The development of RIP and its trend

At present, RIP has become the core issue of prepress production. It affects all aspects of the entire production process, from color management and document management to printing. Moreover, features such as trapping and imposition that previously required separate application processing are now added to the RIP.
There are many new RIP products and vendors. Suppliers such as Agfa, Halequin, Rampage, Scitex, and UFO Systems, which have been stable for a long time, have all released new or new modes of hardware and software RIP. Amiable, Colorbus,
EFI, Vivid Image, Xante and others have already launched their new large format and color copier RIP and entered the picture industry. Adobe has also provided updated PS print languages ​​and PDF formats that are expected to become workflow file formats for publishers with powerful, flexible tools that can be easily integrated into today's workflow.
With the development of science and technology, the use of science and technology in the printing industry, the degree of automation is also increasing, the requirements for computers and software will also increase, and the corresponding requirements for RIP software will increase. In order to meet various requirements, the development of RIP software must also have a clear direction. At present, the development trend of RIP software has the following points:
1, support for the latest Postscript version: The current latest version is Postscript 3; Postscript 3 added the following on Postscript Level 2: trapping (In-RIP Trapping), Gradient (Smooth Shading), font support in multiple formats (Font ), Enhanced Device Control (Device Setup), etc.; RIP compliant with Postscript 3 will provide direct support for trapping, gradients, and hi-fidelity colors, enhancing the ability of typesetting software to describe complex layouts, and the ability of RIP to output complex gradient layouts. speed;
2, support for the latest portable document format PDF{Portable document Format};
3, support the latest software and hardware platforms (such as 64-bit hardware platform and Windows NT5.0, etc.) to maximize the performance of the operating system platform, improve RIP output speed;
4, provide cross-platform support capabilities not only can handle the output tasks of the MAC, PC platform, and can accept output requests from other platforms such as UNIX;
5, support PDF as the core of the automatic output process management system development to improve system reliability, operability and production efficiency;
6. Support Pre-warning function for printing tasks;
7. Support intelligent assignment between multiple RIPs and output devices to improve system throughput;
8, allowing users to query the output system (print tasks, RIP and output devices) state;
9, support users to remotely monitor the output system (print tasks, RIP and output devices);
10, provide reporting capabilities;
11, support for OPI (Open Interface);
12, support for hierarchical management of the system to improve reliability.
Now RIP can be divided into the following types according to different functions:
I. Dividing the RIP process into two separate stages of rasterization and screening
Take Rampage RIP of Rampage as a representative. The Rampage RIP is characterized by dividing the entire RIP process into two separate stages: rasterization and screening. After inputting the resolution, the image is rasterized and then saved. Finally, a dedicated screening plate is used during the screening stage. , High-speed output at the required resolution. That is, there is a rasterized data that is highly compressed and not screened on the disc.
It has the following features:
Since the rasterized data exists on the disk, "RIP once, output multiple times" can be realized;
Allows you to make last-minute changes to a page that is already spelled out in a large version;
If the system is to be connected to a new imaging device, the original rasterized file can be retrieved from the disk for output, eliminating the need for re-rendering the file;
If a film or printing plate of a certain color is damaged, only the single-color film or printing plate can be scanned, saving time;
If it is necessary to change the original selected press or printing paper at the last minute, only the compensation for dot gain should be changed accordingly. There is no need to re-rasterize the entire job.
If the imagesetter or the platesetter has a failure, Rampage RIP can continue to rasterize the files and temporarily store the processed data in the disk until the imaging device returns to normal.
Some well-known imagesetters and CTP manufacturers such as Creo, Screen, Agfausa, Presstek, Gerber, Optronics, Krauss, Purup, etc. are all using Ramp RIP. Fukang's Dyna RIP and Rampage RIP are value-added products that come from the same technology source and have improved double-byte processing capabilities.
Second, separate the RIP process from the entire output process
AGPAN's TaipanRIP for WINDOWS NT belongs to this category. It can store good RIP documents on the disk, allowing users to preview the text, images, traps, and layouts in the document before scanning the plates. Observe the panoramic image and display the synthesis of separation colors (including spot colors, dot angle conditions, ink coverage, etc.). The exported documents can also be stored in the RIP so that the exact same plate can be taken out and output directly at a later time without further rasterization.
Taipan RIP can run on dual CPU workstations, and can complete two tasks at the same time, such as the output of a document, start the next RIP document. It also has a spooling function that can complete more tasks in each shift. Taipan RIP supports various resolutions, screening methods, and output sizes. Through the pre-check, the user can decide whether the printout is output immediately, or whether to postpone the output or make a backup.
Third, adding an open intermediate format to the RIP process
Linotype-Hell's Delta RIP, and Harlequin's scriptWorks belong to this category. The entire Delta RIP consists of Delta software, Delta Tower, DeltaWorkstation. Delta RIP is an all-in-one system. The most notable feature of the Delta technology is the introduction of an intermediate format called Delta List between interpretation and rasterization.
The Delta List format is open and has the following effects:
1, can make other RIP supplier manufacturers also make a Delta List, connect the Delta List to the output device Delta Tower processor can output.
2, allows third-party developers to write an application into the Delta List to complete such tasks as trapping, imposition, and color proofing.
3. Allow Delta RIP to drive output devices other than "Linotype-Hell". Other vendors only need to develop programs that can read the Delta List format and write an interface to their output devices.
In this way, in addition to the usual print queue management, image management, and OPI service functions, the Delta RIP system also provides functions such as trapping, proofing, imposition, and off-line production. With the specified hardware processor and the specified output device, Delta List allows the output device to run at full speed. Another feature of Delta technology is "RIP once, output multiple times". Delta RIP can be used with Linotype-Hell's dedicated layout workstation Sign-a-station, Digital Proofing Form-Proof, and servers and databases to meet multiple requirements in digital workflows.
Harlequin's script Works also sets Display List Access between interpretation and output imaging. It allows OEMs and third parties to write specific applications for users and put these applications into script works to enhance their respective systems. In addition to trapping, previewing, etc., Harlequin Fine Screening (HPS) is also included in the script Work RIP. HPS can reduce or eliminate moire. It can also choose the dot angle and frequency to get the desired result. The Script Work's "Extra Grays" feature can be used in conjunction with the HPS to extend the gray level of each color. Script Works can overlap the input, interpretation, and output, that is, when interpreting a document, the previously interpreted document can be output from a selected device, and the next document can be received. In many cases, this means that the output device can run at full speed without pausing between pages or print jobs. The script Works compresses and exists on the hard disk before sending it directly to the output device. This way, on the one hand, it saves time compared to storing the original uncompressed print job. On the other hand, when extra work or machine breakdown is required, it is not necessary to interpret the print job again because all the dot matrix data has been stored on the disk. It is easy to re-output. If you need to reorder pages, you can stop the original page from being interpreted again when you interrupt the printing of a page and reprint it during the process.
Script Works is also fully compatible with Postscript Level 2 and promises compatibility with Postscript Level 3. Script Works handles PDF 1.2 documents. The mixed workflow of script Works supports a variety of input formats such as Postscript, PDF, TIFF/IT-pl, etc., enabling seamless and efficient processing of PDF print jobs in a mixed workflow environment.
Fourth, accept Postscript and PDF documents at the same time
AGFA's Taipan AX RIP for DEC is just like the Taipan RIP. The difference is that it can accept Postscript and PDF documents at the same time. It can also automatically convert some of the less efficient Postscript Level 2 operations into higher quality, faster Postscript. Level 3 operation. Taipan AX RIP can be applied to the existing Postscript I process without replacing the existing application software. The Taipan AX RIP runs on DEC's 500MHz Alpha processor to meet DTP user demand for RIP in terms of speed and reliability.
Fifth, Intelligent Agents intelligent interface process
Harlequin developed the EP2000 RIP after launching its script management software RIP management system 4.0, using Agents (interface processes) to adapt the workflow.
As today's digital printing and publishing workflows are becoming more and more complex, the choices of input media, file formats, print delivery methods, output, and delivery methods are various, and production decisions must also take into account trapping and spelling. Large-format, color models and proofing, coupled with the need to meet customer needs for delivery, price, quality, and workflow re-arrangements, are the last minute changes, urgent tasks, and even equipment damage. The situation is always there. In order to deal with these variable factors, an advanced intelligent software is needed. The EP2000 is developed to meet this demand. It enables systems that work in a digital production environment to intelligently and automatically optimize themselves based on user preferences and preferences to accommodate changes in the production environment. Harlequin's OEMs can also form a system to enable flexible control of all aspects of the print production process to meet the needs of users. EP2000 can also provide the ability to drive a variety of output devices; for example, color pages can be sent to different output devices as required, such as color proofing machine, signature proofing machine, and proofing proofs, and finally output to a On the station or multiple imagesetters or direct platemakers, the original file can also be converted into HTML and sent to the website. The EP2000 has the function of interpretation once/rasterization multiple times, ie the file after the interpretation is stored in a device-independent format; It is possible to rasterize multiple times for different devices with different resolutions and color corrections. The EP2000 can also have selective processing functions. For example, it is only necessary to send the page that needs proofing to the proofer. The EP2000 also has a last minute modification function.