Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    RandyD is offline Junior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario
    Posts
    5

    Question Adobe PDF Print Engine - Benefits?

    Looked at a newer Xerox 560 with Adobe PDF Print Engine. I don't really understand or see the benefits compared to ripping PS3? What am I missing?

  2. #2
    Lukas Engqvist's Avatar
    Lukas Engqvist is offline Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Sweden
    Posts
    1,596

    Default

    Colour management and unflattened files keeping vectors crisper when partly under transparent raster objects.

  3. #3
    mac_man_luke is offline Member
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Posts
    39

    Default

    Basically it allows better processing of pdfs

    eg rip without generally converts a pdf to postscript before ripping

    PDF engine rips direct from the pdf

  4. #4
    Stephen Marsh is offline Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    579

    Default

    In a standard CPSI (PostScript) RIP, one has to print the PDF to a .ps stream/file. This can take a long time if one has to pre-flatten or flatten on the fly during printing. Once the more complex .ps data hits the RIP, it has to churn through the data to create the print rasters.

    In an APPE RIP, the PDF can be left transparent, no flattening is required and additionally, it does not have to be printed to intermediate .ps data, the PDF can be RIPed as is.

    Both need processing at the RIP to create rasters for output, however the colour, speed and quality of the APPE RIP should become apparent with more complex elements interacting with blend modes and or opacity, mixed colour managed elements and larger file size PDF files.

    I will run a PDF through my Kodak Matchprint Inkjet RIP when I am back at work next week and give you some processing times for the two competing workflows.

    http://www.adobe.com/products/pdfprintengine/


    Best,

    Stephen Marsh
    Last edited by Stephen Marsh; 05-13-2011 at 05:27 AM.

  5. #5
    RandyD is offline Junior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario
    Posts
    5

    Default

    I brought PDF x1a files to the demo room at the resellers office so that's likely why I did not see any real difference or improvement in speed or quality? Perhaps the print was a bit sharper. Currently I print most of my work directly from InDesign CS4 to our Xerox DC240 with Bustled EFI Rip. When I print from InDesign I believe that all transparency effects are flattened in the print stream and then ps is spooled to the rip, right?

    If we were to upgrade to the newer Xerox 560 with Fiery EX Print Server I'll assume that I would have to export files I want to print to a (???don't know level) of PDF that retain transparency, yes? Then would I have to import the PDF directly to CWS and handle all job parameters at the rip in order to take advantage of Adobe PDF PE? Seems like a long winded workflow to me, at least longer than printing from the Native file to the hold or print que?

  6. #6
    Colorblind's Avatar
    Colorblind is offline Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Montreal, Qc, Canada
    Posts
    331

    Default

    I ripped the IDEAlliance G7 Form_v64 28x40.pdf through my ApogeeX workflow using both the PDF print engine and the CPSI (Postscript) print engine, time includes file preflight (about 15-20 secs)

    PDF Print Engine: 5mins 6 seconds
    CSPI: 5 mins 48 seconds
    Last edited by Colorblind; 05-13-2011 at 09:45 AM.
    Better train people and risk they leave - than do nothing and risk they stay.

  7. #7
    Stephen Marsh is offline Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    579

    Default

    A quick test of RIP times using my Kodak Matchprint Inkjet RIP and a PDF File:

    2.0 min = PDF to APPE Hotfolder

    2.5 min = PDF to CPSI Hotfolder

    6.0 min = PDF printed to .ps / .ps to CPSI Hotfolder


    Best,

    Stephen Marsh


Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Sponsors

Esko Sponsored Content