Setting up and configuring the AI Layout Automation feature in Studio (outdated)

The AI Layout Automation feature in Studio makes the process of placing articles on a layout more efficient by analyzing the available space on the pages of a layout — based on preconfigured blueprints and article shapes and taking already placed advertisements into account — and providing suggestions on how and where the available articles and their images can best be placed to fill the pages.

Changes to these suggestions can subsequently be made, and when satisfied with the result, the command can be given to have the articles automatically placed.

This article describes how to set up the Layout Automation feature in Studio.

Requirements

To make use of the Layout Automation feature, the following is required:

• WoodWing Studio and WoodWing Studio Server running in WoodWing Cloud
• Issues with no Editions defined; Editions are currently not supported
• Adobe InDesign 2024 or higher
• Adobe InDesign Server 2024 or higher
• Studio 11.204 or higher (specific version requirements are indicated per feature where applicable)

The concept

This feature introduces various concepts which are explained at high-level in Automatically placing articles in Studio using the AI Layout Automation feature - the concept.

Note: It is recommended to be familiar with these concepts and it is assumed here that this is the case.

For setting up and configuring the system, also take note of the concepts explained below.

InDesign Snippets

During the preparation phase, articles in existing layouts are tagged to indicate their shape and type (lead, secondary, third, or filler story). By doing this, a collection of possible article shapes is created from which the Layout Automation service can choose to fit all articles on a page.
 

The information about the shape of the article and its content is stored as an InDesign Snippet.

When the Layout Automation service decides to use the article shape, the snippet is placed on the layout and will contain the original content of the article that was tagged. This content is subsequently cleared and replaced by the content of the article that is placed.

WoodWing Cloud

The Layout Automation functionality resides in WoodWing Cloud and the definitions such as those of blueprints and Article Shapes for a Brand are also stored on WoodWing Cloud.

Studio Server therefore needs to be connected to WoodWing Cloud.

Page grids

Blueprints are based on a specific page grid.

Recommended is to use a grid as small as possible with a maximum of 5 columns by 8 rows. A small deviation from this is permitted, but a dense grid (anything higher than 10) could potentially negatively affect performance.

The use of multiple grids within the same Brand is currently not supported.

Note: Using multiple grids would also mean that dedicated blueprints and Article Shapes for each grid would need to be created and managed which makes the process more complex.

Layout structure

Apart from articles and adverts, additional objects are likely to be placed on the page such as dividing lines between the articles. Such objects are referred to as the layout structure (also known as 'page constants' or 'page ornaments') on dedicated layouts.

Article length

The length of an article in number of words and characters is that of all article components that are marked as a 'body' component. It is not the number of words and characters of all components.

Which article components are treated as 'body' components is determined during the configuration.

Story types versus Article Shapes

In the Layout Automation feature, story types (such as lead, secondary, filler, and so on) are directly related to Article Shapes.

Part of the setup process is to tag articles in existing layouts as a lead story, a secondary story, and so on.

The Layout Automation service then derives the Article Shape from the article that is tagged and then associates that shape as a shape to use when having to place a story of that type.

Note though that this is an intention: a story tagged as a secondary story could still be filled by the Layout Automation service into a shape that was tagged as a third story, based on all other fitting aspects.

Blueprints per Category

When defining a blueprint, it may be that it is used in a specific Category only, and should not be used for other Categories.

Example: A blueprint may be specific for Category 'Sport', and not for Category 'Finance'. Or, a blueprint may be applicable for all Categories, except Category 'Human'.

To facilitate this, blueprints can be configured to be used for specific Categories only. They are then excluded for all other Categories. When no configuration is set up for a blueprint, all Categories are included by default.

Base layouts

The content that the Layout Automation feature needs is derived from layouts referred to as 'base layouts'. The following layouts exist:

• A base layout. This general layout is used for the following:

1. As a foundation for all templates for all layouts used in production. It includes all components needed for the Layout Automation feature.
2. As the layout from which to generate Article Shapes.

• A base layout template. A layout template created from a base layout. When a new production layout is created on which articles are placed using the Layout Automation feature, it should be based on a template that is created from such a layout.

• A structure base layout. This layout contains dividers between articles. It is created from a base layout in which these dividers are added. A separate layout is created for each divider variation used for a blueprint.

Using base layouts as source files makes it easier and more efficient to configure and manage blueprints and Article Shapes.

For more information, see Creating base layouts for the AI Layout Automation feature in Studio.

Setup

The setup consists of various steps. It is assumed here that the setup of the system itself is done by WoodWing, while the configuration of the system is done by the customer, typically initially together with a WoodWing consultant.

At the end of the article, steps are explained for managing a system in which the Layout Automation feature is up and running.

Steps by WoodWing

1. Connecting Studio Server to the WoodWing Cloud Services
2. Enabling the Layout Automation feature in Studio Server
3. Adding the Blueprint Manager plug-in to Studio
4. Registering Studio Server in the Layout Automation service

Steps by the customer

5. Configuring metadata fields in Studio Server
6. Adding the Article Shapes Extractor script to InDesign
7. Configuring Genres
8. Configuring a workflow for each Brand
9. Uploading the workflow to the Layout Automation service
10. Creating base layouts and templates
11. Tagging article shapes
12. Uploading the article shape information to the Layout Automation service
13. Testing the feature

Each is explained in more detail below.

1. Connecting Studio Server to the WoodWing Cloud Services

The Layout Automation functionality resides in WoodWing Cloud and the blueprint and Article Shape definitions for a Brand are also stored on WoodWing Cloud.

Studio Server therefore needs to be connected to WoodWing Cloud.

Do this by ensuring that Studio Server is registered with the WoodWing Cloud Services by following the steps in Connecting Studio Servers and Assets Server to WoodWing Cloud Services.

2. Enabling the Layout Automation feature in Studio Server

To enable the Layout Automation feature in Studio Server, add the following server feature options to the config_overrule.php file:

new Feature( 'LayoutAutomation')
new Feature( 'LayoutAutomationUrl', 'https://service.aila.woodwing.cloud/')

3. Adding the Blueprint Manager plug-in to Studio

During the setup process, blueprint definitions are stored in a spreadsheet in Studio. This information needs to be uploaded to WoodWing Cloud so that the Layout Automation service can make use of it. This is done by using the Blueprint Manager plug-in.

Configure this plug-in as a Studio front-end plug-in:

• Type: Studio
• Name: pla-blueprint-manager
• URL: https://woodwing.github.io/pla-studio-poc/prod/blueprint-uploader/studio-plugin/index.js

4. Registering Studio Server in the Layout Automation service

Studio Server needs to be registered in the Layout Automation service so that it gives the Studio installation access to the service and prepares a space for the Studio installation to store article shapes, blueprints, and settings.

This is done by the Layout Automation team. For information about contacting them and which details to provide, see this internal WoodWing article.

5. Configuring metadata fields in Studio Server

Information that the Layout Automation service requires to distribute the articles over a layout is stored in the metadata of an article. Add the following custom metadata properties to Studio Server:

6. Adding the Article Shapes Extractor script to InDesign

In one of the next steps, articles in existing layouts are tagged so that their shape is stored. This is done by using a script that needs to be installed in the instance of InDesign in which this task is performed.

This script is named 'AILA InDesign Plugin' and available on WoodWing Github. Add it to InDesign as follows:

Step 1. Download and unpack the file. The folder name will be AilaInDesignPlugin.

Step 2. In InDesign, access the Scripts panel by choosing Window > Utilities > Scripts.

Step 3. Right-click the User folder and select Reveal in Finder (macOS) or Reveal in Explorer (Windows).

The User folder is opened.

Step 4. Place the folder named AilaInDesignPlugin into the folder.

The folder is now available in the Scripts panel.

7. Configuring Genres

Info: The use of this feature is optional and requires Studio 11.205 or higher.

When the combination of a Brand, Category, and Story type for an Article Shape is not enough to distinguish it from other Article Shapes within that combination, Genres can be used as an extra level. This is typically used for styling a story in a way that is different from similar shapes within that Brand, Category, and Story type combination.

Making this feature work involves setting up a custom metadata property and configuring the InDesign script for tagging Article Shapes.

Step 1. Add the following custom metadata property to Studio Server:

Step 2. Open the config-local.js file of the Article Shape Extractor tool script that was installed in InDesign, and configure the list of Genres.

Note: For an example, see the config.js file.

8. Configuring a workflow for each Brand

To successfully analyze the available area on the layout to place articles on, and to determine which Article Shapes are suitable to use, the Layout Automation service requires specific information.

This is configured in a spreadsheet which is provided by WoodWing. It contains the following worksheets:

• Blueprints. For defining the properties of a blueprint.
• Page grid. For defining the grid width and height (columns and rows).
• Page layout. For defining page dimensions, margins, gutter width, and baseline details.
• Elements. For mapping the Element label names for article components that the Layout Automation service uses with those that are used in the publication.
• Placement Presets.(Optional) For controlling the way the Layout Automation algorithm fills a page.

Open the spreadsheet and fill out the worksheets as follows:

Note: The spreadsheet contains a macro for opening the Blueprint editor. Allow macros to be run when opening the file.

• Blueprints. Follow the steps as outlined in Setting up blueprints for the AI Layout Automation feature in Studio.
• Page grid. Enter the grid width and height.

Tip: The values must be entered as points. If a different unit is used, add a formula to have it automatically converted to points.

• Page layout. Enter the listed dimensions.
• Elements. Map the Element label names of the article components that are used on the layout with the standard names used by the Layout Automation service. Mapping multiple custom names to the same standard name is possible (and often done), such as mapping 'intro' and 'subtitle' to 'body'.

Note: The Layout Automation service derives the total number of words and characters of an article from the total of all components that are mapped to the 'body' component.

• Placement Presets.(Optional) Follow the steps as outlined in Managing Placement Presets to control how the AI Layout Automation algorithm in Studio fills pages .

9. Uploading the workflow to the Layout Automation service

Note: This step requires Brand admin rights.

With the workflow fully configured, the data in the spreadsheet needs to be uploaded to the Layout Automation service.

Step 1. Add the file to Studio (typically by adding it to a Dossier) and make sure of the following:

• The file is named 'Layout Automation config' or has 'Layout Automation config' as the prefix in the name.
• Only one such file with that name exists per Brand.

Note: You can have multiple spreadsheets in the system, each containing the configuration that is specific for a Brand. Each spreadsheet is therefore part of a different Brand.

Step 2. In Studio, right-click the spreadsheet and choose Upload to Layout Automation from the context menu.

The data is uploaded; any existing blueprints are replaced. Previews of the uploaded blueprints are shown in a dialog.

Step 3. Click Close to close the dialog.

10. Creating base layouts and templates

The content that the Layout Automation feature needs is derived from layouts referred to as 'base layouts' and 'base layout templates':

• A base layout is used as a foundation for all templates for all layouts used in production, and as the layout from which to generate Article Shapes.
• A base layout template is a template created from a base layout.
• A structure base layout contains dividers between articles and is created from a base layout.

Create these layouts and templates as explained in Creating base layouts for the AI Layout Automation feature in Studio.

11. Tagging article shapes

To make articles fit on a page, the Layout Automation service needs a large number of 'article shapes' to choose from. An Article Shape defines both the actual shape (square or rectangle), and its content (text only, or text with images and/or quotes), and is directly related to a story type.

The process of tagging Article Shapes is done by tagging articles as a lead, second, third, or filler story.

The Layout Automation service then derives the Article Shape from the article and associates that shape as a shape to use when having to place a story of that type.

Creating this collection of shapes is done by using Article Shapes created in a base layout.

The tool that is used for this is the Article Shapes Extractor script that was added to InDesign earlier in this setup.

The script can be found in the Scripts panel by expanding the AilaInDesignPlugin folder. In it, the Commands folder contains scripts for:

• Generating Article Shapes for lead, secondary, third, and filler stories
• Extracting the Article Shapes
• Regenerating the Article Shapes

Step 1. Open a layout that contains placed articles representing the types of story shapes that you want the Layout Automation service to make use of.

Tip: For best management and consistency, recommended is to use Article Shapes placed on base layouts for this. For details, see Creating base layouts for the AI Layout Automation feature in Studio.

Step 2. For the article on the layout which shape you want to use, select all its frames.

Step 3. Run the script that generates the required Article Shape: lead, secondary, third, or filler.

Tip: Execute a script by using a keyboard shortcut rather than running it from the Scripts panel. These can be set up via Edit > Keyboard shortcuts > Product area 'Scripts' > search for the AilaInDesignPlugin scripts.

An InDesign Article is created (see Window > Articles) or, if an InDesign Article already exists for that article, that InDesign Article is renamed.

A message is shown indicating that the article was created (or renamed).

Step 4. Close the message by pressing Enter (or by clicking OK).

Step 5. (Optional) When making use of the Genre feature, rename the InDesign Article by including the name of the Genre.

Step 6. Repeat these steps until all representative Article Shapes in the layout have been tagged.

Step 7. Do one of the following:

• Manually extract the shapes for the current layout to your local system by running the ExtractArticleShapes script¹, opening the next layout and repeating the whole process.

Note: For each InDesign Article, a message appears, referencing the path where the files are saved to. When all articles have been extracted, a confirmation message appears.

• Save the layout, open the next layout and repeat the whole process. When done, run the RegenerateArticleShapes script¹ to automatically open each layout and extract the Article Shapes from it.

Tip: This process can be based on a specific Workflow Status, Configure the script accordingly (and optionally create a dedicated status for it in Studio Server).

¹ On first use of the script, you are prompted to set up a folder on your system to save the files to.

The following files are stored:

• A Brand section map file and a page layout settings file in JSON format.

• For each shape:
• A definition file in IDMS format (InDesign Snippet). This is the full definition of an article, exported from the page, including the full text of the article. It contains all InDesign details, similar to the InCopy format. It can be used for future purposes, for example for extracting information and enriching JSON files with that information. When the Layout Automation service decides to use the shape, the Snippet is placed, its original content is removed, and the content of the article that is placed is added.
• A composition file in JSON format. This is an extract of the article components, text, and geometric info. It is easier to understand than the more complex IDMS format.
• A snapshot in JPEG format. This is an illustration of text and graphical components of the article. It is a preview of the article that was tagged, not the article that will be placed.

12. Uploading the article shape information to the Layout Automation service

The Article Shape information that was extracted now needs to be uploaded to the Layout Automation service. This is done by using a command line tool named the Article Shape Uploader.

Download the latest version on WoodWing GitHub. For information about installing, configuring, and using it, see the README.md file in the package.

13. Testing the feature

When the system has been fully set up and configured, test it by opening the Layout Automation dialog for various layouts and see if the results are as expected. When needed, tweak the setup or configuration.

Steps once the system is up and running

Once the system is up and running, you may want to tag new article shapes and add them to the existing collection.

After adding the new shapes, extract the shapes of all layouts as explained above. When uploading them, choose the option to have all existing shapes replaced.

Note: Article Shapes will then temporarily be unavailable for users; this may need to be done outside of production hours.

Revisions

• 29 June 2026: Marked the article as 'outdated' and added information about this to the introduction.
• 13 May 2026: Updated section 'Requirements' by adding 'Adobe InDesign Server 2024 or higher'.
• 15 April 2026: Updated section 8 'Configuring a workflow for each Brand' with information about Placement Presets.