# Exporting Phoenix Project

Within a Phoenix project, you can save or export in many different ways. The most common is to export for printing or cutting for producing layouts generated within Phoenix. Each option allows multiple output formats and choices on how exactly the output is created, from output size to file naming and more. You can also save the Phoenix project itself for future use, or generate a template from the Phoenix project.

# Export for Printing

To export a file for printing, simply navigate to the File menu and choose the Export for Printing option. From here, you can choose to export the project as an imposed PDF, JDF, or HP JDF.

# Export Imposed PDF

Export Imposed PDF generates a PDF of the layout(s) in the Phoenix project. This option is the most commonly used output in Phoenix, and creates a compliant PDF for use in any RIP or downstream 3rd party system.

Export Imposed PDF is easily accessible with the shortcut Control–P (Windows) or Command–P (Mac).

Field	Description
Remove Artwork Dielines	Optionally remove any dielines in the artwork. Dielines are defined via the Tool Types Mapping. Note that this only applies to Tool Type Mappings specified via Spot color, not Layers
Add Dieline	Add a dieline to the output PDF
Place dieline on top of all items	Whether the added dieline should be placed on top of all layout items
Apply Overprint	Whether the added dieline should be overprinted
Dieline thickness	Thickness of the added dieline(s)
Dieline to add	Click the + to add a dieline. Specify the Line Type to use to generate the dieline, as well as the Ink and/or Layer to use in the output PDF

Field	Description
Existing Artwork Layers	If the artwork contains layers, you can choose how the output PDF should handle these layers. Preserve will attempt to leave the layers as they currently exist. Merge will merge any layers with the same name. Flatten will cause the output PDF to be flattened to one layer
Artwork	Optionally create a separate layer only for artwork files. Specify the name for this layer and whether the layer should be On (visible), Off (hidden), or Locked (visible)
Marks	Optionally create a separate layer only for marks. Specify the name for this layer and whether the layer should be On (visible), Off (hidden), or Locked (visible)
Dielines	Optionally create a separate layer only for dielines. Specify the name for this layer and whether the layer should be On (visible), Off (hidden), or Locked (visible)

Field	Description
Export Folder	Used for export presets - specify whether an export folder should be predefined. None will allow you to specify the output location when you click OK. Use Project Save Folder will use the same folder where the Project is saved, if one is specified. Specify Folder allows you to use the below options to choose a folder and filename
Folder	Choose a folder to use for output. Primarily useful when saving export settings as a preset
Filename	Define the output filename. You can Use Project Filename to simply save the PDF with the same name as the project filename. Name uses the project name set in the Project Properties. Use Project ID Property uses the Project ID set in the Project Properties. Use Custom Filename allows you to set a custom name, using static text and Dynamic Keywords.

# Export Imposed JDF

Export Imposed JDF generates a JDF of the layout(s) in the Phoenix project. The JDF follows the LayCrImp specification which is an open standard for generic JDF output to RIPs.

Export Imposed JDF is easily accessible with the shortcut Control–J (Windows) or Command–J (Mac).

Field	Description
Remove Artwork Dielines	Optionally remove any dielines in the artwork. Dielines are defined via the Tool Types Mapping. Note that this only applies to Tool Type Mappings specified via Spot color, not Layers
Add Dieline	Add a dieline to the output PDF
Place dieline on top of all items	Whether the added dieline should be placed on top of all layout items
Apply Overprint	Whether the added dieline should be overprinted
Dieline thickness	Thickness of the added dieline(s)
Dieline to add	Click the + to add a dieline. Specify the Line Type to use to generate the dieline, as well as the Ink and/or Layer to use in the output PDF

Field	Description
Existing Artwork Layers	If the artwork contains layers, you can choose how the output PDF should handle these layers. Preserve will attempt to leave the layers as they currently exist. Flatten will cause the output PDF to be flattened to one layer

Field	Description
Export Folder	Used for export presets - specify whether an export folder should be predefined. None will allow you to specify the output location when you click OK. Use Project Save Folder will use the same folder where the Project is saved, if one is specified. Specify Folder allows you to use the below options to choose a folder and filename
Folder	Choose a folder to use for output. Primarily useful when saving export settings as a preset
Filename	Define the output filename. You can Use Project Filename to simply save the JDF with the same name as the project filename. Name uses the project name set in the Project Properties. Use Project ID Property uses the Project ID set in the Project Properties. Use Custom Filename allows you to set a custom name, using static text and Dynamic Keywords.

# Export HP JDF

Export HP JDF generates a customized JDF output specifically designed for the HP DFE. This makes for a tighter integration of Phoenix with HP workflows.

Field	Description
Version	Choose JDF version 1.3 or 1.4
Preset	Specify the PDF Export preset to use
Folder	Define the name of the content folder
Export Folder	Optionally specify an export folder
Filename	If using an export folder, specify the filename for the HP JDF

# Export for Cutting

Phoenix can export projects in a number of formats designed for cutting. To export for cutting, navigate to the File menu and choose Export for Cutting:

# CFF2

CFF2 is an industry standard cutting file format, which can be used by most CAD systems.

Field	Description
Dieline thickness	Thickness of the dieline(s) used
Dieline to add	Click the + to add a dieline. Specify the Line Type to use to generate the dieline, as well as the Ink and/or Layer to use in the output PDF

Field	Description
Export Folder	Used for export presets - specify whether an export folder should be predefined. None will allow you to specify the output location when you click OK. Use Project Save Folder will use the same folder where the Project is saved, if one is specified. Specify Folder allows you to use the below options to choose a folder and filename
Folder	Choose a folder to use for output. Primarily useful when saving export settings as a preset
Filename	Define the output filename. You can Use Project Filename to simply save the CFF2 with the same name as the project filename. Name uses the project name set in the Project Properties. Use Project ID Property uses the Project ID set in the Project Properties. Use Custom Filename allows you to set a custom name, using static text and Dynamic Keywords.

# DXF

The DXF (Drawing Interchange Format) is a AutoCAD drawing file format that can be used as a cutting file from Phoenix. DXF in general is not as useful as CFF2, but may be required in certain applications.

Field	Description
Dieline thickness	Thickness of the dieline(s) used
Dieline to add	Click the + to add a dieline. Specify the Line Type to use to generate the dieline, as well as the Ink and/or Layer to use in the output PDF

Field	Description
Export Folder	Used for export presets - specify whether an export folder should be predefined. None will allow you to specify the output location when you click OK. Use Project Save Folder will use the same folder where the Project is saved, if one is specified. Specify Folder allows you to use the below options to choose a folder and filename
Folder	Choose a folder to use for output. Primarily useful when saving export settings as a preset
Filename	Define the output filename. You can Use Project Filename to simply save the DXF with the same name as the project filename. Name uses the project name set in the Project Properties. Use Project ID Property uses the Project ID set in the Project Properties. Use Custom Filename allows you to set a custom name, using static text and Dynamic Keywords.

# PDF

PDF Cutting files generates a PDF file with just the tooling in the project. Since PDF is not designed to be a CAD format, it's not as powerful as a CF2, but is easier for people to look at and is widely used in certain fields, such as wide format printing.

Export Cutting PDF is easily accessible with the shortcut ^-Control–P (Windows) or ^-Command–P (Mac).

Field	Description
Export Folder	Used for export presets - specify whether an export folder should be predefined. None will allow you to specify the output location when you click OK. Use Project Save Folder will use the same folder where the Project is saved, if one is specified. Specify Folder allows you to use the below options to choose a folder and filename
Folder	Choose a folder to use for output. Primarily useful when saving export settings as a preset
Filename	Define the output filename. You can Use Project Filename to simply save the PDF with the same name as the project filename. Name uses the project name set in the Project Properties. Use Project ID Property uses the Project ID set in the Project Properties. Use Custom Filename allows you to set a custom name, using static text and Dynamic Keywords.

# ZCC

Phoenix supports a rich integration with Zund Cut Center, and can natively export ZCC files.

Please Note

While Phoenix can output directly to the ZCC format, there are some requirements for this to work properly. Notably, the tool(s) used in Phoenix must match the tools in Zund Cut Center, and the stock in Phoenix must match the stock name in Cut Center.

By default, Phoenix uses the tool Cut as the default cut tool, while Cut Center requires the use of Thru-cut. If a Phoenix project is using Cut as the tool type for a project, and a ZCC file is output, the ZCC will not contain any cut lines since there is a mismatch. In the export dialog for ZCC files, you can see a list of the valid tool names for Zund Cut Center, so please ensure your project is using the correct tool types to match.

In addition, the stock name in Phoenix must match the material name in Cut Center.

Please see our page on the Zund Cut Center Integration for more information.

Field	Description
Export Folder	Used for export presets - specify whether an export folder should be predefined. None will allow you to specify the output location when you click OK. Use Project Save Folder will use the same folder where the Project is saved, if one is specified. Specify Folder allows you to use the below options to choose a folder and filename
Folder	Choose a folder to use for output. Primarily useful when saving export settings as a preset
Filename	Define the output filename. You can Use Project Filename to simply save the ZCC with the same name as the project filename. Name uses the project name set in the Project Properties. Use Project ID Property uses the Project ID set in the Project Properties. Use Custom Filename allows you to set a custom name, using static text and Dynamic Keywords.

# Cutting JDF

Field	Description
Layouts	Select whether to output All layouts, or a range of one or more layouts. The range field can specify an individual layout number, a range of layouts (i.e. “1-4”), or a comma separated list of layouts (i.e. “1-3, 5, 7-10”)
Export Folder	Used for export presets - specify whether an export folder should be predefined. None will allow you to specify the output location when you click OK. Use Project Save Folder will use the same folder where the Project is saved, if one is specified. Specify Folder allows you to use the below options to choose a folder and filename
Folder	Choose a folder to use for output. Primarily useful when saving export settings as a preset
Filename	Define the output filename. You can Use Project Filename to simply save the ZCC with the same name as the project filename. Name uses the project name set in the Project Properties. Use Project ID Property uses the Project ID set in the Project Properties. Use Custom Filename allows you to set a custom name, using static text and Dynamic Keywords.

# Export Cover Sheet

Cover Sheets allow you to export one or more layouts and add marks on top, to be used as a cover sheet. This is useful for adding identifying information on top of products, such as text marks or barcodes.

Field	Description
Export Folder	Used for export presets - specify whether an export folder should be predefined. None will allow you to specify the output location when you click OK. Use Project Save Folder will use the same folder where the Project is saved, if one is specified. Specify Folder allows you to use the below options to choose a folder and filename
Folder	Choose a folder to use for output. Primarily useful when saving export settings as a preset
Filename	Define the output filename. You can Use Project Filename to simply save the PDF with the same name as the project filename. Name uses the project name set in the Project Properties. Use Project ID Property uses the Project ID set in the Project Properties. Use Custom Filename allows you to set a custom name, using static text and Dynamic Keywords.

← Imposition AI Exporting Phoenix Libraries →

Field	Description
Layouts	Select whether to output All layouts, or a range of one or more layouts. The range field can specify an individual layout number, a range of layouts (i.e. “1-4”), or a comma separated list of layouts (i.e. “1-3, 5, 7-10”)
Export as	Define whether the layouts will be exported as a Single File multi-paged PDF or create One File Per Layout or One File Per Side for layouts with front and back sides.
Create page for each layout run	Optionally define if Phoenix should generate individual pages for layouts that have a run length greater than 1. For example, if a layout has a run length of 50, this option would create 50 separate pages for layout 1, while disabling this option would create one pdf page for this layout.
Media	Define whether to use the Sheet size or Plate size for the output PDF
Scale	Set the scale for the output PDF. Note this is different than Distortion, which can be set below
Apply Bleed Margin	Add a separate bleed margin to the output PDF, with the margins set below
Use PDF 1.6 ‘UserUnit’ when media bigger than 200 inches	PDF files have a size limitation of 200 inches. PDF version 1.6 supports handling larger files using UserUnits which sets a scaling factor on the PDF.
Use distortion from plate	If using Plates, this option automatically applies the distortion value set for the used plate
Distortion	Set a horizontal and vertical distortion value

Field	Description
Layouts	Select whether to output All layouts, or a range of one or more layouts. The range field can specify an individual layout number, a range of layouts (i.e. “1-4”), or a comma separated list of layouts (i.e. “1-3, 5, 7-10”)
Export as	Define whether the layouts will be exported as a Single File multi-paged PDF or create One File Per Layout or One File Per Side for layouts with front and back sides.
Workflow Compatibility	Specify whether to create a Generic JDF, or a JDF designed for compatibility with Fujifilm XMF or Screen EQUIOS.
JDF Type	Define how the artwork should be referenced, either with an Absolute Path (and whether to Copy Artwork Files), a Relative Path, or Mime
Media	Define the Media size, either Plate or Sheet
Resource Directory	Specify where the resources should be placed. Choose either the Same Directory, Content Directory, or choose a Specific Directory. If choosing a directory, you can also perform a Text Replace to do a find/replace of a string in the file path that's written to the JDF file. This functionality was added support Screen EQUIOS workflows.
JDF Project ID	Specify the Project ID for the JDF, using static text and Dynamic Keywords
Descriptive Name	Specify the Descriptive Name for the JDF, using static text and Dynamic Keywords
Include	Choose whether to include Cutting JDF Data and/or Color Data

Field	Description
Layouts	Select whether to output All layouts, or a range of one or more layouts. The range field can specify an individual layout number, a range of layouts (i.e. “1-4”), or a comma separated list of layouts (i.e. “1-3, 5, 7-10”)
Export Media	Define the Media size, either Plate or Sheet
Units	Choose either Millimeters or Inches as the units for the CFF2 file
Character encoding	Define the character encoding if different than the system encoding
Merge Same Die Designs	Optionally simplify the output file by merging die designs that are the same
Die Name Source	Choose how the Die should be named, either from the Product name, or the Die Design name (if used)

Field	Description
Layouts	Select whether to output All layouts, or a range of one or more layouts. The range field can specify an individual layout number, a range of layouts (i.e. “1-4”), or a comma separated list of layouts (i.e. “1-3, 5, 7-10”)
Export Media	Define the Media size, either Plate or Sheet
Version	Choose the standard version of the DXF file, R12, R13, or 2007
Units	Choose either Millimeters or Inches as the units for the CFF2 file
Character encoding	Define the character encoding if different than the system encoding

Field	Description
Layouts	Select whether to output All layouts, or a range of one or more layouts. The range field can specify an individual layout number, a range of layouts (i.e. “1-4”), or a comma separated list of layouts (i.e. “1-3, 5, 7-10”)
Project Name	Set the name of the project to be saved in the ZCC. Note that this is different from the filename, which is defined in the Export Folder tab.
Dieline thickness	Thickness of the added dieline(s)
Line Types	ZCC has a predefined list of Line Types, which are listed here. If the line type in the project is not one of these line types, it won't appear in the output ZCC