dedicated to printing!
Let’s focus on two products that are particularly used in the graphic industry: Enfocus Switch and Callas pdfToolbox. In both cases, the use of JavaScript is absolutely not mandatory. However, the development of codes for automation can push the limits and allow you to push your tools to the limit.
Enfocus Switch
Here, you will need the Switch Scripting Module to be able to use Javascript. You will then be able to use Javascript scripts for several purposes:
Switch’s philosophy is to make things simple as much as possible. Therefore, you may never need to develop any line of code. However, the Scripting module can be really useful when you have particularly demanding needs. Here are some examples of work we have done and where the use of Javascript has been essential:
Having the Scripting module at hand and master the Object Model completely unleashes your application! Software Developers in-house? The learning curve will not be that difficult. Of course, agileStreams can provide training to increase the efficiency of your teams. But if you are interested in the potential of javascripting, but do not want to get involve in writing code, we can develop projects for you.
Nexio connectors allow two-way communication between a production flow and a Caldera RIP
Callas pdfToolbox
Javascript capabilities have been added in version 9. This is not an additional module, but is available by default. You can use Javascript code for several purposes:
Once again, Javascript is no mandatory. There is a chance you will never use it. But you may be missing a very powerful feature here! Here are some of our jobs where Javascript was really useful:
Setting variables values with Javascript is pretty simple. The toughest part is to handle the specific Object Model of the application. You can then have access to document’s properties (pages, boxes, metadata, etc.). You can also read preflight checks results. However, the ability to generate custom reports or embed dynamic content requires using HTML/CSS/JS templates. Once set, Callas pdfToolbox will convert it to PDF and embed it to the main document.
Callas pdfToolbox Javascript API exposes numerous PDF Document properties
WHAT? HTML in PDF? Yes, the final PDF is fully compliant with high standards! We will come back to this in detail in an upcoming edition of Tech Mondays.
Javascript meant nothing useful for you? Still doesn’t after reading this post? You don’t see any connection with print? Or maybe you are curious about it, and want to know more ?
Feel free to comment below or to get in touch with us. We will be more than happy to answer your questions or even to organize a demonstration based on your processes.
