Split Tool

The Split tool divides a multi-page or multi-document job into smaller, separate jobs. It can split jobs by Document, Page, or Shape (vector paths), depending on your production needs. Each new job inherits metadata, thumbnails, and layout parts automatically, allowing flexible processing of complex files.

When to use it

Use the Split step when you want to:

• Separate multi-page PDF jobs into individual pages.
• Split a multi-document job into distinct jobs per file.
• Break a single page into multiple parts based on vector shapes or cut lines.
• Send parts of a large job to different workflows or printers automatically.

Opening the Tool

1. Open the Workflow Editor in PrintFactory.
2. Add or select the Split step.
3. Click Configure to open the setup dialog.

Setup Dialog

The setup dialog defines how jobs are split and whether small shapes are filtered out. Each control corresponds to workflow logic verified in the code.

Split Method

Remove Small Objects

When enabled, this filters out shapes or objects smaller than the specified threshold. Small artifacts, points, or accidental paths will not be kept as separate parts. The setting is used only when Split Method = Shape.

Minimum Size

Specifies the smallest shape size (in millimeters) that will be retained during shape splitting. Objects smaller than this threshold are ignored if Remove Small Objects is checked.

Variables Tab

Use the Variable tab to control splitting behavior dynamically. You can assign the method or minimum size using workflow variables — for example, selecting split type by job type or customer.

How it works

1. Read Settings – The tool reads your selected Split Method and optional size parameters.
2. Document Mode – Each document in the imposition becomes a separate job. Files and thumbnails are moved to new directories.
3. Page Mode – Each page is copied into a new one-page document. Thumbnails are regenerated and metadata carried over.
4. Shape Mode – The system analyzes vector geometry and separates shapes above the minimum size. Small elements can be filtered out.
5. Imposition Update – The imposition list is rebuilt, and each split job is registered in the flow for downstream processing.

Using Split in workflows

1. Add the Split step after prepress steps like Preflight or Manual Prepare.
2. Choose a Split Method (Document, Page, or Shape).
3. For Shape mode, enable Remove Small Objects and define Minimum Size if needed.
4. Optionally, use the Variables tab to switch splitting logic automatically by job type or media.
5. Run the workflow — each new job will appear in the designated flow, ready for Layout or Printing.

Tips & Best Practices

• Use Document mode to separate combined print runs for multiple customers.
• Use Page mode to handle multipage PDFs as individual print jobs.
• Use Shape mode for cutting templates or object-level production splits.
• Set an appropriate Minimum Size to avoid generating jobs from small vector fragments.
• Combine Split with Nester to automatically gang the resulting single-page jobs.

Summary

The Split tool is designed for automated job division — by document, by page, or by shape. It streamlines complex layouts into manageable, production-ready jobs, ensuring flexibility and consistency throughout your workflow.