`and Document Delivery
`
`Adobe PDF
`
`Adobe· Acrobat" for the print publishing market today
`Adobe Systems Incorporated was founded on the development of what is now called the Adobe imaging
`model. This imaging model is a powerful way to represent text, graphics, and images in a coherent and con(cid:173)
`sistent manner, It was originally implemented in the PostScript printing language and is now at the core of
`Adobe's wide range of printing and publishing technologies, including PostScript, Adobe's Portable Docu(cid:173)
`ment Format (PDF), and application products such as Adobe PageMaker· and Adobe Acrobat.
`
`Adobe PostScript is both the page description language that describes the format of a printed page, and the
`system that understands that language and converts it into the pixels that are imaged onto output media, As
`a general-purpose programming language, PostScript contains procedures, variables, and control constructs
`that must be interpreted to render its page description. This processing is required to be in sequential order
`such that PostScript files are streamed into an output device from the first byte to the last. This also means
`that PostScript files are not inherently page independent, such that the imaging operations performed on the
`last page of a document may depend on graphics state settings that have accumulated since the first page.
`
`The Adobe PostScript language has become the standard printing technology for producing high-quality
`output. Central to the success of Adobe's PostScript product is the fact that it is a completely device-indepen(cid:173)
`dent page description language, This means that the same file can be printed on desktop laser printers that
`cost a few hundred dollars or on high-end printing systems that costhundreds of thousands of dollars, and
`the document will always print with the highest quality achievable by the particular output device.
`
`Adobe Acrobat software, which is based on an Adobe imaging model similar to that of PostScript, was devel(cid:173)
`oped so that users could view and manage documents on-screen in a device- and application-independent
`manner. With Acrobat, documents can be created in virtually any application, on any platform, and easily
`converted to PDF, where they retain the full range of high-quality typography, graphics, images, and color.
`PDF files can be viewed, navigated, searched, printed, and archived in Macintosh, Windows,· and UNIX·
`environments using the free Adobe Acrobat software (available on Adobe's Web site),
`
`The biggest issues facing prepress shops are predictability, reliability, and consistency of workflow. Most
`documents are delivered to prepress or print shops today in the authoring application format. Once received,
`the file enters a workflow process based on the Adobe PostScript language or proprietary formats. Adobe
`PostScript technology was initially developed as a language for describing pages and controlling printers, but
`its flexibility enabled it to become the data format for carrying all prepress and production information.
`With PostScript technology's flexibility can come unpredictability, in part because so many different applica(cid:173)
`tions generate PostScript in so many different ways and PostScript page descriptions can be arbitrarily com(cid:173)
`plex, A typical imposition application may have to understand 200 or more different application versions of
`PostScript output. It is not uncommon for prepress application developers to spend half of their develop(cid:173)
`ment time just keeping up with the latest application output streams,
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1015, p. 1
`
`
`
`2
`
`...
`
`Missing resources
`
`Typical Prepress Workflow Based on AdobePostScrlpt
`
`Another characteristic of PostScript language-based prepress workflow is that each prepress application must
`read in the entire PostScript file to understand its contents before being able to act on that file. Once any
`changes/updates are made, a new PostScript file is streamed out of the application. This is a very memory(cid:173)
`intensive operation. Production workflows built around PostScript technology have to deal with both the
`complexity of the desired product and the apparent arbitrariness of the data stream.
`
`In contrast, PDF files are highly structured and general programming constructs are not permitted. As a
`result, the imaging operations are usually much simpler. A PDF file can be thought of as a database of objects
`with direct access to each object, and each page of a PDF document is independent of the others. If a prepress
`application uses PDF files instead of the PostScript language as its input and output, it is able to directly
`access only the information needed and incrementally update the file. The prepress application also has just
`one format to understand-PDF. The apparent arbitrariness of PostScript technology is eliminated, so PDF
`provides the foundation for a print production system that delivers consistent, predictable results.
`
`Prior to the definition of the PDF format used in Acrobat 3.0, many of the high-end printing features that
`PostScript language files can represent were not retained. New to the PDF format is the ability to describe the
`high-end printing controls and printed integrity available in the PostScript language. In addition, Adobe
`Acrobat 3.0 adds new features to the Acrobat application products to enable the creation of the new PDF
`format files and add value to them.
`
`Why Adobe Acrobat 3.0 for the print publishing market?
`Acrobat 3.0 includes the features necessary for PDF files to work seamlessly in production printing for color
`and monochrome workflows. When high-end printing controls are specified in the PostScript language out(cid:173)
`put of an authoring application, they are retained in the PDF file when converted by Acrobat Distiller: one of
`the components of Acrobat 3.0. PDF files can also be written directly from other systems. Regardless of where
`the PDF file comes from, once the features are specified inside the PDF file, they are output back into the
`PostScript language stream at print time. This happens automatically in Acrobat 3.0 and can be implemented
`inside any system that consumes and outputs PDF files directly.
`
`The following are features new to Acrobat 3.0:
`
`Portable Document Format
`There are two new color spaces built into the PDF file format used in Acrobat 3.0 that are already part of the
`PostScript language. A separation color space can be specified for any separations (spot colors) to be produced
`by a given device. If the output device does not support the specified separation, it will use an alternate color
`space (specified in the PDF file) for predictable behavior. A second new color space, the pattern color space,
`allows the printing of PostScript language patterns.
`
`The graphics state set in a PDF file has been extended to include some device-dependent parameters. This
`"extended graphics state" allows the specification of stroke adjustment, overprinting, black generation,
`undercolor removal, transfer functions, halftone screens, and halftone phase.
`
`Open Prepress Interface (OPI) comments in version 1.3 will be maintained in PDF files, enabling OPI image
`replacement. Very large high-resolution images can be stored separately from the PDF file itself, allowing
`small files to be maintained and routed with the large images replaced at print time.
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1015, p. 2
`
`
`
`The Japanese version of Acrobat 3.0 is now available on the Macintosh and Windows' 95, and Windows
`NT" platforms. TrueType and PostScript language Japanese fonts are supported. Cross-platform, encoding(cid:173)
`independent documents containing Japanese text are achieved through the internal use of Adobe's new cm
`(Character Identifier)-keyed font technology.
`
`Acrobat Distiller
`When a PDF file is created from a PostScript language file by using Acrobat Distiller software, the above
`features can be retained within the PDF file. The Distiller user interface gives the user control over which
`features to retain in the PDF file and what color conversions to apply.
`
`Adobe Acrobat Exchange~ and Acrobat Reader
`Most of the new PDF file format features described above relate specifically to how a document should print,
`not how it is viewed on-screen. As such, Adobe Acrobat does not use most of this information for displaying
`a PDF file.
`
`New to Acrobat Exchange for the Macintosh, a component of Acrobat 3.0, is an Export PostScript or EPS
`menu item. This option enables users to output an EPS file and maintain the information necessary to do
`color separations in the importing application-such as Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Illustrator," or QuarkXPress."
`
`If a typo is found in a document shortly before it goes to press, and the appropriate font is on the system, it
`can be corrected in Acrobat Exchange using the touch-up plug-in for simple text editing, before being output
`to a PostScript device.
`
`Once the high-end PDF features are stored in the PDF file through Acrobat Distiller, they are output again
`when printing to PostScript from Acrobat Exchange or Reader. This means that if users specify screening
`in authoring applications, the information will be embedded inside the PDF file with the Distiller, ignored
`when viewed, and then output again as part of the PostScript technology stream at print time.
`
`How will print publishing customers use this functionality?
`One way in which many service bureaus are using PDF is to build predictable PostScript language files to
`either print directly or put through a prepress workflow. When an application file enters their shop, they
`use the authoring application to output it to the PostScript language, convert it to PDF using the Acrobat
`Distiller 3.0, view it as a soft proof, and then output to the PostScript language using Acrobat Exchange 3.0.
`What results is a reliable PostScript file ready to be RIPed or processed by a prepress application. This process
`is particularly helpful when PostScript files are received for printing and the driver used in the creation of
`the file does not match the device configuration of the final output device. The process of going to PDF and
`then back to PostScript technology enables the service bureau to better control the creation of the PostScript
`language file.
`
`As more users become familiar with the benefits of Acrobat and more applications support Acrobat, produc(cid:173)
`tion printers will standardize on PDF as the delivery mechanism for documents headed for print. They will
`request PDF files from their customers instead of asking for the authoring application format or PostScript
`files. Some of the benefits of using PDF files for document delivery (for both the document creator and
`prepress/printer) are:
`
`• Small file size (PDF files use industry-standard compression algorithms and are often significantly smaller
`than the equivalent PostScript language file or application file).
`
`• Fonts, images, and graphics are contained within the document, streamlining electronic transmission and
`preflighting.
`
`• PDF files are independent of the platform, operating system, and authoring application, and are viewable
`on-screen in Macintosh, Windows, and UNIX environments.
`• One consistent, predictable, reliable format can be used for all documents.
`• Late-stage text edits can be made before going to print.
`• PDF files are ideal for archiving and retrieval.
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1015, p. 3
`
`
`
`4
`
`Here's a typical scenario of using PDF for document delivery that can be used today: a graphic designer
`creates a document in a page layout program, includes the FPO (for placement only) images received from
`the print shop (which they scanned from photos), and then outputs the document to a PDF file. Any printing
`control features specified in the authoring application are maintained. OPI comments specified in the
`PostScript file are included in the PDF file so high-resolution images can be added back into the file before
`going to press. The (small) PDF file is then transmitted to the print shop, reducing the time and effort it takes
`to transfer. When the PDF file is received at the print shop, initial preflight is streamlined because all of the
`components are in one neat package and viewable on-screen. Any last-minute text edits are made. The docu(cid:173)
`ment is generally output to a PostScript language file at this stage, maintaining the print controls originally
`specified in the authoring application. It is routed through a prepress workflow, high-resolution images that
`remained at the print shop are replaced in the file, and then it is output to final print.
`
`Today's Prepress Workflow
`
`Another benefit to delivering documents as PDF files is that a PostScript file that has been created from PDF
`tends to print more reliably than the original PostScript file. In the conversion to PDF, the arbitrariness is
`removed from the file, so that when it is converted back to PostScript technology it is more tightly structured,
`
`The Associated Press AdS END Project
`The Associated Press (AP) operates a digital advertising delivery service called AP AdSEND. The AP delivers
`ads via satellite to newspapers throughout the United States using Adobe Acrobat software. Using PDF provides
`tremendous advantages for retailers and advertising agencies because of the cost savings, ability to make
`important last-minute changes, faster time to market, and higher reproduction quality.
`
`At present, the AdSEND project includes more than 1,300 newspapers receiving ads by AdSEND; more than
`400 major advertisers under contract to use AdSEND; more than 100,000 full-page ads per month; and 7,000
`ads per day at peak times. These ads are all delivered as PDF files.
`
`This year, AP AdSEND added full color support and service the magazine ad market as well. In addition,
`newspapers that receive PDF ads will use the "Export to EPS" feature of Acrobat Exchange to incorporate
`PDF ads into page layouts. This capability eliminates the need for many of the manual production processes
`where errors are likely to occur. Combining PDF ads directly in a page layout can result in a substantial cost
`savings to newspapers, because doing so can eliminate errors and the need to offer rebates or make good on
`misrun ads.
`
`What the future will bring
`The ability for customers to deliver their documents as PDF files to their print shop is a great first step, but
`the future of PDF in print production goes much further. For example, the structural properties of PDF files
`make them very attractive for the kind of work done in prepress production. At present, PostScript files are
`read and written at each stage of the process. Because PDF files can be incrementally updated, device-specific
`information such as traps and page placement for imposition could be added to a PDF file throughout the
`process without the need to recreate the entire file.
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1015, p. 4
`
`
`
`In the future, content creation applications will support placing PDF files as objects in a page-layout program.
`With the new Placed PDF capability, users will be able to output from content creation applications directly
`to PDF, without the intermediate step of exporting to PostScript. Placed PDF capability will further promote
`the use of PDF files instead of, for example, EPS files.
`
`Workflow of the future
`A graphic designer creates a document in a page layout program, and then saves it directly to PDF. The
`designer specifies post-press options in a PDF job ticket and then transfers the PDF file and job ticket to the
`print shop. The file is small, because it does not contain the high-resolution images that will be used in final
`print. They may be sent separately or scanned by the print shop and stored on a central file server.
`
`When the job arrives at the print shop, a workflow manager automatically reads the job ticket and redirects
`it for processing based on output requirements, priority, and so on. The file is automatically routed to a
`preflighting station, where a report is generated listing all the fonts, images, graphics, document components,
`and the approximate print time. The prepress operator views the PDP file in Adobe Acrobat, specifies bleeds,
`and adjusts the imaged region on the media.
`
`Next, color correction is applied to the PDF file, or individual images, as necessary. The file may be tagged
`with the proper ICC profile for both proofing and/or final output. Was there a last-minute change to a price
`or a phone number in the document? Late-stage edits can be made to text and image placement. Still working
`in Adobe Acrobat, screening is specified, spot colors are mapped to process (or other spots), and separations
`are created with the proper undercolor removal and black-generation settings. Much of this process is auto(cid:173)
`mated by the workflow manager as directed in the job ticket.
`
`The PDF file is imposed for final output, and a signature is previewed before committing it to costly film or
`plates. The high-resolution images are replaced in the document. Next, the prepress operator applies trapping
`(or specifies trapping controls, and the trapping occurs in the RIP). Finally, post-press operations are specified
`for the job before final output.
`
`PDF Workflow of the Future
`
`This entire workflow can be done using a PDF file instead of a PostScript or proprietary format file. The size
`of the file being routed is small, it can be viewed at any time or archived for later use, and printing errors are
`almost nonexistent.
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1015, p. 5
`
`
`
`6
`
`Acrobat Plug-in Strategy
`The Adobe Acrobat architecture includes a rich application programming interface (API) that allows soft(cid:173)
`ware developers to extend its functionality through custom plug-ins. Acrobat combined with PDF creates a
`friendly environment for third parties to develop vertical applications that meet specific customer needs. For
`example, imposition vendors needn't worry about supporting a hundred application flavors of the PostScript
`language: they can just support PDF as their file format. This means that they can focus their efforts on pro(cid:173)
`viding more value to the end users and spend less time in support engineering.
`
`The prepress workflow of the future will include many applications and plug-ins that implement such
`functionality as preflighting, color management, imposition, additional late-stage editing capabilities, and
`more. Adobe and third parties will deliver solutions for production printing workflows based on the PDF
`file format.
`
`Where are the applications today?
`At present, various prepress ISVs (independent software vendors) and OEMs (original equipment manufac(cid:173)
`turers) are actively integrating PDF capabilities into their applications enabling an entirely PDF workflow to
`become reality. In the second quarter of 1997, several such ISVs are demonstrating PDF capabilities, (PDF
`input, output, information gathering, and modification) in their applications. Soon they will be shipping
`these products, and customers will be able to extend the usefulness of PDF into their prepress workflows.
`Here are some examples of what is being developed.
`• Luminous Technology Corporation (an Imation Company) has three products that support PDF wor)dlow.
`OPEN 1.1, now shipping, automates workflows for PDF production such as the creation of PDF files from
`desktop publishing applications or PostScript files, separation of PDF files using Acrobat Exchange and
`PrePrint Pro, optimization of PDF files for Web viewing, and the cataloging of PDF files into databases such
`as Cumulus and Media Manager. In Luminous Media Manager 1.0, PDF I-Piece adds full ability to catalog,
`preview and navigate PDF files from within the database. Luminous PressWise 2.x will have the ability to
`add PDF pages to any PressWise imposition and output as PostScript language or as PDF with an Adobe
`Job Ticket.
`• EnFocus Software NV has two products that add value to PDF workflows. Tailor 2.0 for the Macintosh is
`a visual PostScript language editor that can export to PDF in addition to PostScript or EPS. In addition,
`Enfocus Software is now bringing out a plug-in for Acrobat Exchange, EnFocus Pitstop 1.1 for Macintosh and
`Windows, for editing the contents of pages in a PDF file. With En Focus PitStop, you can make corrections to
`a PDF document at any stage in the workflow. For example, you can edit text lines, modify lines and curves,
`correct masks, and update object attributes.
`• Imagexpo by Group Logic Inc. is remote softproofing software for viewing, annotation, and conferencing of
`images and documents in review and approval workflows. Imagexpo supports PDF softproofing with en(cid:173)
`hanced capabilities.
`• The Crackerjack plug-in to Acrobat Exchange by Lantana Research Corporation provides professional print(cid:173)
`ing tools for PDF documents by adding additional user control to the specification of the PostScript output
`from Exchange.
`• Digital Image Bank Service (dibs) supplies high-resolution images in PDF to major retail, newspaper and ad
`agencies. They utilize the internet as well as the Associated Press network to distribute product images tar(cid:173)
`geted for high production value advertising promotion .
`.. OneVision provides a fully functional toolbox for editing and manipulating PDF, PostScript, and Encapsu(cid:173)
`lated PostScript (EPS) files. This enables OneVision products to completely adapt digital job files and their
`components to specific production requirements regardless of the software or computer platform used to
`create them .
`.. MediaSphere by Cascade Systems Inc. is a dynamic multimedia library, archive, and content management
`system. It is designed to meet the demand for a multiuser system that handles all types of digital objects,
`including PDF files. MediaSphere indexes the text of PDF files, which allows users to search the content of a
`PDF page and then requery the database with text found in the search.
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1015, p. 6
`
`
`
`7
`
`• Extensis Portfolio 3.0, previously named Extensis Fetch, includes built-in file translators for the PDF file
`format, allowing users to create thumbnails and previews of PDF files. Portfolio also lets users add keywords,
`custom fields, and descriptions to these thumbnails to make organizing and locating all their PDF files easy
`and fast. Portfolio will ship with both Macintosh and Windows 95 and Windows NT versions in one box,
`allowing users on both platforms to manage all their PDF files. Extensis Pre-Flight PRO bundled with Acrobat
`Distiller, plugs into Adobe PageMaker and QuarkXpress. It lets users check the status of a file and then pack(cid:173)
`age the file as a PDF file to send on in the print production workflow.
`, DK&A provides full PDF support in their product, INposition version 2.0,' through its Tempus'integrated
`prepress plug-in technology. This will provide customers with comprehensive file suppport so that they can
`launch native QuarkXPress and PageMaker files, and it will provide full support for PDF, PostScript, EPS,
`TIFF, and PICT files.
`
`Adobe Printing System Solutions
`Adobe OEMs are implementing and demonstrating products that provide native PDF printing. These printing
`systems will be available for the desktop market as well as the production printing market. Native PDF print(cid:173)
`ing is beneficial for those who store documents on the Internet or intranet, corporate networks, CD-ROMs,
`and anywhere PDF files are used as a standard file format. It also streamlines a PDF-based prepress workflow
`by enabling the PDF file to be read directly by the printing system. This capability relies on the ability of PDF
`to represent all of the PostScript language, so what is printed from PDF is identical to what is printed from
`PostScript technology, even for production quality color documents.
`
`Adobe PostScript Extreme
`Adobe PostScript Extreme is Adobe's new high-performance, standards-based, flexible architecture for pro(cid:173)
`duction printing products. Its multiprocessor RIPing relies on PDF as its internal file format. PDF provides
`page independence and direct access to unique objects and resources in the file, which enables the page parallel
`RIPing required by PostScript Extreme.
`
`Utilizing an architecture based on PDF enables production setup and processing in an application- and device(cid:173)
`independent fashion. PDF files that are either sent to production from the creator/publisher or generated
`inside the PostScript Extreme architecture can be viewed, archived, and edited, regardless of the application
`or operating system that generated them. This enables critical production steps such as late-stage edits and
`pre-RIP viewing. The PDF architecture is flexible, enabling OEMs and other third parties to add specialized
`features for high-value vertical applications.
`
`For more information, please consult the Adobe PostScript Extreme white paper.
`
`Adobe PostScript 3
`The recently announced Adobe PostScript 3 technology is the new standard for PostScript printing. Adobe
`listened very carefully to end-user needs when developing this standard resulting in many new features,
`enabling higher quality output, faster processing, and a more integrated complete customer solution. One
`very important feature in Adobe PostScript 3 technology is the full integration of PDF into the printing
`system. This enables Adobe PostScript devices to accept PDF files directly for imaging, streamlining a PDF(cid:173)
`based workflow. Adobe PostScript 3 technology also includes in-RIP trapping which addresses one of the
`most complicated and problematic prepress steps inside and integrated with the RIP. In addition, selectable
`separations provide the ability to print separations on every Adobe PostScript 3 technology printing system,
`increasing the portion of the workflow that can be done in house.
`
`For more information about the Adobe PostScript 3 enhancements, please consult the Adobe PostScript 3
`white paper.
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1015, p. 7
`
`
`
`8
`
`Becoming the Standard
`Commercial printers see the great potential for Acrobat to become the tool used by their customers and trade
`shops to gather digital items in one standard page format-PDF. Prior to Acrobat version 3.0 being available,
`Acrobat applications lacked some of the functionality that would enable commercial printers to adopt PDF
`as a standard. Because this issue was so critical, a group of senior technology and production managers from
`10 of the top commercial printing companies in North America formed an alliance called the PDF Group,
`which represents $10 billion a year in sales in commercial printing.
`
`The charter of this group is to advise Adobe on how to make PDF the standard file interchange format for
`commercial print production. Acrobat 3.0 addresses most of their recommendations, but an ongoing rela(cid:173)
`tionship between the PDF Group and Adobe will help to ensure that the needs of the production printing
`industry are addressed in PDF and supporting applications in the future.
`
`The Committee for Graphic Arts Technologies Standards (CGATS) announced that Subcommittee 6 (SC6)
`of CGATS has selected PDF as a basis for a standard to address industry requirements for the digital distribu(cid:173)
`tion of printing data. CGATS formed SC6 in response to a need to develop standards to permit transmission
`of digital advertising data electronically.
`
`For some time, there has been a need for industry standards to allow digital ad distribution. In response to
`this need, standards are being developed for digital ad distribution and to facilitate digital data exchange of
`composite page data for other print applications. The PDF file format is a central part of these standards.
`
`Summary
`Adobe Acrobat 3.0 extends the functionality of PDF, enabling the production printing industry to standardize
`on PDF for document delivery. Independent software vendors are actively integrating PDF capabilities into
`their prepress applications, building the tools to implement a PDF-based prepress workflow. PDF is also the
`internal file format used for RIPing in the Adobe PostScript Extreme architecture and is an input format for
`the PostScript 3 language. With files delivered into the print production system as PDF, prepress operations
`being done on PDF files directly and then output to the printing system as PDF, the entire print publishing
`process can be built completely upon PDF. The benefits of using PDF throughout the workflow are numerous.
`PDF files are small and self-contained, they can be viewed and archived, and are page independent. Adobe, in
`conjunction with third parties, will provide solutions for production printing workflows, all based on PDF.
`
`Adobe Systems Incorporated
`345 Park Avenue
`San Jose.CA 95110·2704 USA
`Adobe Systems Europe Limited
`Adobe House,Mld New Culdns
`Edinburgh EH1140U
`Scotland,Unltf!dKlngdom
`Adobe Systems Co .• Ltd.
`YeblsuGardenPlaceTower
`4·20·1 Eblsu,Shlbuy.-ku
`Tokyo 150 Japln
`World WId. W.b
`www.aooM.com
`
`This brochure was created with Adobe PageMake" software and font loftw.r. from thl AdobeTyp. Library.
`Adobe, the Adobe logo,Adobe Illustrator, Acrobat. Distiller, PageMake(, PostScript. PostScript 3, and the PostScript 3 logo are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. Macintosh
`and TrueType are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. regi5ter~d in the U.S. and other counules. Windows and Windows NT Ire eith~r registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft
`Corporatlon.QuarkXPres5 Is a registered trademark of Quark.lnc.UNIX 15 a registered trademark In the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open
`Company,Ltd.AI1 other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
`
`e 1997 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. CS1425 1 1/97 --
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1015, p. 8
`
`