ArtPro Object Based Screening in a PDF workflow: Recommendations TechNote

Transcription

1 ArtPro Object Based Screening in a PDF workflow: Recommendations TechNote EskoArtwork May 2011

2

3 This document describes how to use ArtPro object based screening in a PDF workflow. 1 Screening technologies in ArtPro There are 3 different screening tabs: PostScript Nexus Extended Nexus 3

4 1.1 PostScript Screening PostScript dots is selected with the PostScript tab in the screening dialog, PostScript Screening is available for every device that executes PS Screening. Custom can be used to define SCR screens and HD screens. When selecting this option you can enter the screen code like HD02 in the text box (cfr. EskoArtwork ScreenManager) Before Nexus or Extended Nexus screening were invented, some dot shapes for the PCC PackFlow RIP were added to the PostScript screening menu (ArtPro 4.x). It is not recommended to use these options. Esko dots. This will only work in a EskoArtwork PDF RIP workflow and will be included in a Normalized PDF and other PDF flavours as long as Include Screening is enabled in the Optimize tab of the Export to PDF window. Object based screening in a PDF workflow 4

5 1.2 Nexus screening Nexus screening is only used to print to EskoArtwork Nexus Basic RIP. ArtPro does not save Nexus Screens into a PDF. If you need to use these screens (eg to rerun an old file) then please use a PostScript workflow. Nexus screening is not been recommended since Nexus 8.0 because Nexus Extended screens superseded them. Object based screening in a PDF workflow 5

6 1.3 Extended Nexus Extended Nexus provides the user with the same screening options as from Nexus 8.0. When enabling the option Include Screening, the screening will be available in ALL exported PDF flavours. Object based screening in a PDF workflow 6

7 2 ArtPro Export PDF flavours for use in a PDF RIP workflow Object based screening in a PDF workflow 7

8 2.1 Normalized PDF With the Normalized PDF flavour you can output PDF files that can be opened and edited in PackEdge, BackStage, AutomationEngine. 2.2 Normalized PDF (Embedded) Normalized PDF (Embedded) generates PDF files that can be sent to a FlexRIP, Nexus, and AutomationEngine. All images will be embedded in the PDF. 2.3 For Press For Press will generate a high quality PDF file, for a RIP (Nexus or 3 rd Party RIP / 3 rd Party software or workflows system). The settings of each of these flavours can be changed and saved to the user preferences. Next to the flavour, an indication of the compliancy is given: it shows that, based on the settings, the file will be PDF 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, JDF compliant Note: by default the Include Screening is disabled! Object based screening in a PDF workflow 8

9 3 General Schedule Nexus PS RIP Nexus PDF RIP Imaging Engine (FlexRIP) 3 rd Party RIP Supported screening technologies - PostScript Screening (1) - Nexus Screening - Nexus Extended Screening Esko Screening PostScript Screening (3) - Nexus Extended - Esko Screening screening - PostScript Screening ArtPro Export PDF flavour - (2) - Normalized PDF (embedded) Normalized PDF For Press (4) - For Press For Press (4)(5) (1) NO Esko Screening (2) Via PostScript (3) Angle and ruling, no dotshapes except for PS dots (4) Include Screening should be enabled (5) Only angles and ruling (depending on the settings of the RIP) Object based screening in a PDF workflow 9

10 4 Distortion & Dotgain 4.1 Distortion When exporting Normalized PDF A Normalized PDF files stores its distortion parameters in the XMP section of the PDF. These values can be seen with the XMP viewer, and can be used in some workflows ( e.g. reportmaker ). The Distortion is NOT applied to the PDF at this stage. Only FlexRip will use and apply this parameters when calculating the result. Any other Rip ( Nexus, 3rd Party ) will not use these parameters, resulting in an undistorted output. If you do want to apply distortion in NexusRIP or any 3 rd party Rip, and you need to use Normalized PDF for some reason, you have 3 options: 1) If you have an automation Engine, you can use the 'Export to PDF' task to convert your normalized PDF into a universal (distorted) PDF. All dotshapes ( including Nexus Extended ) will be lost, except for Esko dotshapes (only if you have an Automation Engine 10.1 ) 2) If you have an Automation Engine, the workflow can be adapted to apply the distortion parameters from the XMP section of the PDF into the NexusRip distortion parameters, by using 'Smartnames' to overwrite the distortion parameters from the NexusRip ( by making them 'public'). 3) You can always make the distortion Parameters from the NexusRip Activity 'Public'. These will then appear and can be defined in your shuttle Parameters when launching your workflow When exporting to any other PDF flavor The distortion percentages will be applied immediately to the PDF file, resulting in a distorted output or viewing in any PDF Rip or Viewer. 4.2 Dotgain When exporting to Normalized PDF Dotgain information is not included in the Normalized PDF files. If dotgain has been defined and used in some screenings, Artpro will generate a warning during PDF export When exporting to any other PDF flavor If dotgain is defined, it will be included in the PDF file. Note that these PDF files will only output the dotgain compensation correctly on a Nexus Rip! ( The dot gain compensation will most probably not be applied on 3rd party Rips, and even if they do, it will only be applied on CMYK plates, never on spot color plates as defined in the Adobe PDF specs ) Object based screening in a PDF workflow 10

11 5 ArtPro object based screening in a PDF workflow: recommendations 5.1 Situation 1 I am using Imaging Engine (FlexRip) or a mixture of FlexRip/NexusRip I want my PDFs to be fully compatible with future Esko Artwork RIPs Save as Normalized PDF for FlexRIP and use Normalized PDF (embedded) for Nexus PDF RIP Use only Esko dotshapes. Note that you can make Nexus Rip compatible with Esko Screenings by installing the Esko screens pack. If you are using a Nexus workflow, set Esko Angle System ON so that the angles from NexusRip will match Imaging Engine FlexRip. 5.2 Situation 2 I am using NexusRip only. I do not require my PDFs to be compatible with Imaging Engine (FlexRip) or with future Esko Artwork RIPs. Save as For Press (enable Include Screening) and use Extended Nexus screening 5.3 Situation 3 I want to send PDFs to a 3 rd party RIP. Normalized PDFs (embedded) and For Press PDFs may be sent to a 3 rd party RIP and it should not error on the Esko or Extended Nexus screenings. It will ignore the dotshapes, but depending on the RIP settings it will recognize the ruling and angles. Object based screening in a PDF workflow 11

12 6 Other additional Questions 6.1 Does Esko Angle System option in the Nexus workflow affect Nexus screens? No. It only affects Esko Screens. 6.2 Should I use Nexus screening? This has not been recommended since Nexus 8.0 because they were superseded by Nexus Extended screens. Please do not use Nexus screens when creating new jobs use either Esko or Nexus Extended instead. Artpro does not save Nexus screens into a PDF. If you need to use these screens (eg to rerun an old file) then please use a PostScript workflow. Object based screening in a PDF workflow 12