Leading the way
Visual Configurator
Modulex A/S
Modulex Visual Configurator
Contents Contents ..........................................................................................................................3 Version Control.................................................................................................................7 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 7
Visual Configurator...........................................................................................................8 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 8 The Elements in V.Con........................................................................................................................9 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 9 Sign Family ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Single Sign Configurator ............................................................................................................... 10 Sign Simulation ............................................................................................................................. 11 Product List................................................................................................................................... 12 Toolbar Buttons ............................................................................................................................... 13 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 13 Buttons.......................................................................................................................................... 13 Setting Up Your Version of V.Con ...................................................................................................... 15 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 15 Language and Settings ................................................................................................................... 15 Auto-backup.................................................................................................................................. 17 Sign Family...................................................................................................................................... 18 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 18 Sign Family ................................................................................................................................... 18 Using the Sign Family ...................................................................................................................... 19 Project Information ....................................................................................................................... 19 Project Specifications..................................................................................................................... 20 Colours.......................................................................................................................................... 21 Styles ............................................................................................................................................. 24 Artwork ......................................................................................................................................... 29 Bitmaps ......................................................................................................................................... 31 Add Sign ....................................................................................................................................... 32 WARNING .................................................................................................................................. 32 Duplicate Sign............................................................................................................................... 33 Modify Sign .................................................................................................................................. 33 Delete Sign .................................................................................................................................... 33 Sign Types & Quantities ............................................................................................................... 34 Save Sign Family ........................................................................................................................... 36 Generate Text Output ................................................................................................................... 37 Print Schedule ............................................................................................................................... 37
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Modulex Visual Configurator Working with existing files............................................................................................................... 38 Open an Existing File .................................................................................................................... 38 Create a Copy of an Order............................................................................................................. 38 Rebuild All Graphics ..................................................................................................................... 39 Recalculate..................................................................................................................................... 39 Single Sign Configurator................................................................................................................... 40 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 40 Objects .......................................................................................................................................... 40 Group- and Preview Panes............................................................................................................. 41 Features in the Single Sign Configurator ........................................................................................... 42 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 42 General Features ............................................................................................................................ 42 Product Features............................................................................................................................ 44 Ariadne.......................................................................................................................................... 44 Compass ........................................................................................................................................ 44 Infinity .......................................................................................................................................... 45 Interior 10·20 ................................................................................................................................ 46 Pacific Exterior .............................................................................................................................. 46 Pacific Interior ............................................................................................................................... 47 Silhouette ...................................................................................................................................... 48 Text Only...................................................................................................................................... 50 Using the Single Sign Configurator.................................................................................................... 51 Sign System ................................................................................................................................... 51 Sign Type and Description ............................................................................................................ 51 Creating a Sign .............................................................................................................................. 52 Auto Zoom.................................................................................................................................... 53 Frame Parameters .......................................................................................................................... 53 Snap Points.................................................................................................................................... 53 Panel Colours ................................................................................................................................ 54 Double Sided Signs........................................................................................................................ 54 Text............................................................................................................................................... 54 Saving a Sign ................................................................................................................................. 54 The Text Configurator....................................................................................................................... 55 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 55 Sample Image ................................................................................................................................ 55 Elements........................................................................................................................................ 55 Using The Text Configurator.............................................................................................................. 56 Panel Types ................................................................................................................................... 56 Zoom ............................................................................................................................................ 57 Text Panels .................................................................................................................................... 58 Text Panels with Arrows ................................................................................................................ 61 Grid Panels .................................................................................................................................... 62 Pictogram Panels ........................................................................................................................... 68 Double-sided signs......................................................................................................................... 70 Text Templates.............................................................................................................................. 71
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Modulex Visual Configurator Sign Simulation ............................................................................................................................... 76 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 76 Sample Image ................................................................................................................................ 76 Using Sign Simulation ...................................................................................................................... 77 Environments ................................................................................................................................ 77 Adding signs.................................................................................................................................. 77 Navigating on the Canvas.............................................................................................................. 78 Using an Interior Environment ..................................................................................................... 78 Using an Exterior Environment..................................................................................................... 78 Using “Background”...................................................................................................................... 78 Finishing the Simulation ............................................................................................................... 79 Create a File of Your Simulation.................................................................................................... 79 Product List ..................................................................................................................................... 80 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 80 Sample Image ................................................................................................................................ 80 Print .............................................................................................................................................. 80 Printing........................................................................................................................................... 81 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 81 Print Layouts ................................................................................................................................... 82 Sign Family ................................................................................................................................... 82 Single Sign Configurator ............................................................................................................... 83 Sign Simulation ............................................................................................................................. 83 Product List................................................................................................................................... 83 Print to PDF ................................................................................................................................. 83 Preparing Artwork Files.................................................................................................................... 84 Work with Layers .......................................................................................................................... 84 Save as AI ...................................................................................................................................... 85 Handling of Imported Orders ............................................................................................................ 86 Orders for import .......................................................................................................................... 86 File formats ................................................................................................................................... 86 In Siebel ........................................................................................................................................ 86 In V.Con....................................................................................................................................... 87 Examples......................................................................................................................................... 88 Print from Sign Family.................................................................................................................. 88 Print from Sign Simulation ........................................................................................................... 89 Print from Schedule....................................................................................................................... 90 Finishing Artwork files for Central Texting in CorelDRAW ......................................................... 91 Short Cut Keys ................................................................................................................................. 93 How do I …? ................................................................................................................................... 94 Delete a pictogram in a text?.......................................................................................................... 94 Delete a pictogram on a text panel................................................................................................. 94 Create signs with similar text?........................................................................................................ 94 Get text on the signs I print?.......................................................................................................... 95 Add special characters in the text?.................................................................................................. 95 Insert panels in a sign? ................................................................................................................... 96 V.Con Version 1.6 – 4 January 2006
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Modulex Visual Configurator Change a panel colour on all signs? ................................................................................................ 97 Centre a picto with special height on a panel? ................................................................................ 97 Standard Pictograms ........................................................................................................................ 99 Pictogram Families ........................................................................................................................ 99 Overview ..................................................................................................................................... 100 Standard Arrows ............................................................................................................................ 104 Arrow Families ............................................................................................................................ 104 Overview ..................................................................................................................................... 104 Customized pictogram families....................................................................................................... 105 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 105 File Layers.................................................................................................................................... 105 Create the pictogram ................................................................................................................... 106 Technical Info ................................................................................................................................ 108 Installation................................................................................................................................... 108 Directory Structure...................................................................................................................... 108 Temporary Files........................................................................................................................... 108 Configuration File ....................................................................................................................... 109
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Version Control Introduction
This manual will follow the program version number of the V.Con software. The program version can be seen if you click “Help – About Modulex Configurator” in V.Con: If the version has an extension Number in parenthesis, it means that the product databases have been updated since the program was updated. Below you will find a history of changes to this manual.
Version Date 1.0
1.4.1
Author
Comments
18-09-2001
Kim Schrøder
•
Released version 1.0 of V.Con
05-09-2003
Kim Schrøder
•
General update to match version 1.4 of V.Con
26-03-2004
Kim Schrøder
•
Changed version to match software version
•
General update to match version 1.4.1 of V.Con
1.5
30-08-2004
Kim Schrøder
•
General update to match version 1.5 of V.Con, with focus on the chapters “Colours” and “Styles” under “Using the Sign Family” and the chapters “The Text Configurator” and “Using The Text Configurator”
1.5.6
01-08-2005
Kim Schrøder
•
General update to match version 1.5.6 of V.Con with focus on Silhouette
•
Added chapters for “Handling of DC orders” and “Customized pictogram families”
•
General update to match version 1.6 of V.Con with focus on the Text Configurator with focus on “Using the Text Configurator” and a change of “Handling of DC orders” to a general import of order files.
1.6
04-01-2006
Kim Schrøder
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Visual Configurator Introduction
The Modulex Visual Configurator - or in short V.Con, is an integrated part of the Front Office system. After completion of the quotation with account information the option to configure signs is presented to the user. The objective of V.Con is to create a parts list for configured signs to Modulex rules and specifications. Therefore: •
what you sell is what we can manufacture
•
getting the configuration “right first time” and
•
with the ability to repeat exactly the same configuration when a re-order is placed.
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The Elements in V.Con Introduction
The V.Con application presents a standard framework referred to as the “desktop”. Like most Windows applications, the desktop contains a Title bar, Menu bar, Tool bar, Status bar, and many other familiar elements.
Sign Family
The Sign Family contains all sign types in a project. From here you can add text for additional signs of the same type.
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Single Sign Configurator
In the Single Sign Configurator you can create a sign by combining panels, accessories etc. from the products available under each product line.
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Sign Simulation
Use the Sign Simulation to present an array of signs from the Sign Family in an environment. You can choose between a list of both interior and exterior environments.
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Product List
In the Product List you will see a representation of the first sign of each type with the required article Numbers and the quantity you specified.
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Toolbar Buttons Introduction
The toolbar provides buttons that automate common actions such as Add Sign, Modify and Product List. The table lists and describes the buttons on the toolbar.
Buttons
Button
Description
Function
Add sign
Adds a new sign.
Duplicate sign
Duplicates a sign.
Modify sign
Modifies a sign.
Delete sign
Deletes a sign.
Sign family
Opens the Sign Family.
Product list
Opens the Product list.
Sign simulation
Opens the Sign Simulation.
Save/Exit
Saves the Sign Family and exits V.Con.
Configure sign
Create a sign configuration.
Configure text
Configure text.
Save sign
Saves the sign to the Sign Family.
Exit sign
Exits the current sign.
Auto Zoom
Zooms automatically to the entire sign.
View front
Switches to the front view of the sign.
View back
Switches to the back view of the sign. Continued on next page
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Modulex Visual Configurator Button
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Description
Function
Zoom in
Zoom in to part of the drawing.
Zoom out
Zoom out to larger part of the drawing.
Home
Zooms in to full size of the front of the sign.
Add New Text
Add a text and a quantity to the selected sign type.
Copy Text
Duplicate the selected sign type with text and quantity.
Modify Text
Edit the text and change the quantity of the sign with the specified text.
Delete Text
Deletes the sign with the selected text.
Snapshot
Generate a snapshot of your sign(s) with text in a 3D environment
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Setting Up Your Version of V.Con Introduction
V.Con is delivered with English as the language for menus and for prints. The menus are fixed in English but the prints can be set to a language from the list of e.g.: 1. US English 2. Danish 3. German 4. French etc. Besides the prints, you will also see the different sign types in the language you select. See “Single Sign Configurator” for further details.
The menus have been translated for a few languages, so if you e.g. choose the language “French”, then you will also have the menus in French.
Language and Settings
The menu bar gives you access to a screen where you can specify your language and other settings for V.Con.
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Modulex Visual Configurator Select your settings for language and measurement from the menus and fill out the decimal and thousand separators.
Click OK to save your settings.
NOTE: If you change the language it will take a few seconds to generate all appropriate text in the new language. Continued on next page
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Auto-backup
When you open V.Con through Siebel, V.Con will automatically save a copy of your file when you click
to transfer the quote lines to Siebel.
It means that if the transfer to Siebel is interrupted before the V.Con file is actually attached to your quote in Siebel, you can always find a local copy of the drawings again on your pc. The backup files will be saved with the quote Number as the file name in the folder: C:\Program Files\VCon\Settings\backup Delete old backup files You must manually delete old backup files, so you don’t fill your hard disk. We recommend that you on a regular basis delete old files, but keep the latest quotes so you have a backup of the quotes you are currently working on. So e.g. once a week delete files older than 2 weeks.
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Sign Family Introduction
Sign Family is the main entry point in V.Con and the screen you meet when you start a new quote from Siebel. It will hold all the different sign types in a quote (project) as well as the information needed regarding text and texting rules.
Sign Family
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Using the Sign Family Project Information
Fill out the four lines with the project information, as this information is needed when you print your drawings. When you launch V.Con through Siebel you will automatically get the fields Name, Customer and Quote filled with the corresponding values in Siebel. •
Name The name of the project (field “Reference” in Siebel)
•
Description Short description of the project or e.g. a reference to a design manual for the project (is only used for extra information about the project and doesn’t print).
•
Customer The name of the customer (field “Account” in Siebel)
•
Quote The quote No. (field “Quote #” in Siebel)
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Modulex Visual Configurator Project Specifications
Before you start drawing your signs, you have to specify the colours, styles and logos you are going to use in your project. Everything you specify here can be used throughout the project and gives you the possibility of e.g. changing a colour for all panels in your project after you have drawn all the signs. You find the menu under “Edit – Colours and Graphics…”
NOTE: Any changes you make to these settings after you have created your signs, will affect every sign in the entire Sign Family.
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Modulex Visual Configurator Colours
Specify and name panel and text colours. The colour names are only used in the selection menus, so name the colours like e.g. panel colour, header colour and separator colour.
It is important to specify a Number of colours even if you don’t know the actual colour, as you later on can change a specified colour. If you don’t specify different colours and later in the project find out that you should have two different colours instead of one colour, you have to select every single panel to specify the colour. It is better to specify a colour too many for a project, as you later on can have two colour names with the same colour specification. We have added the following default colours: ¾ MX 15 - Panel colour 15 ¾ Vinyl in Black and White – 3M colour 100-12 and 100-10 ¾ Vinyl in Red – 3M colour 100-13 (used for the “ / “ in e.g. a no smoking pictogram) ¾ Vinyl in Safety colours – 3M colours for safety pictograms and ¾ Neutral Text Colour – used as default value for Digital print that will be used in all new Sign Families. Values that you of course can change. Continued on next page
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Modulex Visual Configurator
You can also specify custom colours by ticking the “Enable” under “Special Colours”. Type in a colour definition (that will be presented on the product list) in either ¾ Modulex Recipe Colour ¾ RAL or ¾ BS and click “Set Colour” to select a colour from the palette that can be defined only in RGB.
The special colour(s) you create, will be displayed on the panel(s), so your drawing will be in the actual colour on screen and on print.
NOTE: The length of the special colour definition must not exceed 30 characters. Do NOT use characters like “ / “ or “ \ “ in colour name, as this might cause problems when transferring the quote to Siebel. Colours used for “accessories” like e.g. the post for a Pacific Exterior post or the end-clips for Interior 10•20, will automatically be added to the list of colours when you draw a sign in Single Sign Configurator with the actual product.
NOTE: As a “style” includes colour information regarding your text, it is important that you create the different colours before creating your styles.
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Definition of colours for silkscreen print / ADA print When you choose silkscreen in V.Con you also have an opportunity to indicate a print colour. We often experience that it has been attempted to convert the customer's colour wish from one colour system to another, for example from Pantone to a Modulex recipe number. This conversion will always be based on a subjective estimate. In order to ensure the best possible uniformity, we prefer to let the silkscreen department at Modulex A/S handle this task. Re-ordering In connection with re-ordering it is important that the colour description is the same as previously. This enables the silkscreen department to find the right colour and thereby ensure a uniform result. Customised colours Keep the customer specifications. It is OK to indicate the colour by means of other international colour systems like PMS, RAL, NCS etc. Moreover, it is possible to use Modulex standard colours and foil colours, for example MX 02 or 100-13. The paint departments' recipe numbers (e.g. 05-0001) CANNOT be used. Please do not convert from one colour system to another. It is better to leave this to our professional production people.
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Modulex Visual Configurator Styles
A “Style” is a set of parameters linked to text and pictograms. The parameters are: •
Font and text colour
•
Font “manipulation” e.g. Initial character in a different font, scale and spacing
•
Arrow and pictogram family and colour
•
Text method
NOTE: As a “style” includes colour information regarding your text, it is important that you create the different colours before creating your styles.
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Font scale % Font scaling will stretch the text horizontally
If you use font scaling and initials, you must set a scaling value for both the normal and the initial font.
Initials You can define the first letter to be e.g. in a different colour and a different text
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Modulex Visual Configurator
The relative size will scale the initial character generally based on the “Normal”
Spacing Spacing will give you extra space between the characters
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Pictograms You can select between the available families of pictograms, but please note that not all families include all variants of the pictograms. The arrows are split in families, so if you late in the project decide to e.g. go for a thinner arrow, you simply change the arrow family in your style, and all the signs will be updated automatically with the thin arrow in the correct direction.
“Colours” refers to the default colour on the pictogram when you select it from the drop menu:
So if you want to have the pictograms in white instead of black, you must first click the “Picto: Black” and then use “Select Colour” to change it to white.
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Modulex Visual Configurator
NOTE: If you open an existing drawing created in an earlier version of V.Con, where pictograms were handled as a font, the pictograms will automatically be converted to match the above. You have to create a style for each variant you have of text and colour, like e.g.: ¾ Style: Regular Text Regular text in Helvetica 65 Medium, black vinyl 100-12 ¾ Style: Italic Text Italic text in Helvetica 65 Medium, black vinyl 100-12 ¾ Style: Heading Bold text in Helvetica 65 Medium, black vinyl 100-12 ¾ Style: Department Regular text in Helvetica 45 Light, white vinyl 100-10
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Artwork
Artwork files are AI files converted to curves with each colour on a separate layer. See “Preparing Artwork Files” for further details.
Name and Description The Name will be shown in the drop menu, when you are to insert the artwork on a panel, and the Description is just for your own information. Text Method You can select between the available texting methods. Composite, Use Bitmap and Lo res bitmap If you select “Digital Print” as your text method, you can use the field “Composite”, which will let you use an EPS file as your artwork. It will ensure the artwork will be part of the V.Con text output – ready for production, but unfortunately V.Con cannot display an EPS file on the panel. Therefore you must select “Use Bitmap” and add a “Lo res bitmap” for display and print. See “Bitmaps” for details of how to create the bitmap, and then create a bitmap in low resolution and in the exact same size as your EPS file.
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Layers and Layer Colour The logo is imported with the name of the layers as defined in the file, and will be part of the file sent to Central Texting. If the layer name doesn’t indicate a vinyl colour, you must select the layer and pick a new layer colour to give the correct information to Central Texting later in the production phase.
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Bitmaps
Bitmaps, that can be logos or another illustration, are used only for illustration on the panels. Bitmaps can be imported in either bmp or png format. The bmp format contains a background colour whereas the png format can be transparent and thereby is better suitable for logos. The finishing of the logo must be done in e.g. CorelDRAW, where you can define e.g. transparency for the background.
Bitmaps for illustration must be in a low resolution, where 200 dpi is recommended. Substitute with You can select another high resolution file in bmp format that can be used in Central Texting to substitute your bitmap. The file must be sent on e.g. a CD and must have the correct information regarding positioning on the panel. See the “Digital Print” manual for further details.
NOTE: Bitmaps cannot be used as production input for logos etc. to be cut in vinyl or to be silk-screen printed. For production input you have to specify the logo under “Artwork”.
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Modulex Visual Configurator Add Sign Click to open the Single Sign Configurator, where you finish one example of each sign type. When you save a sign in the Single Sign Configurator, it is presented as a line in the Sign Family.
The Sign Family will also display a possible warning with a sign, so e.g. an unbalanced sign can easily be spotted and selected for completion.
WARNING
If your sign is marked with a in the Sign Family, it is because your sign is exceeding the product limitations, and thereby not possible to produce. Signs marked with a back of the sign.
has an unbalance of panels between the front and the
NOTE: Signs marked with one of the warning symbols will NOT be transferred to Siebel. Continued on next page
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Modulex Visual Configurator Duplicate Sign Highlight a sign type in the Sign Family and click to duplicate your sign type. This will open the duplicate copy in the Single Sign Configurator, where you can change colours, add panels etc. before you save the sign. Remember to change the name and the description of the sign type before saving.
Modify Sign Either double-click a sign type in the Sign Family or highlight it and click to open it in the Single Sign Configurator where it can be modified and saved back to the Sign Family under the same name.
Delete Sign Highlight a sign type in the Sign Family and click from the Sign Family
to remove the sign
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Modulex Visual Configurator Sign Types & Quantities
The quantity of each sign type, and the different texts for each sign if you have more signs of the same type, can be added by highlighting a sign type and clicking .
NOTE: You should only make one drawing of each panel combination, and then use this feature to create different text combinations. Continued on next page
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Modulex Visual Configurator 1. Fill out the Location and add the quantity of this sign type with this specific text:
NOTE: You must press ENTER after entering values in the fields, to save the values. 2. Key in the new text and select pictograms and arrows you want for the selected panels
and change the other parameters needed. To delete a pictogram from a text line, you simple click the pictogram in the window just below the drop menu
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Modulex Visual Configurator 3. Click to save the text for the currently selected panel. Select the next panel and repeat steps 1 –3. NOTE: Every time you click the button you will create a new text combination for this sign type, so if you e.g. have to key in text for several door signs, just enter the correct text – change the “Identifier” and the “quantity” and press to save it 4. When finished with this sign type, click and •
Save Sign Family
to leave the Text Configurator and return to the Sign Family.
to duplicate an existing text on a specific sign type, and You can click change it afterwards by double-clicking the text line or by highlighting it and clicking
•
to save the latest changes
.
Click if you want to delete a single text line. To delete all text lines in the Sign Family, you must click “Edit – Delete All Texting Records”
When finished with all signs in your Sign Family, you must save it, so all article Numbers can be transferred to Siebel for the pricing of your project. Click
to transfer your Sign Family to Siebel.
NOTE: Only signs with a specified quantity will be transferred to Siebel. So even if you have 3 signs in your family as in the example above, and only 1 of the signs has a quantity specified, it is just the 1 sign that will be transferred to Siebel.
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Modulex Visual Configurator Generate Text Output
When you have finished the Sign Family, it is time to generate the text output. The text output consists of one AI file (Adobe Illustrator) per sign containing all text information, and will be zipped as one file with the quote name like e.g. G4ABW.zip. The naming of each AI file will be Quote No. – Sign Type – Sequence No., like e.g. “G-NWHT-06-0” in the above example. The generating of text output is typically done in Siebel by clicking after you have transferred the signs, as this will automatically attach the zip-file to your order but it can also be done manually from V.Con. If you click “File - Generate texting output …”
you will generate the zip file for your order. The zip file can be found in “C:\Program Files\Vcon\Settings\Zip” and can be attached to your Siebel order manually or be sent via mail.
Print Schedule This print is especially meant for production purposes, as it gives an overview of each sign with all article Numbers included, but can also be used towards the customer for approval of the text on each sign type.
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Working with existing files Open an Existing File
If you open a file, and you don’t have the font(s) installed, which is used in the file, you will get a warning.
Make sure you have the correct fonts for the project installed before you make changes in the text or add signs, as Windows replaces missing fonts with a random font from the available fonts on your pc.
NOTE: If you don’t add or change any signs, you can create the text output as described above, as V.Con holds the correct font on the signs even though the fonts are not installed on your pc. If you don’t add or change any signs, you should click either FILE – EXIT, click the X in the upper right corner of the screen or use the Windows short cut CTRLQ to exit V.Con, to avoid transferring data back to the quote.
Create a Copy of an Order
If you create a copy of an existing order, you can delete all the quantities (texting records) specified by clicking “Edit – Delete All Texting Records”
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Rebuild All Graphics
If you open a file created in an earlier version of V.Con, we have seen situations where the typeface hasn’t been updated correct on the new version of the drawing. Therefore it is recommended you click “Edit – Rebuild all Graphics” to have all your signs validated against the styles specified.
Recalculate
If you open a file created in an earlier version of V.Con (before you received the last database update), we have seen situations where e.g. the wall rails for Interior 10.20 hasn’t been updated correct on the new version of the drawing. Therefore it is recommended you click “Edit – Recalculate” to have all your signs validated against the current product information.
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Single Sign Configurator Introduction
Single Sign Configurator is where you create your signs and specify the text parameters like typeface, positions and margins for each sign type. P ro d u ct lin e S ig n Ty p e C an v as C o n figu ratio n p an e In fo rm a tio n p an e G ro u p p an e P rev iew p a n e
Objects
Object
Description
Product Line Contains all product lines within V.Con. Sign Type
All sign types within the selected product line, like e.g. "Post and panel".
Canvas
Your drawing area, that will switch between different environments, like e.g. a corridor with a door or a room with a desk, depending on the sign type you have selected.
Information pane
Information about your sign height, width etc. and also warnings if you e.g. exceed the limitations for the specified product line.
Configuration pane
The configuration pane is split in two parts where applicable. This is where you select between the standard colours or add your XY parameters. The Frame pane will contain parameters for e.g. a post in Pacific Exterior, a floor stand in Infinity etc. The Panel pane will contain parameters regarding each individual panel in your sign.
Group pane
A group of panels within the selected product line, like e.g. 900 mm wide panels for Pacific Exterior.
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Modulex Visual Configurator To minimise the amount of switching between the Group- and the Preview pane, Group- and Preview Panes we have built the structure so the Group Pane contains the standard widths of a product.
Within each Group you will see the available sizes in the Preview Pane and the parameters in the Panel pane will change accordingly.
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Modulex Visual Configurator
Features in the Single Sign Configurator Introduction
Depending on the type of sign you are creating in the Single Sign Configurator, you will see different information in the configuration pane.
General Features
General features are features used through all the product lines in the Single Sign Configurator. Feature
Description
Double sided signs
To indicate if you have balance between the front and the back of a sign, there will be two different icons in the information pane. A
indicates that you don't have a balance - the sign height is
different on front and back, whereas in balance.
indicates that your sign is
Exceeding the limitations
If you create a sign higher than the product rules allow you will see
Windload
If you create an exterior sign you will be asked to select a windload zone for the signs position.
in the information pane.
Select a zone from the drop down menu XY signs
If you create either a XY panel or a XY sign you will see in the configuration pane, indicating that your solution might be affected with a higher price and a longer time of delivery. If you have a XY sign where you key in the dimensions, like e.g. under Compass, the system will not update the information abut “Dimension” until you select the panel again on the canvas. The panel dimensions will update on the canvas though, as soon as you press ENTER in the Width and Height fields.
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Description
Copy panels from front to back of sign
It is possible to copy all panels from the front to the back of a sign. 1. Press CTRL + A to highlight all items on the canvas. 2. Hold down SHIFT and click on items you don't want copied, like e.g. the post on a Pacific Exterior Post and Panel 3. Press CTRL + C to copy the selected items to the clipboard 4. Press CTRL + V to insert the copied items on the canvas
5. Click
to switch to the back of the sign
6. Click and drag the copied items to the snap point on the back of the sign
7. The same feature can be used in e.g. Interior 10.20 if you want to copy a complete column of panels in a directory. 8. Create the first column of panels 9. Select all items (CTRL + A) 10. Copy the items to the clipboard (CTRL + C) and insert them again (CTRL + V) 11. Click and drag the copied items to the correct position You can use CTRL + V again to insert the copied items as many times you need.
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Product Features
Product features are features used in specific product lines in the Single Sign Configurator Feature
Description
Ariadne
Panels
The panels will only snap to a pre-defined position, so you are e.g. not able to position a 29 mm panel above the Ariadne screen
Compass
Single Post
To combine both projected and centre panels, you must start by selecting a projecting sign. Projecting panels can be snapped in angles of 90°
but the snap points are very close together, so you might need to zoom in to the drawing. XY Post and Panels,
For all types of XY panels, you have to define the “width” of the posts or wires before you add the panels.
Susp. Sign in Post and Susp. Sign in Wire
After you have changed the “width” of the posts, the XY panels will default to the current width. Continued on next page
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Infinity
Feature
Description
Position counter
To position the panels correct on the grid, you can see a “position counter” in the information pane. The X-axis indicates the horizontal position and the Y-axis the vertical position.
The lower left hand corner of the grid is position “0”, so you will see e.g. “Y: -4” if you position the panel lower than the bottom of the grid. Table Sign and Table Stand
If you create a sign in XY sizes, you must 1. add the left foot 2. snap the grid to the foot and scale the grid before you 3. add the right foot and a possible foot in the centre of the grid. The right (and centre) foot will snap correctly to the bottom of the grid, but you have to position it manually to the right position from the right hand side of the grid.
NOTE: The calculation of feet for the Product List is done automatically, so the extra feet you add is just for presentation purposes. Continued on next page
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Interior 10·20
Description
Layout Panel If you create a layout panel, it will automatically snap from the lower right hand corner between two panels like in this ex.
XY Panel
If you need to add a header panel across e.g. two paperflex panels, you can add a temporary layout panel and use the above feature to get an XY panel to autoscale in width. You must change the height of the layout panel so it exceeds the height of your other panels like in this ex.
When you have the correct header panel, you must remember to delete your temporary layout panel. Free / Occupied
You can create 2 colour panes in green and red and position a text field on top of each one of them to create your text for the free / occupied panel. Remember to use the element layer to position the text on top.
Pacific Exterior Monolith
To create a monolith you must select a “Post and panel”, drag a “post with frame” to the canvas and under clearance select the “Monolith”
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Description
XY Projected When you draw a XY projected sign you will only get the lower pictogram fitting on the canvas.
When you have scaled the panel to the correct size you can drag the “missing” fitting to the top of the panel, where it will snap correctly.
It is only on the canvas the fitting is missing, so even if you don’t drag the top fitting in to place you will still get a correct product list.
Pacific Interior Suspended panels
It is important that you “drop” the wire while the cursor is over the floor, as the wire otherwise doesn’t snap correctly to the ceiling.
If the wire snaps to the back wall, you will not get a correct print of the sign. Continued on next page
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Silhouette
Feature
Description
Material and Paint method
You can select between different types of material and paint methods.
If you select the paint method “Full Paint” you can use all available texting techniques. If you choose “Raw” you must make sure you use a texting method that is suitable for the selected material. XY panels
If you select “XY” you can choose between the different shapes available for the selected panel type:
Panel Dimensions
The dimensions you see below the panel in the preview pane is the actual panel size, but the dimensions you see in the configuration pane is the maximum panel size
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Feature
Description
Export and Import panel shape
If you click “Export shape”, you can export one of the standard panels, e.g.: D 65 x 180 as an AI file.
This file can then be manipulated in e.g. Adobe Illustrator, where you must save the file as an AI file version 8. Use “Import shape” to import the file back into V.Con again, where it will be validated against the actual panel size. If it exceeds the boundaries the file will not be imported, but you will see the warning triangle and a description of why the file couldn’t be imported.
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Text Only
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Description If you want to create an order only for vinyl text, you can select the Sign System “Text Only”. From the product list you can add a XY panel, scale it to the size you want, and use all the texting features you know from the other product lines.
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Using the Single Sign Configurator Sign System
Start by selecting the Sign System followed by the type of installation. Give each sign a name and a description both of which will show when you print.
Sign Type and Description
Key in a name and a description for this sign type.
Sign Type is limited to 10 characters and Description to 38 characters. The Sign Type and Description will show in your Sign Family. “Sign Type” will be printed under “Sign Type” and “Description” will be printed under “Comments”.
NOTE: Do NOT use characters like “ / “ or “ \ “ in neither the Sign Type nor the Description field, as this might cause problems when transferring the quote to Siebel.
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Modulex Visual Configurator Creating a Sign
In the group pane, you can select between the different panels and accessories available under the specified Sign Type.
Click a headline like e.g. “Paperflex” to fold/unfold the sub categories, to switch between different panel types Find and highlight the requested product specifications in the group pane and drag and drop each element to the canvas by clicking the illustration, dragging it to the canvas while holding down the mouse button and releasing the mouse button when you have the element in place.
The cursor will be positioned in the lower left hand corner of the element, e.g. a post or a panel.
NOTE: You can also click once on the product in the group pane, to make the product automatically snap to the canvas or to the previous panel (element). If you want to add e.g. Interior 10.20 or Infinity panels in more columns, you nd have to drag the first panel in the 2 column manually before you can use the single-click feature. The same goes for the first panel on the back of a double-sided sign. The single-click added panels snap upwards except for Interior 10.20 where the panels snap downwards. The single-click is not active for Infinity. Continued on next page
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Auto Zoom
When activated (toggle the icon) V.Con will automatically zoom in to best fit for all panels in the sign.
Frame Parameters
Select the required parameters for e.g. clearance and colour of the post, before you start adding the panels.
Snap Points
Each panel has at least one snap point, so it will snap to the correct position, either on top of an existing panel, or as in this example as the bottom panel. Sn ap p oin t
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Panel Colours
When you have added the first panel, you can change the colour. Use the drop down menu to select between the available colours you specified under “Colours and Graphics…”.
Colours used for “accessories” like e.g. the post for a Pacific Exterior post and panel or the end-clips for Interior 10•·20, will automatically be added to the list of colours when you draw a sign in Single Sign Configurator with the actual product.
Double Sided Signs
Use the buttons the sign.
and
to switch between the front and the back of
You can click once on the product in the group pane, to make the product automatically snap to the canvas or to the previous panel (element). You have to drag the first panel on the back of the sign manually before you can use the singleclick feature.
NOTE: The icons
in the configuration pane, indicates if the sign is out of balance or exceeds the limitations. See “Features in the Single Sign Configurator” for further details.
Text Click
to add text to the sign. See “The Text Configurator” for details.
Click
to save the sign and keep it on screen.
Saving a Sign
to exit the sign and return to the Sign Family. After having clicked Click exit, you can answer “Yes” to save the sign before returning to the Sign Family, “No” to exit without saving or “Cancel” to keep the sign on screen.
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The Text Configurator Introduction
The text configurator contains the standard Modulex texting rules, so you will be guided to position the text and pictograms correctly on each panel. The text configurator is used to define the “master” for each sign type, so you can decide whether e.g. text colours and fonts can be changed when ordering this specific type of sign.
Sample Image
Elements
Each panel carries a text element, here illustrated by the box on the panel, indicating the maximum text area.
If you click the text element you will see the drop-lists for font etc. on the right hand side of the screen. If you click the outline of the panel, you will see the drop-list for panel-types on the right hand side of the screen.
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Using The Text Configurator Panel Types
Panels intended for the use of single line of text will default to the panel type “Text panel” which means the texting rules for a single line of text will be activated. All “Text Panels” will automatically have a price added for text in Siebel. You can select between different types of text panel, that includes a field for arrows
Other panels default to the type “Grid panel” where you can use the texting rules based on the grid to freely position your text, pictograms, logos and graphics. If you leave the “Changeable” activated you can change the panel type later when specifying more text and quantities for this sign type. Comment You can add a comment for each panel to e.g. Central Texting. The comment will be printed on the “Texting Report” with a reference to the corresponding panel. The different types of panels are: Blank panel No text can be added – and no text price will be added in Siebel. Text panel Text can be added as well as pictograms directly following the text.
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Text panel with arrow left, right or left and right A field is reserved for the arrow and text can be added.
If you key in a Number of lines, V.Con will adjust the text height and arrow positions to match the panel Pictogram panel Only one pictogram can be added.
Pictogram over text One pictogram is added above a single line of text.
Grid panel You can freely add logos (bitmaps), text etc.
You can switch between the different panels types by highlighting the panel (click the panel outline) and selecting a panel type from the drop-list.
Zoom
You can zoom in/out and back to full size of the drawing by clicking the buttons in the lower left hand corner of the screen.
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Modulex Visual Configurator Text Panels When you have selected a text panel, goes for all variations, you can define how many lines you want on the panel and specify margins in mm.
The text height will automatically scale to match the Number of lines you specify. Afterwards you can select the specifications for your text from the various drop lists.
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NOTE: If you change the text height, the text will automatically be re-positioned with the correct top and bottom margin on the panel.
Text Key in the text you want to have displayed on the panel – remember to press ENTER when finished. Pictograms Select a pictogram from the drop-list that contains all standard pictograms. Style Select between the different styles you specified for this Sign Family that controls the font, the colour and the texting method. Size Default height is the height that matches your panel according to the texting rules. The height can be changed, but remember to press ENTER for your changes to take effect. Length Displays the actual length of the text you have entered. Justification Select between the available possibilities.
NOTE: “Centre” will only centre the text horizontally and only on the text line i.e. the red line you see when selecting a text. You can click the vertically.
to centre a text
Angle You can rotate text on a panel by keying in the angle. The text will rotate with the lower left hand corner of the text as 0. Position You can move the text away from the default position by keying in values in mm in “Horizontal” and “Vertical”. The position is calculated from the lower left hand corner of the panel.
You can also just click and drag an element to a new position. This goes for all elements: text, pictograms, logos and colour panes.
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Element Layer When you work with more elements on a panel, e.g. text, pictogram and a colour pane, you can select an element like the colour pane and move it backwards in steps (behind the other elements like here behind the text)
by clicking the Clicking the
button, where clicking
will move it towards the front.
will centre the element horizontally on the panel, and clicking
will centre the element vertically on the panel. Movable If you select “Movable” you are able to move e.g. the pictogram when ordering this sign type from the Sign Family. Otherwise the position of the pictogram is locked and can only be changed by opening the sign type in the Single Sign Configurator. Editable If you select “editable” you are able to change the setting when keying in more text for this sign type from the Sign Family. Otherwise the settings are locked and can only be changed by opening the sign type in the Single Sign Configurator.
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Modulex Visual Configurator Text Panels with Arrows
When you have selected a text panel with arrow, goes for all variations, you can switch between the arrow font and the pictogram font in the fields reserved for arrows.
If you haven't ticked "Default font" you can select between pictograms, and if you do tick "Default font" you can select arrows.
NOTE: If you select a pictogram and add/remove the tick, you will see e.g. an arrow switch to a no smoking pictogram, as the pictogram is read as a value in both fonts. Continued on next page
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Modulex Visual Configurator Grid Panels
When you have selected a grid panel you will get your panel divided in squares of 1/12 of the panel width. Here you can add elements as text and pictograms but furthermore you can add graphic elements like a colour pane and a logo. All elements can be changed in size and moved to new positions using either drag & drop or by keying in the position. The upper left hand corner of the elements will automatically snap to the grid, unless you de-select the “Snap to grid”.
NOTE: You can also start out with a text panel and e.g. use the features there to create multiple lines on the panel and afterwards convert the panel to a “grid panel” to move the text or add a logo. Continued on next page
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Insert Text Gives you a text element, which you can specify, edit and move as for the elements on a text panel.
You can click the box at the end of the red line to drag the text element to a new size, or click the centre of the element and drag it to a new position.
Insert Pictogram and Insert Arrow
Both gives you a pictogram element like for pictogram panels, but the available possibilities in the drop-lists are limited to only contain either the pictograms or arrows specified in your “Style”
Movable If you select “Movable” you are able to move the pictogram when ordering this sign type from the Sign Family. Otherwise the position of the pictogram is locked and can only be changed by opening the sign type in the Single Sign Configurator. Continued on next page
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Field Dimensions You can key the exact dimensions of the field, or you can click & drag the outline of the element to a new size.
The pictogram will automatically centre in the field and adjust to the height of the field.
Position You can move the element away from the default position by keying in values in mm in the horizontal and vertical position. The position is calculated from the lower left hand corner of the panel.
Element Layer If you are working with a number of overlapping layers of text and or colour layers, you are able to sort them in the correct order by using element layer, where you can bring a layer to the front or back of others.
See “Text Panels – Element Layer” for further details. You can also centre the elements on a panel. Clicking the element horizontally on the panel, and clicking vertically on the panel.
will centre the
will centre the element
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Insert Colour Pane
A colour pane is a graphic element like here the field, which has been positioned behind the text using the “Element Layer”.
Field Dimensions You can key the exact dimensions of the field, or you can click & drag the outline of the element to a new size.
Position You can move the element away from the default position by keying in values in mm in the horizontal and vertical position. The position is calculated from the lower left hand corner of the panel.
Element Layer If you are working with a number of overlapping layers of text and or colour layers, you are able to sort them in the correct order by using element layer, where you can bring a layer to the front or back of others.
See “Text Panels – Element Layer” for further details. You can also centre the elements on a panel. Clicking the element horizontally on the panel, and clicking vertically on the panel.
will centre the
will centre the element
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Insert Bitmap
Gives you a bitmap element, which you can specify and move as for the elements on a text panel. The bitmap can either be a logo or another illustration, for your sign. Bitmaps can be selected from the list of bitmaps you have created under “Colours and Graphics…”.
NOTE: The bitmaps are just meant for illustration and will not be part of the output used to produce the graphic. But it is important that they are scaled correctly (because of the file size) before they are imported in V.Con. Field Dimensions You can key the exact dimensions of the field, or you can click & drag the outline of the element to a new size.
The field will automatically scale to fit the logo if you key in a value in either Horizontal or Vertical. Position You can move the element away from the default position by keying in values in mm in the horizontal and vertical position. The position is calculated from the lower left hand corner of the panel.
Element Layer If you are working with a number of overlapping layers of text and or colour layers, you are able to sort them in the correct order by using element layer, where you can bring a layer to the front or back of others.
See “Text Panels – Element Layer” for further details. You can also centre the elements on a panel. Clicking the element horizontally on the panel, and clicking vertically on the panel.
will centre the
will centre the element
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Modulex Visual Configurator Insert Artwork
Gives you an artwork element, which you can specify and move as for the elements on a text panel. The artwork can either be a logo or another illustration, for your sign, and will be part of the text file prepared for Central Texting. Artworks can be selected from the list of artworks you have created under “Colours and Graphics…”.
NOTE: Artwork can also be e.g. ¾ a custom pictogram ¾ an AI version of the standard parking pictogram in two colours or ¾ a text in more columns Field Dimensions You can key the exact dimensions of the field, or you can click & drag the outline of the element to a new size.
The field will automatically scale to fit the logo if you key in a value in either Horizontal or Vertical. Position You can move the element away from the default position by keying in values in mm in the horizontal and vertical position. The position is calculated from the lower left hand corner of the panel.
Element Layer If you are working with a number of overlapping layers of text and or colour layers, you are able to sort them in the correct order by using element layer, where you can bring a layer to the front or back of others.
See “Text Panels – Element Layer” for further details. Clicking the
will centre the element horizontally on the panel, and clicking
will centre the element vertically on the panel.
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Pictogram Panels
When you have selected a pictogram panel you can only add pictograms from the drop-list.
Pictogram Select a pictogram from the drop-list that contains all standard pictograms. Field Dimensions You can change the field for the pictogram by keying in values in mm, or you can simply drag the field to the desired size. Continued on next page
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NOTE: The minimum and maximum possible text heights vary for the different texting methods, but the system doesn’t warn you if you exceed the limitations. Position You can move the element away from the default position by keying in values in mm in the horizontal and vertical position. The position is calculated from the lower left hand corner of the panel.
You can also just click and drag an element to a new position. This goes for all elements like e.g.: text and pictograms. Element Layer When you work with more elements on a panel, e.g. text, pictogram and a colour pane, you can select an element like the colour pane and move it backwards in steps (behind the other elements like here behind the text)
by clicking the
button, where clicking
will move it towards the front.
You can also centre the elements on a panel. Clicking the element horizontally on the panel, and clicking vertically on the panel.
will centre the
will centre the element
Editable If you select “editable” you are able to change the setting when keying in more text for this sign type from the Sign Family. Otherwise the settings are locked and can only be changed by opening the sign type in the Single Sign Configurator.
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Modulex Visual Configurator Double-sided signs
If you have a double-sided sign, like e.g. a projected sign, you can click the back panel and select the panel type “Mirrored”.
Pictogram panels will be an exact copy
If you have e.g. a panel with an arrow on the right hand side, you will automatically get the arrow in the right direction on the back panel.
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Text Templates
You can create a template for e.g. a door sign, so you can import a list of names from Excel, and thereby save time when generating the different text for the signs. 1. Create your template sign with text like e.g.:
2. Save the sign 3. Highlight the sign in the Sign Family and click FILE – EXPORT TEXT TEMPLATE
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4. Give your template a name and click SAVE
5. Open your new template in Excel
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6. Just click FINISH to open the file
7. Fill out the spreadsheet like e.g.
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8. Click FILE – SAVE AS and save the file as a tab delimited file.
9. Click YES to keep the tab delimited format
and close Excel.
NOTE: If you have your spreadsheet open when you want to import the text in V.Con, you will have a crash. Continued on next page
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10. Mark the sign in the Sign Family in V.Con and click FILE – IMPORT SIGNS
11. Mark the file you just created in Excel and click OPEN
12. Each line from the spreadsheet will now be created under quantities
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Sign Simulation Introduction
Using Sign Simulation is an easy way to present some of the signs for the customer in an interior or exterior environment, where the shapes of the signs appear in a 3D presentation.
Sample Image
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Using Sign Simulation Environments Click
from the Sign Family to start Sign Simulation.
Select an environment from the drop down menu, where you can select between a range of interior and exterior environments.
Adding signs
Click a sign type in the preview pane and drag and drop a selection of the different sign types to the canvas.
When you have positioned a sign on the canvas, you can select the text to be displayed from the drop down menu.
You will not see any text on the signs until you click
to finish your simulation.
NOTE: The process of generating the text and shadows (rendering) can take up to a couple of minutes, so wait until you have added all the signs you want and rotated/zoomed to the correct image.
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Modulex Visual Configurator Navigating on the Canvas
Click and drag the wheels to move or rotate in the arrows direction or to zoom in/out to the canvas.
Click
to go back to the default viewpoint.
Mark a sign and click
Using an Interior Environment
to rotate the sign.
The signs will automatically snap to specified gridlines, when you position the signs on the interior environment. The gridlines are as follows: Wall signs 170 cm or 210 cm (top of door frame) above floor to top of sign 5 cm from side of sign to door frame Suspended and projected signs 210 cm (top of door frame) to bottom of sign
Using an Exterior Environment
Click a sign type in the preview pane and drag and drop a selection of the different sign types to the canvas.
If you select the environment “Background” you have the possibility of inserting a Using “Background” photo as a background. Be aware that here you have to rotate the signs on your own using the photo.
, to create the correct view of the signs according to the
You can also use the blank background to present all your (wall- and post mounted) signs on e.g. one print in A3 landscape to illustrate the proportions of your different sign types.
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Modulex Visual Configurator Finishing the Simulation
When finished with adding the signs to the canvas, you must click to render all signs. This will add the text to the signs, shadows etc. after which you can print the drawing or save it as a bmp file. The print will reflect the settings you have on screen, so if you have zoomed or rotated the canvas this is also how it will look on the print. You can click another click.
to toggle the text off if you want to move a sign and on again by
NOTE: The process of generating the text and shadows can take 1 – 2 minutes.
Create a File of Your Simulation
When finished with the simulation, you can save the canvas as a BMP file. Just click FILE – SAVE TO BMP after which you will be prompted for the file name. The file will always be in a resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels so the file size will be app. 5 MB, but can easily be adjusted to other sizes and used in e.g. a presentation.
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Product List Introduction
The Product List shows the article Nos. needed per sign, including additional parameters needed for e.g. a Pacific Exterior post and panel like height and width for the frame or parameters needed for a XY sign.
Sample Image
Print
Use CTRL+P or click FILE – PRINT to print the product list.
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Printing Introduction
It is possible to print from everywhere in V.Con, i.e. you can print from the Sign Family, Single Sign Configurator, Sign Simulation and the Product List, but the type of print varies from where you are in the programme.
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Print Layouts Sign Family
In Sign Family you get the following menu:
Scale
Perspective Will print the sign(s) as big as possible in a perspective seen from the front. NOTE: Text cannot be printed in perspective. Fit To Paper Will print the sign(s) as big as possible. To scale If you select one of the scales 1:1, 1:10, 1:25, 1:50 or “User defined”, you will get the sign(s) printed in the same scale. To print in ”User Defined” scale, you must key in a value like e.g.: 100, to get your print in the scale 1:100. “Auto Select” will print the sign(s) in one of the fixed scales based on a “best fit” for each individual sign. Both “Fit To Paper” and all scales will print the sign(s) with text. If your sign is double-sided, like e.g. an Pacific Exterior Post and Panel, you will automatically get two prints – one of the front and one of the back of the sign.
NOTE: You must have specified a “Quantity” to be able to print signs with text.
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Signs
Selected Sign Prints only the selected sign. All Signs Prints all signs in the Sign Family in all text variants. One of each sign Prints the first text variant of each sign type in the Sign Family.
Single Sign Configurator
Prints the actual sign as you see it on the canvas, i.e. it works exactly like “Perspective”, so you don’t get any text on the sign.
Sign Simulation
Prints the selected signs and environment in 3D as you see it on the canvas.
Product List
Prints a total list of article Nos. sorted per sign type.
Print to PDF
When printing to PDF you must select a graphic resolution of minimum 600 Dpi under properties for your PDF writer.
To see the pictograms when you print to PDF, you must select the option “Embed All Fonts” under properties for your PDF writer.
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Preparing Artwork Files
Artwork files like logos and custom pictograms can be created as AI files in e.g. CorelDRAW and used in V.Con. It means that the signs can be completed in V.Con with all texting and logos ready for production in Central Texting.
NOTE: Artwork can also be e.g. ¾ a custom pictogram ¾ an AI version of the standard parking pictogram in two colours or ¾ a text in more columns
Work with Layers
When creating the logo in 1:1 you must split it in one layer per colour.
Name each layer with the 3M colour Number followed by the English colour name.
NOTE: If the logo is to be used for Digital Print, you must specify the cutting line (the outline) on a separate layer called “- Neutral”. See the digital print manual for further details. Continued on next page
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Modulex Visual Configurator Save as AI
Convert everything to curves and save the file as AI with the following settings
Now the file is ready to be used in V.Con and further on in Central Texting.
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Handling of Imported Orders Orders for import
It is possible to import orders generated in other systems into V.Con.
File formats
You can import the following file formats in V.Con:
Examples are the solution created for Daimler Chrysler (DC), where the DC dealers use a web application to create a text file which is sent to Modulex. This file can be imported in V.Con, where it is automatically “linked” to a Sign Family so all the signs and the actual text is being ordered correctly, without the Modulex employee having to re-type anything.
•
TXT Used for e.g. DC
•
XML Used for e.g. Optima
The files are created in the right format from the application, so users only have to select the correct format when importing the order in V.Con.
In Siebel
When e.g. DC orders are received on disk or via e-mail, you must create a new quote in Siebel that contains customer-related information such as customer name, address, payment conditions, delivery address etc. and click “Create” to open V.Con
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When V.Con is open, left click on ”FILE – Import File”
Browse to find the file you have received from the customer. Make sure you have selected the correct type of file in the drop menu.
Click “open” and the order is automatically imported into V.Con. Close V.Con and transfer the data to Siebel, by clicking “Save and Exit”
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Examples Print from Sign Family
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Modulex Visual Configurator Print from Sign Simulation
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Modulex Visual Configurator Print from Schedule
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Modulex Visual Configurator Finishing Artwork files for Central Texting in CorelDRAW
The AI files created in V.Con can be used in CorelDRAW where logos and other custom pictograms etc. can be added. It is important that the order in Siebel is still "Active" when the changes are done to the AI files, as the attached AI files are locked as soon as the order is placed.
Step 1 – V.Con
1. The Customer Service (CS) person creates the quote in Siebel 2. All signs are drawn in V.Con, where the text and png versions of the logo's are positioned. 3. The AI files are created in Siebel from V.Con 4. The CS informs the designer (DES) that the files are ready
Step 2 – CorelDRAW
The AI files are imported in CorelDRAW from the attachment in Siebel, where all text, logo positioning and panel sizes are visible. 1. Click the zip file in Siebel (you find it under "Attachments") 2. Right click the AI file and select "Open with" (or just "Open" if you have associated AI files with CorelDRAW)
3. Select CorelDRAW 4. The logo(s) are positioned correct on the panels 5. Position each colour on a separate layer if more colours are used 6. Add comments on the same layer about e.g. vinyl colour 7. Remember to delete the "box" indicating the logo position and size 8. The AI files are updated in the Siebel attachment Continued on next page
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9. Use "Save as" and save the AI file to e.g. the desktop with the same name 10. Drag the new AI file to the zip file
11. Delete the temporary ai file(s) from your desktop 12. The designer informs CS that the drawings are ready Step 3 - Siebel
The CS places the order
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Short Cut Keys As in other windows based programs, you can use a range of short cut keys for faster navigation between the menu points. Key
Description
Left arrow (Õ)
Move to the left
Down arrow (Ø)
Move downwards
CTRL + arrows
Rotate your view to the left or to the right
(Õ and Ö) CTRL + arrows
Look upwards or downwards
(× and Ø) CTRL + ALT + arrows (× Elevate your view upwards or downwards and Ø) SHIFT + arrows
Move in the arrows direction in small steps.
(Õ, Ö, × and Ø) SHIFT + CTRL + arrows
Look upwards or downwards in small steps
(× and Ø) SHIFT + CTRL + ALT + arrows (× and Ø)
Elevate your view upwards or downwards in small steps
SHIFT + mouse click
Select more elements on the canvas
CTRL + mouse click
Zoom in to the selected element on the canvas
CTRL + A
Select all panels etc. on the canvas
CTRL + C
Copy the selected panels etc. to the clipboard
CTRL + Q
Quit the programme without saving
CTRL + V
Insert the copied panels to the canvas
CTRL + Z
Undo the last action
ALT + mouse click
Copies the selected panel
F1
Opens the help document
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How do I …? To delete a pictogram from a text line, you simple click the pictogram in the Delete a pictogram in a window just below the drop menu text?
Delete a pictogram on a text panel?
Click the button “Reset”
Create signs with similar text?
Click “Copy Text” in "Quantity", modify the text and save the sign under a new Location.
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Get text on the signs I print?
You have to have a line under “Texting” with a quantity (the quantity can be 0 or any Number) to get text on your signs. So mark the sign type in your family and to create a line like e.g.: click
Add special characters in the text?
Use Windows Character Map (you can find it under Programs – Accessories – System Tools), switch to the correct font, mark and copy the character,
go back to V.Con and use CTRL-V to insert the character in your text.
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Insert panels in a sign?
To insert panels in an existing sign, you have to “park” the panels above your insertion point. ¾ Click and drag the panels to another place on the wall/floor (use Shift – click to select more panels)
¾ Insert the new panel(s) ¾ Drag the “parked” panels back to the top of the sign.
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Change a panel colour on all signs?
Open the “Colours and Graphics…”,
edit the actual panel colour, select a new colour and all panels in your Sign Family with this colour name specified will change to the new colour.
Centre a picto with special height on a panel?
If you create a pictogram panel and change the height of the field, the pictogram will automatically scale downwards and towards the right. As a pictogram is always centred horizontally in the field, you can compensate for that, if you ¾ Key in the width of the field with the same value as the panel width,
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¾ Change the panel to a grid panel and ¾ Move the pictogram field so it snaps to the left hand side of the panel
Remember to adjust the vertical positioning depending on how much you scaled your pictogram.
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Standard Pictograms Pictogram Families
The pictograms are available as default in V.Con without a frame, but you can also select different types of frames through the menu “Colours and Graphics”. You can see the type of frame from the name of the pictogram family.
Common for all the families is that we have created the frame in blue, which can easily be changed in the colour section for your “style”. On the following pages you can see an overview of the standard pictograms that can be found in the different families.
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Overview
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Standard Arrows Arrow Families The arrows come with the same type of frames as the pictograms. See “Pictogram Families” for further details.
Overview
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Customized pictogram families Introduction
It is possible to have one or more national sets of pictograms or arrows, so it is easy for you to use the customized pictograms for e.g. a large customer. Your pictogram family will then be visible under “Colours and Graphics” so it can be specified as part of the style in your sign family:
File Layers
Pictograms for V.Con must be created as AI files, with a frame and each colour on a separate layer. The layer names must be like: “0 Frame” and follow the below numbering: Layer
Description
Vinyl colour
Panel Colour
0
Frame
1
Black
100-12
57
2
Red
100-13
19
3
White
100-10
1
4
Blue
100-123
11
5
Safety Green
100-122
20
6
Safety Yellow
100-15
18
7
Safety Blue
100-47
72
V.Con will read the colour from the layer Number, so it is important that you create the files with the correct colour in the pictogram placed on the correct layer Number. Continued on next page
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Modulex Visual Configurator 3 important steps to remember 1. The frame must always be on the lower layer and named “0 Frame” 2. Keep each colour on a separate layer 3. Remove guides before you save the pictogram, as guides will be seen as lines and therefore be cut in the vinyl.
Create the pictogram
•
Create a frame of 301 x 301 mm on layer “0 Frame” with a 1 pt line
•
Center the pictogram inside the frame
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Modulex Visual Configurator •
If you have a pictogram like e.g. the “no smoking”, you must add the diagonal line also in the black vinyl, as this is used as a mask to position the red vinyl when “merging” the vinyl in Central Texting
The red diagonal is deliberately offset in this example, and should of course be positioned exactly on top of the black diagonal. •
Save the pictogram in AI version 8 with a Number and without any spaces like e.g. “100.ai”
•
Send all files to
[email protected] with a definition of what the pictogram “family” should be named in V.Con
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Technical Info Installation Directory Structure
Temporary Files
If you are running V.Con together with Siebel, you must install the programme in C:\Program Files\Vcon Directory
Contents
C:\Program Files\Vcon
Program executables.
..\Databaser
Product databases.
..\Settings
Program settings and temporary files.
..\Settings\AITemplates
Settings and templates for the AI files.
..\Settings\Backup
Automatically saved backup files
..\Settings\Pictograms
Pictogram families
..\Settings\Prices
Pricelists used in stand-alone version of V.Con
..\Settings\Templates
Master templates used when importing e.g. orders for “DC signs”
..\Settings\Zip
AI files for each individual sign that is automatically zipped before transfer to Siebel. The content in this directory is deleted before new AI files are created.
..\User
The file new.vcd holds the defaults colours etc. when creating new drawings. Logo and address information used in stand-alone version of V.Con.
V.Con automatically creates a temporary file under settings - “tempdb.vcd”, with the changes and additions you make to your drawings. The temporary file is automatically opened when launching V.Con. If the file is damaged you will get an error when you try to launch V.Con the next time, in which case you have to delete the file before launching V.Con. If you have a crash, you must rename this file to e.g. mytempdb.vcd or take a copy of it before you launch V.Con from Siebel. Afterwards you can launch V.Con from Siebel, open the file mytempdb.vcd and click “Save & exit” to save the changes back to Siebel.
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Modulex Visual Configurator Configuration File
Under settings you will find the file config.txt. This file holds the sequence of the products presented in Single Sign under “Sign System”. It also holds parameters like e.g.: ¾ ERRORLOG Give you the possibility of logging all activities to a file. Remember to deactivate it when not needed. All parameters can be deactivated by adding a # in front of the line.
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