The following changes have been implemented in this maintenance release:

• Polish language support
• PDF/A-3 Support
• Force Conversion for conversion to PDF/A
• New and enhanced Profiles
  • Convert to PDF/A-1a, -1b
  • Convert to PDF/A-2a, -2b, -2u
  • Convert to PDF/A-3a, -3b, -3u
  • Verify compliance with PDF/A-3a, -3b, -3u
  • Scale pages to A4 if not larger than A3
• New Fixups
  • Repair invalid bookmark hierachies [CA1020567]
  • Repair invalid ToUnicode-cMap information in fonts
  • Convert pages into images
  • Create invisible text copy for all text
  • Set relationship entry for embedded files
• New Checks
  • Several checks added for all aspects of PDF/A-3

Please check the website for a complete overview of all features and fixups. The updated version can be download from the download page.

This update release is free of charge for all owners of a pdfToolbox 5 license. If you have any questions or if you want more information, please contact callas@workflowz.com

The new release brings full support for the new PDF/A-3 standard announced for 2012, making it possible to archive the original document (such as Word, Excel, XML…) into the PDF/A file. This enables creating long-term archival documents that carry the native documents or dynamic data in them. Integration with Microsoft SharePoint facilitates the creation of PDF/A files in larger office environments and guaranteed PDF/A conversion utilizes advanced processing methods to convert virtually any PDF file to PDF/A. For high-volume environments, pdfaPilot Server can now be installed as a Windows service and load balancing between different pdfaPilot Servers instantly enables unlimited processing power.

callas pdfaPilot 3 is available immediately and comes in two versions: pdfaPilot Desktop 3 and pdfaPilot Server 3. License holders can upgrade to the new version free of charge. A free demo version is available at www.callassoftware.com/download 

We are happy to announce a very special promotion for new sales of HumanEyes software until Christmas.

This promotion includes the following benefits to all new / existing HumanEyes customers:
A massive discount of 33% on all new orders received before 23rd December

This discount applies to all products,
Every customer will also receive:

one FREE module: PDF output or Step & Repeat.
50% discount off any additional modules
Two years support, which entitles you to both email and phone support from the technical department, and FREE upgrades if HumanEyes release new versions during this period.
HumanEyes Producer3D 4.0 introduces many new features along with many improvements.

Some of HumanEyes Producer3D 4.0′s highlights

Video-Print: easily create a 2D animation out of an existing video file.
Morph: by using 2 pictures create with no effort an illusion of change/transformation.
Infinity: the infinity consists of duplications of a small pattern/motif selected by the user and is used mainly for preparing background layers. It is designed in a special way so as to allow rotating the lenticular print infinitely, without suffering from any ”jump” effect.

HumanEyes Producer3D version 4.0 is available now, contact Workflowz to discover more.
6 month Rental Options also available.

All Offers Expire: December 23rd, 2011

Contact us to discover more and save a bundle.

Advances Include:

• “Zero Touch” Automation. Allows work to flow through Metrix without any operator involvement! Metrix Automation is available via Automation Server or the Automation Lite module.

• Much More Intelligent Mark Sets. Metrix can now use rules to determine the most appropriate set of marks to add to a given layout. Press, working style, and inks can be used to narrow down available options.

• Page Colours Ink Filtering. Allows users to more quickly find and create sets of inks.

• Mac OS X 10.7.1 (Lion) Compatible.

You can download a movie that demonstrates the new features here:

http://www.lithotechnics.com/learning/Whats_New_in_Metrix_2011.1.mov

Automation Lite Module

Many projects can now travel through Metrix® with zero operator involvement!

• Automation Lite is an advanced, hot-folder driven module for Metrix which accepts MXML files, or project instructions from a Metrix client, and fully automates their processing. It is similar to the existing hot folder in the Metrix client, but much more sophisticated and automatic in its operation.
• When the Metrix Automation Lite module is licensed, a new File menu item “Automation Lite Mode” will switch the user-interface from the traditional Metrix interface to the Automation Lite Mode interface.
• Once in Automation Lite Mode the operator loads a commands file and starts the Hot Folder. Automation Lite is then ready to receive and process files.
• When MXML files arrive in the Automation Lite Hot (Input) folder, Metrix creates a project, applies settings, performs tasks, and can automatically export the output files (JDF, PDF, etc.) to the Output folder.

• When Automation Lite is finished, you can browse the Server Log to examine the exact steps Automation Lite used to process the file.

• Automation Lite can operate in one of two modes. Projects can be processed using settings in the loaded commands file, or dynamically set project by project via commands embedded in the incoming MXML file.
• Automation Lite can notify the operators by email to tell them when it starts up, when projects require attention, and when it has completed a project.

Automation Workflows

In Metrix, a great deal of an operator’s time can be spent doing the same repetitive functions, such as running auto layout or auto production, applying standards, applying mark sets, exporting the project, etc.

For those who have licensed the Automation Lite module, or are running Metrix Automation Server, Metrix 2011.1 allows access to Automation Workflows, giving the operator the option of offloading many of these repetitive tasks.

Automate Button

When the operator presses the Automate button, Metrix presents a dialog with a list of available Metrix Automation Workflows.

After the operator selects an Automation Workflow, and clicks on “Save, Close and Send,” the project is sent from the Metrix client to the Automation Workflow, fully automating its processing.

Once all of the steps to process the project are complete, the project can be automatically exported and/or saved into the Metrix Database.

In many cases most of what formerly required operator involvement can now be handled in the background by Metrix Automation Server or Automation Lite.

Editing Mark Sets

With the introduction of Metrix 2011.1, mark sets can be modified to help Metrix determine which mark set should be used with a particular layout.

Editing mark set properties is especially helpful for those running Automation Lite, as it gives the operator precise control over which mark sets will be automatically applied to layouts during the automation process.

Mark set properties are valuable whether the mark set is being added manually by an operator or automatically by Automation Lite.

Mark set properties can be accessed and modified through the Database Mark Sets node, when you are saving a mark set, or when you are making a variation of a mark set.

Automation Lite uses the information in the Mark Set properties to determine which mark set is eligible to be applied to a particular layout.

If more than one mark set is eligible, the operator can determine which set Automation Lite will use by ordering the list of mark sets in the Database.

Improved Default Page Colours Dialog

The Default Page Colours dialog has been improved in functionality, look, and ease of use.

The Order column displays the order inks are listed in the Database. The column can switch between ascending and descending order with a click of the mouse.

The Name column can be filtered using the Filter field, or using And or Or Boolean searches. This makes finding and selecting inks easier than ever.

Product Groups Respected in AutoPlan

If products have a product group assigned, AutoPlan will insure that its results will respect those groups.

Metrix is Mac OS X 10.7.1 (Lion) Compatible

Because previous versions of Metrix were not Mac OS X 10.7 compliant, Metrix users upgrading to Mac OS X 10.7 will need an upgrade to Metrix 2011.1.

Amongst the new features it is now possible to restrict the area rendered when generating images to an existing page box (such as the trim box) or a custom area. This means preview images can now be generated without having to output different PDF files for different workflow uses. Additionally callas pdfToolbox 5.3 offers more possibilities for the output file naming convention while splitting PDF files into segments and adds extra options to the page scaling fix-ups.
This new release also provides a new preflight check to detect the use of Roman ligatures. callas pdfToolbox 5.3 introduces a full Japanese localization, including a number of specific features for the Japanese market such as support for adding and recognizing Japanese printer marks and support for common color conversion profiles.

For a complete list of all new features and fixes, please click here.

The update for existing callas pdfToolbox Desktop 5 or callas pdfToolbox Server 5 customers is free of charge.

Rohan Holt, the founder of LithoTechnics, said, “We are extremely proud to reach this significant milestone. It’s very gratifying to think that at any one moment, up to 1,000 people worldwide are using Metrix to do their work.”

Since the debut of Metrix 1.0 in 2004, Metrix has been sold to printers across 22 countries, who use it in any one of five available languages. “We believe Metrix is the leading product in its category,” Holt said. “The printing industry is experiencing an incredibly tough time due to the economy and the shift in publishing towards the Internet. I think some of the success of Metrix is due to the fact that Metrix helps printers optimize their manufacturing efficiency perhaps better than any other tool or strategy for its cost. Customers are regularly amazed by the short learning curve and the astonishing ROI.”

Metrix customers tell the story best – a sampling:

•  “Metrix has streamlined and standardized our planning and imposition, saving 66-75% of the time required for these tasks.” – Mike Banfield, Planning/Estimating, Transcontinental Printing, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.

•  “By defining the project plan at estimating, Metrix positions us to get the most competitive price to market. Plus, we’re saving $60,000–$80,000 a year in labor.” – Ted Straus, Vice President and COO, Suttle-Straus, Inc., Waunakee, WI.

•  “Metrix has helped us to remain highly competitive by cutting our labor costs in half.” – Colin Gammon, Technical R&D Manager, MPG Books Group Ltd., Cornwall, UK.

•  “On one job, Metrix came up with a layout we hadn’t thought of that brought the price down $7,000.” – Andrew Cook, President, Peel Graphics, Inc., Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

•  “With Metrix, we have been able to increase the number of orders we process each day by 20%.” – Hervé Vermeuil, Exaprint, Montpelier, France.

•  “With Metrix, we reduced the time required to plan and impose simple jobs by 50%, and for complex jobs, we reduced the time by as much as 75%.” – Todd Shelhorse, Systems Administrator, MidAtlantic Printers, Altavista, VA.

•  “Metrix saved us $11,000 on a single job!” – Kevin Coombs, Prepress Manager, Multi-Craft, Inc., Newport, KY.

•  “The speed, accuracy and consistency of Metrix-generated plans save time and raise throughput in the sales, planning, prepress, the pressroom and finishing departments.” – Steve Plourde, Director of Technology, Worth Higgins & Associates, Inc., Richmond, VA.

•  “Metrix combines all of our staff’s expertise into a single pool of knowledge, then applies that knowledge to its database of our equipment to create efficient, money-saving project plans and layouts – automatically.” – Margie Sims, Production Manager, EBSCO Media, Birmingham, AL.

Bryan Hughes, product marketing manager, workflow products, for the Graphic Systems Division of FUJIFILM North America Corporation, commented: “Decline in both volume and margin make finding manufacturing efficiencies essential. Printers understand the productivity gains of implementing new printing and finishing hardware technologies. But today it is more important than ever to implement software solutions that allow equipment purchases to be driven at their maximum potential. We also see experienced manufacturing personnel exiting the industry as a result of retirement, plant closures and other economic factors.” Hughes continued, “This means printers are seeking strategies that allow them to grow their business and maximize their manufacturing potential without increasing direct labor costs. Metrix is a product that dramatically improves efficiency and provides a repository of manufacturing knowledge, enabling less-skilled workers to be extremely productive. Metrix can be a key component in this strategy.”

For more information visit http://www.lithotechnics.com

Enfocus are holding a FREE end-user conference to demonstrate the new Database Module and powerful new connectivity and metadata options for Enfocus Switch. The conference will also include a presentation of the integrated imposition and Switch workflow solution, Card Creator Pro as well as a demonstration of Chili Publisher, the online publishing solution for Web-to-print and Print-on-demand portals running within a Switch-based workflow.

The seminar is FREE to attend but space is limited so advance registration is a must.

For a detailed agenda and to register your place, visit: www.enfocus.com/ukconferences

Enfocus has added new channel remapping capabilities as well as support for the newly-released Mac OS Lion operating system with the latest updates to its PitStop Pro and PitStop Server pre-flighting tools. 

The BBC calls it SmartRepro, but Daniel Hargreaves, Reprographics Manager for BBC Magazines, just calls it the right thing to do.

Hargreaves joined the BBC in 2006, in a newly created position where he was tasked to manage the BBC’s extensive reprographics processes, which is dominated by often complex, very high resolution images. Up until then, the work was outsourced to a variety of vendors.

The effort wore the working title “SmartRepro”, and focused on helping the iconic organization’s 400 staff produce 40,000 to 50,000 editorial pages a year in a way that was… well, smarter. And smarter included finding an image processing solution that could bolster and retain the variety of imagery that was part of each publication’s pictorial brand trademark – portraying an expected, predictable level of quality and the “look” of that particular publication.

Time + Quality

SmartRepro sought to maximize in-house talent to improve processes and final product quality. A new infrastructure included the establishment of publication-specific repro hubs that would, for example, address timeline bottlenecks within and across publications (such as reduction of proofing cycles).  Each hub is connected across the network, making it easy to move work around when necessary.

Specific strategies included training design staff to better assess images and print-ready work, as well as understand color space and conversion fundamentals to recognize color problems and correction requirements.

Cultural Change

The broad thinking underlying the approach was to provide best in class resources to fit the needs of internal magazine clusters, including staff equipped with the expertise to address each publication’s particular creative requirements.

“It meant a fundamental culture change,” says Hargreaves, who designed the internal repro team to be flexible and able to juggle any of the work that might come up, thereby balancing the load with the publications’ creative teams and creating a fast, effective, and quality process.

“We created a hybrid of the design teams and the repro team,” he said. “That meant winning hearts and minds in the beginning, negotiations, and carefully structuring how we rolled this out, with a constant eye on how we would safeguard quality. We started in May 2006 – and a year later we successfully incorporated the process with all of our titles.”

Tools for the Job

Picking the right tools and adapting them over time has been key to the effort, as well.

“We invested in workflow tools to insure that we had a robust, industry standard workflow,” said Hargreaves.

Best of Breed

The BBC then layered a few key “best of breed” tools on top of the workflow. One standout choice?  Elpical’s Claro.

Claro’s image tools have their roots in the high quality Hasselblad imaging technology. Building on that base philosophy of quality photographic output, the Claro analysis tools individually analyze images to ensure sharpness, contrast, brightness, color balance and other parameters. The results are consistently superb image quality.

Tick Tock

“We are increasingly pushed for time, and with the schedule backloaded on a monthly magazine – we can have chaos!” Hargreaves says emphatically.

“There is frequently a need for us to standardize what we get in,” he explains,“But because of those time and budget constraints, we often have to work with what we’ve got — and that’s where Claro can optimize and standardize in automated ways.”

“As time constraints grow more severe, quality expectations remain high, so we’ve got this balancing act to achieve quality levels while simultaneously having less time to do it. I was looking at automated solutions and found Claro.”

Top … Gear

The hit automotive show Top Gear and its popular magazine must shine like an Aston Martin Vantage Roader gliding through the S curves to Monaco. In fact, one of the first tests Claro passed was the editors’ eyeballs at Top Gear.

“Top Gear has to be very current and topical, with a very short amount of time to turn around — and Claro brings big benefits there. Top Gear was really into it when I showed them what it could do,” says Hargreaves.

Alan Dixon of Workflowz, Elpical’s UK partner, joined Elpical’s John de Jong in going to the BBC to set up an in-depth demo. The two went on to install, train, and deploy Claro within the BBC, with Hargreaves’ guidance. “We threw lots of different images at the software, tweaked it, and got proofs that achieved what I felt was a significant difference, and once I showed the editors here at Top Gear what can be achieved, it was met with such enthusiasm that it drove sign-off on the investment,” Hargreaves says.

Great Greens!

The system also shines in the challenging areas of greens, blues, and skin tones – and that’s something that the BBC’s Gardeners’ World magazine need to get “Just Right”.

Not surprisingly, the plant photography across this well-known gardening publication contains a lot of greens, not to mention highly varying levels of subtlety from green to green. Hitting the quality bar while meeting a rigorous production schedule was challenging.

” With Gardeners World we’re using the new green tones setting, and getting great results,” Hargreaves reports. This achievement was made possible by his decision to give each pubication its own, unique profile.

Integration

Integration also makes for success. For example, Hargreaves says the BBC integrated Claro with its workflow to take advantage of Claro’s sharpening function.

“When our pages are submitted to the workflow, it makes calls to Claro. The ICC conversion happens in Claro and images are sharpened there as well, so it’s a two-pronged, integrated approach,” he says.

As an added benefit, Claro insures that all images are analyzed in some way. Claro analyzes the CMYK profile against the gamut of the image going in. If the image is out of gamut by more than 20%, Claro applies a perceptual conversion. This, says Hargreaves, brings a whole new level of consistent quality to the process.

The Payoff

“This is one of our greatest successes,” Dixon remarks.  “BBC is unforgiving when scrutinizing production quality; and knowing that Claro can meet their rigorous requirements makes it (Claro) one of, if not the only, best in class image processing solution. We can bring Claro into any operation with complete confidence”

 “Visually, the results speak for themselves,” says Hargreaves.

“There’s a definite quality improvement in images across the board. We wouldn’t have had time to make all these sharpening and other enhancements. This approach lets us have those benefits while working to our tight deadlines. If we didn’t have Claro, we might not be able to achieve the results we have been able to, in certain titles.”

Last Week’s DigiLabs Upgrade Announcement Prompted them To Respond to Common Questions Including:

Q: Can We Offer Licensees Multiple Versions (Skins) of the Software With Our Initial License?
A: Yes!  You can create as many versions as you wish with unique branding, color scheme, artwork, product mix, shopping cart, etc.

Q: How Do Licensees and End-Users Receive Updates/Upgrades?
A: Because updates and download services are from the cloud, managed by DigiLabs (so licensees do not require servers and system administrators), upgrades between DigiLabs / Licensee / End-User happen almost instantly.

Q: What Exactly Is The Integration Between Social Photo Sharing Sites and DigiLabs?
A: Now end-users can seamlessly load images from Facebook, Google Picasa and Yahoo Flickr within DigiLabs.

Q: What Are Some Of The Enhancements Made With Text & Editing?
A: Some of the more notable improvements includes one-click red-eye removal that will fix (amazingly) red eye for everyone in the image, automatically.  Also, users can enter multiple font sizes/styles/colours in a single text block as well as apply spell checker.

Q: Does Your New Pricing Require Order Fees or Revenue Share?
A: No. Our pricing is simple and is based on a traditional software licensing model (initial licensing fee + upgrade/support/usage fee) and does not require payment with every order that you receive.  We do not have a mouse trap that will force you to pay exorbitant order/revenue share fees (that will greatly outstrip any traditional software licensing fee) once you have licensed.

for more information please contact digilabs@workflowz.com