Getting started with imposition configurations

In contrast to the simple imposition methods, pdfToolbox also supports impositions based on imposition configurations. These consist of two types of files: referred to as sheet definitions and runlists, that need to be manually edited. Each imposition type needs its own configuration files, but imposition configurations can be quite dynamic (so you can create configurations that cover different page sizes, options, and even imposition methods, if you so desire.

Types of imposition configurations

Two types of imposition configurations are supported: JavaScript (which is the advised way of working with imposition in pdfToolbox), and old-style imposition (which has been in the product for a long time, isn't going away, but in general is more difficult to use, less flexible, and more error-prone).

In both cases, two files are used: a runlist file and a sheet definition file (but in the case of JavaScript imposition configurations, the sheet definition can be empty).

Using imposition configurations

The rest of this chapter goes into detail on how to create imposition configurations, both for old-style, and for JavaScript configurations. The rest of this article points to how you can use these configurations manually or automatically.

 

Using the Switchboard

To use configuration-based imposition functionality in pdfToolbox Desktop, open the Switchboard. Click on the "Home" button, then on "Arrange".

The "Arrange" area shows all simple imposition methods, and the "Impose" button. Click on "Impose" to get to the configuration-based imposition functionality.

The "Sheet configuration" menu shows all sheet definition files found in the current library. The "Imposition scheme" menu shows all runlists in the current library. Both the old-style configuration files and the JavaScript configuration files are shown in the same list. Select the configuration files you want to use, and click "Execute" to run the imposition on the currently open document in pdfToolbox Desktop.

Using an action

To use configuration-based imposition automatically, create a new action.

In the "Action" menu, select "Impose". In the action parameters, you can now select the runlist and sheet definition you want to use; both menus shows all files (old-style and JavaScript-based) in the current library.

After configuring the action exactly how you want it, click on "OK" and it will appear in your fixups list. You can now either export it directly to a kfpx file, or you can add it into a process plan.

Using CLI or SDK

Configuration-based imposition functionality is available as CLI commands or SDK calls directly. Of course you can embed the functionality in a process plan, and then use the process plan from the command-line or using the SDK as well. Check  the chapter on pdfToolbox CLI, or the chapter on pdfToolbox SDK for more information.