Software - Prepress & Design

Four Pees has announced the release of PrintFactory and ProofMaster 4.3. This update for the PrintFactory and ProofMaster product range includes additional productivity features such as a redesigned colour picker, HTML reporting across the network and transparency tools to help accomplish better true shape nesting. It also adds support for various new devices, such as the EPSON SC-S306x0 series or new HP DesignJet devices.

PrintFactory, the most complete production solution for large format printing, can print jobs as they are being processed, driving over 700 different printing, cutting and CTS devices. PrintFactory not only increases productivity and operator flexibility, it also allows to produce more efficiently. The advanced colour engine can easily introduce proofing in workflows, reducing waste of expensive production media and ink. With PrintFactory, a predictable and consistent output is generated and colour consistency can be achieved on different machines.

PrintFactory and ProofMaster 4.3 introduce an HTML-based log issued by the RIP that can be consulted through a regular web browser by everyone from any computer. To ensure full support for new computers, these releases drop support for PowerPC macs. The new release also include over 200 problem and stability fixes.

The enhanced Media Manager allows importing or exporting a set list of materials that can be printed on, making it easier to exchange this between different printers. The Media Manager now also features Spot color Editor invocation, a duplicate mode and an information pane.

PrintFactory & ProofMaster 4.3 Editor – Verification, correction and production preparation

Whether you need to combine and correct multiple jobs, make edits on colour, masks, shapes, scaling, rotation, mirroring, create tiles or place grommets, with the PrintFactory Editor all the job preparation and correction tools are only a click away. The new PrintFactory and ProofMaster Editor 4.3 feature a redesigned Color Swatch palette with an integrated Color Picker and a Make-Transparent tool. Transparent areas can now be ignored during TrueShape nesting. The optimised Submit Job dialogue features a colour-bar option and allows 180 and 270 degrees job rotation.

PrintFactory & ProofMaster 4.3 Calibrator – easy profile creation

New in the PrintFactory and ProofMaster Calibrator is the option in the Custom Ink Setup to spot the channel type. This channel type is taken into account during linearisation but is excluded during profiling. The new calibrator offers i1 iSis XL support and includes Barbieri USB support on Mac.

Additional support for new printers and cutters

PrintFactory and ProofMaster 4.3 add support for the following devices:

• EPSON SC-S306x0 series
• HP Designjet Z5200 and Z6200
• Agfa Titan series
• HP Designjet L28500
• HP Scitex FB 500 and 700
• Roland LEJ640
• Roland LEF-12
• Epson GS6000 CcMmYK mode
• Aristo AristoMat series
• Fotoba XL series
• NeoLT drivers

Prices and availability

Version 4.3 is a free update for all existing 4.x users. This update is immediate available via www.print-factory.net and www.proofmaster.net

It will become available through the automatic update mechanism on 7th June 2012 at 10am CET.

ProofMaster and PrintFactory 4.3 are fully compatible with Mac OS 10.7 – Lion.

Enfocus has announced the commercial release of PitStop Pro 11 and PitStop Server 11. The PitStop 11 release marks the introduction of 'Smart Preflight & Correction', delivering complete PDF quality control and the ability to fix problems in seconds. It provides users with a flexible solution to preflight and correct PDF files according to their specific production requirements. Visitors keen to discover 'Smart Preflight & Correction' can see demos on stand A23 in hall 8b.

"By introducing ‘Smart Preflight & Correction’ in PitStop 11, we introduce a new era of preflighting and correcting files,” explains Leen Vanmaele, Enfocus product manager. "Until today, a preflight profile could only contain fixed checks and corrections such as image resolution higher than 300 dpi, page size A4,... Users could not take full advantage of PitStop's capabilities because creating specific Preflight Profiles for each job was time-consuming or the situation resulted in having very general Preflight Profiles."

Preflight made specific to each job

"With PitStop 11 and the introduction of Smart Preflight & Correction, these fixed preflight settings are a thing of the past. Preflight Profiles are made dynamic because they match the specific job requirements. This ability delivers unprecedented accuracy with minimal effort," explains Vanmaele. "Smart Corrections are also enabled through Action Lists, which results in higher quality PDF files and enables our users to fully benefit from the technology they already know, in a smart way.”

A new level of automation with PitStop Server 11

While PitStop Pro 11 allows users to enter values specific for each job manually, users enjoy a completely hands-off, new level of automation with PitStop Server 11. This allows users to automate the preflighting and correction of PDF files, driven by job-specific information contained in JDF or XML job tickets.

The new version introduces the concept of 'Variable Sets', a group of variables to be used when preflighting or correcting PDF file. A variable within PitStop Server 11 points to specific information in an XML or JDF job ticket. When the job ticket arrives along with the PDF file, the right values are automatically provided for the preflight check. All customer-specific requirements are checked and corrected without the need for manual intervention. Variables are also supported by Actions Lists allowing job specific corrections. Through the ability to use tickets coming from MIS, web portal or order entry systems, PitStop Server 11 offers significant opportunities to automate high-volume production processes. It allows users to gain competitive edge and win more business. PitStop Server also seamlessly fits into Enfocus Switch to provide preflighting and auto-correction in a fully automated way.

Streamlined interface and smarter text editing

PitStop Pro 11 has an array of enhancements, including:

• Smart Text Editing – the new Find and Replace Tool lets users quickly locate specific text segments and immediately replace them, which will save them precious time. For example, they can easily correct misspellings globally or apply new branding styles.
• Merge characters and words into text lines – a new tool that makes text manipulation easy, allowing users to automatically re-merge split text segments into a single line. This new feature eliminates the struggle to work with separate text segments and provides a more comfortable way to correct mistakes, edit and reposition text.
• The improved Preflight Profile Editor gives users a clearer overview of the checks and corrections in their Preflight Profile, while the streamlined Navigator affords a clearer view of their PDF throughout the review process.

PitStop Server 11 also comes with new features, notably:

• Find Text Action – this new action allows users to easily adjust specific text to a new branding style, or ensure specific text fragments are mentioned, such as legal phrases. By merging characters and words into single text lines, users avoid problems with overlapping text when reformatting or correcting text fragments afterwards.
• A new and streamlined interface in the Preflight Profile Editor of PitStop Server 11 has been developed to make editing easier and have a better overview.

Availability

PitStop Pro 11 and PitStop Server 11 are available immediately. With the release of PitStop Server 11 the product also becomes available in Dutch. The fully functional versions can be downloaded from the Enfocus website www.enfocus.com.

Agfa Graphics will launch the next generation of its award-winning prepress workflow, :Apogee Suite 8.0, at drupa 2012.  Featuring new tools designed to help printers in offset and digital print or hybrid environments become more innovative, it interacts more efficiently internally and with their customers while optimising every step in the production process. :Apogee Suite 8.0 will be running live and available for demonstrations at the company’s stand at drupa (Düsseldorf, Germany May 3 – 16, Hall 8A) and will be available for purchase in the third quarter 2012.

Among the innovations in :Apogee Suite 8.0 is the new interactive :Apogee StoreFront, the new cloud-based, web-to-print solution. :Apogee StoreFront makes it easy to set up online stores for both printed and non-printed products. Seamless integration with :Apogee Prepress or any other workflow software ensure that orders are automatically downloaded and setup for production based on job specifications. Because it is cloud based and easy to use, printers can launch multiple, customised storefronts with no additional staff or costly infrastructure investment. :Apogee StoreFront gives printers the means to reach new markets and enrich customer experience, thus expanding business.

:Apogee Impose now supports web offset printing. Designed for the specific needs of web printing operations, this unique rule-based imposition software takes all specifications into account, including web folding and finishing requirements, to generate the optimal imposition scheme. A last minute change of press is no problem for :Apogee Impose. Plus, it supports single, dual and multiple web deliveries. :Apogee Impose lowers setup cost while delivering the level of automation web printers demand.

A new Merge Jobs function lets :Apogee 8 determine which jobs can be combined in one production run. This cuts costs by optimising press runs. An innovative algorithm places different jobs on the sheet in the most optimal manner.  As a result, there are fewer cuts which translates to less paper waste.

“:Apogee 8 is loaded with innovations that cater to every type of operation—sheet and web offset as well as hybrid operations including wide format. New 64-bit support combined with virtualisation (VMWare) lets high-volume printers consolidate processing. Other tools reduce costs with efficient output management such as the job merge function. All of these improvements are the result of carefully listening to our customers all over the world and incorporating their feedback,” said Andy Grant, head of software, Agfa Graphics, worldwide.

For more information, please visit www.agfa.com

Following the successful launch of CorelDRAW®Graphics Suite X6 earlier this week, Corel has announced it is now planning to attend Sign & Digital UK 2012 (stand C38.)

Sign & Digital UK celebrates its 25th anniversary providing Corel with the perfect platform to demonstrate the latest version of its flagship product. The show offers exclusive access to the sign making and digital printing industries' latest innovative products, technologies, services and applications and is seen as the leading event of its type in the UK.

James Phillips, Corel's marketing manager - who will be attending the event - comments, “The sign industry is a very important market for CorelDRAW and we look forward to demonstrating the significantly improved workflow, performance and raft of new features in our latest version. CorelDRAW continues to be the leading graphics solution for those in production-related businesses. We will be offering exclusive demonstrations and tutorials to visitors showing how they can achieve their goals in their daily work as quickly and easily as possible.”

Visitors can meet the Corel team at stand C38 in Hall 3, where the company will be showcasing CorelDRAW X6 for the first time, running live demos every day in the Corel theatre. Visitors are also invited to speak with Corel’s experts and take part in free tutorials tailored to the requirements of the sign making and embroidery industry.

Exclusive special offer at the show – Free Corel AfterShot Pro worth £79.99

Visitors to the show who purchase the full version of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6 will also be given a free boxed copy of Corel® AfterShot Pro, a fast and flexible photo workflow solution that combines robust photo management, advanced non-destructive editing and complete RAW processing for more professional photos, worth £79.99. This exclusive offer will only be available from registered resellers exhibiting at Sign & Digital UK: Radecal Signs on stand H30, and Signmaster Systems Ltd on stand N20.

Corel has launched CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X6, the newest version of its flagship graphics suite. Featuring a completely revamped typography engine, inspiring new colour styles and harmonies and powerful shaping tools, the new suite offers graphics professionals its most creative and powerful tools to date. With a focus on opening up new creative possibilities for the design community, this major update delivers improved workflow and performance making it even easier for both aspiring and experienced designers to connect with assets, work with leading edge tools and technology, and output their design projects with confidence.

“Our CorelDRAW community consistently inspires us with their creativity and versatility. Our members play a central role in helping us determine the essential features and enhancements that will help to accelerate the design process, while enabling them to showcase their true design style”, said John Falsetto, Senior Product Manager for CorelDRAW. “We want to provide our users with all of the tools and options they need to be as creative and productive as possible so that they can share their vision and inspire others through their work.”

The new features and numerous enhancements included in the latest suite are designed to address the needs of CorelDRAW users in a wide variety of industries, including sign making, graphic design, fashion/apparel design, wide format printing, marketing, print production, screen printing, awards and engraving, vehicle wrap design, and others.

Key New Features and Enhancements include:

 

• Advanced OpenType® Support: Create beautiful text with advanced OpenType® typography features, such as contextual and stylistic alternates, ligatures, ornaments, swash variants, and more.
• New Custom-built Colour Harmonies: Modify colours collectively in a harmony and analyze colours and hues to deliver complementary colour schemes.
• New Native 64-bit and Enhanced Multi-Core Support: Quickly process files and images up to 50% faster than before.
• New Creative Vector Shaping tools: Creatively add effects using four new vector shaping tools – Smear, Twirl, Attract and Repel.
• New Styles Engine and Docker: Format with speed and simplify the creation, application, and management of styles for consistent formatting across multiple objects.
• New Corel® Website Creator™ X6 application: Build and manage websites with ease using the Site Wizard, templates, drag-and-drop functionality and seamless integration with XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, and XML.
• New Smart Carver™: Remove unwanted areas from an image while simultaneously maintaining the photo’s aspect ratio.
• Improved Page Layout Capabilities: Create design layouts with ease using new and improved Master Layer functionality, Alignment Guides, Interactive frames and much more.
• Redesigned Object Properties Docker: Save time, fine-tune designs and get access to the object settings in one centralized location.

“People are looking for software that produces professional results without the complexity. This is especially important for those who rely on graphic software for their business”, said Kathleen Maher, Senior Analyst at Jon Peddie Research. “This is what CorelDRAW Graphics Suite was designed to do, and we see that legacy continuing strong in the new version. Corel has balanced new features that keep the software competitive for experienced designers, but new users can still get up and working quickly.”

What’s Included in CorelDRAW Graphics X6:

• CorelDRAW® X6, an intuitive vector-illustration and page-layout application
• Corel® PHOTO-PAINT™ X6, a professional image-editing application
• Corel® PowerTRACE™ X6, a utility to quickly and accurately convert bitmaps into editable vector graphics
• Corel® CONNECT™, a full-screen browser to search the suite’s digital content on a computer, local network, or disc and stock imagery from iStockPhoto® and Fotolia
• Corel CAPTURE™ X6, a one-click screen capture utility
• Corel® Website Creator™ X6, a powerful new do-it-yourself website creation software

Users also receive 10,000 high-quality clipart and images; 1,000 new professional high-resolution digital photos; 1,000 OpenType fonts, including premium fonts such as Helvetica®; 2,000 vehicle templates; 350 professionally designed templates; and 800 frames and patterns. Corel will continue to enhance the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6 experience by making more content and functionality available throughout the lifecycle for X6 users.
All box versions of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6 include a comprehensive full-colour, hard cover Guidebook to help users of all skill levels getting started quickly.

For a full list of everything included in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6 and to download a free 30-day fully-functional trial version, please visit www.corel.com/coreldraw.

Availability and Pricing

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6 is available immediately as an electronic download (ESD) from www.corel.com in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Brazilian-Portuguese and Dutch. Box versions will be available from Corel’s authorised resellers later in March.

Suggested retail pricing (SRP) is £399 for the full version and £179 for the upgrade. All prices exclude VAT. For more detailed information about pricing and upgrade policies please visit www.corel.com/coreldraw. Commercial and education licenses are also available.

Polish, Czech, Russian, Swedish, Finnish, Hungarian and Turkish language versions of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6 will follow later in spring 2012.

Media & Blogger Resources

For additional CorelDRAW resources including reviewer’s materials, images and videos, please visit www.corel.co.uk/newsroom

Meet the CorelDRAW Community

• Join the user community www.coreldraw.com
• Connect with CorelDRAW on Facebook www.facebook.com/coreldrawgraphicssuite
• Follow our updates @CorelDRAW

 

Newworks has transformed its operating processes after implementing Enfocus Switch. The comprehensive automation delivered by the Enfocus solutions enabled the company to dramatically save time and increase productivity.

Newworks provides round the clock document management services, through agencies or via the web for its national and international customers. Its service comprises small to large-format printing of document management projects, implementation of web-to-print portals and on-site and off-site scanning. Running 24/7, Newworks’ production team operates in three shifts, with co-ordinators serving customers and prospects day and night.

“We’re very used to managing complex projects with extremely tight deadlines. Our aim is always to meet our clients’ very high expectations,” says Christophe Dollez, IT and Prepress Manager.

Within this demanding production environment, Newworks’ faced a number of challenges such as harmonising prepress procedures, saving time in file processing, interconnecting B-to-B and B-to-C web portals, improving the billing and production system, and directly interconnecting with customers. To address these issues and streamline its processes, the company decided to invest in Enfocus Switch, and combine it with Enfocus PitStop Server, Enfocus PitStop Pro, Quite Hot Imposing and Adobe CS5.5.

Overcoming the challenges

Newworks undertook a thorough review of the solutions available on the market before making the investment decision, “We evaluated alternative solutions but we opted for Switch because it’s very flexible and works perfect with external solutions. A key criteria was that Switch enables us to build a custom solution from scratch, one that we could tailor to our specific needs,” says Dollez.

“Quotations were one particular problem that we often came up against. Our project managers who quoted jobs didn’t have the tools required to know exactly how long a job would take. This meant quotes would sometimes be inaccurate in terms of how much time they would take and how much they should cost, " he explains.

“The goal was to create an automated workflow, where all the checks and tasks are performed automatically, and the preflight results are returned to the project manager. This gives him a far better understanding of how long production will take and what’s involved, and enable him to quote accordingly. For example, production has now been standardized around industry standards, such as GWG SheetCmyk_1v4.”

The extensive automation means Newworks can quickly and easily handle any file type – Excel, Word, PowerPoint, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop etc – submitted by clients. Switch is primarily used to certify the incoming files, report back through PitStop and automate the storage of production files on servers. Newworks now automates file management, certification and file processing as well as non-standard size files and bleed generation.

In addition, the company developed an interface in Java J2E to connect Switch to its systems with exchanges via javascript, vbscript, XLST transform and XML metadata. Dollez explains, “It wasn’t possible to complete these tasks before because of the heavy manual work required. This was the main reason why we decided to increase automation.”

Easy integration ensures immediate gains

Since implementing Switch, Newworks is enjoying important time savings. “Switch creates homogeneous, streamlined work procedures. It makes reporting on customer files easier and increases responsiveness and productivity. It automates the more time-intensive, lower-value tasks,” explains Dollez.

Impressed with how easy the Enfocus solutions are to operate and master Dollez says, “During internal training, people were very enthusiastic about the project. They could see immediately that the solutions were going to really help with every-day tasks, and were looking forward to using them.”

Dollez has also been taking advantage of Enfocus Crossroads (www.crossroads-world.com), which supports and brings together users, vendors and systems integrators to facilitate automation. “Enfocus Crossroads is a great driver for explaining to end-users what automation is, and the benefits it delivers.”

Productivity boost

There are a number of business impacting benefits the Enfocus solutions delivered but Dollez particularly highlights the full automation of Newworks’ e-commerce site for business cards that has decreased operator handling and increased productivity.  “Previously, the operator spent several hours checking, downloading and printing orders. Now, Switch warns the operator that a new job has been taken via an alert in SwitchClient, and the job is redirected to the printing machine the operator has chosen.” He concludes, “Productivity dramatically increased as a result and it enables us to focus more on customer service.”

For more information about Newworks, visit the website www.newworks.com.

[photo shows Newworks' Paris premises]