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Forum InDesign Add-ons (Scripts, Scripting, and Plug-ins) Plugins for Automating Catalog Production

Plugins for Automating Catalog Production
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2:50 pm
February 10, 2011


kkorpal

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I work on a catalog that we produce every two months, what I need is to be able to link the price fields in my catalog to either an excel file or an ODBC. I have tried EasyCatalog and DataLinker so far with out any success. Easy Catalog does not retain the links from issue to issue and DataLinker was causing my entire system to crash. I have attached an link to my catalog, there are about 140 pages in each issue.

http://issuu.com/toolmarket/do…..uced_final


Just wondering if anyone knows of a plugin that could help me achive this. Eventually I would like to link all the data in my catalog but as of right now automating the pricing would be a huge help.


Thanks for any help you can offer

3:20 pm
March 9, 2011


mchak

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I believe InCatalog ought to work. I use InData, which doesn't have the live links, but it's great for importing the data each time.

InCatalog is more money, but it does live updating between InDesign and your database, so it will probably pay for itself on your job. You can try it as a demo for free. The developer, Chris Ryland, is very responsive so he could probably tell you whether it will work with your workflow before you buy it.


http://emsoftware.com/products…..emcatalog/

9:24 am
April 7, 2011


Omar Khatib

Chicago

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If you ever want to take the next step…

I have been using Content Management Systems for the past 14 years. The system/Company I am most familiar with is Pindar Agility. Over the years I have seen other systems and they will all work, well almost all, but the one that stands out to me is Wave B.media:

http://www.wavecorp.com/products/bmedia/

Non of these companies actually show you much on their websites, so you do have to make a call.

If you call Wave, tell Charlie Omar sent you :)

6:59 am
May 23, 2011


rydesign

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I don't believe it is fair to say that EasyCatalog doesn't retain the links from issue to issue.  I think EasyCatalog has worked the best for me in this situation.  It might be just a matter of setting up your Library or Panel differently.  I use EasyCatalog now and had used Meadows Autoprice before.  I find that EasyCatalog is an amazing plug-in that I haven't even scratched the surface on.  It easily does the simple linking stuff as well as flowing my entire data in a matter of minutes.


Just chiming in to make sure EC doesn't get a bad rap.

5:41 am
May 24, 2011


kkorpal

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Rydesign

You are correct, after playing around with EasyCatalog for a few more weeks I was able to figure out how to make it retain the links by using the "Adopt Field" option. I would have to say that after exploring other options, I ended up coming back to EC, and in my opinion it works the best. I only wish that there was training offered on this program, it is such a huge program and I am sure I am still missing things.

5:47 am
June 8, 2011


rydesign

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Post edited 5:49 am – June 8, 2011 by rydesign

Good to hear you came back… hahaha.  There is training out there.  I personally haven't taken any of the sessions as they are a bit on the pricey side.  If you are truely interested you should look here http://www.avatardps.com/index……  This is official distributor in the US and they offer online training sessions.


My biggest problem with using the program now is trying to get the different departments here to format the spreadsheets in a more correct way.  Flowing all the data in doesn't work if 10% of the data is missing/incorrect. I am still learning the program too but if you have any questions of want to pass some files back and forth let me know.

2:24 pm
August 18, 2011


lkelley36

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Hi all,


I just downloaded the EC trial yesterday. It seemed pretty simple at first, but then the updating part of the quick guide didn't work when I would click on new data to be updated…it just stayed the same. Course I could drag it..but definately don't want to do that..!!

I am trying to find some software/plugin for our parts catalog. I is a really large catalog. I have our info in Access.


Any help or tips would be very very welcome!!


Thanks,

ls

6:02 am
August 26, 2011


rydesign

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Hmmm… I guess you would need to be a little more clear.  When you update your data via Sync with source it only updates the Panel.  Then you would need to update the document by using UPDATE DOCUMENT> ALL.  This should update the new data in the panel to the specified place holders in the Document.


EC does take some time to get used to but we have now have 4 users on it and they all seem really happy with the time it saves them.  Figuring out pagination rules and working with tables is your biggest ally.

9:14 am
September 7, 2011


lkelley36

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Hi rydesign,


Have gotten a little better at Easy Catalog. I am sure it can do a lot more than what I am trying to do. The customer service guys have been awesome in helping me with little things I was missing!! Just wish there was an Easy Catalog for dummies book…..lol.. I have gotten done what we need for the parts catalog. Just waiting on manager to buy the software now. Still experimenting with it! It is an awesome program!! There is soooo much to learn!!!


Thanks for replying!


ls

12:57 pm
September 13, 2011


lkelley36

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Wow, this just gets deeper and deeper!! Has anyone set up an index in EasyCatalog? I have been asking the cust. service guys so much. I have watched the videos and looked at the catalog, but haven't seen anything like an index with page numbers. I can get a page by page index, but don't know how to have more than one page number beside a topic. Can you do this with Easy Catalog? Also, is there any where that any of you know of that has more information/tutorials than the book and videos on their site?


Thanks,


ls

10:26 pm
September 13, 2011


christizy

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5:56 am
September 14, 2011


kkorpal

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Ikelley36,


I use EC to generate an Index for my publication, I find it much easier to use then the InDesign Index. It is pretty simple to use, There is a good explanation of how to use it in the User Guide on page 67-68.

3:57 pm
November 18, 2011


agsanchez

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Just started a new job as production manager for a company that produces four catalogs. EasyCatalog looks like a great option for streamlining workflow, but since we also have an ecommerce site for each catalog, I'm wondering if we'd be better off taking a wider approach with some type of content management system?

12:55 pm
December 22, 2011


rydesign

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I bet the CMS would be best.  EasyCatalog looks to leverage XML.  You could always write your own XML code and do much of what EC does right with-in InDesign.  Although that was more complicated than I wanted so I just went with the EC approach. 

4:27 pm
January 3, 2012


jnorthway

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Has anyone used Woodwing's Smart Styles?

I am trying to decide between it is Easy Catalog.

1:07 pm
January 11, 2012


rydesign

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I haven't used smart styles but I believe they are 2 seperate things.  EasyCatalog is more for getting Data from a database in to your catalog.  Smart Styles is about setting up templates to apply styles and formatting once it exists in InDesign. 


There is some overlap in EasyCatalog you can create a library that contains styled items and use it to place your data on the page.


I am biased I like EC a LOT!  But if you aren't dealing with databases or spreadsheets and you are just looking at a way format things that are already in the document go with smart styles.
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