PDF-native OPI image replacement showcased by HELIOS at drupa 2004
Düsseldorf, Germany -- May 6, 2004 -- HELIOS, a leading developer of file, print and prepress server software, will preview at drupa 2004 a native PDF-based OPI image replacement solution that replaces, within in a PDF file, the low-res bitmap images with the high-res originals. This preserves transparency and metadata and allows server based PDF workflows utilizing OPI low-res images.Modern pre-press applications like Adobe InDesign are moving to a direct PDF output workflow allowing advanced features like PDF transparency, drop shadows, and embedded XMP metadata. These features are incompatible with today’s PostScript output, but will be fully supported by this HELIOS solution.
The main advantages of the HELIOS server based OPI solutions are:
- Remote page composition with low-res images
- Server based color management to color transform images for different printing processes. Apply or embed ICC profiles into PDF print jobs.
- Output optimization – downsampling, compression, and file format conversion
- Faster image placement with superior preview quality
- Submit PDF print jobs before all images are ready – server will generate final hi-res PDFs when all images are completed
- Much faster InDesign PDF Export, using "Omit images for OPI"
Working with OPI low-res images offers significant performance advantages. The following table shows the time requirements for a 3-page InDesign print job with a total of 37 MB of image data, compared to an ImageServer OPI workflow.
| Original hi-res | ImageServer OPI low-res | |
| Image Placement Delay (size / sec) | 37 MB / 55 sec | 2.4 MB / 5 sec |
| Open Docu, Export PDF (size / sec) | 9,8 MB / 52 sec | 50 KB / 10 sec (Omit OPI) |
| LAN Gigabit Ethernet | 2 min | 15 sec |
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| Original hi-res | ImageServer OPI low-res | |
| DSL 1000/128 kbit (dedicated line) Complete delay (download images, upload final PDF) |
370 sec download images 700 sec upload PDF 18 min |
24 sec download images 4 sec upload PDF (Omit) 29 sec |
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| Original hi-res | ImageServer OPI low-res | |
| ISDN / Modem 64 kbit Complete delay (download images, upload final PDF) |
5300 sec download images 1400 sec upload PDF 2 hours |
342 sec download images 8 sec upload PDF (Omit) 6 min |
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This shows clearly that native PDF-based OPI image replacement offers enormous time savings and makes remote page composition productive and practical.
Remote users using HELIOS WebShare can download low-res images and return PDF print jobs containing low-res images, which are then replaced on the server for final output. Customers can remotely verify their InDesign documents and PDF print jobs via any web browser.
Native PDF-based OPI image replacement translates into workflow flexibility, and faster turnaround times, for a vital competitive advantage.
The HELIOS 4th generation product family comprises network and prepress server solutions. EtherShare, PCShare, and WebShare provide integrated cross-platform networking for Macintosh and Windows clients, with advanced file and print server services, and easy remote server administration. HELIOS ImageServer, PDF HandShake and PrintPreview bring high efficiency and advanced capabilities to design, prepress and printing operations.
Smart Ideas for Better Networking
HELIOS products run on powerful and scalable servers including Apple Computer Mac OS X, Hewlett-Packard HP-UX and Tru64 UNIX, IBM AIX, SGI IRIX, Sun Solaris, and Linux on Pentium based systems. HELIOS products provide reliable cross-platform support for Macintosh, DOS/Windows and UNIX-based clients.
Distributors sell HELIOS products worldwide to value-added resellers who provide complete networking solutions to customers. HELIOS also works with many strategic partners that incorporate HELIOS server software to provide powerful third party archive, asset management and workflow solutions. HELIOS software products are also available as part of OEM solutions by many major vendors in the prepress industry.
For U.S. Sales:
European MikroGraf Corp.: 916-923-3520; E-mail: sales (at) ugraf.com; www.ugraf.com
Editorial contact:
Germany
Helmut Tschemernjak, HELIOS Software GmbH, Steinriede 3, D-30827 Garbsen, Germany; Tel +49-5131-709320 Fax +49 5131-709325;
E-mail: mktg (at) helios.de; Internet: www.helios.com
U.S.A.
Thomas Hallinan, HELIOS Software GmbH, 209-827-2760, mktg (at) helios.de
Bill Gram-Reefer, WORLDVIEW, 925-215-8463, reefer (at) worldviewpr.com