How to Use Text and Metadata with the CI HUB Connector

Understanding Metadata

Metadata can be categorized into three main types: 

1. Metadata Based on an Asset: these use IPTC, XMP, and EXIF standards.
2. Metadata Based on Relations: these include product specifications or pricing information from DAM, PIM, or ERP systems.
3. Metadata Based on Objects: these are often used in DAM or PIM systems to provide comprehensive details about assets.

How to Use Metadata Based on an Asset

1. Access the Metadata Information:
   • Open the CI HUB Connector and select an asset.
   • View the quick summary of metadata on the right-hand side.
2. Customize Metadata Fields:
   • Here, you can hide or add metadata fields as needed.
   • Drag and drop fields to reorder them according to your preference.
3. Add Images and Text:
   • You can drag the image from the metadata into your target container.
   • Next, drag text from the metadata fields into the text container.
   • If your text container is linked to a paragraph style, the text will be automatically formatted.
4. Detailed Metadata Overview:
   • You can also access detailed metadata including basic content, XMP, EXIF, and IPTC content in this view.

How to use Metadata Based on Relations

You can easily manage additional metadata fields such as product specifications and pricing information with CI HUB.

1. Using Placeholders:
   • First, prepare your document with placeholders.
   • Next, simply drag and drop the product specs or pricing information from metadata fields into these placeholders.
   • Ensure placeholders are linked to a paragraph or character style for automatic formatting.
2. Using Tables:
   • You can also place this metadata into tables by dragging and dropping into the desired cells.

How to Use Metadata with Data Merge

1. Export Metadata to CSV:
   • Use the CSV export feature in the CI HUB panel to export all metadata into a structured CSV file.
   • To do this, just select your asset in the CI HUB window and tap the CSV export button.
2. Connect to Data Merge:
   • Link the CSV export to InDesign's Data Merge feature.
   • Then, select a product for preview and render the document.
3. Render Documents:
   • Render documents for one, a range, or all products with just one click.
   • Repeat the CSV export and render to update the document with the latest metadata and images.

How to Use Metadata Based on Objects

1. When working with Object-Based Metadata:
   • Select objects containing multiple metadata fields and images.
   • Switch between languages for metadata fields if your source system supports multiple languages.
2. Export and Connect CSV:
   • Use the CI HUB panel to export metadata to a CSV file.
   • Connect the CSV file to your InDesign document and render as needed.
3. Update Easily:
   • Repeat the CSV export and render process to ensure your document always contains the latest information.

How to Use Text Files

1. Drag and Drop Text Files:
   • Add text files to your layout by dragging and dropping them onto the page.
   • Supported file types include TXT, RTF, IDML, InDesign snippets, InDesign documents, and Word docs.

By using the CI HUB Connector, you can streamline your workflow, ensure consistency, and save time when working with text and metadata. If you have any questions, please visit our website or contact us. We hope you find this tutorial helpful.

Conclusion

Metadata can be confusing and intimidating to work with at first, but with the help of the CI HUB Connector Professional, it is easy to find and use it wherever needed. By integrating this plugin into your favorite work apps, your team can make significant time savings, and enable you to focus on more important tasks. Find out more about the CI HUB Connector Professional, and the other components of the CI HUB family on our product page!