Software for PDF Workflows is Already Emerging
By Rose Blessing
The following are just a few of the many PDF-related tools shown at Seybold San Francisco.
EZ-PDF, from Acquired Knowledge
With EZ-PDF, a prepress pro can set up PDF Distiller menu settings for a client's typical work and "package" them for the clients to use. EZ-PDF also includes pre-defined styles for common types of work such as digital advertising, large-format output or Web viewing. EZ-PDF can be configured to accept and/or automatically fill in job ticket information, according to the Portable Job Ticket Format specification defined by Adobe Systems.
Adobe PostScript Extreme, from Adobe
Extreme is an extensible systems architecture comprised of software modules and general operating principles. Adobe OEMs can choose to incorporate some or all of its elements in future products.
Extreme facilitates PDF workflows that take advantage of the Portable Job Ticket format and of the capabilities of PostScript 3 RIPs. Adobe PostScript 3 RIPs can accept both PostScript and PDF files natively.
DoubleCheck, from Enfocus
Type: DoubleCheck, announced at Seybold, is a PostScript and PDF preflight autocorrection and conversion solution. DoubleCheck provides a preflight report that gives details about colors, fonts and images and pinpoints any problems that were not automatically corrected by the program. It is intended that both document originator and prepress services provider use DoubleCheck. Enfocus' other products include PitStop, Tailor and CheckUp.
OPI Doctor, from Lantana Research
Typically, OPI information comes into PDF as comments only or as a low-res placeholder only but rarely with all the right info to both preview/proof correctly and to eventually print the high-resolution version, says Lantana. With OPI Doctor, you can include or substitute images (skinny PDF to fat PDF, or vice versa), verify and update links, and perform other OPI related functions.
PDF Librarian, from Lantana Research
