JLT files - Clarification on Scaling objects and embed elements

[littly_kittly]

I have taken over a HP SMART STREAM project from another person.
The project is a personalised magazine which contains a cartoon character of a talking car. Customers can personalise the cartoon character (e.g. wheel colour, body colour, window accessories etc).

The project is created in InDesign, but the artwork for the character (include the variables for the wheel colour, body colour, window accessories ) is made in Illustrator as EPS files.

The document is sent to the printer as a JLT file along with the EPS files for the variables.

The cartoon character appears on several pages at different sizes.
The original designer created different sized artwork of the cartoon character in Illustrator for each page.
However, as the art for the character is the same on each page (the only thing that changes is the size), I thought it would be more efficient to create the character once and then just resize the artwork within Indesign for each page.

Because the document is sent to printer as JLT file (with the EPS variables), will my approach cause problems? Also, the printer said that we do not need to include the EPS files for the static elements such as the backgrounds of the magazine. I assume that these images are embedded in the JLT file (similar to the way images are embedded in a PDF). Is that correct?

[SlaveToTheMan]

The cartoon character appears on several pages at different sizes.
The original designer created different sized artwork of the cartoon character in Illustrator for each page.
However, as the art for the character is the same on each page (the only thing that changes is the size), I thought it would be more efficient to create the character once and then just resize the artwork within Indesign for each page.

I've used SmartStream for variable work, although not for variable images before, but if it behaves anything like the other similar tools, the scaling of a given variable image is handled by SmartStream, not InDesign natively. And even if you could scale the pieces based on a Rule from one "master" item for each piece of the vehicle, I wonder if the relative position would remain precise enough so that when it's printed everything fits together on the page. Maybe that's why the previous designer had different referenced files for each size?

Because the document is sent to printer as JLT file (with the EPS variables), will my approach cause problems? Also, the printer said that we do not need to include the EPS files for the static elements such as the backgrounds of the magazine. I assume that these images are embedded in the JLT file (similar to the way images are embedded in a PDF). Is that correct?

Correct, when the JLT is created it contains all of the static reference elements, fonts, etc. so it would be overkill to include them with the submitted job. I hate to ask, but if it's all working, why would you want to change the way the artwork is set up at this point? It sounds like you may introduce some production problems at the print stage, but maybe try your way of scaling a few of the vehicle components and have the printer run some tests.

[littly_kittly]

Thanks for taking the time to reply!

I hate to ask, but if it's all working, why would you want to change the way the artwork is set up at this point?

I'm actually working on the next issue of the magazine. The variable has lots of assets, so if I can same time by reusing elements, it would be a big help!

And even if you could scale the pieces based on a Rule from one "master" item for each piece of the vehicle, I wonder if the relative position would remain precise enough so that when it's printed everything fits together on the page.

I'm not actually using a rule to scale the elements. Instead, I am using Indesign's built in transform tool to make the objects bigger and smaller.

It sounds like you may introduce some production problems at the print stage, but maybe try your way of scaling a few of the vehicle components and have the printer run some tests.

I've run some tests with the printer, and it seems fine. There are some issues with transparency in the EPS files, but I think that is a separate issue.
I guess I'm a bit nervous because the previous designer created separate sized assets for each page. I wish I knew for sure why he did this!

Thanks again for taking the time to reply!

PS do you know any software that lets you preview JLT files on a Mac?

[SlaveToTheMan]

I guess I'm a bit nervous because the previous designer created separate sized assets for each page. I wish I knew for sure why he did this!

Hard to say, probably jut finding the best way they knew how. I've done some pretty "questionable" things to get jobs to press over the years too.

PS do you know any software that lets you preview JLT files on a Mac?

I do not, aside from the built-in Preview panel but that's really only good for text. SmartStream is a pretty basic tool particularly when you start getting into variable images. I'm amazed you're accomplishing what you describe with it actually!

[rich apollo]

There are some issues with transparency in the EPS files, but I think that is a separate issue.

EPS doesn't support transparency.

PS do you know any software that lets you preview JLT files on a Mac?

If I understand it correctly, JLT is a "light" or "thin" file - kinda' like using an OPI server. The JLT file only contains the comments for the variable elements. The Indigo RIP then places the variable elements before the page is rasterized. This would disallow any preview. To get a visual, output to PDF instead. PDFs will run through the RIP more quickly and you'll have greater color control..