Optimizing uImage Performance

The generation of personalized images is a time-consuming task. In addition, since there are individual images for each recipient in the data source, the amount of data to be processed may result in a large output file and a long production time.

There are some known actions you can take to achieve maximum performance when generating a production that includes the uImage functionality, using Photoshop on the uProduce system. These include:

• Optimizing Performance in the Photoshop Environment

• Optimizing the uImage Template

• Optimizing Photoshop Actions

• Optimizing Performance in uPlan

• Optimizing Performance in uProduce

• Running Windows Efficiently

The following features also have an effect on uImage production performance:

• Skip Duplicates feature:

  When calling uImage, optimize production speed using the Skip Duplicates feature. This feature detects which recipients share the same data to be personalized (such as the first name “John”), so they can receive the same uImage Output file, instead of wasting time producing duplicates of images that already exist.

  To use the Skip Duplicates functionality:

  • In uPlan: call the extended versions of the uImage functions: CreateIllustration2 (instead of CreateIllustration) and uImage.uImage. These extended versions include the OPT (optimize) parameter that sets the output filename format and skips duplicates.

  • In uCreate Print: open the uImage content object’s uImage Settings dialog, go to the Advanced Settings section, set Output Filename Format to Automatic (to ensure recipients with the same data receive the same uImage Output filename) and check Skip Duplicates.

• uImage Optimize feature:

  uImage can optimize production by reusing content that is shared by different recipients. There are two optimization options:

  • Automatic: uImage automatically detects all variable areas in the template for each recipient. This allows uImage to optimize production by reusing the maximum amount of shared content. This is the recommended optimization option.

  • Custom: when the Automatic option is unavailable, you can manually mark a single variable area in your template. uImage will reuse the common area for all recipients, thereby dramatically reducing the Print Output file size.