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`AgfaApogee, for
`PDF-Based High
`End Prepress
`and Publishing
`Environments
`
`Arteveldehogeschool
`Industdeweg 2.2.8, 9030 Madakerk.
`
`lilli"~
`
`97/436.8
`The Future of Production
`
`AGFA+
`
`The complete picture.
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1017, p. 1
`
`

`

`$
`
`AGFA APOGEE''', FOR PDF-BASED HIGH END PREPRESS
`AND PUBLISHING ENVIRONMENTS
`
`Introduction.
`At the critical junctures of an industry's evolution, it is worth stepping back to
`take stock of developments and survey the scene.
`
`In this paper, we will explore the evolution of PostScript" with PostScript" 3, the
`PostScript® Extreme® approach based on PDF, the workflow concept behind this
`change, and the positioning of the Agfa offerings.
`
`We all know what the state-of-the-art is in prepress today:
`
`• Desktop creation and production are respected, accepted and implemented.
`
`• PostScript is the established standard page description language.
`
`• The prepress industry prefers open, "multivcndor" systems instead of closed,
`proprietary ones.
`
`New production techniques, such as direct-to-plate and digital short run print(cid:173)
`ing, are emerging, with specific new workflow requirements. New electronic
`media allow us to repurpose content originally produced for print.
`
`The question "can we do it?" has become "how fast and efficiently can we
`do it?" The way we manage our workflows is constantly evolving too, in accor(cid:173)
`dance with new solutions for two interlinked core issues: data format
`and data flow.
`
`Data format refers to the use of a flexible, predictable, compact "content descrip(cid:173)
`tion" format: the new PDP format.
`
`Data flow describes the efficient connection of prepress-premedia-functions:
`creation, trapping, imposition, RIPping, OPI-replacement, job tracking, image
`database management, etc.
`
`We call it the PDF-based (Portable Document Format) workflow, based on the
`processing of PDF files and the use of the electronic Job Ticket technology.
`
`We first take a look at what PDF means for the prepress iodustry and check how
`different formats meet the current,. and future, industry requirements.
`
`Second, we cover PostScript 3, PostScript Extreme and the new PDF-based work(cid:173)
`flow concept.
`
`Finally, we describe how Agfa's current and future products fit into the new
`workflow paradigm.
`
`EGON IIogeschool
`Indusfl'ieweg 228, 9030 Mal'iakel'ke
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`97/436
`222.10
`The Future of Production
`
`THE FUTURE OF PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS
`
`3
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1017, p. 2
`
`

`

`THE PDF STANDARD.
`
`Originally designed as a uniform. portable
`data format. ..
`Adobe® Systems introduced the Adobe Acrobat® software
`in 1993 so users could view and manage documents on
`screen, independently, regardless of the device and
`application used. These documents were called PDF files
`since they were converted into the Portable Document
`Format.
`
`The user can easily handle, view, edit, navigate, print and
`archive PDF files on any computer platform. In PDF, each
`page of the document is independent of the others to
`simplify, quite dramatically, any handling of the data on
`that page. For optimal portability, PDF files are also highly
`structured and "normalized or standardized)) .
`
`The critical issue with the first and second version of PDF
`(PDF 1.0 and PDF 1.1) was that a number of features
`required for high-end prepress workflows -such as
`overprinting, UCR, halftone screens and OPI comments(cid:173)
`were not retained in the PDF file. This is why the PDF
`format was only used for information exchange and
`vIewmg.
`
`It has become the high-end processing
`format for production workflows
`As well accepted as the PostScript programming language
`may be, the graphic arts and publishing industries are
`definitely eager to sec major improvements made to
`PostScript. In particular, they hope to see it evolve into a
`more standardized, predictable, flexible and higher(cid:173)
`performing prepress production tool.
`
`Adobe Systems and Agfa believe the PDF format would be
`the ideal processing page description format if it would
`only retain all the necessary high-end printing features
`included in PostScript files. Today, Adobe's efforts to
`improve the PDF format led to the next generation of
`Adobe Acrobat, based on what we call "high-end PDF"
`(PDF 1.2). This format matches all of the requirements
`mentioned above
`
`PostScript High-end PDF v1.2
`
`PDF v1.1
`
`-Viewable
`-Sound and movies
`-links
`No -+. -Annotations
`-Object database
`structure
`-Page independent
`
`.-
`
`Yes
`
`Yes -+ halftone screening, .- No
`
`-OPI support
`-Advanced color
`support:
`transfer functions,
`
`-Support from all
`major software
`vendors
`
`PostScript versus PDF.
`
`PostScript is a general purpose programming language.
`It contains procedures, variables, and control constructs.
`This means that a PostScript document must, as a first
`step, be interpreted in order to render the page. Different
`applications generate different types of PostScript, making
`the page descriptions arbitrarily complex. This complexity
`results in unpredictable output. Also, PostScript files are
`not inherently page independent because the imaging
`operations performed on the last page of a document may
`depend on settings that have accumulated since the first
`page.
`
`The PDF file contains the same imaging operations as the
`PostScript language file, described in a very accessible way,
`as a database. In PDF files, general programming
`constructs are not permitted and pages are completely
`independent of each other. The apparent arbitrariness of
`PostScript is eliminated and PDF provides the foundation
`for a print production system that can deliver consistent,
`predictable results.
`
`TI-lE FUTIJRE OF PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS
`
`,
`
`I
`&J
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1017, p. 3
`
`

`

`• The high-end PDF format is standardized
`No two individuals in the world write identically. The
`same holds true for PostScript developers. As a result, the
`implementation of PostScript procedures, variables and
`controls may differ radically from one application to
`another.
`
`These differences in programming tend to make PostScript
`page descriptions arbitrarily complex. When publishing a
`document, you might typically use image data in a
`proprietary software format, mix them with multi-layer
`illustrations, combine them in a complex page layout,
`convert them into PostScript which is then processed by a
`possibly out-of-date version of the RIP ... The analogy
`would be writing a book in which you mix five different
`sets of grammar fules, as you write. Imagine the burden
`placed on the reader Of, in our casc, the RIP!
`
`The conversion from PostScript to PDF transforms the
`document to "a single grammar": a compact, highly
`standardized and structured way to describe everything,
`on each page, using a database of objects. These objects
`are easily accessible and standardized and no intricate
`programming tricks are allowed to describe the page
`content.
`
`Each PDF file is like an object database containing the
`data of the file content you created as well as the fonts,
`graphics, annotations, the links to variable data forms and
`databases and links to digital video and audio.
`
`• A high-end PDF file is predictable_
`The high-end PDF format eliminates much of the
`unpredictability of PostScript and provides a real
`foundation for professional prepress workflows.
`
`In a traditional RIP, the PostScript file is interpreted and
`turned into a list of elementary page objects, referred to as
`the 'display list'. That is the hard part typically happening
`at the moment of output and causing inefficiency in
`output. The second phase then is to rasterize the display
`list into black on/off dots, or CMYK color values,
`depending on the type of output device used.
`
`In a PDF-based context, the relatively unstructured
`PostScript language is converted into the highly structured
`PDF format. In other words the "linear" PostScript code
`is interpreted and turned into PDF pages, each consisting
`of a database of imaging objects (an object database).
`
`This is similar to the first two steps in the traditional RIP.
`Having made a PDF therefore means that the hard part is
`already done. The variability and unpredictability of
`PostScript disappear when you create a PDF file. The PDF
`delivers true output predictability in prepress workflows.
`This is true for content as well as for output, since all
`content elements are embedded and the interpretation into
`imaging objects is already done when making the PDF.
`The rasterizing should be smooth and fast.
`
`r
`r
`
`"
`
`THE FlITURE OF PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS
`
`5
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1017, p. 4
`
`

`

`• The High-end PDF format is more perform ant
`Today, transferring huge bitmap files over the network
`remains a problem. The process inevitably reduces the
`efficiency of your operation owing to taday's low network
`transfer speeds and small transfer bandwidths. Bitmap files
`also require large and expensive storage space on the
`workstations involved.
`
`The far smaller object oriented PDF files glides swiftly
`through the network, dramatically improving total system
`performance.
`
`In addition, the PDF file is a highly optimized and
`structured file, which considerably reduces processing
`times in a RIP.
`
`• The High-end PDF format is very flexible
`Flexible as in easy to repurpose, accessible and editable.
`
`In the overlap between "prepress)' and "pre-media"
`designers and publishers want to be able to re-use or
`repurpose their content for different media: digital
`proofing and printing, multimedia CD-ROM, Intranet and
`Internet publishing. Since PDF files can be viewed with
`popular browsers, they can be easily re-used for the web,
`lending designers the same latitude of creativity they enjoy
`with traditional media. It also means they only have to do
`the designing once.
`
`Where in PostScript the procedures, variables and controls
`are performed on a document basis, the PDF format
`allows you to focus on individual pages. This is crucial in
`environments where different documents, or pages of
`documents, must be handled differently or when
`imposition of specific pages, or last minute corrections,
`need to be carried out rapidly. The high-end PDF format
`allows you to do all of this very conveniently!
`
`Since the high-end PDF format is page independent and
`ready-to-use-use across all platforms, operating systems
`and software applications, it is ideal for repurposing
`information.
`
`High-end PDF is created with Acrobat plug-in mechanisms
`which can search and edit the file right down to the page
`level, at every step of the production process.
`
`Repurposing of one digital master
`
`Inf."nr,.t &
`
`THE FUTURE OF PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1017, p. 5
`
`

`

`• Conclusions
`The high-end PDF format is ideal for production
`workflows because:
`
`• It yields a small file size (PDF files use industry(cid:173)
`standard compression algorithms and are often
`significantly smaller than the equivalent PostScript
`language file).
`
`• Fonts, images and graphics are contained within the
`document streamlining electronic transmission and
`pre-flight check.
`
`• PDF files are independent of the platform, operating
`system and authoring application used, they are also
`viewable on-screen in Macintosh, Windows and UNIX
`environments.
`
`• The same consistent and predictable format can be
`used for all documents.
`
`• Late-stage text edits can be incorporated easily
`before going to print.
`
`• It can be used as a 'digital master' for other media.
`
`THE FUTURE OF PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS
`
`7
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1017, p. 6
`
`

`

`PDF VERSUS OTHER DATA FORMATS.
`
`PDF versus other data formats
`There are three classes of image file formats: bitmap
`oriented, vector oriented and object oriented.
`
`When judging the overall efficiency and productivity of
`prepress and publishing production workflows, one finds
`a number of recurring criteria deemed unanimously
`critical:
`
`• Flexibility
`
`• Editability
`
`• Predictability
`
`• Performance
`
`• Accessibility
`
`• File size
`
`• Multi-platform capability
`
`The table below shows how different format classes
`match specific production workflow requirements. The
`typical PDF advantages -flexibility, accessibility and
`size-obviously become key factors for success.
`
`• Bitmap oriented files
`A high-resolution bitmap oriented file is huge. It is
`typically linked to the output through a specific device,
`which is part of a proprietary system. It is huge because it
`already contains all the raster elements that the output
`laser will write. Typical examples of this file format are
`CTILW and TIFFIIT.
`
`• Vector oriented files
`In a vector oriented file, the page contents are described in
`vectors. This reduces the file size, compared to bitmap
`oriented files, but still generates huge files. What is more,
`the individual objects are not necessarily accessible. The
`flexibility and editability are, as with bitmap oriented
`formats, rather small.
`
`• Object oriented files
`An object oriented file format, such as the open Adobe
`PDF format, obtains positive scores across the board.
`
`All objects on the page, including their properties, are
`described individually, which enhances their accessibility
`and editability.
`
`Object descriptions can be very compact by the nature of
`their content (such as a block of text) or by their structure
`(such as 0 PI references).
`
`- - +
`- - +
`-
`+
`+
`-
`-
`+
`+
`- +
`- I
`+
`- ,
`+
`I +
`
`+
`+
`
`BITMAP ORIENTED.
`
`The letler 0 is composed of dots grouped in a
`bitmap. All relevant content information is lost.
`
`VECTOR ORIENTED.
`
`Tho letter 0 is composed of a group of vectors.
`All relevant content information is losl.
`
`OBJECT ORtENTED.
`
`The leUer 0 is described as an object. All
`relevant content information remains, including
`the capabilities such as searching and editing Ihe
`text conlenl, and editing lhe text characteristics.
`
`THE FUTURE OF PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1017, p. 7
`
`

`

`PROJECTED PREPRESS TRENDS.
`
`How do these formats fit in the projected
`prepress trends?
`As we all know, the graphic arts industry is facing enor(cid:173)
`mous challenges. Prices and lead times for traditional print
`are under severe pressure and new media are challenging
`more traditional media at every level. Both trends place
`tremendous pressure on communication and networks.
`
`At the same time, communication technology is also
`booming. Today, thanks to e-mail and ISDN, there are
`infinite possibilities for exploiting worldwide networks to
`increase performance and boost both communication and
`publishing on the web and specific networks. This means
`that both the demand and the products are in place to
`make time-saving technologies -such as remote proofing
`and web file delivery- a successful reality.
`
`The only problem is bandwidth and standards. Regardless
`of the communication means we usc, the bandwidth size
`and data format always seem to be a problem. This is also
`why the technologies we turn to were rarely used in the
`graphic arts industry until now. Before PDF there was no
`file format that could be used for this type of workflow,
`either due to size or to proprietary restrictions.
`
`As you can see in the chart below, the industry watchdogs
`expect relatively little progress in terms of available
`network bandwidth and disk input/output performance.
`Improvements in processing speed, on the other hand, are
`breath-taking. The introduction and announcement of
`new processor generations clearly indicate that the current
`speed performance will soon be dwarfed l;ly Pentium® Pro®
`and PPC products going for 500Mhz!
`
`This is important when making decisions on workflow
`investments. It teaches us that when it comes to
`productivity, it is better to invest in a workflow based on
`a format that is relatively more processor intensive than
`in a workflow that is more network and I/O intensive.
`
`Workflows based on high-end PDF fit perfectly into this
`model. Thanks to the object oriented structure of PDF, the
`files are small (low I/O and network bandwidth needed)
`but relatively processor intensive. Which is why using a
`file format such as PDF is important and fully in line with
`future hardware and network developments.
`
`Using a truly open platform independent format is even
`more important, given the tendency in the prepress
`industry to work with multivendor-based systems. Not
`to mention the fact that PDF is the ideal and only multi(cid:173)
`platform format, ready for use in all the new "pre-media))
`applications such as multimedia-based CD ROM, Intranet
`and Internet publishing.
`
`Processor speed
`
`Some fundamentat hardware trends in digital
`electronic prepress.
`
`THE FUTURE OF PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS
`
`9
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1017, p. 8
`
`

`

`POSTSCRIPT AND PDF,
`THE NEXT GENERATION
`
`I
`,I
`
`Adobe PostScript Extreme
`As the tendency to move from closed, proprietary systems
`towards multi-vendor "open" systems builds momentum,
`the need to seamlessly connect the different steps in the
`production chain is increasingly vital.
`
`Hence, any improvements of the workflow itself, and
`automation of the communication between production
`processes, are crucial success factors. Until today, the
`choice for any prepress company was between:
`
`. the closed system approach with proprietary "big file"
`data formats including a proprietary workflow approach,
`and
`
`. the open PostScript system, based on separate
`components -each the very best available for their
`specific functionality- with unpredictable production
`performance and a step-by-step workflow approach.
`
`A new RIPping concept.
`To offer all the functionality required today in high-end
`prepress and publishing production, Adobe introduces the
`PostScript Extreme technology. This new workflow
`approach for interpreting and rendering PostScript files is
`based on the "high-end" PDF intermediate data format.
`
`With the introduction of the PostScript Extreme high-end
`PDF intermediate format, Adobe also introduced a new
`flexible architecture for prodnction printing products. The
`core concepts of PostScript Extreme are "two-phased
`RIPping" and Job Tickets.
`
`In parallel, Agfa further improves professional and
`convenient workflow management by constantly
`improving essential aspects of this intricate process. These
`include client/server technology, advanced electronic Job
`Tickets, imposition, opr and professional color
`management.
`
`Adobe PostScript 3
`The strength of PostScript is that it is a very flexible and
`device independent page description language. It is a
`general programming language which converts virtually
`any idea into a document. You can smoothly print a
`PostScript file on any PostScript capable printer -such as
`a low cost desktop printer or high-end imagesetter- and
`always achieve the highest quality level available on that
`output device.
`
`With PostScript 3, Adobe Systems takes its programming
`language several steps further.
`It addresses the requirements generated by customer
`feedback, namely: .
`
`· Smooth shading or improved blend quality.
`
`· 16-bit color gray scales to prevent banding artifacts.
`· Idiom recognition, by which, for instance, the PostScript
`3 RIP will recognize a blend created in a PostScript Level 2
`application and automatically use the PostScript 3
`approach to achieve better quality.
`
`· Improved font technology, mainly the ability to handle 2-
`bit fonts, such as Kanji.
`
`· Two new color models with, among other things,
`extensions for separations into more than the typical
`CMYK planes, offering new levels of color printing quality
`such as HiFi Color®.
`
`· In-RIP separation technology allowing maximum output
`flexibility and last minute changes.
`
`· In-RIP trapping for improved productivity and process
`automation.
`
`· Last, but definitely not least, PostScript 3 processes the
`new "high-end" PDF files throughout the whole
`production workflow.
`
`All this to bring open systems up to par -and often well
`above par- with proprietary prepress systems.
`
`Adding PDF to the list of file types that can be handled
`directly by a standard PostScript 3 RIP is an enormous
`step towards standardizing PDF workflows.
`
`THE FUTURE OF PRODUCTIONWORKFLOWS
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1017, p. 9
`
`

`

`• Two-phased RIPping
`Instead of feeding the PostScript file through the
`production chain, Adobe introduces the high-end PDF
`workflow concept, i.e. the use of PDF files as the
`intermediate data format.
`
`Until today, the true PostScript-based systems performed
`most of the prepress steps such as trapping and imposition
`before the file arrived in the RIP. The hardware or
`software based RIP then interpreted the PostScript data
`and rendered them into bitmaps ready to be output on a
`specific output device.
`
`With the new Adobe PostScript Extreme approach, the
`interpretation and the rasterizing of the PostScript data are
`separated.
`
`The interpretation into the intermediate PDF format is
`done either directly when outputting from the application
`programs or via the PostScript Extreme Normalizer
`component.
`
`Software and prepress vendors such as Agfa are
`developing vertical PDF-based applications for content
`management and manipulation such as preflighting, color
`management, digital proofing, trapping, imposition, last
`minute content changes, OPI, CMYK or HiFi separation,
`and more. All on the slim, highly efficient and universal
`PDf format.
`
`Finally, the rasterizing of the PDF file into bitmaps or
`contone occurs just before the output, steered by the Job
`Ticket attached to the file.
`
`As the PDF format is well structured and straight-forward,
`the rasterizing phase is very reliable and predictable.
`
`• Job Tickets
`The complete PostScript Extreme workflow is steered by
`job tickets. These job ticket files are in fact little PDF files
`tl,at indicate the process and the specifications that the file
`has to undergo. Job tickets allow users to set up
`workflows wiiliout having the actual data thus providing
`complete independence between the creative and
`productive environments.
`
`At the same time, job tickets are an excellent tool to
`improve and formalize communication between the
`different players in the graphic arts industry. Designers
`will be able to include instructions for the customers on
`how to use the files: number of copies, accounting details,
`resolution, color management instructions, processing
`instructions (e.g. max. trapping widths), attention points,
`and more. Service bureaus and printers can open these
`tickets, look at the specifications and append the
`additional specifications needed for the production
`process. It will dramatically change the way we
`communicate and do business today.
`
`Job ticket settings
`
`Traditional (above) versus two-phased ripping (below)
`
`THE FUTURE OF PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS
`
`11
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1017, p. 10
`
`

`

`AGFA AND THE PDP WORKFLOW.
`
`Introduction
`Agfa always has been, and still is, a strong advocate of open PostScript based
`workflows, PostScript Software RIPs, Color Management, among others. Agfa
`has always been one of the first to adopt new technologies and standards that
`were acceptable and usable for the entire graphic arts community.
`
`Agfa feels that the open workflow has taken yet another step that will prove to
`be revolutionary. With the introduction of PDF 1.2 and Acrobat 3.0 a new era in
`the graphic arts industry has statted. PDF fulfills the needs of today's designe~
`service provider and printer. It provides a format that accurately represents the
`content and that is truly device and media independent, editable, viewable, cross(cid:173)
`platform and page independent. Workflows based on this format will be
`unbeatable in terms of features, flexibility, performance and openness.
`
`The Agfa PDF workflow is based on three core concepts: the PDF file as the
`"Digital Master", Last Minute Rasterizing and Job Tickets.
`
`THE FUTURE OF PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1017, p. 11
`
`

`

`• PDF as the Digital Master
`Agfa has chosen to provide workflow solutions that are
`based on the PDF file format and PostScript Extreme
`technology. This means that all incoming files will be
`interpreted into PDF pages as early as possible in the
`workflow. The resulting PDF pages are considered the
`"Digital Masters" for the output. The pages can be
`viewed, edited, organized and used for remote proofing,
`and-only at the last minute-tuned and used for output.
`
`This will guarantee that all the PDF and output flexibility
`is maintained, right up to the last minute, for the benefit of
`content creators and production environments. This
`approach-and convenience!-is in stark contrast with
`proprietary workflows in which the PostScript or PDF is
`converted into the proprietary format as soon as possible
`in the workflow. At the point in the workflow where the
`conversion is performed, all the PDF advantages-such as
`the output and media flexibility-disappear.
`
`Maintaining a PDF workflow ensures a collaborative, tWQ(cid:173)
`.way workflow in which the accessibility, flexibility and
`openness are all maintained to the very end.
`Prepress prod llction used to be characterised by a very
`linear workflow in which subsequent players finished their
`part of the job without too much interaction or feedback.
`With PDF, the production chain has turned into a collabo(cid:173)
`rative workflow. With capabilities such as free viewing
`from any computer platform, easy annotation, flexible
`security settings and remote proofing, designers, service
`bureaus and printers can communicate, smoothly and
`directly, with less chance of error and misWlderstanding.
`With all the work done on the same, accessible digital
`master file, the parties involved are always in the loop and
`able to act and react in a timely manner.
`
`PDF also maintains its functionality in a new media work(cid:173)
`flow. PDF is the ideal solution for CD-ROM, Internet and
`Intranet publishing. The data container is vcty small and
`can be viewed with the Acrobat Reader. Hyperlinks and
`bookmarks can easily be used
`in PDF, making it much more
`than a simple data format. To
`Agfa, a PDF file is a real
`digital master.
`
`A!1Y~I)p'lic~ti(ln .(In
`·.:~9Ymh.:tfor~:
`PC
`
`Mac
`
`Unix
`
`THE FUTURE OF PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS
`
`13
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1017, p. 12
`
`

`

`• Content independent Job Tickets
`Agfa has always believed in the power of job ticket based
`workflows: job tickets that indicate the workflow a file or
`a group of pages has to go through before being output.
`With its PostScript-based Mainstream production
`workflow system, Agfa was the first vendor to introduce
`the concept of job tickets which automate and control the
`output with Mainstream.
`
`The concept is very simple: separating the content data
`and pertim;nt control settings for each type of data.
`There are two main advantages of content independent
`jobtickets: once a certain workflow defined, a new job
`entering the system can be sent along that workflow
`simply by assigning the appropriate jobticket to it.
`
`Second, the same job can easily be re-pnrposed simply
`by re-launching it through the system with a different
`jobticket assigned.
`
`With the PDP workflow, Agfa has again chosen to
`implement job tickets independently of the content data.
`As with Mainstream, Agfa has chosen an open standard to
`be used in the workflow. Agfa will be the first to use the
`PostScript Extreme job ticketing in the new workflow
`products to ensnre an open standard workflow. These job
`tickets will provide a way to manage file content data and
`processing specifications independently, while using the
`same format.
`
`In addition, these job tickets offer myriad possibilities for
`futnre enhancements. They can be designed to include
`settings for accounting, prepress, press and postpress
`functionalities, adding a completely new dimension to the
`concept of '!workflow. II
`
`TIlE FUTURE OF PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1017, p. 13
`
`

`

`• Just-In-time Rasterizing and Late Binding
`With the introduction and acceptance of digital proofers,
`the market was faced with a new problem: predictability.
`Users want to be sure that the proofer result exactly
`matches the final print result.
`
`All vendors started to offer solutions to this problem. One
`possibility is to RIP the @e, store the data and use it for
`multiple output devices. This is called a RIP once, output
`many workflow. Although this workflow provides a
`solution, it does have several drawbacks.
`
`When the files are RIPped, the file is transformed into a
`cumbersome bitmap which is veq difficult to manage. If
`this file is proofed the data has to reside on a disk until the
`proof has been approved. This could take days, resulting
`in expensive data storage requirements for the huge
`bitmap files. What is more, the majority of the @es have
`to be corrected when the proof returns which means
`re-RIPping the data, simply because the editing on
`proprietary bitmaps is very limited. In the end this means
`that most of the huge raster data is kept on disk and only
`to be deleted when the proof returns: a highly inefficient
`use of resources!
`
`PDF lifespan in PDF compalibel versus PDF based workflow
`
`PDF based perspective
`
`Agfa is convinced that it can solve the issue of
`unpredictability without having to implement large data
`storage. Again the PDF workflow provides the solution to
`this problem.
`
`When the PostScript files are converted into PDF, the
`PostScript is actually interpreted. The result is a PDP file
`that is clean and predictable. This means that the PDP will
`output exactly the same on a proofer as on an imagesetter.
`In contrast to the former workflows PDF @es are very
`small, resulting in small data storage. They are also highly
`editable allowing corrections to be inserted without the
`need for re-interpreting.
`
`Agfa calls this part of its workflow Just-In-Time(cid:173)
`Rasterizing. This type of workflow also means that the
`PDF digital master is maintained as long as possible,
`keeping extreme flexibility right until the last minute. All
`one needs to do is rasterize the file, in line with the chosen
`output device and the output process specifications. Come
`output time, the digital master file is rasterized once for an
`ink jet proofer, once for a laser-based digital press and
`once for a traditional printing press. Each time, the
`appropriate settings are selected for defining output
`characteristics, color management, trapping requirements,
`etc.
`
`This type of workflow is really what the industry refers to
`as Late Binding: the user is not bound to any vendor
`specific tools or output devices and keeps all his workflow
`choices open, right up to the last minute.
`
`~
`View
`~
`
`Editing ~ Processing ~ Rasterizing
`
`~ Device 1
`~ Device2
`
`Adobe Acrobat or Third party software
`
`Traditional perspective - PDF compatible
`
`~ Converting ~ View/Editing ~ Processing ~ Rasterizing
`
`~ Device 1
`"".,..... Device 2
`
`To Vendor
`proprietary format
`
`Vendor proprietary
`software
`
`THE FUTURE OF PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS
`
`15
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1017, p. 14
`
`

`

`APOGEE WORKFLOW CONCEPT.
`
`General
`Agfa Apogee completes the full
`range of Agfa IPS products on the
`market today. It is designed as a
`Publishing Production system
`that incorporates all prepress pro(cid:173)
`cessing components: Imposition,
`OPI replacement, Trapping,
`RIPping and Print File manage(cid:173)
`ment. It is an NT-based system
`running on DEC and Intel
`processors.
`
`It consists of the following com(cid:173)
`ponents: the PDF Pilot, the PDF
`RIPs and the PrintDrive Output
`Manager. These make up a com(cid:173)
`plete production system that is
`managed by the Apogee Control
`Center.
`
`The Apogee Control
`Center
`The Apogee Control Center dri(cid:173)
`ves and manages the entire
`Apogee workflow. It is the beat(cid:173)
`ing heart of the system and inter(cid:173)
`faces simultaneously with the
`PDF Pilot, the PDF RIPs and the
`Output Managet. It features:
`
`• Job Ticket Creation and Editing
`
`• PDF viewing and editing
`
`• Job management and control
`
`• System settings
`
`• Logging
`
`• Raster data control
`
`PDF
`Viewing
`& Editing
`
`Job Ticket
`Creation
`& Editing
`
`Application
`Input
`
`Digital Master
`Generation
`
`Page
`Store
`
`Rasterizing and
`Job Ticket Execution
`
`I
`
`The Agfa Apogee PDF Pilot
`In the PDF Pilot all incoming PDF or PostScript file