Winter '09 5.4 Release
Dynamic Media Builder Upgrades
Pageflex Server
Widen’s Dynamic Media Builder will be integrated with Pageflex Server in our Winter 2009 release. The end user’s build process will be the same; however, this new technology will allow for more flexibility in the initial design of templates, and when the end user is making selections during the build process.
Here are a few examples of what will be possible within the new Dynamic Media Builder:
Text Reflow
Reflow of static text when variable text is inserted within that text.
When inserting variable text within static text, the static text will reflow appropriately based on the length of the variable text.
In this example, only the member level is the variable block. When "Gold Member" is entered, the text flows so the spacing is correct around it. When "Platinum Member" is entered, the text reflows so that spacing is still the same around the variable, but the word "this” shifts to the next line and all remaining text reflows as well.
Copyfitting
Text size reduced based on specific formatting instructions if the variable text does not fit into the restricted space.
Copyfitting is an automatic process that reduces text size to fit into a restricted space. Guidelines are set as to how the text is reduced and which text formatting characteristics are most important to preserve. Simple rules reduce several text attributes all at once and advanced rules reduce each attribute one at a time according to the priorities setup.
Rule-based Blocks
Customized images or text can be populated based on a text selection.
Rules can be set up to automatically populate additional blocks based on the selection of one block. If you select Purple for the color on the template to the right, the variable block is changed to the text "Purple" in the upper right hand corner, the font is changed to the color purple in multiple places, and the image is grapes. If you select Green, the same variables are changed based on that color selection.
Block Flexing
Automatic resizing and repositioning design elements.
This is the ability for design elements—such as text, images, and shapes—to change size and position automatically depending on the size of the variable content that is chosen. In these templates, the variable blocks for Name and Color flex with each other. Since the "green" text in the upper right corner is larger than "purple," the position of "Mary" is shifted to the left. The spacing between the two blocks stays the same even if the blocks get larger.
You will also notice that the text in the paragraph is set up to respect the clipping path of the image next to it. You can get this wrap-around effect for images that contain clipping paths.
Future Functionality with Pageflex
- Template resizing at the time a user builds or orders a template
- Font style, font size and color selection during the build process
Current Templates built with PDFlib
All current templates will still be available for end users to build and order. Widen will contact and work with client administrators to develop a plan for converting your current templates into Pageflex templates. Only Pageflex templates will be able to be uploaded after the Winter 2009 release.
If you currently create your own templates and would like to continue with creation of your own templates, please contact your Customer Success Manager for details. If you submit templates to Widen for creation, the process you currently follow will not change. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact comm@widen.com.