Defining a workflow that sends jobs to be transformed
Before you begin, determine which data stream formats you want to use with RICOH ProcessDirector and what program you plan to use to convert the data streams. The RICOH ProcessDirector Transforms use different step templates than the Advanced Transforms. You can only use the RICOH ProcessDirector Transforms if the AFP Support feature is installed.
- Transform
- Includes the TransformJobIntoAFP step.
- OutputPDF
- Includes the TransformJobIntoPDF step.
Both steps look at the values of the Input data stream and Transform output data stream properties to determine which transform to use.
Both workflows include a step based on the DetectInputDatastream step template, which they use to determine the value of the Input data stream property. To use this workflow to process specific file formats, you can set a default value for the Input data stream property on the TransformJobIntoAFP or TransformJobIntoPDF step when you add it to the workflow. If you set a value on the step, you can delete the DetectInputDataStream step from the workflow.
The Advanced Transform feature provides the OutputAFP workflow, which includes steps based on the TransformWithAdvancedFeature and DetectInputDatastream step templates.
The DetectInputDatastream step determines the value of the Input data stream property for the job. In the supplied workflow, the value of the Transform input stream property in the TransformWithAdvancedFeature step is set to Use current, which causes the transform to use the value of the Input data stream property as transform input stream. As a result, this workflow accepts any input data stream and converts it to the data stream indicated in the Transform output stream property. In this case, that value is AFP.
The TransformWithAdvancedFeature step template can be configured to accept various input data streams and create various output data streams, depending on the advanced transforms that you have installed. If you want to convert job to a different data stream, when you can copy the workflow, rename it, and change the value of the Transform output stream property. For example, if you want to accept any input data stream and convert it to PostScript, you could rename the workflow OutputPS and change the value of the Transform output stream property to PS.
To define a workflow that sends jobs to be transformed:
- Click the Workflow tab.
- Right-click one of Transform, OutputPDF, or OutputAFP workflows, and select Copy.
- Name the copy of the workflow, fill in or edit other values that you need, and click Continue.
- Review the steps that are included in the workflow and the default values that they set.
- Add any other steps that you want to include in this workflow.
- Save the workflow.