Software Requirements

Posted on 23. Aug, 2010 by davejorr in Tutorials

The following software is required in order to run SignAgent Pro on your computer.

SignAgent Pro is a cross-platform solution. (MAC/PC)

Story Editor Details

Posted on 20. Aug, 2010 by davejorr in Tutorials

Use the Story Editor to view/modify sign related data (especially the overset data).

  • To open the story editor window: InDesign Menu > Edit Menu > Edit in Story Editor or Press (Command + Y)
  • To close the Story Editor: Close the window or  Press (Command + W)

CAUTION:

Do not delete any of the COL or DATA tags as that will cause an error during import into Filemaker.

  1. TYPE field from FileMaker
  2. “–” spacer between TYPE and LEVEL
  3. LEVEL field from FileMaker
  4. “–” spacer between LEVEL and NUMBER
  5. NUMBER field from FileMaker
  6. “-” spacer between NUMBER & MESSAGE
  7. MESSAGE field from FileMaker
  8. PHASE field from FileMaker
  9. STATUS field from FileMaker

NOTE:

All overset text is after the line that runs through the Story Editor.

InDesign Structure

Posted on 20. Aug, 2010 by davejorr in Tutorials

To open and close the structure window: InDesign Menu > View > Structure > Show Structure/Hide Structure or Press (command + option + 1)

  1. FMPXMLRESULT is the root of the XML information.
  2. METADATA labels the columns (5-13) inside each row.
  3. RESULTSET is the group of signs (4) that are imported and exported from FileMaker to InDesign. All signs must be inside this group in order to export to FileMaker. If outside, it will cause an error. DO NOT REORDER SIGNS!
  4. ROW is one sign record in paper space. It consists of columns (5-13).
  5. TYPE field from FileMaker
  6. “–” spacer between TYPE and LEVEL
  7. LEVEL field from FileMaker
  8. “–” spacer between LEVEL and NUMBER
  9. NUMBER field from FileMaker
  10. “-” spacer between NUMBER & MESSAGE
  11. MESSAGE field from FileMaker
  12. PHASE field from FileMaker
  13. STATUS field from FileMaker
  14. ROW is one sign removed from paper space. Notice the “<>”.
  15. Fields 10-13 are

SignAgent Pro Tutorial Index

Posted on 20. Aug, 2010 by davejorr in Tutorials

SignAgent Pro Tutorials

Getting Started

InDesign

FileMaker

  • Structure (Coming Soon)
  • FileMaker Tables (Coming Soon)

Create New Sign Record

  • InDesign (Coming Soon)
  • FileMaker (Coming Soon)

Export /Import Records

  • InDesign to FileMaker (Coming Soon)
  • FileMaker to InDesign (Coming Soon)

Deleting Records

Modifying Records

  • InDesign (Coming Soon)
  • FileMaker (Coming Soon)

Printing Documents

  • InDesign (Coming Soon)
  • FileMaker (Coming Soon)

Requirements

Getting Started

Posted on 12. Aug, 2010 by davejorr in Tutorials

Find Template Files

  • Copy template folder to local computer from the server or duplicate the files from another job.

Template Folder Contents

  • Folder Name: AA-001-SignAgent Pro. Contains all your starting files. Rename the folder to suit your existing file naming system.
  • InDesign Template File: AA-001-SignAgent Pro.indd. This document is used to create location plans. Rename the file to suit your existing file naming system.
  • FileMaker Database Template: AA-001-SignAgent Pro.fp7. This database manages your sign information. Rename the file to suit your existing file naming system.
  • Archive Folder: When AA-001-SignAgent Pro.fp7 is opened an automatic backup Archive.fp7 is created in the archive folder. DO NOT RENAME OR MOVE THIS FOLDER. It should always remain in the main root folder.

NOTE:

If you are ever going to perform a task that you are unfamiliar with I would recommend closing the file AA-001-SignAgent Pro.fp7 and re-open it. That way you can perform you task and if it doesn’t work out how you desired you can replace AA-001-SignAgent Pro.fp7 with the Archive.fp7 file.

  • Excel Folder: This is where Microsoft Excel files that are automatically exported from SignAgent Pro go. DO NOT RENAME OR MOVE THIS FOLDER. It should always remain in the main root folder.
  • Fonts Folder: Contains all of the fonts that are required for proper viewing of SignAgent Pro.
  • Links Folder: Contains all of the files linked to your InDesign document. Place floor plans files here.
  • XML Folder: Contains the XML file that FileMaker and InDesign share. DO NOT RENAME OR MOVE THIS FOLDER. It should always remain in the main root folder.
  • XML File: The file name must equal <<job number>>.xml ie. AA-001.xml. You can modify the job number under the PROJECT menu in SignAgent Pro. DO NOT MOVE THIS FILE. It should always remain in the XML folder.
  • INTERNAL Folder: Contains the XML files that FileMaker uses. DO NOT RENAME OR MOVE THIS FOLDER. It should always remain in the XML Folder.

SignAgent Pro Tutorials

Posted on 12. Aug, 2010 by davejorr in Tutorials

SignAgent Pro is used to create Message Schedules and Location Plans and other related reports. SignAgent Pro harnesses the power of FileMaker and InDesign through the use of XML.

About These Tutorials

These tutorials contains an introduction to SignAgent Pro’s features and provides step-by-step instructions on the most common SignAgent Pro tasks. It is not intended to be a FileMaker or InDesign guide. You will need to refer to the appropriate FileMaker or InDesign User Guides for application specific issues.

Suggested Reading

  • FileMaker User Guides
  • InDesign User Guides

Deleting a Sign – Option 3

Posted on 06. Aug, 2010 by davejorr in Tutorials

Permanently Deleting a Sign

CAUTION:

BACK UP YOUR FILES IF YOU ARE TRYING THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME!

InDesign

  1. In paper space, select Sign and delete it.
  2. Go to Structure window.
  3. Open RESULTSET
  4. Find ROW that appears as “<>” Select and Delete it.
  5. Select FMPXMLRESULT
  6. Select drop down menu > Export XML.
  7. Save as <<JOB NUMBER>>.xml in the XML folder inside the main project folder.
  8. Replace the existing file.
  9. Leave Export Options as is.

FileMaker

  1. Switch to SIGN layout
  2. Select SYNC tool
  3. Press the “IMPORT” Button to update Location Plan Table.

NOTE:

You will notice a “Wall of Red” up to the point of misalignment. (Message Schedule = A1-A1-100 & Location Plan = B1-A1-101) To re-align the Message Schedule and Location Plan Tables you need to remove the Sign in the Message Schedule that was Deleted in the Location Plan.

  1. Select the Radio Button on the left side of the screen at the point on misalignment. Indicating that you wish to remove A1-A1-100
  2. Press “[X] Delete Marked” Button. This will remove the sign in the Message Schedule that is causing the misalignment.

IMPORTANT:

Do not mix tasks when you are permanently deleting a sign.

Deleting a Sign – Option 2

Posted on 06. Aug, 2010 by davejorr in Tutorials

Hiding Deleted Sign From Reports

InDesign

  1. In paper space, select Sign to be deleted
  2. Strikethrough text by Selecting the Object Style “SIGN CODE DELETED” or select the text and use the strikethrough tool
  3. Select Sign & Leader and move it to “DELETED SIGNS” Layer
  4. Open story editor (command + Y)
  5. Change the Phase to “DELETED”
  6. Change the Status to “DELETED”
  7. Follow Export from InDesign / Import to FileMaker instructions

FileMaker

  1. Switch to SIGN layout
  2. Choose Report to print
  3. The Sign has been completely hidden from the Report

IMPORTANT:

PHASE & STATUS must be exactly “DELETED” to hide the Sign on all reports.

Deleting Sign – Option 1

Posted on 06. Aug, 2010 by davejorr in Tutorials

Tracking Deleted Sign in Reports

InDesign

  1. In paper space, select Sign to be deleted
  2. Strikethrough text by Selecting the text and use the strikethrough tool
  3. Open story editor (command + Y)
  4. Change the Status to “DELETED”
  5. Follow Export from InDesign / Import to FileMaker instructions

FileMaker

  1. Switch to SIGN layout
  2. Choose Report to print
  3. The Sign has a strikethrough and the Quantity is set to “0″

IMPORTANT:

STATUS must be exactly “DELETED” to Strikethrough the Sign on all reports.

Creating PDF Location Plans in AutoCAD

Posted on 12. Feb, 2010 by davejorr in Tutorials

In this post I am going to give step by step instructions how to create PDF location plans in AutoCAD for sign programming.

  1. AutoCAD
    Open > AutoCAD.dwg file
  2. Layers Property Manager:
    Turn off all unnecessary layers (hatching, furniture etc.) This will significantly reduce the file size. If you are not seeing the layers being turned off click into the viewport and adjust the layer visibility of the viewport.
  3. Plot: (steps 4 – 12 are all in plot setup window)
  4. Setup a new Plot style table:
    This will allow you to make global changes to how the file will be created. (ie: line thickness and line color).Create a new .ctb with the following properties for all colors (to select all colors: click on Color 1, scroll down to the last color, Hold Shift and click):
    • Color: Black
    • Dither: (default)
    • Grayscale: On
    • Pen#: (default)
    • Virtual pen#: (default)
    • Screening: 60 or Adjust to your preference
    • Linetype: (default)
    • Adaptive: (default)
    • Lineweight: 0.1000mm or Adjust to your preference
    • Line end style: (default)
    • Line join style: (default)
    • Fill Style: (default)
    • Save & Close
  5. Plot Options:
    Make sure plot with plot styles is checked
  6. Plot scale:
    Select an appropriate scale. Do not use fit to paper. This will allow you to easily replace background with an updated plan in the future.
  7. Printer/plotter:
    Select > Adobe PDF
  8. Paper Size:
    Select appropriate paper size
  9. Plot Area:
    Click on window and select the area you want usually from page corner to corner
  10. Plot Offset:
    X:0
    Y:0
  11. Page Setup:
    Add a new name. This way you will not have to do a these steps for the remaining levels.
  12. Print:
    Click OK at the bottom of the page.

There you have your optimized pdf with all the same line thicknesses and colors.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Next tutorial:

Creating PDF Location Plans from a DWG in Illustrator