WHAT IS “CONDITIONAL LOGIC”?
Conditional Logic, or “If/Then statements,” is the ability to execute an action based on some defined criteria. For example, quitting cigarettes is a conditional logic situation: if you give up cigarettes, then your health will improve. Of course, as this example implies, conditional logic can be a highly complex process, creating multiple layers of supporting conditional statements (AND exercise, AND proper diet, AND genetics, etc.) leading to the eventual action (improved health/no improvement). Fortunately for the VI world, nicotine delivery is NOT a concern and an action is based strictly on criteria for the desired printed piece.

Conditional logic in VI can range from the simple —inserting a salutation (Miss, Mr.) based on a gender field (M,F), to the complex —specifying a particular layout and supporting graphics based on many layers of conditional rules. The DesignMerge Rules Module will accommodate all levels of complexity.

WHY IS CONDITIONAL LOGIC IMPORTANT?
In variable information printing, conditional logic assists in further customizing output for the intended audience. As opposed to inserting information into each individual database record, conditional logic will allow manipulation of the data from within the DesignMerge environment.

HOW DOES DESIGNMERGE HANDLE CONDITIONAL LOGIC?

Named the “DesignMerge Rules Module”, conditional logic is established by applying rules to any variable link; the process mirrors that of applying a variable link to a layout.

Rules are easily created by accessing the Rules menu. Within the resulting dialog box, each rule is created and defined:

Each rule contains a set of criteria that is evaluated to either TRUE or FALSE. If TRUE, the action is applied to the link. If FALSE, the action can either default to NO ACTION, or proceed to further criteria until resolving to TRUE. (Note: A rule can apply to more than one action.):

RULES ARE ONE OF THREE TYPES— LINK, BOX or PAGE:

LINK RULES :
Link Rules are rules specifically designed to modify the inserted text data (add prefix, apply style, etc) or to modify links within the existing data file to pictures or articles. These are the rules most commonly thought of when considering a conditional logic application. For example, a rule that will use specific images based on the age of the recipient is a Link Rule. Link Rules can be applied to any text or picture variable link:

BOX RULES:
Box Rules are rules specifically designed to modify the box containing text or graphics in a QuarkXPress document (add color, adjust frame, etc.). Box rules are applied only to QuarkXPress boxes and not to text or pictures within the boxes:



PAGE RULES:
Page Rules are rules specifically designed to modify the page itself (Omit page, etc):

SCRIPTING
Unique to DesignMerge Rules is the ability to Launch External Script, which is the ability to launch a pre-compiled AppleScript to perform some defined routine. The ability to apply a unique layout per record is a good application of this type of Page Rule. Note: in order to apply the action Launch External Script, the optional DesignMerge AppleScript Module is required.

RULE TESTING
Once defined, a rule can be tested to ensure accuracy by selecting the “Test” button. The Test Rule dialog will demonstrate how each record in the data file of your choice responds to the rule. The actual programming logic is displayed with the resulting action in the bottom frame:



DESIGNMERGE RULES SPECIFICATIONS
Expected for beta release this quarter, DesignMerge Rules will be a standard module of the base DesignMerge package. Concurrent with the release of DesignMerge Rules will be DesignMerge v5.0, which will also provide support for QuarkXPress 5.0.
Rules will initially support the Macintosh platform, with Windows support to follow.

ADVANTAGES OF THE DESIGNMERGE RULES MODULE

• Manipulate the data within DesignMerge - not in the database.
• Print Driver Support - Initial support for VPS, PPML, and Optimized PostScript, with VIPP support to follow.
• One Simple Interface - Easily create Link, Box, and Page rules in one simple interface.
• Ability to test Rules prior to use.
• Ability to launch an external script - promotes strong efficiency gains.
• Variable complexity support - from simple text insertions to complete page layout customization.

Sequencing

As always, thank you for your interest in DesignMerge.
Please be sure to visit our website at www.1meadows.com.

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