Using VIPP

Many Service Bureaus and Data Centers continue to print files written in Xerox's LCDS (Line Conditioned Data Stream) language; a legacy from the days of mainframes and pin-fed impact printers.

Many people are conducting their businesses and document production operations in networked, PostScript-based environments. Given these divergent realities, this may be the right time to convert LCDS-based documents to PostScript.

What is VIPP?

Xerox Variable Data Intelligent PostScript Printware (VIPP) is a powerful system of fully compliant PostScript technologies for the production of personalized documents. VIPP consists of a set of macros that reside on the PostScript interpreter, eliminating many of the time-consuming steps associated with traditional variable information workflows by enabling Dynamic Document Construction (DDC) at the printer. By dynamically creating the document at the printer, VIPP dramatically decreases the amount of time that it takes to compose and print documents.

Xerox VIPP is an open programming language that exploits the flexibility of PostScript in constructing dynamic documents. Because VIPP has a powerful merge engine for creating personalized business documents, it allows variable documents to be composed at the printer in real time. It also facilitates the migration of LCDS-based files to a networked, PostScript environment, resulting in documents that are easy to manipulate and modernize, and that can be printed to a networked Xerox PostScript print device.

How it Works

VIPP uses the same "Dynamic Document Construction" concepts as the Xerox LCDS printers. Fonts, forms, and images reside on the printer, and formatting is controlled by a template (JDT) called by the job. The bit-heavy resources stored at the printer are merged with the variable data at run-time. The result is an efficient printing model that saves valuable network bandwidth. With VIPP-based documents, only the variable data is sent over the network.

The VIPP Thin Printer (VTP) allows the generation of Adobe PDF documents from VIPP based variable data applications. Capabilities include the ability to split PDF files into individual PDF sets and add interactive features such as PDF Bookmarks, PDF Notes or URLs. The VTP supports personalized printing and 1-to-1 marketing by extending output printing capabilities to support production PDF creation that enables viewing, archiving and Web presentations of variable-information documents.

Programming options

A VIPP programmer can take advantage of control features that enable the creation of VIPP jobs that emulate or enhance the original LCDS application without requiring changes to the original data set. There are many features that can be added to modernize the document without changing the source program or data file. These features include:

• rounded corners
• data-driven graphics
• reusable data elements
• multiple form layouts

Configuring the system to run a VIPP job

To run a VIPP job, you will first need to place the files in the appropriate directories on the system.

• .jdt files should be placed in the /xgfc/jdtlib directory on the system
• .dbm files should be placed in the /xgfc/formlib directory on the system
• .ps files should be placed in the /xgfc/formlib directory on the system
• .tif files should be placed in the /xgfc/imglib directory on the system
• .eps files should be placed in the /xgfc/formlib directory on the system
• .dbf files may be placed in any directory (e.g., /xgfc/mislib ) on the system or sent directly from the client

VIPP Project Manager is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) "plug-in" for the system user interface that allows user to manage the various resources associated with a VIPP job. It provides a mechanism to simplify the handling of job components by locally and physically "grouping" these components as part of a single entity known as a "Project." VIPP Project Manager requires DocuSP system software version 3.6 or higher. For more information, please refer to the VIPP Project Managers Guide available on the VIPP 5.1 installation CD.

VIPP Project Manager can expand VPC for printing.

Printing VIPP Jobs

When printing VIPP jobs it is recommended that a queue be set with the correct parameters for efficiently processing the job. In the Postscript/PDF tab, the resolution should be set to 600x600x8, and the Process Images at Half Resolution check box should be selected. Also in this tab, enable caching and After Job Completion, Discard Cached Objects should be selected. In the Output tab, the order should be set to 1-N ascending .

Print Queues and VIPP

VIPP jobs get programmed into dedicated queues; or queues created specifically for processing VIPP jobs.

Queues manage jobs as they are submitted to the system. Queues are Virtual Printers that represent the Xerox Nuvera at the client workstation. Every queue on the system is listed as a separate printer on the client workstation. In order to manage jobs with like requirements, users can create multiple print queues with specific attributes, all for a single printer.

Setting properties in queues has an impact on how jobs submitted to that queue are managed. Queues provide the flexibility for users to customize Virtual Printers to meet a variety of workflow requirements. The most common use of the print queues is the creation of a "Hold" queue that holds jobs until an operator releases them to print and a "Release" queue that automatically releases the job to print without operator intervention.

You can set up a job filter in a queue to process VIPP .vpc files. These .vpc files are basically a zip file with all of the VIPP resources bundled together. You send the .vpc job to the queue and DocuSP will print it.

You can set the Job Filter to:

• Print and then delete the VIPP resources
• Print and deploy the VIPP resources into the appropriate directories for future use.
• Deploy the VIPP resources into the appropriate directories for future use.

For more information, see Working With Queues.

Additional Support/Website

If you have Internet access, you may visit any one of the Xerox VIPP websites featured below to access free product and technical information:

• www.xerox.com/vipp . The VIPP home page provides access to general product information
• www.vippcommands.com . The VIPP command library is an online reference manual for VIPP programmers. The easy to use interface allows users to select a VIPP command and review the latest description, syntax and code examples. The online reference guide is continuously updated, making this site the ultimate VIPP reference page
• www.xerox-techsupport.com . The VIPP Customer Technical Forum is an online message board that provides customers with access to a community of VIPP users; allowing them to ask questions, and share ideas and techniques with other developers

Customer Training

To help customers become proficient with VIPP, Xerox offers several courses that are designed to meet a variety of individual customer training requirements and experience levels. The Basic VIPP Color Workshop is available for programmers that are new to the VIPP language who intend to plan, design and implement variable data applications using VIPP on a Xerox DocuColor Series printer. For experienced VIPP programmers, the VIPP Transition to Color Workshop focuses on the fundamental properties of using VIPP with a Xerox DocuColor Series printer, including specific color workflow processes. Please note that this course is not suitable for candidates who do not possess VIPP programming expertise.

All VIPP courses can be delivered at a variety of regional Xerox locations, or at the customer site using our "Training-Center-in-a-Box" approach. For more information, course availability and scheduling, please contact the Xerox Customer Education Hotline at (800) 445-5554.

Reference Material

The following documentation contains additional information on VIPP:

• VIPP Reference Manual
• VIPP Quick Reference Card