Focus on Preflight and Automation Technology • allows creation of descriptive fields for flow elements, which display as a tooltip when the flow is activated • exports flows to HTML pages, where every element and connection is clickable, and takes the reader to a clear description of every event (e.g., flow name; description; creation date; the flow image as shown on the canvas; and the properties of all elements in the flow) Significant Speed Improvement: Updated File Handling tools. Beta users reported significant speed improvements while using the updated file handling tools in Switch 13. Users report that Switch 13 is up to 4 times faster (depending on the configuration) while assembling Job or Hold Jobs, and even seven times faster (depending on the configuration) while using the Split or Merge PDF tools. Compatible to the new Windows 10 operating system. In addition, Switch 13 contains the Invisible Grid: a highly appreciated UI-improvement. It is now easier to align flow elements in straight and neat flows. No additional aligning is needed; thereby also eliminating wasted time lost to (re-) organizing flows. New Enfocus PitStop 13 Checking the quality of PDF files before printing is absolutely essential to ensure a correct result. Preflighting PDF files—checking and correcting errors before going to print, without having to go back to the designer or native application—has become standard practice in the industry. This avoids costly reprints, keeps production moving and the presses rolling. The breakthrough release of Enfocus PitStop 13 provides a substantial upgrade to the PitStop preflight engine, giving printers the PDF quality they need for smooth, efficient production. Users report that the features included in this release solve their most problematic PDF quality challenges, such as missing bleeds and the ability to limit quality checks or fixes to certain parts of a file, making the process more accurate and specific. Available as either a subscription or a license model, PitStop 13 Pro provides, as one customer describes it, “More production, more efficiency, and easier communication.” PitStop Server takes the same power of PitStop Pro to an automated level, allowing the user to inspect and correct PDF files using a convenient, hot folder server-based architecture. PitStop Server CLI can, as of version 13, convert PDF files to images, and output PNG and JPEG files. This is particularly useful for those customers who need to re-purpose PDF files or need thumbnail images of PDF files for use online, within other tools. New Enfocus Connect 13 Answering the need for better document and metadata exchange and communication between graphic design and premedia, production, and print, Enfocus Connect was developed because: • Preparing files for print can be a hassle. • File delivery methods can be confusing. • Consistency and quality of jobs saves production time. • It’s become the responsibility of the printer to “make it work.” Connect addresses these issues by focusing on ease of use for designers, and control for print service providers. The Candy Store Rocks Having made its debut two years ago, the Inkjet Candy Store (Booth 3040) is a show floor pavilion dedicated to the latest wide format inkjet printers. Stop by and compare and contrast inkjet technologies, the current models from top manufacturers, and the applications for which they are suited best. The Inkjet Candy Store is a good first stop for visitors to take notes and plan which manufacturers, models and/or applications to follow up on and which exhibitors to visit. Wide format and other types of specialty printing have been hot topics for the past couple of years, and questions abound as new technologies and newer features have enabled more applications to be produced. Signage, soft signage, banners, POP/POS displays, and many more are among some of the fastest growing wide-format applications. At the same time, applications such as floor graphics, wall graphics and décor, vehicle and fleet graphics, even smaller items like printed smartphone and tablet cases, golf balls, and other ad specialty items fall into the general category of “wide-format printing,” as these items are often printed on the same presses. New UV printers have increased the number of surfaces and substrates that can be printed, allowing for the relatively inexpensive and easy decoration of just about anything. But that’s easier said than done. What are the capabilities of UV machines? What are the options for UV printers? Can UV printers do vehicle graphics? If not, what kinds of printers can? Different printer and ink technologies produce different applications, and newbies to wide-format printing have fundamental questions about how these technologies differ. Enter the Inkjet Candy Store. Start your research there. Then, visit the vendors’ primary booths for more information and to see the equipment in action. Mimaki (Booth 2644), Mutoh (Booth 4241), EFI (Booth 1902), and half a dozen or so other manufacturers have their latest and greatest on display in the Inkjet Candy Store. By the way, you can also get actual candy. At GRAPH EXPO 15, Enfocus (Booth 444) is demonstrating the industry’s leading preflight and automation technology. Attendees may view private demonstrations of the latest versions of popular Enfocus software including new Enfocus Switch 13, PitStop 13, and Connect 13. New product highlights are as follows: New Enfocus Switch 13 Enfocus Switch is a modular and open software solution that gives companies of all sizes and budgets a streamlined way to manage files and their associated business processes. Switch also integrates and connects to third-party applications in a workflow, as well as to processes and departments outside of production, such as MIS and database automation. The above represents many ways files can flow, and process, through to output or to another system (or database, MIS, etc.) in Enfocus Switch. The Switch Messages Viewer: Switch operators or other stakeholders can now view Switch log messages via a web browser from anywhere, rather than logging in to Switch Designer. Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Microsoft Explorer are all compatible. No installation, nor is an additional license, required. This new tool allows users to: • track production whenever and from where they like • view, sort, and search messages • export specific search results in a .csv file • bookmark filters for re-use Improved User Experience: To help users build concise and user-friendly flows, Switch today contains a powerful toolset to make sure flows are clearly understandable and recognizable by everyone. Numerous developments on the UX front began as of Switch 12 update 3; e.g., an important flow documentation feature, which: • allows the flow creator to apply colors to elements and connections (thereby making it easier for other stakeholders to see) ACCGC Annual Board Meeting AGives Credit Where It’s Due ny school can develop a graphic communications curriculum and degree program, but what assurance is there that the level of education it provides will teach students what they need to know to work in the industry today—and produce graduates who will be able to lead the industry tomorrow? In 1998, seeking to develop academic standards for graphic communications degree programs, a group of industry leaders formed the Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications (ACCGC) and drew up a rigorous set of accreditation standards. Since then, ACCGC has accredited 13 programs from around the country, helping ensure that these schools turn out future industry professionals who have superior backgrounds in technology and management. Today, from 1 to 4:00 pm, ACCGC will hold its annual Board Meeting in room S501bc in McCormick Place South. “GRAPH EXPO 15,” says Dr. Ervin Dennis, ACCGC Managing Director, “is very convenient as the majority, if not all, of our 19 Board members—11 educators and eight industry professionals—attend and participate in GRAPH EXPO/PRINT shows each year.” This meeting is open to the public, and anyone interested in the accreditation of college and university graphic communications academic/technical programs is welcome to attend. Please visit www.accgc.org for more information about ACCGC. 10 September 13, 2015 | GRAPH EXPO Official Show Daily | PrintingNews.com
GraphExpo Show Daily Day 1
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