Chapter 1 – Introduction

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Quick User Guide
Chapter 1 – Introduction

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Chapter 1 - Introduction

Chapter 2 - Examples of preparation of different applications for barcode stickers

Chapter 1 - Introduction

The xPress² software enables production of various types of documents including variable data received from a wide array of sources. It is possible to create documents with multiple possibilities of page layouts, page sizes, and with constant or variable copies spreading. It is possible to print the documents using any printer supported by the Windows operating system.
The xPress² software quick user manual includes concise explanations for the software operation and explains how to create selected project. This manual will guide you during the main work stages; it will teach you how to install the system, create a new document, define its size and layout, add objects in the required size and location, define the variable data characteristics and print them.
For detail information about all the existing possibilities, please refer to the full User’s Manual.

Software Installation from the website

1. Click OK to continue the installation

2. The appearing screen presents the Software Usage Agreement. Read it carefully, and if its provisions are acceptable, check the box approving the Usage Agreement and click the Continue button.

If you do not accept the terms of the Usage Agreement and you do not approve it, you will not be able to install the software and use it.

3. In the next screen, you will have to select the software installation location. If you want to modify the default directory, click on Change Directory.
Then, click on the large Install button

4. In the next screen you will have to select the xPress programs group, as it will appear in the Start menu under the Programs tab. To continue, click on Continue.

5. Follow the Wizard instructions and approve the next step when asked to do so.

6. Upon installation completion, the following message will appear:
Click OK to end the installation.

Starting the program under Windows 7/Vista/8.x/10

If you are using one of the Windows 7/Vista/8.x/10 operating systems, you will have to run the program once with Administrator permission after its installation to enable the program to apply definitions linked to the printers that cannot be performed under regular user permissions.

If you do not know how to do that, please refer to the User’s Manual for adetailed explanation

First activation and definition of the printer in the program

To start the program, click on Start and select the Programs option. Then select the xPress directory, and select the xPress² program:

Software presentation

Upon activation of the software, the main xPress² window will appear. This window is composed of several parts:

Toolbars

The xPress² system includes 3 toolbars. Most of the tasks activated by using the toolbars can also be activated through the command menus.

Regular toolbar – for common tasks, known from the MS Office programs. The toolbar contains buttons for creating, opening, saving, displaying and saving the document.

Design toolbar – a toolbar for laying out and positioning objects, relative to the document and to each other. The toolbar includes buttons for definition of the display size, definition of relative positions of objects (forward, backward, in front and background), objects alignment (align to upper, lower, right, left edges and center),and more.

Objects toolbar – for selecting the output objects composing the document. The toolbar includes buttons for all types of output objects (image, text, barcode, magnetic strip, shapes) and the display available on the work space.

Objects tree

Displays the list of objects in the document.

Document – contains the document’s properties.

Copies – contains the properties of the document’s copies, such as number of copies per page, the specific text for each separated copy, and more.

Input object – defines the data type fed to the output object. The Input can be fixed text, running number, data from Excel files, images, PDF, and more.

Output object – defines the display method for the various data in the document. Data can appear in various ways such as text, image, barcode, and more.

Each output object receives its data from an input object. In the example above, for instance, Output 2 receives its data from the Input object Input 2.
This is shown by displaying it one branch below it in the objects tree:

Properties window

The properties of all the objects appearing in the objects tree can be defined in this window. The window changes according to the selected object. For instance, if the Document object is selected, it will be possible to define the properties of the entire document, such as: page size, page layout, quantity of required documents, etc.

Work space

The Work space (also known as xPress² desktop) is the main work area of the system.
You will position the objects composing the document in this area. Here you will be able to move the objects after their positioning, as needed.

Creating a new document

The process for creating a new document in the program is composed of several simple stages:

Creating a new document – preparation of the project base, page definitions, division of the page to several parts, copies definition, definition of the printer’s tray, etc.
Addition and definition of objects (input and output) – creating the document content, from simple fixed text and up to variable text, images and barcode segments. Additionally, definition of the objects as needed, and adapting them for the document.
Document printing

A few examples are presented in the next chapters of the manual.