CombinePDFWithForm

A step based on this step template replaces preprinted forms by combining electronic forms with data in PDF files.

To define electronic forms for a media object, you use the properties on the Electronic Form section of the media object:

  • Front of form and Back of form

    These properties specify the electronic forms to use for the front and back sides of the media. When the step processes jobs that request job-level or page-exception media with values for one or both of these properties, the step combines the forms with the data for the appropriate pages.

  • Media name for printing

    Because electronic forms replace media with preprinted forms, this property tells the step how to remove or change the names of media with electronic forms:

    • If the property is set to None, the step removes the current media name.
    • If the property is set to Selected, the step replaces the current media name with the name of the selected media.
    • If the property is set to Current name, the step does not change the current media name.

    The step removes or changes the media names in the property notebooks and JDF files for jobs.

Job property defaults
  • Combined PDF file: ${getFileName(print,pdf,write)}

  • JDF output file: ${getFileName(overrides,jdf,write)}

Usage note: When a media object includes a form for the back of the media, the step changes simplex jobs that require the media to duplex.

For example, a simplex job has four pages. The PLE Media property specifies Form12 for page 3. The Form12 media object specifies an electronic form for the back of the media.

When the step processes the job:

  • It converts the job to duplex.
  • It adds three blank pages, one each after pages 1, 2, and 4.
  • It adds a page with the data for Form12 after page 3.

When a media object includes a form for the back of the media and the JDF job ticket associated with the job specifies simplex for the job but includes page exceptions for some duplex pages, the CombinePDFWithForm step changes simplex jobs that require the media to duplex. For example, a simplex job has four pages. The PLE Media property specifies Form99 for pages 2 and 3. The Form99 media object specifies an electronic form for the back of the media.

When the step processes the job:

If the Simplex sheet processing property is set to Insert blank back pages, the step:

  1. Converts the job to duplex.
  2. Adds one blank page after page 1.
  3. Adds a page with the data for Form99 on the backs of pages 2 and 3.

    The back of page 3 has the data from page 4 and the data for Form99.

If the Simplex sheet processing property is set to Add Sides page exceptions to JDF, the step:

  1. Does not change the Duplex property for the job from Simplex.
  2. Adds a new duplex side page exception for page 2 in the JDF.
  3. Adds a page with the data for Form99 on the backs of pages 2 and 3.