Speeding up the process of creation new assembly instructions.

[mario89]

Hi,
In my company I am responsible for creation assembly instruction for new products. I would like ask if Affinity makes it possible link graphics? I explain what I mean. Actually we have 30 different instruction with logotype "A" on the first page. For nex new produkts we will need the same instructions but with logo B(logo A will replace by B) in the same location. Is there a way to change this in one file and automaticly creat others 29 pcs? I don't want to open separate every file and create new instruction in pdf. We would like speed up the process of creation new instruction.

Please let me know that is it possible or maby exist other program with this possibility.

Best regards

[Old Bruce]

Hi and welcome to the forums @mario89

It may be possible with Data Merge, this feature is only available in Publisher.

[Joachim_L]

2 minutes ago, Old Bruce said:

It may be possible with Data Merge

Correct, Affinity Publisher would be the best option.

Maybe I did not get the point here. What about two logos placed on the same master, one click to hide one logo and another one to show the other logo?

[Old Bruce]

4 minutes ago, Joachim_L said:

Maybe I did not get the point here. What about two logos placed on the same master, one click to hide one logo and another one to show the other logo?

I read it as there are more than just the A and B but 29 (or 30 or 31) versions wanted. If it is just the two then the Master Page method would work better in that there is just two clicks and a second export.

[walt.farrell]

2 minutes ago, Old Bruce said:

I read it as there are more than just the A and B but 29 (or 30 or 31) versions wanted. If it is just the two then the Master Page method would work better in that there is just two clicks and a second export.

And I read it as having 30 sets of instructions, each set being a document with possibly multiple pages, and each document having the same graphic on the first page.

Thus, I think that we need a clearer explanation of what is desired.

But with my interpretation, and assuming that Affinity documents maintain a relative link to image resources as Serif has said they do, I would set that up as follows:

1. Each product has its own directory. Within that directory there are 30 documents (.afpub files would be best). Also within that directory is the graphic needed for page 1 of all 30 documents. So, for the first product:
        c:\product-1-files
            document-1.afpub
            document-2.afpub
            ...
            document-30.afpub
            product-graphic.png
2. Each .afpub file would be set to use Linked resources, and would have a Placed copy of product-graphic.png.
3. For product 2, you would make a copy of the product-1 directory, under a new name (product-2-files).
4. You would then replace product-graphic.png with the graphic for product 2, but keep the same name product-graphic.png.
5. At that point, if you were to Open c:\product-2-files\document-1.afpub (or any other of the .afpub files) and if the relative directory handling is working, it will open with the new graphic automatically.

[Wosven]

I would procede like @walt.farrell,

We used to do the same with all our logos on a server, updating the files (or renaming them to keep older onesif needed) when brands get new logo. We only had to update the link and check the result on the page, since they could be different in proportions.

But with image frames of the same size, you can play with different logos on a same area without problem.

[mario89]

18 hours ago, walt.farrell said:

And I read it as having 30 sets of instructions, each set being a document with possibly multiple pages, and each document having the same graphic on the first page.

Thus, I think that we need a clearer explanation of what is desired.

But with my interpretation, and assuming that Affinity documents maintain a relative link to image resources as Serif has said they do, I would set that up as follows:

1. Each product has its own directory. Within that directory there are 30 documents (.afpub files would be best). Also within that directory is the graphic needed for page 1 of all 30 documents. So, for the first product:
        c:\product-1-files
            document-1.afpub
            document-2.afpub
            ...
            document-30.afpub
            product-graphic.png
2. Each .afpub file would be set to use Linked resources, and would have a Placed copy of product-graphic.png.
3. For product 2, you would make a copy of the product-1 directory, under a new name (product-2-files).
4. You would then replace product-graphic.png with the graphic for product 2, but keep the same name product-graphic.png.
5. At that point, if you were to Open c:\product-2-files\document-1.afpub (or any other of the .afpub files) and if the relative directory handling is working, it will open with the new graphic automatically.

Thx everyone for answer. Your understanding is very close but I would like achieve this without open every separate document.

Of course I know that at the beginning I have to prepare directorys with instructions in file.afpub and linked graphisc it is obvious. Finally I generate 30 pcs. different instructions in pdf format. Logo A is in the first page in every documents.

In the future logo A will be change by logo B and I would like replace source grahpics(product-graphic.png) in directory and recieve changed logo in every pdf without open source files in afpub format.

I don't know that possible?

If I have to open every file to update mayby there is a way to generate few separate pdf during one export (from open tab in Affinity). It will be also time saving.

[walt.farrell]

2 hours ago, mario89 said:

In the future logo A will be change by logo B and I would like replace source grahpics(product-graphic.png) in directory and recieve changed logo in every pdf without open source files in afpub format.

I don't know that possible?

 

No. PDF files do not have the concept of linking in an external file at the time you Open the PDF. You would need to regenerate each file.

2 hours ago, mario89 said:

If I have to open every file to update mayby there is a way to generate few separate pdf during one export (from open tab in Affinity). It will be also time saving.

I do not think there's a way to do that, either.

[Old Bruce]

6 hours ago, mario89 said:

Finally I generate 30 pcs. different instructions in pdf format. Logo A is in the first page in every documents.

I read this as you need 30 individual PDF files, each file will have the Product/Company/ Logo on its first page (and probably nowhere else).

I am assuming that each PDF is for a different item so the instructions are different. Am I correct in that assumption?

 

6 hours ago, mario89 said:

In the future logo A will be change by logo B and I would like replace source grahpics(product-graphic.png) in directory and recieve changed logo in every pdf without open source files in afpub format.

There is no way for the already generated PDFs to change to Logo B

Now you need to generate 30 individual PDFs with the New Improved or just Different Logo.

If I was having to do this on a regular basis I would use a file called Mutable Logo.png in the CSV or XLSX file and just take Logo A and export changing the name to Mutable Logo.png Generate the PDFs and shut down the publisher file.

Later I need to change the logo to Logo B so I export Logo B to the location of Mutable Logo.png overwriting it by using the same name. Now I just open the Publisher Document and generate the 30 New PDF files.

One Publisher file.

One CSV file.

Two Logo files plus the Mutable Logo.png.

[walt.farrell]

8 minutes ago, Old Bruce said:

Later I need to change the logo to Logo B so I export Logo B to the location of Mutable Logo.png overwriting it by using the same name. Now I just open the Publisher Document and generate the 30 New PDF files.

One Publisher file.

One CSV file.

Two Logo files plus the Mutable Logo.png.

How does one Publisher file give you 30 different (multi-page?) PDF files with different sets of instructions?