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May 21st 2013

RM-08 Color and RIPs Roadmap

David HarrisProduct Manager

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This is a roadmap!

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

12.1

● 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

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iPro2 and i1iO2

Color and Imaging 12.1

Dedicated FlexRip and Proof DVD

SimplerEquinox installation

Better spot color proofing

Support for Full HD Value for Maintenance !

FlexRip performance optimizations

Simple and accurate press profiling

12.1

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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 stabilization1

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Support for i1Pro2 and i1iO series 2

● 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

12.1

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New spot color overprint model

● 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

12.1

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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

● 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

12.1

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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)

12.1

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Example of smoothing effect 12.1

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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

12.1

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Profile smoothing and stabilization 12.1

Interface to apply custom or PressSync curves

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Color roadmap: second half of 2013● Support for eXact spectro

● Improved support for XRGA and measurement standards

● Quality and reliability improvements for FlexProof

● Spot color refinement wizard2

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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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Color: longer term roadmap

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Longer term roadmap for color

2013 – 2014 - 2015

Colour for

digital printing

Integrated soft- and hard-copy proofing

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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Imaging Engine

4● Integrated

● Designed for quality

● Secure roadmap

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Adobe kernel plus Esko technology

2011 2012 2013

QA tools

CTP drivers

Digital print servers+VDP

Proofer support

Screening

Color

Print tools

Integration

Imaging Engine

Powered by

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Roadmap to unified RIP Imaging Engine

● Existing FlexRip and Nexus products will migrate to Imaging Engine– Powered by Adobe APPE

Pre-release program

2012Parallel enhancement and

maintenance

2013 2014-15Migration

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?

– 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

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Screening planned for unified RIP

Will be included Not planned

Esko classic screens (CRES dots) PCC, CQS, ABS•Suggest Esko classic or Paragon

SambaFlex, PerfectHighlight, Groovy, HD Flexo

Hybrid

Paragon

Concentric, Organic, Monet

Surface effect screening (Cell centred)

Platecell

● Reminder: for reprints, continue to use the old RIP (FlexRip or Nexus)

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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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