Anyone using the PPML feature in Q7? VDP?

[geozinger]

Management here wants to push digital and variable data in a big way. I can do rudimentary VDP with InDesign by outputting PDF docs. As I understand it, PPML is the way to go for VDP, but I have no clue on how to implement this.

(shades of Ferris Bueller) Anyone...? Anyone...? :roll:

Your best bet is to go with a PPML Producer/Software and PPML Consumer/RIP that were made to work together or that were at least tested together.

All PPML Producer implementations are not identical, nor are all PPML Consumer implementations identical. For instance, some PPML Producers and PPML Consumers support imposition and some don't.

To make your life easier - look for a system that was designed to work together or at least were tested together.
Hope this helps.

[geozinger]

Not to be too dense, but can you give an example of PPML producer/software and PPML Consumer/RIP?

Sure.....
Printshop Mail can output PPML. The Xerox DocuSP RIP can accept PPML.

Darwin, XMPIE, Fiery FreeForm, Xerox Freeflow all output PPML... they all may not output PPML that jives with your RIP. That you need to find out..

The PPML output is "tuned" if you will, by the print driver you are using out of you VD app of choice.

You know how different RIP vendors get the "red book" from Adobe on the latest PostScript spec, and then tweak it to fit their needs/workflow... well PPML is kinda like that. It's XML based and each different software app/vendor kinda "tweaks" it to fit their product best.
That's why you need to know that your VD apps output of PPML will jive with your RIP/DFE.
I hope this helps a little more.
Vee

[geozinger]

Ahh, I see said the blind man...

OK, part of the reason why this post was in the Quark forums is because I am looking at all of the features of Q7. One of the features is to export to PPML. However, my experience with XML related programming is nil.

I thought this would be a better method than our current (baby steps) of creating a 700-page long InDesign document and then outputting to our Xerox DocuColor 240.
As it turns out, I will be demo-ing a different RIP for the DC240 tomorrow, now I have a whole new avenue of investigation to pursue.

Thanks very much for your help!

Anytime Geo. That's what we're here for. :wink:
PPML is "supposed" to be a faster data stream. I've never tested it myself, we output Optimized PostScript for VD. My Xeroid guy is trying to push us to PPML, and we're going to start some testing in the next few weeks sometime.
Just to see if it really is faster. Optimized PS works great for me... don't fix it if it aint broke - ya know.
Good luck with you ventures.
Vee