Automation Assets
Overview
tFLOW uses several file types for processing jobs. For example, ICC profiles for color transformations, Automation Scripts for preflighting, proofing and finishing, cut paths, overlays, grommet marks, for finishing, etc. All of these files are managed in a central location where you can add, delete, move and organize in folders. Products make use of automation assets to perform their actions, so if you are missing an option in a dropdown list when configuring preflighting, proofing, or finishing, Automation Assets is a good place to check.
Automation Asset Manager
To access the Automation Asset Manager, click on the settings icon in the upper right of the window and select Automation Assets:
The Automation Asset window is organized into three sections. Left is a list of categories: Automation Scripts, Cutpaths, etc.. Center displays the items of any selected folder. Right is the information for the currently selected object.
Top Navigation Bar
- List/Tile Toggle – you can alternate views between list and tiles by clicking the tile/list button in the upper right corner
- Search – click the loupe icon in the upper right to open the search field
- Add File/Folder button allows you to create subfolders within each category, as well as to upload files to the currently selected folder.
Asset Categories
All assets are organized into specific categories, and it is important that you maintain your assets in their proper categories in order to be available in tFLOW Products. If you move the cutpath files to another directory such as Overlays, for example, they will no longer be usable as cutpaths. You may create additional subfolders and organize your files within them, but those subfolders need to be in the correct main category folder. Click any category to see the contents. Some, like Automation Scripts will have subfolders. Click any subfolder to see the contents of that folder.
Adding/Organizing Assets
The easiest way to manage assets in the asset manager is by dragging and dropping. If you wish to add an asset to the system such as a cutpath, logo, etc., you may drag the file to the category and it will be added. To add to a subfolder, simply drag the file to the desired subfolder. Assets which are already in tFLOW can also be relocated by dragging and dropping. You may also add files by first selecting the category or subfolder and then clicking the Add-Files button and dragging and dropping your files to the pop up window.
If you wish to add a subfolder to any category or other existing folder, first select that category or subfolder, and then click the Add -Folder button in the upper left. You will be prompted to give a name and then the new folder will be added after clicking “Create Folder”.
*** It's imporant to note:
Please only add sub-folders to the existing folders in the root area. Do not add new "root" folders as this may cause issues in the future. For example, if you want to add a folder called "windslits", you can add it as a sub-folder of "Other Assets".
Asset Options
Depending on the asset type, some options are available to you by right mouse clicking the asset. A dropdown menu will display the list of options:
Automation Scripts have a few more options available – right click any Automation Script to see the menu options:
- Edit variables – Allows you to specify the default values this script will apply when used in any product. Values you define here will become the default in all Products that use the script, which will in turn then become the default in any Orders and Jobs which use the Product. Caution should be exercised when modifying these values.
- Set as Default – Defines the script to be the default in each respective category: proofing, preflighting, finishing.
- Export Automation Scripts – downloads the selected script together with any associated assets as a packaged file.
Viewing asset content
Assets which are PDF files, such as cutpaths, overlays, logos, etc. can be viewed from within the asset manager. Double click any such asset you wish to view and it will open a preview window where you can view the content of the file.