With XR Monza 2.5.7, gds is bringing a major release for the XR content management system onto the market that significantly improves automation, integration, and workflow efficiency. At the heart of the release is a new REST-API for seamless system connections, a professional callout editor with alignment accurate to the pixel as well as the direct integration of external PDFs via the new “medium” module type.
“With XR Monza, we’ve shifted the focus to automation and integration – two topics that are key to modern documentation processes today,” says Tobias Kreimann, Product Manager CCMS XR at gds. “Whether connecting to ERP and PIM systems, professional processing of technical graphics with precise alignment tools, or flexibly integrating external content – XR is helping companies to compile technical information quickly and consistently.”
REST-API: Seamless integration into existing system landscapes
The new REST-API opens XR up to continuous integration scenarios – from PIM/ERP systems to translation management solutions. Documents, modules, and media can be managed automatically, variants and meta data synchronized, and publications launched, and their results retrieved via the interface. Companies can thus automate documentation processes more heavily, reduce manual sources of error, and integrate XR into existing release-and-content-delivery pipelines. An ERP system can, for example, automatically trigger an XR publication after a product change and immediately retrieve the result again – so that documentation and development cycles are optimally interwoven.
Professional callout editor: Precise alignment of technical graphics
The new callout editor makes it easier to process labeled graphics with a number of professional features: Magnetic guide lines help to align labels in multiple graphics accurately to the pixel. Flexible numbering forms (circle, square, triangle) and configurable line ends allow the user to adapt documents to corporate design specifications. A particular feature to note is the ability to assign multiple arrows to an individual number – ideal for labeling identical components in exploded views. Automatic scaling ensures that callouts are always depicted in consistent sizes regardless of the size of the graphic – whether as a small figure in the body text or as a large-scale illustration. This eliminates manual adjustments and ensures a professional, uniform appearance across all publications.
Integrate external PDFs directly into publications
The new “medium” module type allows users not only to link to external PDF documents, but even to output them as fixed components in a publication. Supplier socuments such as circuit diagrams or certificates can be integrated directly into operating manuals - either as a full page or scaled to the column size, with the correct rendering in the table of contents. Variant and validity control ensures that the appropriate version is output each time.
Optimized translation processes for faster publishing
XR Monza helps editorial departments to use translation states more transparently; publications can be output even if individual sections aren’t translated yet - translated content will appear in the target language, while untranslated content will automatically appear in the source language. This is especially usefuor international product launches, where time is often of the essence.
Other improvements at a glance
XR Monza 2.5.7 contains a number of improved details
- Watermarks based on status in PDF outputs for labeling draft or approval statuses
- New @frame attribute for channel-specific display of borders around graphics
- Bullet points can be configured via the appearance attribute
- Expanded paste dialog for media with direct definition of alt text, layout, and image captions
- Improved usability in variant profiles thanks to multiple selection and optimized sorting
Note for existing customers
XR Monza will require adapting to customer-specific style packages. Miramo 3.0.0p045 is used for publishing PDFs via XR; full feature support may not be guaranteed for older versions of Miramo. gds provides support with update planning and required adaptations.
Availability
XR Monza 2.5.7 is available now. Further information available at: https://www.gds.eu/en/products/xr