Workflow developers hope to be using the latest version of Adobes CPSI RIP technology to support PDF 1.4 functions, including transparencies, by early next year.
CreoScitex, Heidelberg and Agfa are all waiting for Adobe to finalise its plans before fully integrating the technology in their systems.
The new version will add native support for PDF 1.4 and more transparency effects.
John Cunningham, Adobes European market development manager for cross-media publishing, said the latest version of CPSI would feature a series of tools built into the RIP to flatten transparent objects. Currently we recommend that customers flatten files before PostScript, he added.
Lance OConnell, Heidelbergs product manager for pre-press and Prinect, said version 2.1 of its Prinergy workflow should be released in early 2002. It will flatten transparencies before output.
Agfa product manager Colin McMichael said the firm was waiting for Adobe to develop the new CPSI to handle transparency, but it has tested PDF 1.4.
Providing there is no transparency it handles the format fine, he said.
CreoScitex has also announced an entry-level version of its Brisque workflow aimed at smaller printers and repro houses, as well as Brisque 4.0, a new version of the workflow.
Brisque Entro will be a stripped-down version of the system to provide a more affordable workflow.
Were taking Brisque and adding a new cost structure, said product manager Marc Mascara. Brisque came with a lot of stuff that smaller printers need less.
Mascara sees it competing with Harlequin ScriptWorks-based RIPs and Heidelbergs new MetaDimension PDF-based workflow.
The newest version of Brisque, version 4.0, is now available with the Lotem Quantum platesetter.
Story by Barney Cox