Version 6.5 features improved image handling features, support for variable data printing and increased stability and reliability, including the handling and production of PDF files.

New image handling features include support for native Photoshop files, including control of layers and clipping paths from within QuarkXPress and image manipulation via XTension Vista, (PrintWeek, 16 October).

"I'm confident we've got closer integration with Photoshop than Adobe has in InDesign," said Quark UK marketing director Gavin Drake.

The support for working with Photoshop files natively, provided by an ALAP developed XTension, is claimed to simplify version control and storage requirements by eliminating the need to flatten files for different applications.

Also new in 6.5 is an upgrade to variable data XTension XClusive. Originally developed by HP Indigo it has now passed to Quark.

The latest version adds support for variable data language PPML-T for printing to HP's Production Flow workflow. Subsequent versions will support non-HP presses.

Story by Barney Cox