Compile multiple layouts into book?

May 3, 200520 yr

Hey all -

I was wondering if it's possible to compile multiple layouts into a single one so that, when printed, the pages will be sequentially ordered. For example, can you write a script that takes Layouts A, B and C and "staples" them together, then prints, so that Pages 1 and 2 come from Layout A, Pages 3-whatever come from Layout B, and the remaining pages are from Layout C? (Or something to that effect?)

Thanks!

May 10, 200520 yr

Is the print output where this needs to happen? why not just print Layout A, then Layout B, and then Layout C?

I'm not sure I understand the question.

FileMaker has no built-in way to print multiple layouts at once (if layout A B and C all use 2.5 pages it's not easy to get a 8 page print), but you create a script with these steps:

Goto Layout ["layout A"]

Print []

Goto Layout ["Layout B"]

Print []

...

and that should do it. (??)

May 10, 200520 yr

Author

No, I had thought of that. I was thinking more along the lines of multiple layouts that will have a variable number of pages, based on how many records are in each. Like, if Layout A has 2 pages worth of data, it prints them, then prints the 6 pages (or however many there happen to be) of data from Layout B, but starts numbering the pages at 3... etc.

Wish I could just stick with the book feature of Adobe InDesign, but, sadly, this all has to be dynamic and variable content. *sigh*

May 10, 200520 yr

oh, the page numbers! ouch.

I'm not sure if you can do that variably, but maybe this will help?

You can set print properties before printing, including the page number to start printing at -- so after going to the layout, enter preview mode and get the record count ... this is the number of pages.

May 12, 200520 yr

Author

That's a good idea, Rob! I hadn't thought of that, and may end up using it, if all else fails. The only problem with doing that is that you have to manually type in the value to start page numbering at. (As near as I can tell...) There's no way to have the script enter a value into the print setup dialog box. I bet someone has made a plug-in that will do it, but that costs $$$...