Transforming line data to AFP

RICOH ProcessDirector includes a transform that you can use to convert line data into an Advanced Function Presentation (AFP) format.

You can run the transform to complete a variety of tasks, including:

  • Convert line data and mixed mode data into the AFP data stream, a device-independent data stream that you can use to exchange documents between different platforms.
  • Index a document to enhance your ability to view, archive, or retrieve individual pages or groups of pages from large documents.
  • Retrieve and package the AFP resources needed to print or view a document and place them in a separate file. This lets you print and view an exact version of a document at any time.

The transform uses a page definition when it composes the data. Page definitions specify various characteristics of the page, including:

  • The printable area of the page
  • The maximum number of lines that can print on a page
  • The beginning print position on the page
  • The printing direction: across, up, or down the page
  • The page presentation: portrait or landscape
  • The fonts used to print each line of the page

You can use one of the page definitions that RICOH ProcessDirector provides or you can provide your own.

In this section:

  1. Configuring line data transform steps
    You can incorporate the line data transform into a workflow by adding a ConvertLineDataJobIntoAFP step, then configuring it appropriately. These workflows include the ConvertLineDataJobIntoAFP step: LineData and DownloadLineData.
  2. Configuring to use inline resources with line data jobs
    If you submit line data jobs with inline resources to a workflow that uses the ConvertLineDataJobIntoAFP step, most inline resources are ignored. To recognize and use other inline resources, you must update the ConvertLineDataJobIntoAFP step.
Parent topic: Setting up datastream transforms