Modular PDF workflow for the future - includes new versions of
MetaDimension, SignaStation and other workflow products
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) presents
additional modules of its new PDF-based workflow at Print 01 in
Chicago. In addition to a new version of the modular MetaDimension
2.5 RIP and workflow software, Heidelberg also unveils new versions
of Delta Technology, the SignaStation impositioning software and
the JetBase digital data management system. These products give the
Heidelberg workflow a new dimension in modularity and
functionality. When workflow products combine with the new
Prosetter violet platesetters and new, thermal-based Topsetters,
meet every need of customers ranging from small quick printers,
repro studios and service bureaus to large-scale industrial
printshops and publishing houses.
By integrating commercial workflows in the production
process, Heidelberg is able to achieve networked production. The
new Prinance solution enables Heidelberg to meet one of the key
challenges facing the graphic arts industry - combining data from
the prepress, press and postpress processes with management data.
"Open interfaces such as JDF (Job Definition Format) and
PPF (Print Production Format) for integrating our software in
third-party systems provide the perfect platform for future
developments," said Dr. Klaus Spiegel, Member of the
Heidelberg Management Board responsible for the Sheetfed Solution
Center. "Very few customers are looking for a complete system
all at once, however. If customers can pick the individual modules
for their specific situation and these can be integrated easily
into existing infrastructures, customers will truly have the
solution they need.
MetaDimension is a portal to the future
MetaDimension augments Heidelberg's Prinergy and Delta
Technology workflows with a modular PDF- and JDF-based workflow
featuring open system architecture for film-, platesetters and
proofers, which is the basis for future developments and linkups
with output devices. MetaDimension is based on PDF and uses the
Adobe Portable Job Ticket Format (PJTF). Postscript (Level 1, Level
2 and 3) and PDF are supported as the standard input formats.
The new MetaDimension version 2.5 can import and export
screened TIFF/B data (using ICC Color Management) with specified
compression factors. The interfaced workflow components can also
integrate quickly and easily into third-party systems and output
devices. Particularly large businesses with high throughputs will
be attracted by the possibility of using MetaDimension as a
standalone proofing solution. Since the entire computer performance
is available to the imagesetter, simultaneous and parallel proofing
and plating operations are possible, ensuring greater throughput
with the same proof quality. Since it is now possible to connect
new proofers with an excellent price/performance ratio,
MetaDimension can be used separately without an imagesetter as a
straightforward proof workstation, thus providing a solution for
all market segments.
MetaDimension supports the new Topsetter and Prosetter series
of metal platesetters and can grow in line with users. It supports
a comprehensive package of functions ranging from pure RIP with or
without InRip trapping, integrated page positioning, OPI (Open
Prepress Interface), Color Management, proofing and CIP 3 PPF
functionality to open PDF solutions with a whole array of Acrobat
plug-ins.
Complex impositioning and trapping functions are achieved
using Heidelberg SignaStation and SuperTrap/SuperTrap Plus
applications, which only a few weeks ago received the GATF
InterTech Award.
Interfaces to Delta and Prinergy also enable the Prosetters
to be integrated into these environments.
Delta Technology is the basis for ROOM
Delta Technology remains the basis for ROOM workflow (Rip
Once Output Many).
The exciting new Delta Technology software Version 7.0, only
been on the market for a few weeks, comes with a new comprehensive
trapping module, the new Java based Calibration Manager and new ICC
based In-Rip color management functions. The Calibration Manager
can define the entire print process and set individual color
parameters for each separation within a complete Job.
ICC-based color management enables defined matching to any
print color spaces. The proof gives the closest possible rendition
to the final print result in all aspects including the paper white.
Process conversions of RGB and CMYK images and illustrations are
now possible and greatly increase the convenience and performance
of the software.
The new Delta Trapper with its outstanding quality, high
productivity and new zone trapping functionality is another
exciting development. The ability to export Delta lists with
DeltaFlow provides a linkup to MetaDimension, ensures users can
benefit from future developments.
New SignaStation now available for the Mac
The SignaStation Version 7.0 and SignaPack packaging
software are now available for the Macintosh greatly extending the
range of solutions available to the graphic arts industry. The
SignaStation imposes PostScript, PDF and Delta lists, while
SignaPack has special features to generate automatically or
interactively complete sheets for packaging and label printing.
Printshops and service providers will warmly welcome its ability to
process complete sheets for output to filmsetters and platesetters
and the benefits offered by this highly convenient software
solution for imposition work.
End-to-end support of the CIP 3 print production format cuts
expensive setup times and costs in both press and postpress. The
SignaStation is the only application available supporting CIP 3 for
Autoregister in press and for folding machines. In future, the JDF
extension will generate even more production benefits.
The new Version 7.0 makes handling different document
versions far user-friendlier, e.g. by coloring the background for
assembly work.
A further highlight of the new version is the improved
preview function. The SignaStation and SignaPack software packages
can generate color previews in "separated" workflows.
This facilitates the work process and is particularly useful for
editing clipping paths in packaging printing applications.
The new version simplifies the whole operating process. All
signatures and pages, for example, can now be selected from
browsers at the click of a button, automatic clipping can be set
and all document information retrieved.
SignaStation can run in conjunction with every
PostScript-compatible RIP. It generates job tickets for
job-ticket-based workflows such as Prinergy and MetaDimension and
can also impose Delta lists in conjunction with Delta Technology.
From Version 7.0 onwards, it also supports the import of templates
from preps.
SuperTrap Plus and SignaPack packaging solution
Heidelberg's folding-box and label production
solution consists of SignaPack , SuperTrap Plus and MetaDimension.
These two workflow modules fulfill the particular needs of
packaging printing using standard PDF workflows. SignaPack uses CAD
data and Step & Repeat functions with permanent,
high-resolution visual control. Composite previews can generate in
"separated" workflows. It supports PJTF and CIP 3 PPF,
ensuring short make-ready times, while integration of a JDF
connection is planned.
SuperTrap Plus is the first and only Acrobat plug-in for
trapping native PDF data. The particular needs of the packaging
sector such as processing varnished objects, mitered corners and
3-color joints are generated with full visual control.
JetBase - asset management, digital services and Internet
workflow
The modular JetBase software package uses job-specific
production data management, automatic archive management and
automatic data security functions to deliver the core building
blocks needed to ensure smooth, internal data organization. This
solid infrastructure serves as a basis for a whole range of media
services and Internet / Wide Area Network (WAN) production
workflows which can greatly enhance the performance spectrum of
media companies and the speed of external production workflows.
Visitors to Print 01 will see the new JetBase clients in the
new MacOS X and Windows 2000-compatible formats as part of Version
4.1. Particular emphasis will be on seamless integration with the
Prinance finance and business management system and the Prinergy
workflow solution. By communicating job-specific meta data between
the three systems, job setups can be fully automated and errors
avoided.
The new features of JetBase 4.1 with its optimized user
interface (identical for Mac and PC) include an extended range of
services that JetBase providers can offer to their customers and
partners. These enable customers and partners to manage their data
and data structures entirely independently via the Internet or a
WAN, to define keywords or to perform updates via uploads.
Further innovations of Version 4.1 include a greater range of
functions for PDF documents. These include full text searches in
documents and reuse of included images using a Drag & Drop
function. Archiving procedures have also been greatly accelerated.
For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Matthias Hartung
Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 50 77
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 50 46
E-mail:
matthias.hartung@heidelberg.com