When your site makes the choice to change their Ad Layout system, there should be a time frame when the existing system is still being used but you need to test the new system. 

So, to allow your site to test a new system we have provided a method of configuring Multiple Ad Layout Formats and a simple switch between them. This documentation describes to to configure multiple formats and then use them.

We've also had sites that produce some publications with one layout system and other publications with a different system. This works perfect for this feature. It doesn't have to be a temporary solution. 

The Browser based Ad Layout Format

The primary Ad Layout Format is configured in Page Tracker's Application Settings and is described below.

Log In, via a browser, to your domain

Choose Desktop > Applications > Editorial > Page tracker as shown below:

Click once on the Application Preferences icon (a gear icon shown in the upper right of the next image)

Click once on the Advertising accordion as shown below:

Use the Ad Layout Format: to select your primary Ad Layout Format. This menu provides access to 11 predefined Edition and Layout parsers. It also provides access to a custom option that can be used for new, yet to be added, systems or outdated systems like Managing Editors'/Cognitive's Ad Force. 

Regardless of the layout system, you'll need to supply a file extension for the Edition and Layout files. For XML based systems these will be .xml. For others, the format varies and is usually different for each file type. For example SCS Layout 8000 typically uses .edf and .out.

When using a custom system you'll also need to fill in the Custom Ad Number Location field. 

Configuring the BLOX Total CMS client for Adobe InDesign to support Multiple Ad Layout Formats

Follow the steps below to configure for Multiple Ad Layout Formats

1. In Adobe InDesign, Log In to any domain - the configuration affects all domains

2. Choose BLOX Total CMS > Development > Activate Development Mode…

3. Enter the correct passphrase (your Template Master will know this passphrase)

4. Click the OK button

5. Choose BLOX Total CMS > Documents > Advertising > Configure Multiple Ad Layout Formats... as shown below: 

6. That dialog will appear similar to this one below. Click the additional Ad Layout Formats to test/produce with. 

7. If you need to use a Ad Layout Format that isn't in the set of checkboxes, follow the procedure below to use custom options

8. Click the OK button and proceed to the section on Creating Edition from Edition File with Selected Ad Layout Format...

Configuring Custom options

At the moment (September of 2022) there is no valid reason to use the Custom option as supported Ad Layout Formats are provided for in standard checkboxes. However, a future format might require using the `Custom` options as described below:

1. Enter the BLOX Total CMS name for the Ad Layout Format where the word custom is listed. This name must match what BLOX Total CMS expects. Sometimes it won't match what the vendor calls it nor what you site calls it. And it has to be something that we have already built a parser for. You can't just enter random stuff and expect it to work!

2. Enter the file format extensions for the Edition and Layout files. Note, it could be that the custom system uses one .xml file. If so, just add .xml to both fields.

3. Make sure that the checkbox is checked.

4. Click the OK button and proceed to the section on Creating Edition from Edition File with Selected Ad Layout Format...

Note: If you were to again select BLOX Total CMS > Documents > Advertising > Configure Multiple Ad Layout Formats... the custom option's details won't appear. This is normal and expected.

Creating Edition from Edition File with Selected Ad Layout Format...

Now that there is a configuration, there will be a new option for the Ad Layout / Composing staff to use to create the edition. For those users, they will need to quit and relaunch Adobe InDesign to get the new option. Once they have done that, they can follow these steps

1. Make sure that  BLOX Total CMS > Documents > Advertising > Enhanced Mode is selected (checked)

2. Choose BLOX Total CMS > Documents > Advertising > Create Edition from Edition file with Specified Ad Layout Format... as shown below:

3. When the following dialog appears, select the radio button for the Ad Layout Format with the Edition and Layout file formats you enabled in the Configuration step above. 

4. Click the OK button

5. Proceed with the normal steps for BLOX Total CMS > Documents > Advertising > Create Edition from Edition file...

To summarize, the only difference is that rather than using the Create Edition from Edition file... option the user would instead use Create Edition from Edition file with Specified Ad Layout Format..., select the format, and click the OK button. 

Note: If the user has selected and used Create Edition from Edition file with Specified Ad Layout Format... then the legacy Create Edition from Edition file... option will be disabled. This is desirable and expected.

Removing the Multiple Ad Layout Format Configuration

If you were using the Multiple Ad Layout Formats to test during a transition to a new Ad Layout Format and have now made the transition to that new format, the support for multiple formats is no longer needed. To remove it, follow these steps:

1. Follow the steps above to set The Browser based Ad Layout Format to your new, permanent Ad Layout Format

2. Use the Configuring the BLOX Total CMS client for Adobe InDesign to support Multiple Ad Layout Formats steps above, but uncheck ALL but the choice from the browser

3. Quit and Relaunch Adobe InDesign

Questions?

Please file a support ticket at support.townnews.com if you have any questions or need assistance with an Ad Layout Format.