Graphic Arts: AutoTools tunes batches of XPress files

MacWeek, March 2, 1998 by Kelly Ryer

Aiming to diminish the drudgery of common prepress tasks, Macrobyte Resources

recently released PrePress AutoTools. The $289 engine batch-processes

QuarkXPress files to create PostScript files or proofs.

AutoTools is based on UserLand Software Inc.'s free Frontier 5.0 scripting

software, and it requires Frontier 5.0 to run. From a central Tasks palette,

users can choose spot color, trapping, knockout color, image or printing

functions or combine several tasks within a single batch process.

AutoTools lists spot-color information for all selected documents and lets

prepress users specify CMYK mixes, set trapping preferences, ensure that white

areas are knocked out of surrounding color, and check and update image links.

A Print function lets users specify settings for the entire batch of files.

Users can customize AutoTools by writing simple script-based plug-ins in

Frontier UserTalk or in AppleScript, Macrobyte said. Example files and a

tutorial are included.

PrePress AutoTools is available for an introductory price of $189 until May

16. A free demo can be downloaded from the company's Web site.

Macrobyte Resources of Stonington, Conn., is at (860) 535-9450;

macrobyte@snet.net; http://www.macrobyteresources.com.