Printing a JDF file From Preps to a different workflow

[Duncan Hyde]

My Preps allows the option to print a JDF file to use in a different workflow
But what does this really mean is it that simple to import the JDF file to my other workflow?

Is anybody else doing this with Preps?

Duncan

 

[Joe]

Yes, I've done it. The workflow you are going to just has to support it.

 

[Duncan Hyde]

Thanks Joe,

Were now using a SCREEN CTP With Trueflow which supports JDF formats

Duncan

 

[prepressing]

A lot of imposition, RIPs and workflows now support JDF as an option or include it within their software. Most of the time JDF information is just passed along with the job until it reaches its final destination.

 

[rich apollo]

Duncan,
I've used both Preps and FlatWorker. They both have strengths and weaknesses. Have you played with FlatWorker?

You can export the Preps template as a JDF file to be imported into FlatWorker. It's kind of a migration tool to keep you from having to rebuild all your Preps templates, isn't it?

 

[Duncan Hyde]

Hi Rich,

Yes i'm learning flatworker now your right it has some drawbacks and yes i cant redo all those Preps Templates way too many so i'll try importing them to flatworker

Thanks

Duncan

 

[rich apollo]

When I first went from Preps to FlatWorker, I didn't like it either. But, over time I found that I could bang out impositions in a hurry with FlatWorker.

Does it still lack the ability to specify an imposition as a work and turn, or work and roll? I'm surprised they haven't addressed that. On the other hand, you can place elements in relation to any edge of the sheet (or the center), you can resize a page, I think you can rotate one side of a page without rotating the other side (for calendars and such), and it seems like numbering was a lot quicker. When I used it you couldn't set up Dutch cuts, nor did it have anything like a dupe mark. FlatWorker has a better preview than Preps, but that's not saying much. Preps has one of the worst UI's and screen views of any and all software. I'm surprised that they have never addressed that.

 

[Joe]

When I first went from Preps to FlatWorker, I didn't like it either. But, over time I found that I could bang out impositions in a hurry with FlatWorker.

Does it still lack the ability to specify an imposition as a work and turn, or work and roll? I'm surprised they haven't addressed that. On the other hand, you can place elements in relation to any edge of the sheet (or the center), you can resize a page, I think you can rotate one side of a page without rotating the other side (for calendars and such), and it seems like numbering was a lot quicker. When I used it you couldn't set up Dutch cuts, nor did it have anything like a dupe mark. FlatWorker has a better preview than Preps, but that's not saying much. Preps has one of the worst UI's and screen views of any and all software. I'm surprised that they have never addressed that.

They did in Preps 6. They removed the preview altogether.