HELIOS ImageServer UB+

Server-based Image Processing and ICC Color Transformation

Features & Benefits

System requirements

Data sheets

Manuals

HELIOS EtherShare OPI

HELIOS ImageServer UB+ is a server-based image conversion, color transformation and OPI image replacement solution, with integrated process and workflow automation. All major image formats and color spaces as well as XMP, EXIF, clipping path and ICC meta data are supported. Tasks can be automated via “hot folders”, CLI tools, and OPI image repurposing. It is designed to shift very CPU-intensive image processing tasks from desktops to servers.

Image Conversion between any supported file format, resolution, compression and color space. ICC profiles can be tagged and/or applied. All image information can be retrieved. ICC/XMP/Path meta data can be imported and exported. Image resolution and sizes can be changed in existing files. Web preview generation with customizable x/y pixel resolution of images or XPress/InDesign documents are supported. Images with a clipping path can be converted to transparent PNGs.

Hot Folder Automation via “Script Server” and “Tool Server” integrates and automates server and client applications.

   Server-based Color Management Using ICC profiles, ImageServer can keep the original high-res images in RGB, Lab, or CMYK color space on the server and repurpose them for different conversion and printing needs. ICC profiles are applied on-the-fly for excellent image conversion, color matched proofs and composite or separated printing. Support throughout for 16-bits per channel. ImageServer also supports ICC v4 profiles, as well as DeviceLink profiles and Black Point Compensation.

OPI Support automatically creates a low-res image of all supported file formats for placement in any layout application. It replaces layout images on-the-fly with optimized high-res images during output. Remote users can be provided with layout images and return complete pages for final output. More benefits >>

HELIOS PDF HandShake adds PDF file format support. HELIOS PrintPreview adds PS/EPS vector conversion support. WebShare allows web-based remote OPI, image and document previews.

Features & Benefits
Ease of Use
Remote server administration from Mac, Windows and UNIX
Image Features
Extensive image conversion options
File formats: TIFF, EPS, DCS1&2, JPEG, PSD, JPEG2000, PNG, PDF, ...
Color spaces: Lab, RGB, CMYK, ...
Reads/writes 16-bit/channel images
Compressions: ZIP, JPEG, G3/4, ...
Meta data: XMP, Paths, EXIF, ICC
Color Management
Server-based ICC 4 color separation, proof matching, and conversion
Script Server and Tool Server
See the separate data sheet
OPI Image Repurposing
On-the-fly OPI image replacement
Automatic layout file creation after file has been saved on server (no polling)
Cross-Platform Client Support
Mac, Windows, UNIX clients

 

System requirements:

HELIOS ImageServer

  • 64 MB RAM in total, 8 MB per active image conversion/print device
  • EtherShare UB+ for Mac clients, or PCShare UB+ for Windows clients, or WebShare UB+ for web clients
  • Workstation to place and print OPI layout images to the HELIOS spooler
  • OPI-compatible applications like XPress and InDesign, etc.
  • Any non-OPI-compatible software that can place and print EPS files
  • Optional WebShare for remote OPI and image/document previews, PDF HandShake to support PDFs, PrintPreview adds PostScript/EPS vector conversion support

See changes from the previous version

Product Highlights

Complete Cross-Platform Solution

ImageServer supports Mac, Windows and UNIX-based layout workstations, for true cross-platform functionality.

Integration with HELIOS Products

The HELIOS Admin program can handle all configurations. EtherShare, PCShare and WebShare inform the OPI and Script Server about any events in their directories so that proper actions can be taken.

Script Server & Tool Server

See the separate data sheet.

Server Image Conversion Features

Powerful image conversion tools

  • Over 100 professional image conversion options handle spot colors, alpha channels, clipping masks, ICC profiles, XMP, etc. Allows converting on-the-fly between any supported file format, color space, compression and resolution, including ICC transformations/tagging.
  • Web browser optimized PNG images, true color with automatic clipping mask/alpha in any specified pixel/resolution
  • Previews of XPress & InDesign documents (Mac/Win) via web or tools
  • Image preview and conversion support for PSD/TIFF/PNG images with a transparent background
  • PDF as image file format for archiving, OPI, image conversion

Supported File Formats

  • File Formats: TIFF, EPSF, DCS1&2, PNG, JPEG, JPEG2000, Photoshop, BMP, JBIG2, PICT, Scitex-CT, PDF as image, PDF vector (PDF HandShake option)
  • DCS files are merged into composite
  • Color Spaces: Line art, Grayscale, CIE Lab, XYZ, RGB, CMYK, Indexed, Multitone, and Spot
  • Compressions: ZIP, JPEG, Compress, JPEG2000, CCITT-G3/4, etc.
  • Bit depth: up to 16-bits per channel
  • Support for down- & upsampling, cropping, rotate, and flipping
  • Clipping paths and alpha channels can be enabled or ignored

ICC Color Matching/Separation

ImageServer includes the Heidelberg CMM for fast, accurate ICC color space transforms. Color matching is applied for layout generation, color proof printing, final output and image conversion. High-res raster or PDF images are automatically color matched on-the-fly to CMYK separations, to RGB, or to CIE Lab.
ImageServer recognizes embedded ICC profiles or references in high-res images. Tools to embed ICC are included. ICC version 4 compliant, with support for DeviceLink and Grayscale ICC profiles, and BPC (Black Point Compensation).

OPI & Image Repurposing Features

  • OPI standards 1.3 and 2.0
  • Support of Omit EPSF & TIFF
  • XMP and multiple paths supported
  • XPress colorized images are supported via HELIOS OPI TuneUp XT Mac/Win
  • DeviceN composite output support for TIFF, PSD, DCS2 & colorized images
    ICC support for printing, proof, etc.
  • Automatic low-res file generation
  • Flexible low-res Image options
  • TIFF, EPSF, JPEG, or PNG low-res with any desired resolution and color
  • PDF-native OPI option supports InDesign PDF export

As soon as image files are created or changed on the server by EtherShare, PCShare or WebShare clients, layout files are generated. OPI low-res file creation can be turned on for the entire volume (no "hot folder" required, no restrictions on OPI folders). Low-res files are stored in "layout" subdirectories. Alternatively, low-res file generation can be done manually or with host scripts. These features allow powerful, versatile, reliable OPI implementation.

PostScript/PDF Output Generation

On-the-fly PostScript Level 1, 2 and 3 generation with compression: ZIP, Compress, JPEG, CCITT-G4, OPI image replacement during output (no temporary files), image ICC color management, downsampling, and cropping during composite or separated output. PDF generation via PDF HandShake option.

HELIOS OpenImage SDK

API allows adding new file formats, etc.

Document Previews for XPress and InDesign

* Also Japanese version
** Update available
  Mac Windows
InDesign 2
 √ √
InDesign CS √ √
InDesign CS2 √** √**
InDesign CS3 √ √
QuarkXPress 5*
 √ √
QuarkXPress 6* √ √
QuarkXPress 6.5 √ √
QuarkXPress 7 √ √

HELIOS OPI TuneUp XT

* Also Japanese version
  Mac Windows
QuarkXPress 3-4
 √ –
QuarkXPress 5* √ √
QuarkXPress 6* √ √
QuarkXPress 6.5 √ √
QuarkXPress 7 √ √

Script Server setup example

Key reasons customers use HELIOS ImageServer
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