Heidelberg's ImageSmart 2.2 Optimizes Digital Prepress

PDF-based ImageSmart Document 2.2 software enables tab creation and convenient image editing in a simple workflow

Version 2.2 of ImageSmart Document Mastering presented at CeBIT by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) provides users with a simple, fast and reliable workflow for boosting productivity in digital prepress.

ImageSmart Version 2.2, being demonstrated at the CeBIT trade show in Hanover, employs a PDF-based workflow for complex production jobs, making it the ideal tool in environments involving frequent reprinting, repurposing and editing. The software enables greater collaboration between the printer and customer by allowing easy sharing of PDF documents.

An array of new job setup and workflow capabilities are enabled by the ImageS-mart 2.2's key components, including the enhanced Heidelberg SmartBoard 1.2, a new tab creation tool and an enhanced image editing tool. The following fea-tures are supported:

• The scanning of images directly into a frame and manipulating and editing images in the editor window.
• The easy creation of cut tabs in a PDF file and the ability to place them in existing PDF files, as well as the creation of bleed tab sections in a PDF file.
• The "work and turn" function for printing two documents in parallel on a single sheet with one click of a button. This shortens run times considerably.
• Improved flexibility and productivity by printing to multiple print devices.

"ImageSmart 2.2 from Heidelberg is a complete workflow package that takes digital prepress operations for complex jobs to the next level of productivity - enabling customers to assemble and store black-and-white and color images in one document. With the new features available in this version, Heidelberg is offering a powerful, high-value, flexible PDF-based 'make-ready' solution designed to take full advantage of the explosion of PDF usage across all print market segments in 2003," explains Wolfgang Pfizenmaier, President of Heidelberg's Digital Solution Center.

The software is optimized for use in conjunction with units in the Digimaster product family - including the Digimaster 9110, Digimaster 9110m and Digimaster 9150i - but also with other digital production systems.

New capabilities for greater productivity Pfizenmaier noted that hundreds of digital print providers worldwide have benefited from ImageSmart's powerful job submission and document mastering functions, which enable them to save time in setting up jobs and reduce waste caused by job set-up errors. Some customers, according to Pfizenmaier, have even reduced digital prepress time by up to 50 percent per job.

The new ImageSmart 2.2 incorporates the functionality of the earlier version and offers additional capabilities.

SmartBoard 1.2 software plug-in. The enhanced SmartBoard plug-in enables a number of new functions. Users can create a job ticket, apply a job ticket to a PDF, and create, store and retrieve a PDF with a job ticket for easy reprints. The "work and turn" function lets users create two documents in one print operation, with each new page containing two copies of the original page - ensuring that, when the stack is cut, the cutting edge will always be the true edge for accurate finishing.

SmartBoard 1.2's grid lines makes it easy for users to ensure 100% register accuracy for front and back. They can also print the grid to facilitate adjustments. Printers also can get detailed information about print system's status - such as press availability, configuration and paper types loaded - via SNMP. The certified PDF support provides an edit log that maintains a history and summary of all edits when an Enfocus product is present. Plus, the SmartBoard user interface allows the SmartBoard paper catalog to be synchronized with the Digimaster print system's paper catalog.

Tab creation. ImageSmart 2.2 employs a powerful tool to create and insert tabs before and after pages in a PDF file. Bleed tab sections can also be created easily in a PDF file to identify page ranges or sections that need to be highlighted, and can be previewed before insertion in the document. In addition, SmartBoard provides an additional productivity enhancement by automatically sending unused tabs to the top paper exit.

Image editing. The software's updated image-editing tool lets customers drag a frame on the PDF page and click inside the window to add an image via a scanner or a file. Users can also edit black-and-white and grayscale images, including selecting, cutting, copying and pasting within a document or between documents; rotating and cropping an image; drawing a freehand or straight line; erasing and filling a portion of an image; and deskewing or despeckling an image. Customers can also import digital photos directly into documents.

Configurations and Availability
Print businesses can choose from three configurations:

• ImageSmart Document Mastering 2.2 Software Suite, which includes the SmartBoard 1.2, Adobe Acrobat 5.0, StampPDF 2.7 and Quite Imposing 1.5c.
• SmartBoard 1.2, for customers already using Adobe Acrobat 5.0.
• SmartBoard SE 1.2 - this standard edition includes some of the SmartBoard 1.2 features, including job ticketing, page feature support and tab creation.

The configurations will be made available to Heidelberg's sales organizations worldwide and business partners Canon, Danka and IBM in May 2003. Existing ImageSmart 1.2 / SmartBoard 1.1 customers are eligible for a free upgrade.

For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Communications
Matthias Hartung
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 50 77
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 50 46
E-mail: matthias.hartung@heidelberg.com

Heidelberg Digital Solution Center
Gail Corey
Tel.: +01 (0)585 512 60 12
E-mail: Gail.Corey@heidelberg.com