PMA 2008 Wrapup

The SoftWorks Team would like to thank everyone who stopped by our booth at PMA this year. We had a very successful show again and enjoyed seeing everyone. Next year we hope to see you there again, in Las Vegas March 2 - 4, 2009.

ROES Client Update

We have several updates for the ROES Client that will be deployed next week for all users. This will be the first update since before busy season, so there are several new attributes, all listed below. We will deploy this version for all users Wednesday, March 5th.

ROES User Group (RUG) Meeting 2008 - June 23 - 24, 2008, Rochester, NY

This year's RUG Meeting will be Monday and Tuesday, June 23-24, in Rochester. The sessions will occur at the Rochester Clarion Hotel. The Kodak sessions are expected to begin Tuesday afternoon at the Rochester Hyatt, so if you are attending that event we recommend booking rooms at the Hyatt for all nights needed. The Clarion and the Hyatt are attached via skyway. Additional information on subject matter and sessions will be sent as we get closer to the event.

Books

Books is in its' final stages of development and testing. We are finalizing order review appearance, reporting, and links to the Presenter as well as processing through the Stand Alone Server. A demo client application can be launched at www.softworksroes.com/ROES/labs/SARDemo/launchbooks.jnlp, enter BooksTest as the Account ID.

With WPPI around the corner, we know labs with booths at the show will want to display/demo the Books functionality. As this will not be in a released code set, in order to use it we will need to create a new launch file for your test client that pulls the books code. If you would like this, please reply to this email letting us know and we will get it built out (those that have already indicated their needs will receive separate emails with these links).

Below are new attributes for books in the Template Tool and instructions for creating the 2 common types of books. A sample templates file with book styles of each can be found at www.softworksroes.com/ROES/labs/SARDemo/BooksTest.zip.

New Atrributes for Books in Template Tool:

containertype: Defines a grouping of products as a book, section, or package

displaywidth: Defines width of the section of the book, either 1 page or 2 pages wide. Cover sections will be 1, while Pages of the book will generally be 2.

itemcountminimum: Defines the minimum amount of templates that can be added per section

itemcountmaximum: Defines the maximum amount of templates that can be added per section

(The itemcountmin/max values will be 1/1 for cover sections, while the sections for book pages can be whatever range is desired)

To set up a simple 3 section book (no pictures/page assigned to inside of front nor back covers):

Click Add and select Template, label it as desired (10x10 Book for this example), and then set the bounds to 10 x 10.

Click Add Atrribute, select containertype and set to book

Click Add and select Template, label it as Front Cover

Click Add Attribute and add the following: containertype set to section; displaywidth set to 1; itemcountminimum set to 1, itemcountmaximum set to 1, set bounds to 10 x 10

Add templates off Front Cover, set clearonaddtoorder to true, add pagereditable true if desired on each

Click Add and select Template, label it as Pages

Click Add Attribute and add the following: containertype set to section; displaywidth set to 2; itemcountminimum set to 4, itemcountmaximum set to 20, set bounds to 10 x 10

Add templates off Pages, set clearonaddtoorder to true, add pagereditable true if desired on each

Click Add and select Template, label it as Back Cover

Click Add Attribute and add the following: containertype set to section; displaywidth set to 1; itemcountminimum set to 1, itemcountmaximum set to 1, set bounds to 10 x 10

Add templates off Back Cover, set clearonaddtoorder to true, add pagereditable true if desired on each

To set up a 5 section book (sections for inside front and back covers):

Click Add and select Template, label it as desired (10x10 Book for this example), and then set the bounds to 10 x 10.

Click Add Atrribute, select containertype and set to book

Click Add and select Template, label it as Front Cover

Click Add Attribute and add the following: containertype set to section; displaywidth set to 1; itemcountminimum set to 1, itemcountmaximum set to 1, set bounds to 10 x 10

Add templates off Front Cover, set clearonaddtoorder to true, add pagereditable true if desired on each

Click Add and select Template, label it as Inside Front Cover

Click Add Attribute and add the following: containertype set to section; displaywidth set to 1; itemcountminimum set to 1, itemcountmaximum set to 1, set bounds to 10 x 10

Add templates off Inside Front Cover, set clearonaddtoorder to true, add pagereditable true if desired on each

Click Add and select Template, label it as Pages

Click Add Attribute and add the following: containertype set to section; displaywidth set to 2; itemcountminimum set to 4, itemcountmaximum set to 20, set bounds to 10 x 10

Add templates off Pages, set clearonaddtoorder to true, add pagereditable true if desired on each

Click Add and select Template, label it as Inside Back Cover

Click Add Attribute and add the following: containertype set to section; displaywidth set to 1; itemcountminimum set to 1, itemcountmaximum set to 1, set bounds to 10 x 10

Add templates off Inside Back Cover, set clearonaddtoorder to true, add pagereditable true if desired on each

Click Add and select Template, label it as Back Cover

Click Add Attribute and add the following: containertype set to section; displaywidth set to 1; itemcountminimum set to 1, itemcountmaximum set to 1, set bounds to 10 x 10

Add templates off Back Cover, set clearonaddtoorder to true, add pagereditable true if desired on each

It is recommended to always have a blank Pager editable template in each section, so that studios who wish to design their own can do so - either using Pager or using something they create in Photoshop, etc.

New Client Features/Attributes

New Feature - nodestyles - Saving and recalling a node style is now available within Pager. This feature allows a photographer to save embellishments made to a node such as strokes and drop shadows for later use. Once saved, the style can then be selected and applied to a node on another template in the order or used in future orders. This feature needs to be added at the Client startup configuration, so please contact us to add it to your live and/or test ROES Clients.

nodeimageopacity - The nodeimageopacity attribute can prevent opacity levels from affecting nodeimages. It should be added to image nodes that have nodeimage attributes present (or added via option) and set to false for opacity changes to only affect the image added to the node.

textentrywidth - The textentrywidth attribute can be used to define the width of the animated sliding drawer that drops from text nodes when the node is selected. The value should be set in pixel width.

Update: clearonaddtoorder - The clearonaddtoorder attribute has been updated so when set to true will return the product to its default rotation value after having been added to the order.

Reminders/Tips:

New Web Site and Videos!

The new www.softworkssystems.com site is up and running. Our Support area has updated FAQ pages and a videos page with the Records video and usage videos for the Pro and Retail Clients. Additional videos for books and Pager use will be added soon. The News/Press area also has all of our update messages for your review.

MAC OS 10.5 Leopard Issues

The new MAC OS has caused a number of issues regarding startup (none in actual use of ROES). As mentioned in the 11/1 message, in most cases starting from the Java Web Start application viewer has worked fine. However, we have seen cases where the Java Web Start.app is not even found or fails to start properly, causing a MAC system error report to generate. In these cases it is best to have the customer re-install the MAC OS upgrade and run Software Update immediately after. Less than a month after the release of the OS we have a 10.5.1 update out already, so these issues are not restricted to ROES (other applications have had compatibility issues reported as well). For anyone still seeing startup issues from the desktop icons, be sure to try using Java Web Start.app (open Finder and go to Applications - Utilities - Java) and look under User, not System, for the entries.

Books Update

The Books mode for the ROES Client is nearly complete, we have fielded many questions on the status and appreciate your patience while we make sure this is as feature-rich and integrated with the rest of ROES' abilities as possible. We expect to be offering Books on your test client launches shortly.

Tilde Usage by Studios

We have had a number of reports, starting in mid-October, showing an increase in studios using tildes in ROES. We have guessed that someone did a seminar advising to use these more and it's caused issues all over since DP2 thinks the tildes are the beginning of a function call. The latest client application allows us to turn the ability to use tildes off and will advise customers to adjust their image path if they have a tilde in a folder path for their images. This was the largest use we were seeing, studios renaming their image folder with a tilde at the beginning so the folder showed first in a list. We have also had a few reports of usage in text nodes and will look into what we can do there.

Java Notes

As Java 1.6 has become more prevalent in Windows systems, please be advised that there are new ways to access the application cache viewer: 1) Via Windows Control Panel, select Java Control Panel and then View.. at the lower right of the General tab; 2) Select Start - Run, type in javaws -viewer and press Enter/Click OK. MAC OS X 10.4 still uses Java 1.5 or 1.4.2, the next release of OS X will contain Java 1.6.

New .RO File Format

The new .ro ROES Order File format is in use and both ROES Servers, Stand Alone and DP2 v1.035, can process these. The .ro format eliminates the 4GB order file limit imposed by using .zip files. If you would like to start using this for your incoming orders, please let us know to make the change in your ROES Client (and be sure to be on one of the newer server versions). There is a new Sealer/Decryptor utility, called ROPack, available to unpack these new files. This Java application can be run via www.softworksroes.com/ROES/ROPack/launch.jnlp. Please use this once and set the shortcut to it on your desktop(s). Note: Once using the .ro files, the Finished Orders will not be just .zip files that you can open and view certain parts, you will need to use the ROPack utility with your order file password (call, IM or e-mail if needed) to expand the .ro to a folder you can browse through.

ROES DP2 Server

Please check your ROES DP2 Server version, you should be on v1.035 or 1.035b now if on DP2 v8 or 9. The server download can be found at www.softworksroes.com/ROES/Dp2Server/NewServer.zip. This version now has a fully functional RAW workflow. Studios must shoot in RAW and JPG formats so that they have the same files of each type (please contact us to set the RAW ability in the ROES Client). The 1.035 Server version can also send HTML-based email confirmations. A sample template can be found in www.softworksroes.com/ROES/labs/SARDemo/ReportTemplates.zip.

Updated Attributes/Function: promocode/code/discount - You can now have an Order Option that prompts for a promotional code to be entered in a needs_text line as either a percentage of the order or a whole dollar amount. The u_id of the option used for entry MUST be promocode and there are 3 attributes needed: needs_text for the user entry, code for the value of the promo code(s) that the text entry must match exactly, and discount for the amount to calculate, i.e. .90 for a 10% discount on the order or -10 for a $10 discount (negative numbers will be looked at as a whole dollar amount to be taken off). To utilize multiple promotional codes, simply use comma delimited lists in the code and discount fields, where code could have value of 1234,2345,3456 and discount could have value of .9,.75,-20 for 10% off, 25% off and $20 off for the 3 codes respectively. The number of delimited entries must match between the code and discount fields (5 in each, 10 in each, etc.).

Updated: newlines Attribute

This attribute has been updated to define the number of lines that can be created in a text node using Enter. It can prevent users from creating multiple text lines where a single line is desired by setting the value to 1 (no changes will be needed, current listings of false will be set to 1). Adding newlines set to 1 will force just single line entry into the node; coupled with the characterlimit attribute can allow you to control the amount of text each node receives for better rendering. For taller nodes (on a greeting card, for instance), you can set newlines to 2 or 3 to allow more freedom but still restrict the client from adding too many lines.

New Attribute: rotation - The rotation attribute can be used on a text node to alter the appearance of text in the node, ideally for vertical text representations. Use 90 and -90 for values to make horizontal text read down or up in the ROES Client.

New Attribute: fitallowed - The fitallowed attribute can be added on a node and set to false to disable the ability to fit an image instead of cropping.

New Attribute: unlockonaddtoorder - The unlockonaddtoorder attribute can be set to true on a node to clear image lock on add to order (i.e. to allow a customer to drop a new image into the background field they have locked to prevent it from being overwritten in a mass drop of images).

Edit Item/Delete Item labels in Review - The Edit and Delete functions in the Review Order window can have labels on them to more formally show their functions. Please contact us to add these labels.

Dual Rotation Buttons For Rotate Image/Rotate Layout - The dual buttons for rotating in different directions can be added to replace the single button for each, eliminating the need to use the ALT/OPT keys to change directions for rotation of a template or image. This can be very helpful for better logo insertion, particularly for Fuji PIC Pro.

New Attributes/Shipping Weight Calculation Function: uses and 'weight'

Using these new attributes, the total of weight values can be used to apply a price based on a tiered format. Each product and option can be given an attribute of weight with a numeric value as a weight measurement (.5 on a 4x5, 1 on an 8x10, 2 on a 16x20 for instance). On an Order Option such as shipping, add attribute of uses and list weight as the value. Then set a tiered price format and add tiertype set to graded, with the break points for each tier being the sum of the weight values added. For example basic ground shipping might always be 4.50, then a next tier at weight value of 30 is 5.95, and weight value of 100 is 9.95, the shipping option for basic ground would have attribute of uses with weight as its' value and each product and mounting option would have a weight attribute set to a particular value for that item. The price attribute of ground shipping would be 1,4.50,30,5.95,100,9.95 and keep going up from there. If you offer free shipping after a certain order size you set the price tier to be 0.00 once it gets over that weight amount. If you calculate shipping charges based on order price you simply use price as the uses value, and have the tiered pricing reflect the shipping on each order amount (Item options prices count while Image Options do not).

Updated Function: Edit/Sort in Review Order

The ability to double click on the thumbnail of an order item in Review has been restored. Drag and Drop to re-sort items still works as well, however the drag must start to the right of the order item thumbnail image.

New Attribute: disableu_idonorder

Using this attribute on a product and adding that product to an order you can disable another product or number of products. Simply list the u_id's of the products to be disabled in the attribute's value and they will be disabled in the Sizes palette and menu upon adding the first product to the order. This is useful in forcing customers to only order a single proof or print size per order or a single album cover page per order.

New Attribute: clearonaddtoorder

When added to a product, this attribute will clear the image(s) from the item when it is added to the order.

New Attribute: taxable

For use on Order Options, if set to true or false will determine whether or not the option should be subject to sales tax calculations.

New Feature: Local Fonts in Pager

Pager now offers a new font option! If activated, Pager will show a Font button using local system fonts at the studio and render these as images, including the ability to shadow the text after selecting one of the available fonts for use. The node will be transferred back as an image node and rendered in the ROES Stand Alone Server or updated version of the ROES DP2 Server, available at http://www.softworksroes.com/ROES/DP2_Server/SWROESServerSetup(v1.0.35b).zip (this is not a formal server release but will be shortly). Please contact us to activate the new Pager Font button in your ROES Client.

Credit Card Authorization in ROES

Customer credit cards can be authorized in ROES prior to order completion and transmission. We have integrations with several authorizers in use already: PayFlow Pro (PayPal.com, system formerly owned by Verisign); PayFuse XML (FirstNationalMerchants.com); Authorize.net; GoEMerchant XML (goemerchant.com); and USA ePay (usaepay.com).

Credit Card Window Configurability

The newer credit card window can be configured to alter field names, have an additional field added if needed for extra security codes, and/or remove the shipping address area along with the 'Use billing as shipping' checkbox.

New Attribute: pricemultiplier and priceminimum - pricemultiplier can be set on an option with a value of true along with a price attribute whose values can be used to add a percentage to the product it is being applied to (i.e., 1.20 in price to add a 20% increase for printing an item on metallic paper). This allow you to only alter the prices of the products themselves and not additional options the totalpricemultiplier takes into account, like retouching services, mounting, or sprays. The priceminimum attribute can be added onto options with pricemultiplier to set a mandatory minimum charge for the selected option and override the percentage calculation if greater. Using the previous example, this would work as pricemultiplier set to true, price set to 1.20 for a 20% add-on to the product and priceminimum of 1.00 so that it will always add at least $1.00 to the item price if the option is selected and the 20% value is less than 1.00.

New Attribute: hidden - For use on an Option, this can be used to hide an option you have set to mandatory for the purpose of disabling another option. For example, you offer an option set on an entire group to convert the image color, but one one template in the group you wish for there to be no color options. On the one item, add an option set with mandatory and hidden attributes set to true on the parent, and disableu_id added on the sub or child option. Add the u_id of the image color as the value, and when the one item is selected the image color option will be disabled without the new option showing as selected by default.

Drop Shadows of pre-existing nodes - Pager can now add drop shadows to pre-existing image nodes that are part of your templates in addition to Pager-added image nodes. Please advise if you would like this feature turned on as it is optional. You should also be running the latest version of the ROES DP2 Server, 1.034, or the newer March 2007 version of the Stand Alone Server, to properly process these.

Updated Attribute: totalpricemultiplier changes - The totalpricemultiplier attribute is added directly on an overridesadd off an Order Option. This calculation will now be pre-tax and also can be before any shipping amount, if the u_id of the Shipping option being selected starts with shipping (i.e. u_id's of shipping_usps, shipping_ground, shipping_2ndday, etc.) .

Updated Attribute - needs_text - You can now require an entry in this field by leaving the value in Template Tool blank. For template & item options, the Add to Order button will be disabled, just like when an image node isn't filled on a product. For an Order Option, the user is blocked with a dialog telling them to fill in some text.

Updated Attribute - needs_file - When an option with needs file is selected, the Client will not allow the order to complete unless a file has been attached to the order. A dialog box informing the studio that a file is needed will pop up.

New Preference: Remember last folder between launches - This preference (selected by default), if unchecked, will clear the last used thumbnails folder for Presenter, Records, and main client. This is ideal for large proofing environments.

Wider pane dividers - The pane dividers in the main client area and Presenter are wider now, allowing easier access to the collapse/expand arrows.

New Credit Card Window Report Macros - The ROES Pro and Retail Clients have a new credit card entry window across the board (for standard card data collection and immediate e-payments), with all fields required. Selection of the Use Bill To Address for Shipping Address will collapse the shipping address areas, so no entry will be required.

This new window also has new report macros to be used:

[PAYMENT_CREDIT_CARD_NAME]

[PAYMENT_CREDIT_CARD_ADDRESS]
[PAYMENT_CREDIT_CARD_CITY]
[PAYMENT_CREDIT_CARD_STATE]
[PAYMENT_CREDIT_CARD_ZIP]
[PAYMENT_EMAIL]
[PAYMENT_PHONE]
[PAYMENT_SHIP_TO_NAME]
[PAYMENT_SHIP_TO_ADDRESS]
[PAYMENT_SHIP_TO_CITY]
[PAYMENT_SHIP_TO_STATE]
[PAYMENT_SHIP_TO_ZIP]

rotationallowed Attribute

This attribute can be added on a template and set to false to disable the Rotate Layout button.

Change to autorotate Attribute

The autorotate attribute in Template Tool, when set to true, will activate the Autorotate button on the pro toolbar. After being turned on, the button will remain selected until it is manually de-selected or a product with a false flag is chosen.

addenabled Attribute

Be sure to add the addenabled attribute on multi-image proof sheets (set to true) and informational/advertisement products used as the first template in a group (set to false). For the proof sheets it will allow customers to add the item to an order with empty nodes (whereas before they had to hold the ALT or OPT key to Add with Empty). For the informational items it will prevent the item from being added and causing an error upon receipt at the lab.

Use tooltips on products

If you want to be able to convey additional information about a product to studios, try adding an attribute of tooltip to the item and enter text you want them to see pop-up when they mouse over the product in the Sizes palette. This could be used to add reminders to look at mounting, sprays and other upsell options, to inform customers if an item is Pager editable, or available quantity discounts.

Image Names Can Be Linked Into Text Nodes

You can use Linknodes in a composite product to create a text entry of an image name into a text node upon adding the image to the matching image node. For example, a 6 up proof sheet starting with node id/u_id of 10000 for the first image node and node id/u_id of 10006 as the first text node you would add Linknodes to the product for each pair of nodes to connect and enter the u_id's as 10000,10006 in the field provided. If the nodes do not have u_id's, simply highlight all of the nodes in the product, then right-click and select Copy node id to u_id. Remember when using Linknodes that all nodes in the product must have u_id's assigned

Attribute with Linknodes: stripextension

When used on a text node that has been linked to an image node node via Linknodes, the file name appearing in the image node will be listed without the file extension. Remember when using Linknodes that all nodes in the product must have u_id's assigned

Linknodes update: Linking text nodes

You can use Linknodes to duplicate text entered in one node to another text node(s). This can be handy for trader cards where a player name, team or year may be entered more than once, especially when displaying the front and back of the card as one item via a DP2 Package. Remember when using Linknodes that all nodes in the product must have u_id's assigned.