Software - RIP Software

Onyx Graphics, Inc. has launched a new addition to its suite of RIP and print workflow products. ONYX® Textile Edition software is designed specifically for the large format textile printing marketplace as an application-specific edition for ONYX RIPCenter™, ONYX PosterShop® and ONYX ProductionHouse™ packages and as a module for ONYX Thrive™ software.

ONYX Textile Edition software includes all the functionality of ONYX 11 software - such as Swatchbooks, sewing marks and disproportionate scaling - with the addition of textile-specific features that can save time and reduce waste. A single, simple process streamlines job preparation and offers the ability to run an entire shop using one RIP or print workflow product. ONYX Textile Edition software combines Step-and-Repeat, Colorways and Ink Configuration Builder functions with ONYX Color – Onyx Graphics’ proprietary colour engine -  to increase the predictability of colour textile output.

“We understand that the right tools are critical in taking advantage of the rapidly-expanding textile market,” says Kevin Murphy, President of Onyx Graphics. “We’ve taken a vibrant, simple and smart approach to addressing the unique colour challenges in digitally produced textiles.”

Step-and-Repeat functionality within the ONYX Textile Edition simplifies pattern creation by building repeating patterns with fewer clicks.  Users can achieve unlimited layout possibilities with vertical and horizontal repeats, rotate and mirror options and the ability to add image offsets. The ONYX Step-and-Repeat function means users can quickly create edge-to-edge fabric and wall covering designs from a single repeatable image, eliminating the need for third-party applications.  Users can experience substantial time savings when creating full-bleed repeats for any size material or application.

The Colorways function enables users to quickly create patterns in multiple colours from a single file by selecting from a specified Swatchbooks colour or manually selecting colours to produce unique patterns. Users can save valuable time because this simple, intuitive Colorways application eliminates the need to switch between multiple programs. The job setup function is achieved using the familiar ONYX interface.

Textile printing has some unique colour challenges. Without the proper ink controls, colours can appear dull and less saturated. ONYX Color has been enhanced to overcome these colour challenges. Onyx Graphics’ proprietary colour engine delivers an expanded colour gamut that gives users the ability to match corporate colours, achieve deeper darks and print a wider range of colours. Available exclusively from ONYX, ChromaBoost™ technology allows users to achieve brighter, more saturated colours by increasing the chroma (the intensity of the colour) by as much as 40 percent.

The Ink Configuration Builder enables the quick creation of ink configurations for alternate ink sets (e.g. specialty textile colours) supported by a user’s print device. Specialty ink sets often come to market after a print device has been in service for a while, and its driver software may no longer be updated. The Ink Configuration Builder allows users to easily create their own ink configurations to support these specialty ink sets. In addition, the innovative Output Ink Reference chart gives users visibility to which ink is in which channel so they can easily determine the order in which the ink will print. The reference chart and ink configuration features included in

ONYX Textile Edition software let users accelerate printing by making changes to ink configurations during media set-up. Users gain control over ink and color to achieve predictable, vibrant results every time.

Availability

ONYX Textile Edition software is available as an edition for ONYX RIPCenter, ONYX PosterShop and ONYX ProductionHouse packages and as a module for ONYX Thrive software. To purchase ONYX Textile Edition software customers should contact their authorised ONYX reseller or visit www.onyxgfx.com for more information.

Wasatch Computer Technology has launched Wasatch SoftRIP Version 7.1, incorporating the latest improvements for high speed parallel processing, enhanced support for dye sublimation and direct-to-garment printing, and new customised production tools.

Key enhancements include:

• Color Neighborhood Analyzer - Support for dye sublimation and direct-to-garment printing is enhanced by the Color Neighborhood Analyzer. This impressive tool makes it easy to match the desired spot colour, even on specialty surfaces that make it difficult to create an accurate colour profile. The Color Neighborhood Analyzer creates a targeted 100-patch test pattern centered on a chosen target colour and is a powerful supplement to the Color Atlas Generator.
• Direct-to-Garment - Version 7.1 introduces a 'revolution' in print quality for the direct-to-garment market. Wasatch's new masking tool and rendering capabilities make printing to dark garments effortless, producing photo-like quality prints and perfectly smooth gradients. The latest release includes support for the Epson SureColor® F2000 printer.
• XML Access Option - Big shops and specialised workflows demand powerful networking tools. The new XML Access Option supports sophisticated integration allowing completely customised workflows. With this powerful feature, users can easily submit XML jobs into a hot folder, create custom interfaces, and have web-to-print capabilities. The XML control can greatly enhance any workflow, speeding up production time and efficiency.
• More Languages - Wasatch SoftRIP is sold in over 120 countries and is the most widely used and globalised digital printing software in the world.  The latest release includes Tamil, Bulgarian, and Greek language support.

 

A new high-speed RIP and hardware solution from Caldera received its worldwide launch at FESPA Digital 2014, Munich.  The company's C4 platform incorporates a comprehensive set of advanced features to facilitate high performance, with a new set of algorithms designed to take full advantage of modern programming and hardware innovations.

At the heart of the C4 hardware and RIP combination is the use of Caldera's unique approach to extract the maximum from the powerful resources now available from the board. Its engineers have leveraged a unique algorithm to take full advantage of both the GPU for extended performance and Intel's latest chipset technology. This combination optimises the powerful capabilities of multicore architecture employed in the latest family of Intel core processors and the GPU to bring flawless, fast data handling to the high-end digital ink-jet platforms.

Configured to be up to four times faster than previous iterations, the new Caldera C4's high velocity software is designed to facilitate fast and fluent processing. It accommodates the demands generated by the latest series of digital ink-jet print engines, including textile platforms, which require high volume throughput and need support from a powerful front-end and workflow.

Engines that need to have multiple PCs to RIP print jobs in order to keep up with print speeds can now benefit instead from a single front-end that takes advantage of multi-core computing with heavy thread programming for optimum processing power. The inclusion of vector processors significantly improves performance on production workloads, driven by a master Intel CPU which utilises AVX2.

Supplied complete with the necessary hardware, Caldera's C4 high velocity RIP offers full support for variable data printing using the PDF/VT standard, with workflow controls that guarantee consistent quality and constant precision and stability. The hardware platform incorporates multiple CPUs that optimise the use of full multicore 64-bit architecture, with generous RAMdisk support. The PCie 3.0 high-speed serial computer expansion bus provides x16 bandwidth, and there is 10GB Ethernet connectivity aggregation support.

"At the heart of our latest RIP products lies immense power at the demanding levels that are essential for the efficient operation of today's high-speed digital devices. This is vital in order to remove the likelihood of unwanted bottlenecks and allow users the flexibility to run their engines at maximum throughput rates," explains Frédéric Soulier, Chief Technology Officer at Caldera. "Today's production printers are hungry for data and need a powerful front-end and workflow to enable them to work to their optimum capacity. With Caldera's C4 we have catered specifically for businesses with high-end machines that want to increase their levels of productivity with the help of flawless processing capabilities."

[Image shows C4 computer hardware]

SA International is celebrating a double-milestone as it heads into this year's FESPA Digital exhibition. Not only has the company achieved the landmark of one million software solutions sold, but has done so as it marks its 25th anniversary year.

The sale of SAi's millionth software package is from the company's industry-leading Flexi family of professional signmaking products. Possibly the most-widely-known and popular signmaking software available, the anniversary package was purchased by Ocean Graphics & Signs, a full service sign shop based in East Hampton, New York, USA.

"This is truly a magnificent achievement and underscores the long-held popularity and continued confidence within the marketplace, not only in our flagship Flexi offering, but in SAi's growing portfolio as a whole", says Mark Blundell, CEO, SAi. "Over what is a generation, SAi has built its success on dedicated staff, notably our solutions developers and sales teams.  We're delighted that Ocean Graphics & Signs, a business with over 50 years' experience in signmaking, vinyl lettering and printing, has received our one millionth software solution, as the company reflects the profile of many of our customers."

Twenty-Five and counting

This year also marks the 25th year of operations for the Salt Lake City, USA-based SAi. Formerly Scanvec Amiable, the company was founded as an Israeli corporation in 1989 before merging with Amiable Technologies, Inc. in November 1998.

SAi is well known as a leading provider of solutions for the professional signmaking, large format digital printing and CAD/CAM for CNC machining industries. These include the intuitive PhotoPRINT family print and cut workflow package which is found on more large-format printers than any other RIP, as well as the award-winning PixelBlaster print-to-finish production software.

During its quarter of a century of trading, SAi has enjoyed progressive growth, developing a well-distributed network of resellers around the world and establishing a presence across five continents. Today the company serves over 200,000 customers in more than 50 countries, while continuing to enjoy strong OEM relationships and partnerships with a number of industry leaders.

As well as being the founder last year of the International Sign & Printmakers Guild, SAi was also the first RIP manufacturer to offer a free mobile application to provide businesses owners with remote access to valuable production information while away from the office.

[Photo caption: Don Feagen, President and COO of SAi (left), presents Will McLear, owner of Ocean Graphics & Signs, with a commemorative trophy and plaque.]

Watford, UK-based large format specialist Rocket has established a significant print industry first, by becoming the first company in the UK to purchase a Flow+ 2.0 wide-format business workflow system from print software developer, Caldera.

The new system will work in tandem with the company’s existing Caldera colour management system, installed in October last year, which currently run across its RIPs. The colour management system has helped the business to streamline the work that goes from studio to production and then to the client.

The Flow+ 2.0 system is Caldera’s fastest and most accurate wide-format workflow system, which will provide an added flexibility to Rocket’s production capabilities. It will enable the company to look at larger project work and potential new contracts, and also provide additional cost-saving benefits. The installation will also allow Rocket to continue with its on-going development programme, and aim to expand its turnover to £5m+ this year.

Flow+ 2.0 has been created to be a complete dashboard for printing operations of any size to provide a comprehensive workflow product that can communicate directly with a Caldera RIP. Flow+ 2.0 also offers a host of benefits, including; an easy quotation system, planning and production overview, live job-tracking and costing, real-time stock management and provides a direct information exchange with the RIP through JDF compliancy.

Rocket specialises in providing large format work from concept and design through to production and installation for a host of clients in the events, exhibitions, retail and interiors sectors, and has seen its turnover grow by 25% in 2013, year on year.

Speaking about the new installation, Rocket Commercial Director, Antony Rider, stated, “We looked at several options, but in our opinion the Flow+ 2.0 from Caldera was a more user-friendly one. We decided that this gave us the best solution, and will run for an initial period alongside our existing system, enabling a seamless transfer to happen.”

Antony continued, “We visited Caldera in Strasbourg last year, and were very impressed with the Flow+ 2.0 system and also their back-up support.  This was a carefully considered investment, and forms part of our current on-going growth programme, which has included investments in both people and new equipment.”

Further investment is also planned in equipment and development throughout this year by Rocket, which will include an extension to its current business base. This will see the workspace area expanded to 12,500 sq. ft.

Caldera has announced the commercial availability of version 9.20 of its popular RIP software, with updates including advanced preflighting, colour management enhancements, True Shape Nesting and a new Image Bar interface enabling quick access to documents. The latest version of Caldera's flagship RIP engine was first unveiled at FESPA 2013, where it was warmly received by visitors from all sectors of the industry.

Colour management is at the forefront of the new release, with v9.20 including EasyMedia as standard for the first time and giving users cloud access to the Caldera ICC profile library. "When we talk to our customers about what is important in their businesses, colour management always comes up," explains Frederic Soulier, chief technical officer Caldera. "Anything that is such an integral part of a wide-format operation should be supported by their software, and that's why we decided to make EasyMedia a standard part of the RIP solution in v9.20 – if it's not an option for our customers, it's not for Caldera."

The new Preflight tools will help to ensure users produce perfect prints the first time, incorporating the renowned Callas technology also used in Adobe Acrobat. The Preflight option checks for compatibility against a number of standards and rules, including PDF/X, PDF/A, PDF/VT, image resolution, fonts and ICC profiles, and returns a simple red or green light report. The preflight process can be initiated either manually, and applied to one file, or automatically to all files in a specified Hotfolder.

For VisualRIP+ and GrandRIP+ users, the Preflight tool will produce a web report for the operator, as well as an enriched PDF file highlighting any issues. Preflight also integrates with Flow+, sending reports to the MIS manager, and with Caldera WebShop to show a simple file status to the end user. "The Preflight tools will take the guesswork out of printing by making sure a file conforms to our users' standards before it gets as far as being printed," says Joseph Mergui, chief executive officer, Caldera. "By taking advantage of this new option, Caldera users will not only save themselves time with the automation it offers, but also money and resources through not needing to re-print."

In v9.20, Caldera is also revolutionising the print-to-cut process with the new True Shape Nesting tool, which will help print shop managers maximise their resources with more efficient placement of images on media. As requested by Caldera's users, True Shape Nesting uses the actual contours of an image, ignoring any blank space or bounding boxes, to nest images together in a way that minimises media waste when cut. In addition, the tool will help users save ink by eliminating any need to print beyond the cut contours.

Caldera has also updated its Process Standard Verifier to allow businesses to calibrate and verify their prints according to the G7 standard. Adding to the existing standards verification tools for Fogra Process Standard Digital, the latest enhancement to this tool will help Caldera users prepare for G7 certification.

In addition, a new Image Bar feature will act as a document tray, giving users easy access and instant visuals as well as keyword filtering, to save time when searching for specific files.

"These new upgrades to the Caldera RIP represent the real partnership we have with our users," says Sebastien Hanssens, vice-president marketing, Caldera. "Many are user-requested features, and others have evolved from less specific feedback. By listening to the people who use our products day in and day out, we have been able to focus our efforts on the things they really need to make their production run as efficiently as possible. It is this continuous user-led development that is keeping Caldera at the forefront of wide-format software."