Software

Print Action, Jun 2004

Adobe

The company of course is using drupa 2004 to showcase its Creative Suite platform, which features new versions of Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, GoLive and Acrobat Pro. The company paid particular attention in presenting Version Cue, which is a file version manager incorporated into Creative Suite. Version Cue enables production professionals to find files quickly by viewing thumbnails, or by searching on metadata such as description, author, copyright or file type.

Adobe also announced that it had acquired Q-Link Technologies, a provider of business process management software. The acquisition provides Java-based workflow technology that will be integrated with the Adobe Intelligent Document Platform. From workflow to forms, UI design, rules, web services, integration and Business Activity Monitoring (BAM), Q-Link offers a fully unified solution to build process-driven applications.

Agfa

The company announced IntelliTune 3.1, the latest version of its image-data analysis and tuning software. Based on Agfa's Multi-Dimensional Processing (MDP) technology IntelliTune controls tonal, colour and spatial characteristics in every image to ensure the best reproduction possible. The software is able to use ICC Profiles and supports JPEG, JPEG-encoded EPS, TIFF, EPS, PICT, PSD, BMP and DCS single file formats. In addition, the PDF processing option allows users to work automatically with RGB, CMYK and Grayscale PDF files.

The company also highlighted it recently released ApogeeX 2.0 prepress workflow solution based on PDF, JDF and digital film. This new release comes with many connectivity features such as drivers for new Agfa and non-Agfa CTF and CTP imaging devices, as well as proofers. New features added to ApogeeX 2.0 include increased JDF functionality and load balancing to fully scale a system and meet peak load criteria of demanding production environments. New fault tolerances work toward maximum up-time, and there are new controls for the export of PDF/X-1a and PDF/X-3.

NexPress Solutions

The company announced that it is teaming with EFI to offer additional workflow and web-to-print capabilities for users of the NexPress 2100 digital production colour press. NexPress plans to integrate technology from EFI's web submission and automated prepress workflow solutions into the NexPress portfolio.

The first of two solutions generated from this collaboration is NexTreme Exchange, which automates the fulfillment of static, short-run print jobs. Clients can log on to print-provider websites where they can submit files for printing, and view online job status for print orders online. NexTreme OneFlow+ software is an automated workflow management system designed to integrate with the NexStation III using the JDF standard job ticketing language. It is a web-to-print and variable-data-printing application.

Helios

The company demonstrated its WebShare server application, which is a real-time file access system from where authorized users can access files via a standard web browser. WebShare users can securely access a file server via internet or intranet, browse files and their content, download or upload files, create folders and manage files as if they were working on a local file server. Helios WebShare File Server and the WebShare WebObjects Server are compatible with Mac OS X, and client-side support is provided from Mac OS 8.1 to Mac OS X 10.3.

Callas

Callas has developed an application called PDFengine for analysis, correction, conversion and combining of PDF documents in Mac, Windows, Linux and soon Sun Solaris platforms. Vendors like Adobe, HP, Krause Biagisch and Mitsubishi have licensed PDFengine technology for their products. In addition, Callas software also offers products for the processing and creation of output from PDF, Adobe InDesign and QuarkXPress documents.

Compose

The company highlighted its Express WorkFlow applications, which constitute a modular CTP workflow solution. Compose noted that its most significant news surrounds three new JDF options for Express, as well as a major new version of Star Proof, and a new version of the low-cost Express ColorFlow proofing workflow solution.

Express WorkFlow gives users direct access to job management via a web browser. Handling both PDF and raster workflow, Express WorkFlow has a user interface and browser-based job control and offers over 20 add-on modular functions including ROOM proofing, post-RIP imposition, media optimization and remote printing and proofing. In addition, its Plate Controller feature allows for accurate positioning of jobs on the plate.

Star Proof 4 is a Mac OS X ROOM proofing solution for producing contract quality proofs up to 200 lpi on large-format inkjets and colour proofers. Star Proof uses hard dot generation techniques of Actual Dot 2 to recreate actual dot patterns and rosettes of original separations - including defects such as moire patterns.

Dynagram

The company demonstrated its new imposition engine that, operating on Mac OS X, accepts PDF, PostScript, EPS and DCS files from over 100 applications. It is said that the application can output to any printer, digital imaging device, imagesetter or platesetter. It also enables populated or non-populated imposition, and outputs in PJTF and JDF.