RM-08 Color and RIPs
Roadmap
David Harris
Product Manager
May 21st 2013
1
This is a roadmap!
● Not all of our roadmap is firm and committed, as we adapt to take into
account changing customer and market requirements
● Please take note of the status of each item as shown by the icon below
For the upcoming release (12.1) we have a list of
committed features
•We can be sure these features will be released
For the near future releases (Q3 and Q4 of 2013) we
have a prioritized product backlog
•This roadmap shows the high priority items on the
backlog
•We develop using agile process (SCRUM) so cannot
yet give any commitment when these features will
be released
We have a longer term roadmap (for 2014 and beyond)
•Stories are not clearly defined and prioritized
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12.1
12.1
iPro2 and i1iO2
Dedicated FlexRip
and Proof DVD
Simpler
Equinox installation
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Better spot color
proofing
Simple and accurate
press profiling
Color and
Imaging 12.1
FlexRip performance
optimizations
Support for Full HD
Value
for Maintenance !
1
4
What is new in Color Engine 12.1
● Support for i1Pro2 and i1iO series 2
● New spot color overprint model
● Removed character limitations in color object
names
● Profile smoothing and stabilization
Support for i1Pro2 and i1iO series 2
12.1
● The new series of devices from xrite have a number of new features,
including support for the XRGA standard
– For more information visit: www.xrite.com
● They are now supported in Color Engine Pilot
– We have also optimized chart formats for more reliable and accurate measurement
using the i1iO table
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New spot color overprint model
12.1
● Esko Color Engine contains a spot color overprint model
– Works with gradations of the spot color (eg from a control strip)
– Or print charts of individual spot inks in combination with black (or another dark
ink) as below. Measure these charts to create “ink profiles”
– Make a proof which uses the spot ink in combination with another ink
– The Esko color engine calculates a prediction of how the proof will look on press
without the need to print a chart of these two inks together
● In 12.1 the spot color model has been improved, especially to give better
results with flexo and other print processes
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Removed character limitations
●
CMS database: support for all possible characters
–
No more character limitations for ink names, ink books, color strategies, profiles
and device links
–
Characters such as $% ./ were not allowed in ink book or ink names
●
●
–
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12.1
Because of historical operating system file naming restrictions
Users do not expect these limitations in modern software
This is a global change that is being implemented across all Esko Suite 12.1
software
Profile smoothing and stabilization
● In the measurement
view for profiles, an
option to smooth the
data
– Especially useful for
profiles from flexo
presses for example,
as they can contain
random noise
– Removing this noise
leads to a better
quality profile
– Recommended when
making profiles for
expanded gamut
(Equinox)
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12.1
Example of smoothing effect
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12.1
Profile smoothing and stabilization
● Apply curve to a
profile
– Supports PressSync
and custom curves
● Why?
– Eliminate press
variation from the
profile
– Prepare profile for
standardised
printing condition
– Makes it easy to
track and adjust
ongoing
production (using
eg Curve Pilot)
● Recommended for
Equinox
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12.1
Profile smoothing and stabilization
12.1
Interface to apply
custom or PressSync
curves
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2
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Color roadmap: second half of
● Support for eXact spectro
2013
● Improved support for XRGA and measurement
standards
● Quality and reliability improvements for FlexProof
● Spot color refinement wizard
Support for eXact Spectro
● New device from x•rite – more information on their website
● High accuracy
● Supports multiple measurement modes
– M standards allow correct handling of substrate with OBA’s
– More information on the xrite website
● Recommended device for PantoneLIVE
● USB interface
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XRGA and measurement standards
● XRGA is a standard for measurement devices
– Significantly reduces error between different device models
– New x•rite instruments all measure to the XRGA standard
● Color Engine Pilot will convert old profile measurements to XRGA
– Allows existing databases to be adapted to the new standard
● Color Engine also now supports “M factor” measurement options
– From ISO 13655-2009
– Allows to deal effectively with presence of optical brighteners
– Applies only to xrite instruments that support this option
● Color Engine records measurement conditions (standard, M factor)
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Quality and reliability improvements for FlexProof
● Updated “Check and recalibrate” function
– Ensures that standard profiles can always be used
● Improved diagnostics for measuring devices
– Self help saves time and provides faster solution to hardware issues
● Smoother separations
– Better quality for spot color gradations on the proof
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Spot color refinement wizard for FlexProof
● How accurately are spot colors matched on the proof?
● Profile conversion gives only a “basic” level of color accuracy
– And no easy way to improve the accuracy
● This allows the accuracy to be easily improved
– Preserving the benefits of ink profiling and spot color overprint model
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Automated refinement based on ∆E
● Allows iterative refinement of colors, based on measured values
● Iterations proceed until desired accuracy is reached
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Refinement based on appearance
● Measurement (∆E) is very useful but does not answer every question
– How to handle out of gamut colors?
– Color Engine allows selection of the best appearance via a variation chart
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Refinement based on appearance (2)
● Print the variation chart and simply select the patch that has the best
appearance
● All decisions can be saved in the central color database to use on later jobs
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3
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Color: longer term roadmap
Longer term roadmap for color
2013 – 2014 - 2015
Integrated soft- and
hard-copy proofing
Colour
for
digital
printing
Color managed
workflows
Equinox: make 7
color process as
easy as CMYK
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Roadmap: color managed workflow
● For digital, wide format and conventional print
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4
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Imaging Engine
● Integrated
● Designed for quality
● Secure roadmap
Adobe kernel plus Esko technology
2011
2012
CTP drivers
QA tools
Proofer
support
2013
Screening
Imaging
Engine
Color
Powered by
Digital print
servers+VDP
Print tools
Integration
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Roadmap to unified RIP Imaging Engine
● Existing FlexRip and Nexus products will migrate to Imaging Engine
–
Powered by Adobe APPE
2012
2013
2014-15
Parallel enhancement and
maintenance
Pre-release program
Migration
Imaging
Engine
Powered by
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Differences between Imaging Engine and FlexRip
● No dispatcher
– Automation Engine Pilot
interface only
● Simplified user interface
● APPE kernel
– Standard PDF processing –
blends, transparencies
● Multi-processor and 64 bit
– Scaleable performance
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Imaging Engine – timescale and compatibility
● What is the timescale for the unified RIP?
–
We will pre-release in the second half of 2013
–
Migration will start during 2014
● Will RIPped output be identical after changing to Imaging Engine/Adobe
PDF Print Engine?
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–
The Imaging Engine will have fully Adobe-standard rendering so in some details it
may differ from the output of FlexRip or NexusRip
–
It will be possible to keep the FlexRip or NexusRip running alongside Imaging
Engine in order to make identical reruns, for a reasonable period
–
When using the same screening (eg Esko circular dot) the rulings and angles from
Imaging Engine will be the same as FlexRip
Screening planned for unified RIP
● Reminder: for reprints, continue to use the old RIP (FlexRip or Nexus)
Will be included
Not planned
Esko classic screens (CRES
dots)
PCC, CQS, ABS
SambaFlex, PerfectHighlight,
Groovy, HD Flexo
Hybrid
•Suggest Esko classic or Paragon
Paragon
Concentric, Organic, Monet
Surface effect screening (Cell
centred)
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Platecell
DGC editor for unified RIP
● We will use CurvePilot
● Already supports PressSync and ex-IntelliCurve Pro features
● Will port to Mac OS
● Will be able to import Symphony Calibrator files
– Timescale in line with unified RIP
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Feature demonstrations, Q&A
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