Software - Prepress & Design

Enfocus has announced the immediate availability of update 1 releases for PitStop Pro 11 and PitStop Server 11, and an update 2 release for Enfocus Switch 11. The updates add new industry-standard Preflight Profiles to PitStop Pro 11 and PitStop Server 11, and include expanded functionality and features for all three products.

PitStop 11 update 1, for PitStop Pro 11 and PitStop Server 11

The PitStop 11 release marked the introduction of 'Smart Preflight and Correction', delivering complete PDF quality control and the ability to dynamically find and fix problems in seconds on a per-file basis. PitStop 11 provides users with a flexible solution to preflight and correct PDF files according to their own specific production requirements.

“Version 11 is the most powerful PitStop Pro yet with the Variable Sets feature, which enables the same preflight profiles to be used for a variety of documents and jobs, altering the requirements and tolerances of profiles during preflight and correction without the need to maintain many, almost identical profiles. My PDF-processing depends on PitStop Pro, and now is even faster and more efficient with PitStop Pro 11.” – Pariah Burke - A Digital Publishing, EPUB, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Quark, PDF author, consultant, trainer & guru Empowering and Informing Creative Professionals™

Smart Preflight options have been enhanced, adding the ability to utilize user-defined measurement units when working with job tickets in PitStop Server or within Enfocus Switch. The configurator for PitStop Server 11 in Switch has been updated to take advantage of the new functionality, further expanding the fully automated preflight and correction capabilities within Switch. Additional features include text editing enhancements, faster Smart Find and Replace, a new Action for customizing image recompression and improvements to image resolution checks.

PitStop 11 update 1 now also includes full support and compatibility for the newly released operating system from Apple, Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.

New Ghent Workgroup Preflight Profiles

The Ghent Workgroup, an international organization made up of graphic arts users, associations & developers, builds best practices for publishing workflow. Their recommendations enable an increasing numbers of professionals around the world to successfully create, process, and exchange graphic arts files for numerous applications.

The Preflight Profiles introduced in PitStop 11 update 1, support the new GWG 2012 specification based on the PDF/X-4 standard. The specification has been created to accommodate modern workflow practices such as live transparency but also integrate valuable feedback from users and industry associations.

“As Co-Chair of the specification committee, Enfocus has been playing a leading role in the creation process of the new specification,” states Elli Cloots, Director of Product Management at Enfocus and Vice Chair of the Ghent Workgroup. “We are confident that this will offer a future-proof solution to the market and we are also very proud that our products are already compatible with the newly released GWG 2012 specification.”

Enfocus Switch 11 update 2

Enfocus Switch 11 update 2 includes compatibility with Adobe Creative Suite 6. This includes the Configurators for Acrobat X (Win), InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. Expanded connection properties are now available for InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. Actions can now be dynamically selected within a Photoshop flow element using any Switch variable or a script expression.

New in Switch 11 update 2 is the ability to define and set a user-defined unit for length measurements used by PitStop Server 11 update 2. This means that users are able to assign a system of measurement (e.g. millimeters, inches, etc.) to be used by a specific PitStop Server element when dynamically utilizing metadata or other Switch variables for Smart Preflight and Correction operations. This feature will allow users to better use existing information available in job tickets and MIS systems without the necessity for complex unit value transformations.

The Web Services Module, an expansion option for Switch offering a browser-based interface into Switch, has been enhanced with new customizable PHP templates for web-based file submission and approval. The module includes improved documentation as well as a new sample implementation online at http://switch.enfocus.com where users can see how the Web Services Module could be incorporated into their own site quickly and easily.

Availability

PitStop Pro 11 update 1 and PitStop Server 11 update 1 are available now as a free update for existing version 11 users. For more information on upgrades, licensing options and pricing, please contact your local reseller or Enfocus at sales@enfocus.com.

Switch 11 update 2 is available now from Enfocus' network of Switch Authorized resellers and integrators. This update is available for customers with current Switch maintenance agreements.

For more information on pricing and modules, please contact your preferred reseller or Enfocus at sales@enfocus.com.

With the introduction of a new major release of ArtiosCAD, version 12, Esko offers a 'paradigm shift' in packaging design from 2D to 3D. Providing tools for 3D design, editing, rendering and visualisation, ArtiosCAD 12 assures that the viability of a package is discovered further upstream in the supply chain. It also provides new tools for packaging design and process integration to help users gain productivity and increase efficiency.

ArtiosCAD is the flagship structural packaging design editor in Esko's software suite with over 13.000 licenses sold worldwide. “It all starts with structure. The structural design determines the placement of the graphics. The package converting is determined by the structure. Structure and graphics, as well as structure and logistics, are brought together with the use of ArtiosCAD. Only ArtiosCAD offers end-to-end communication for the entire packaging supply chain,” says Richard Deroo, Esko Product Manager, Structural Design. “Our commitment to continuously improve our solutions for our customers help them fulfill increased demand to push more products to market faster, at the lowest cost, in a global market.”

Supporting Esko’s vision of shifting design from 2D to 3D, ArtiosCAD 12 brings customers many time-saving features. It has integrated the latest native 3D file import libraries from Esko’s technology partner, Spatial. This offers a speed improvement of over 50%, which means designers will spend less time waiting to import 3D models. Users will also benefit from the 3D import preview feature, allowing them to select individual parts from a model assembly. This lets the structural designer quickly and automatically build a carton around the imported 3D parts to be packaged.

In addition, ArtiosCAD helps to assemble multi-part designs and displays with a number of new time-savings features. For example, with a single mouse click users can fill a carton, case or tray with the product to be packaged. This saves hours developing multi-part designs. Placement of one design within another is now easier with the new Collision Detection feature, which gives visual feedback when the two designs intersect.

"We have been asking for some of the 3D tools that have found their way into ArtiosCAD 12,” comments Chuck Pomles, Senior Packaging Design Engineer at Premier Packaging Inc. “A lot of the work we do is complex – assembled fabricated foam protective packaging for electronics companies. These can have as many as 15-25 unique components. As part of our design work, we create manufacturing assembly drawings (how to build and heat weld the pieces together) and customer packing instructions (how to use the packaging to protect the electronic components). Creating these assemblies in ArtiosCAD 3D could take us from 45 minutes to 1½ hours to do. With the new ArtiosCAD 12 Collision Detection feature, with a click, the components are automatically placed in a box. Using the Collision Detection tool along with the Tab Slot tool, these assemblies now only take 5-15 minutes to create. For the projects we have built using ArtiosCAD 12 thus far, I consistently see a phenomenal 75% savings in time."

To accurately communicate printable areas for graphic design, ArtiosCAD 12 is able to show the flap priorities of panels. For Re-Board® and multi-wall displays and designs, ArtiosCAD 12 can add edge bands for finished edge calculations and visualisation, along with building reverse v-notches with partial cuts for accurate conversion of these materials.

One of the fastest growing trends in the industry is Retail Ready & Shelf Ready packaging. IGD shopper research reported that over 90% of shoppers experienced products hard to find, damaged and unavailable. This is driving retailers toward implementing Retail Ready Packaging (RRP) and Shelf Ready Packaging (SRP). According to IGD Retail Analysis over 50% of suppliers facing an increased demand for those projects. Following these trends, ArtiosCAD 12 lets suppliers quickly and easily build RRP designs and automatically create stunning 3D animations. These can accurately show user-defined perforations and tear-away designs required in RRP packaging designs, in addition to the full set of common perforations.  Beta ArtiosCAD 12 customers reported saving hours of time with new automated animations of tear-aways and RRP designs.

The concept of Intelligent Dielines in ArtiosCAD 12 is a set of editing tools that enriches an ArtiosCAD file with detailed panel information, such as ‘Copy free’, along with placeholders for barcodes, nutrition facts and other pre-defined artwork. Brand owners can use the Intelligent Dielines features to communicate brand guidelines within their technical drawings, helping to improve communications between structural and graphic designers.

“ArtiosCAD 12 is fantastic. Esko added all the features that I needed, including some 3D rendering tools I suggested to them,” enthuses Peggy Underwood, Graphic Design Manager at Corrugated Container Corp., a company that focuses on POP and displays for product packaging. “I was trained as a graphic designer and knew that Intelligent Dielines would be very helpful as we send structural designs to graphic designers and ad agencies. Before, to assure designs would be correct, I manually placed the art orientation using Adobe® illustrator® and explained which panels would be printed. Now it’s all done with the click of a button. This probably cuts three-quarters of the time it took in the past.”

“No graphic designer is going to feel so helpless and confused again when looking at flat structure,” adds Underwood. “Some of our projects, including sales kits with many compartments, are very complicated and it is difficult to see which of the pieces are visible in the final layout. Now, there are ‘up’ and ‘down’ arrows to show orientation in the artwork. The 3D views with arrows help designers understand why a panel is in a certain direction. And, with all the 3D tools in ArtiosCAD and Esko Studio, we are able to show our art without having to produce mock-ups. The new Array and Collision tools make packing out our displays very quick and easy, saving us a ton of time.”

Supporting the supply chain downstream, ArtiosCAD 12 supports bi-directional communication between both CAPE and TOPS palletisation software packages. This eliminates the need for structural designers to re-enter data into both systems, removing wasted steps and any potential human error. Additionally the full pallet load can be visualized in ArtiosCAD 3D for high-resolution presentations and reports.

In an industry that is becoming more commoditised, sign and display shops are realizing that the uniqueness of 3D display projects offers higher margins. More and more companies are investing in ArtiosCAD for structural design. ArtiosCAD’s extensive library of resizable display designs helps designers so that they do not have to start from scratch designing new displays. The ArtiosCAD Tab & Slot tool ‘assembles’ components of a display with just a few clicks. The Mate tool helps to build and visualise connected folds and multiple parts. Users can identify glue areas and corresponding targets to quickly connect designs or perform simple assembly of displays. Curved Creases, a patent pending technology only available in ArtiosCAD, makes it easy for designers to work with curved folds and cuts by allowing them to visualize designs with curved creases as part of its 3D module. Support for thicker materials such as Re-board, along with correctly designing V-notches and edge bands makes it easier to visualize and convert designs of this material.

ArtiosCAD is available in two versions: the standard version and ArtiosCAD 12 Enterprise, enabling global “cloud” sharing and collaboration with WebCenter 12. With ArtiosCAD 12 Enterprise, all assets are centralised in a corporate private cloud, a secure web-accessible database enabling dynamic online collaboration between design groups, CAD and graphic designers, suppliers, brand owners and production. An easy to use online dashboard provides real-time feedback on project status, task lists and other parameters. An embedded design browser lets users easily search designs on production dies. To maintain file and project integrity, global and template-based project and document auto-numbering and naming allows the organisation to uniquely name each asset.

"I am also looking forward to the increased search ability in ArtiosCAD Enterprise, whether it is Internet or intranet based,” adds Pomles. “We have existing designs in our database and using ArtiosCAD Enterprise we now have a very quick searchable reference. While I certainly like getting design requests off the Internet, it is even a greater timesaver to be able to search existing designs. What used to take 10-15 minutes now takes as fast as I can type."

For more information, please visit www.esko.com

Corel has launched a new membership programme where CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X6 users can connect through a new cloud-based environment to leading edge graphic design tools and digital content.

The new membership programme is being rolled out across multiple regions and will offer two membership levels. Standard Membership gives users product updates, as well as online access to digital content. Premium Membership provides exclusive digital content and early use of new product features before they are introduced to the broader CorelDRAW community in future product releases. In addition, Premium members will receive major product upgrades as they become available.

“Allowing users to create, connect and work with CorelDRAW Graphics Suite in a way that best suits them is a top priority for us. With the introduction of our new Membership Program, we’re excited to offer more choice and extra benefits to ensure our users are getting the most out of their CorelDRAW experience,” said Nick Davies, Executive Vice President of Graphics and Productivity at Corel.

The new Membership Program expands on the current CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6 experience by offering members exclusive premium content, early access to new features and choices that go beyond what’s included in the box. The CorelDRAW Membership includes:

• Cloud-based connectivity to all existing digital content (Standard and Premium Members)
• Product updates, previously known as Service Packs (Standard and Premium Members)
• Exclusive content including clipart, photos, fonts and more (Premium Members)
• Early access to new product features (Premium Members)
• Future access to online services (Premium Members)
• Major version upgrades (Premium Members)

New membership options available through new X6.1 update

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6 customers can download this first update (previously known as a “Service Pack”) from www.corel.com to become a Standard or Premium member. X6.1 delivers new valuable features and additions like new dockers, scanning capabilities, PowerClip and PHOTO-PAINT™ enhancements, additional OpenType support as well as general performance updates.

The X6.1 update will allow Standard members to experience most of the Premium Membership features for free. For future updates, users can continue to enjoy exclusive features and online content by purchasing a Premium Membership.

Availability and pricing

Standard Membership is free and Premium Membership is available for the equivalent of £7.95 per month when signing up for a £95.40 annual membership, including VAT.

To become a Standard or Premium Member, users must create a Corel account within CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6. Membership options are available to box and electronic download customers of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6 at this time.

A greater understanding of the capabilities of Switch 11 is the aim of four webinars being staged by Enfocus this month.  Recently launched, the new modular Switch 11 solution is packed with flexible & open automation technology. During a recent update new functionality like “Smart Preflight & Correction” has also been introduced. The Enfocus Switch webinars are free and open to anyone.

“During these dynamic webinars, we will review the capabilities of the Switch 11 to give customers a comprehensive overview that will help them identify even more ways to save time and costs,” explains Sukerti Van Schoorisse, marketing manager at Enfocus. “The webinar series will continue throughout August as we are keen to share the range of creative applications possible. We think this is a great cost-free way for customers to improve their understanding on how smart automation can help their business grow.”

Switch Webinars on basic prepress tasks

The first webinars, on July 19th for Europe and July 24th for Northern America, will review ways to automate five basic prepress tasks to save time and work more efficiently. These include automating PDF creation from Adobe InDesign, integrating PDF preflight with PitStop Server, routing and sorting files based on file type, sending email notifications and receiving files through FTP.

Switch Webinars on Smart Preflight

Smart Preflight and Correction is the focus of the second webinars - July 26th for Europe and July 31st for Northern America. The new support for PitStop Server's Smart Preflight in Switch, MIS, Web to Print or business system can drive the preflight process settings. As a result common job specifications such as page trim size, number of inks, number of pages, can be automatically checked in a file to ensure it meets job specifications before processing.

For more information, please visit http://www.enfocus.com/en/learn

Enfocus has released Switch 11 update 1 which now includes full support for the new Smart Preflight & Correction functionality introduced in PitStop Server 11. Smart Preflight & Correction offers Switch and PitStop Server users a more dynamic and accurate way of applying preflight and auto-correction settings, driven by the power of Switch variables. Additional new and updated configurators in this release include a direct link to Esko’s Automation Engine, new Microsoft Word configurator supporting the latest versions and updated HP configurators.

Smart Preflight & Correction that takes full advantage of the power of Switch 11

Switch 11 update 1 includes a new version of the PitStop Server configurator, compatible with the newly announced PitStop Server 11. It enables Smart Preflight & Correction in PitStop Server 11 using any of the variables available in Switch, including SQL databases, XML and JDF job tickets, embedded XMP values, private data variables created with the scripting API and all of Switch’s built-in variables.

"PitStop 11 has introduced a new era in PDF preflight, and the combination of PitStop Server 11 and Switch 11 update 1 are making the possibilities endless. Each and every job can be checked to specific job requirements that can be sourced from the file itself, metadata values, job tickets or external data sources," says Dieter Wullaert, Switch product manager. "For example, you can check if an incoming file matches the specifications for that job in your order system, or alternatively whether it corresponds to the information entered on your website by the customer when uploading the job. Using the new rule-based variables, it’s possible to translate those values into real preflight checks – this new functionality is huge and unique in workflow automation."

New configurator streamlines communication between Switch 11 and Esko Automation Engine

Switch has been designed from the beginning to be a complementary and vendor-neutral automation solution, allowing users to do more with their existing technology investments and workflow solutions. With this new configurator, files can be picked up by Switch, processed as required by any of Switch’s many tools and other Crossroads partners configurators, and delivered into an Automation Engine Job without operator intervention. To achieve this goal the configurator offers different ways to find a matching Automation Engine job. Combined with the ability to chain those different ways it provides maximum flexibility in automating the process of assigning incoming artwork to a print job. The new configurator also supports the unattended initiation of Automation Engine workflows upon the delivery of a production file with an accompanying XML job ticket by Switch. The job ticket is picked up by the Automated Job Creation Module of Automation Engine, which ensures flawless execution of the job.

"Because of Switch’s unique file handling capabilities and thanks to the many other configurators already supported in Switch, it is now possible to complete additional processing before a file is delivered to Automation Engine," states Dries Vandenbussche, Automation Engine product manager. "For example: a print buyer places 'chocolate gift box.zip' containing an Illustrator file on an FTP server monitored by Switch and the result in Automation Engine is a preflighted and color-corrected PDF file. We are also very excited about formally joining the Switch community soon as a Crossroads Application Partner."

Enfocus Crossroads is a community related to Enfocus Switch automation. Comprising Crossroads Application Partners, Crossroads Integration Partners and Switch users, the community provides automation best practices to other Switch users and prospects. A dedicated Crossroads web portal (www.crossroads-world.com) provides an extensive source of information about the Crossroads Partners and their integrated solutions.

Updated Microsoft Word configurators and HP configurators

Switch 11 update 1 includes new configurators for the world’s most popular text editor. Users can automate file processing in Microsoft Word 2010 (Windows) or 2011 (Macintosh) and convert all supported Word documents to PDF, rtf, txt, html, doc and docx at 'blazing' speeds.

Next to already available HP SmartStream solution configurators, the HP Digital Front End JD Control Configurator was enhanced. It now enables building even more intelligent workflows by using Switch metadata.

Availability

Switch 11 update 1 is available for customers with current Switch maintenance agreements.

A free trial and is available on www.enfocus.com.

For more information on pricing and modules, please contact your preferred reseller or Enfocus at sales@enfocus.com.

SAi International (SAi) has announced the launch of EnRoute Version 5 CAD/CAM software which has been designed to provide a powerful and easy way to create and output files.

EnRoute 5 builds on the established capabilities of SAi's popular EnRoute family of versatile professional CAD/CAM software, which delivers intuitive, easy-to-use creative tools and accurate toolpathing for carving and engraving needs.  EnRoute software has been specifically introduced to facilitate integration with three-axis CNC machines in the CNC woodworking, CNC signmaking and manufacturing and fabrication industries.

As the most powerful EnRoute software produced to date, Version 5 includes over 50 modifications and comprises a multitude of integrated time-saving features that make the design process faster while improving productivity.

Among the major features of EnRoute 5 is a fully-equipped interface containing enhanced nesting options that provide several new nesting capabilities. Relief creation and editing has also been expanded with new offsetting and distortion tools, while new ways to distort contours and toolpaths have been added to increase possibilities for creativity and deliver precise results.

Heavy lifting and detailed artwork - a unique combination

Importantly, EnRoute 5 is able to handle a wide range of applications via tools that address the needs of high-volume commercial applications. These include the ability to nest materials together to reduce waste, as well as cut more parts per hour thanks to shorter production times. In addition, EnRoute 5 has been designed to undertake detailed 3D work with surface creation and texturing. This capability to handle high-volume projects while also managing the more intense artistic aspects of jobs, sets EnRoute 5 apart from many existing programs that are unable to deliver effectively on both requirements.

"Our EnRoute software is renowned for its rapid texturing and 3D engraving capabilities, but EnRoute 5 ups the ante by incorporating industry-specific tools that push creative boundaries and further enhance productivity by saving design time and cutting costs," says EJ Nodurft, EnRoute product director, SAi. "Since EnRoute 5 makes virtually all types of cutting possible, we believe that it meets all requirements for those users outputting to three-axis routers."

Key new features include:

• An expanded Advanced Nesting Suite which delivers a host of convenient performance-enhancing features, including the Nest-Around-Obstructions tool. This enables users to specify parts of the plate containing fixtures or material imperfections, before nesting around those areas.
• Object Distortion, which enables users to tweak the shape of an existing design for use as part of a new design by pushing and pulling on elastic handles to define the desired new shape; and new Relief Tools which allow users to create unique designs by distorting reliefs and introducing variations into cut surfaces.
• Remnant Creation, which optimizes material use by automatically identifying the sheet remnant and creates a separate contour for the saved remnant. Upon the next job, EnRoute 5 utilises the remnant contour as the plate, fitting parts into every nook and cranny.
• Single-stroke fonts, which can be used in the same way as other font styles in EnRoute and are primarily intended for marking purposes using an engrave toolpath strategy.
• A new 3D Engrave Suite, which now includes 3D Engrave, Rapid Texture, Rapid Picture, Toolpath Distortion and Prismatic Lettering. This industry-leading 3D Engrave Suite features an easy-to-use interface that allows users to control and create unique design variations.

SAi has already Beta tested EnRoute 5 with several customers, including Edinboro Hardwoods Ltd., of Pennsylvania, USA, which was quick to benefit from its many attributes.  "EnRoute is the life blood of our production and I don't know where we would be without it," says Edinboro Hardwoods' owner, Thomas Marino. "The solution is by far the number one choice for our production needs and is so much easier to use on a day to day basis than any other software we have tried."

SAi's new EnRoute 5 CAD/CAM software is available in Basic, Plus, or Pro versions to suit the specific production needs of users.

For further information, please e-mail enroute@saintl.biz