User Manual

Release - 1.9.1 (Minor Version)

Updated on

Published: 28.05.2021

In this article we'll learn:

  • New features that are available
  • Improvements that have been added
  • Which bugs have been fixed in version 1.9.1 of the Workflow

This article can also be downloaded as a PDF version. The release notes for the previous versions can be downloaded from the archive.

1. Overview

With version 1.9.0, users can take advantage of several new features in the environment of the Impose Editor, Cutting Devices, Fixups and handling of data. Additional improvements have been implemented in the area of Print Data Management, Editing and Outputting Print Data.

An overview of all changes (made to version 1.9.0) are outlined below, and a detailed description is included for specific areas such as Features, Improvements and Bug Fixes.

1.1. Adobe Illustrator Plug–in

The following new features are available in version 1.9.1.1 of the Plug–in:

Plug-in Version 1.9.1.1: If you are working with version 1.9.1 of the Workflow, version 1.9.1.1 of the Plug-in must be installed to ensure consistent operation. No new features have been implemented in the Plug-in between Workflow version 1.9.0 and 1.9.1. A small bug concerning international separators for decimal places has been fixed.

1.2. New Features in the Workflow

The following new features are available in version 1.9.1 of the Workflow:

Impose Editor: In version 1.9.1 new components of the Impose Editor have been developed and implemented and existing functions and features have been expanded and/or improved. The following functions have been implemented in this release:

  • Stop Edge – Starting Point – Previously when filling the sheet with Print Items, the starting point was the Top Left corner by default. Starting with version 1.9.1, the starting point can be pre-determined by the user by selecting the Stop Edge and Starting Point. The Alignment function, which determines the alignment of Print Items to the sheet, was already available in previous versions.
  • Dielines – Dielines can be applied in the Impose Editor to individual Print Items, all Print Items or on specific edges of the imposition or in combination with all three methods. With version 1.9.1, we have added an additional option called: Columns | Rows which is available in Step & Repeat Mode.
  • Object Creation Tools – Starting with version 1.9.1, new drawing tools are available in the Impose Editor. These tools can be used in all Impose modes except Tiling. These objects, when created, are only added to the currently open imposition. It is not currently possible to save these objects in an Impose Template.
  • New Tiling Overlap Settings – Until now, the Overlap settings in Tiling were automatically generated in the entered dimension per tile, depending on the edge where the Overlap is needed. The Overlap calculation depends on the number of tiles and which mounting direction was selected. As of this version, this behavior is retained by default. Nevertheless, a user-defined Overlap can now be created additionally per tile on all edges of the tiles.
  • Impose Validation – Starting with version 1.9.1, four new warnings are available to inform the user when inconsistencies happen when creating impositions.

Zünd CutCenter Materials: As of version 1.9.1, Materials that are available in the Zünd CutCenter can be imported in the Workflow. These materials can consequently be selected for Production Jobs which are transferred to the cutting device. The selected Cutter Device Material is written into the ZCC cut file and is therefore transferred to the cutter device.

PDF Printers: Until now, PDF printers could only use the automatically generated Substrate, which is created by default when the PDF printer was created, in Production Jobs. As of this version, PDF printers can use all Substrates that are available in the Workflow.

Fixups: In this version, the handling of existing Fixups has been improved and the scope of functions has been extended. The following corrections are available in 1.9.1 as new or improved versions.

  • New Fixups: The following Fixups have been added in this version:
    • Day and Night – This fixup prepares the Print Item for »day and night output« by adding a white channel and optionally reducing the opacity of the image.
    • Place Spot Color Objects in the Foreground – This Fixup places selected Spot Colors in the foreground. Optionally, these can be set to »Overprint« or »Hide«.
  • Improvements to existing Fixups - The following Fixups have been improved in this release:
    • Create White Only Separation – An additional feature has been added to this Fixup so that either the printed objects or non-printed objects for the white separation should be created.

SDK Versions: Updates from various OEM partners, among others, provide additional new features and improvements. Version 1.9.1 includes Callas pdfToolBox version 12.2 and Callas pdfChip version 2.3.070.

1.3. Improvements

The following improvements to existing features have been made in version 1.9.1 of the Workflow:

Tiling Impose Preview: Before version 1.9.1, a thumbnail preview was only available for the first tile in a Production Job, under the »Impose« tab. As of this version, the entire Tiling imposition is displayed with Tiling dividing lines so that the user can quickly determine where the Print Item will be divided. You can switch between the entire Tiling overview thumbnail or a preview of the first Tile.

Check-in Enhancements: Two new options are available from version 1.9.1 when checking-in Print Files. The first option, the media box can be reassigned to the origin 0/0 when uploading data, and on the other hand, alternative color values for Spot Colors can be transferred to the document based on existing System-wide Spot Colors. Both options can be enabled or disabled by default in the Workflow settings.

Revert to Version: When reverting to an earlier version of a Print Item, prior to version 1.9.1, the Additional Data tab in the Workflow had to be opened so the user could access this feature. As of this release, the »Revert to Version« function can be executed in the detail view for Articles or Print Items via the Process menu in the action bar.

Minor Improvements: More minor improvements have been implemented.

1.4. Fixed Bugs

Adobe Illustrator Plug-In: A list of fixed bugs and/or minor improvements in the Adobe Illustrator Plug–In.

Workflow: A list of fixed bugs and/or minor improvements in the main application.

Impose Editor: A list of fixed bugs and/or minor improvements in the Impose Editor.

2. New Features

In this section you will learn about new features that have been developed in the Adobe Illustrator Plug–In, Impose Editor and the Workflow. In some cases, existing functions may have also been updated.

2.1. Adobe Illustrator Plug–in

If you are working with version 1.9.1 of the Workflow, version 1.9.1.1 of the Plug–In must be installed to ensure consistent operation. If you are using an older version of the Plug–In, you will be notified in the Plug–In when you log in.

The following versions of Adobe Illustrator are supported:


Adobe Illustrator CC 2019
Version 23.1.1
Adobe Illustrator CC 2020
Version 24.2
Adobe Illustrator CC 2021
Version 25.2
MacOSX Mac OS Version 10.14 (Mojave),
Mac OS Version 10.13 (High Sierra),
Mac OS Version 10.12 (Sierra) or
Mac OS Version 10.11 (El Capitan)
Mac OS Version 10.15 (Catalina),
Mac OS Version 10.14 (Mojave),
Mac OS Version 10.13 (High Sierra)
Mac OS Version 11.2 (Big Sur),
Mac OS Version 10.15 (Catalina)
Mac OS Version 10.14 (Mojave),
Mac OS Version 10.13 (High Sierra)
Microsoft Windows MS Windows 7 with Service Pack 1,
MS Windows 8.1 or
MS Windows 10
MS Windows 7 with Service Pack 1,
MS Windows 10
MS Windows 7 with Service Pack 1,
MS Windows 10
Support Plug-In Version 1.8.1.0 and
Plug-In Version 1.9.1.1 (only Windows)
Plug-In Version 1.8.1.0 and Plug-In Version 1.9.1.1 (only Windows)
Plug-In Version 1.9.1.1 (Mac OS and Windows)

Support for older versions of Adobe Illustrator

Please note that the current Plug–In Version 1.9.1.1 can only installed for Adobe Illustrator CC 2019, Adobe Illustrator CC 2020 and Adobe Illustrator CC 2021. If Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 or Adobe Illustrator CC 2020 is being used with Mac OS for DW 1.9.1, the 1.8.1.0 plug-in must be used. Plug-in 1.9.1.1 is compatible with Mac OS only when Adobe Illustrator CC 2021 is used.

Adobe Illustrator CC 2017 and Adobe Illustrator CC 2015.3 can still be used with the Plug–In Version 1.7.0.26 in conjunction with Durst Workflow 1.7.2. Using Plug–In Version 1.7.0.26 in conjunction with newer Workflow versions is at your own risk. Support cases or bugs for this constellation/configuration will not be followed up and/or fixed.

Adobe Illustrator 2018 can still be used with Plug–In version 1.7.6.36 in conjunction with Durst Workflow 1.7.6. The use of Plug–In version 1.7.6.36 in conjunction with newer Workflow versions is at your own risk. Support cases or errors for this constellation will not be followed up and corrected.

2.2. Impose Editor

In this version, additional functions have been implemented in the Impose Editor of the Workflow. Previously existing functions have been revised and extended in their scope of use. Read more detailed information below about new features and improvements in the Impose Editor in version 1.9.1.

2.2.1. Stop Edge - Starting Point

Before explaining the new functions we've implemented for Stop Edge - Starting Point, we'll explain some essential terminology first.

  • The Stop Edge is the edge of the imposition sheet that leaves the press first. On digital presses, the top of the sheet is typically the edge that leaves the press first. For certain printing systems, e.g. the VariJet 160, the bottom edge is the first edge to leave the press. Therefore, the Stop Edge can be either on the top or the bottom.
  • The Starting Point is the position on the imposition sheet where the imposition algorithm starts to place the first Print Item on the sheet. The Starting Point can be either on the left or right.
  • The Alignment of the imposition defines the position of the entire imposition on the imposition sheet. The entire imposition can be aligned to the imposition sheet using nine positions: top left, top center, top right, left center, bottom left, bottom center, bottom right, right center, and centered horizontally and vertically.

The sheet was filled starting from the top left position by default. For example, using Nesting Mode, the first Print Item is placed on the top left of the imposition sheet and the following Print Items are placed horizontally next to it or vertically below it, depending on whether By Row or By Column was selected under the Layout option.  As of version 1.9.1, this behavior can be freely determined by the user by selecting the Stop Edge as well as the Start Point [1]. The Alignment [2] function, which can be used to align the entire imposition on the sheet, has been available since previous versions of the Workflow.

Keeping Previous Behavior

Essentially the user does not have to change any settings in order to maintain the default behavior known from previous versions of the Impose Editor, as the default value for the Stop Edge – Starting Point [1] is set to Top Left.

Figure 1: The default behavior when placing Print Items in Nesting Mode: Alignment: Top Center, Stop EdgeStarting Point: Top Left.

Impose Editor

Stop Edge - with Starting Point right

If you want to change the impose sheet filling method from the default settings, select Top Right under the Stop Edge – Starting Point [3] option. This method can be advantageous if you want to remove Die cut objects from the right side of the cutting table.

Figure 2: Placing Print Items using Nesting Mode with Stop Edge – Starting Point: Top Right and Alignment: Top-Center selected.

Impose Editor

Stop Edge - with Starting Point Bottom Left

If you want to change the impose sheet filling method from the default settings, select Bottom Left under the Stop Edge – Starting Point [4] option. This will result in Print Items on the bottom edge of the impose sheet to leave the press first.

Operators of digital presses that have the Stop Edge at the bottom should first set up an appropriate Impose Template and store it as the default template in the Workflow under Administration > Settings > Impose Editor.

Figure 3: Placing Print Items using Nesting Mode with Stop Edge – Starting Point: Bottom Left and Alignment: Top-Center selected.

Impose Editor

Stop Edge with Starting Point Bottom Left aligned to the bottom

If you want to change the impose sheet filling method from the default settings, select Bottom Left under the Stop Edge – Starting Point [5] option. This will result in the Print Items on the bottom edge of the impose sheet to leave the press first. To define how the Print Items fill the impose sheet from the bottom edge you will have to set the Alignment to Bottom Center [6].

Operators of digital presses that have the Stop Edge at the bottom should first set up an appropriate Impose Template and store it as the default template in the Workflow under Administration > Settings > Impose Editor.

Figure 4: Placing Print Items using Nesting Mode with Stop Edge – Starting Point: Bottom Left and Alignment: Bottom-Center selected.

Impose Editor

2.2.2. Dielines

Dielines can be applied in the Impose Editor to individual Print Items, all Print Items as a group or on selected pages of the imposition, and using combinations of all three methods.

With version 1.9.1, an additional option called Row | Column  has been added when using Step & Repeat Mode. Follow these steps to add Dielines per row and column:

  1. Open the Impose Editor.
  2. Switch to the Step & Repeat Mode.
  3. Create your desired imposition.
  4. Navigate to the »Finishing« tab [7].
  5. Open the Add Dielines drop-down [8], then select Columns | Rows.
  6. Enter your settings in the Columns | Rows settings area [9]:
  7. Create cutting lines for row [10] - Activate this option if you want cutting lines to be created between the individual rows in the montage.
    • Create Dielines for Rows [13] – Activate this option if you want to create Dielines between individual rows.
    • Start At [11] – Here you can define after which row or column the first Dieline should be created.
    • Repeat [15] – Use this option to define how the Dieline should be repeated, i.e. after the first row or second row, etc..
    • Indent [12] – Use this option to change the length of the Dielines, if necessary, starting from the left/right or top/bottom edge of the impose sheet.
    • Offset [16] – Use this option to offset Dielines vertically, for cutting lines between rows, or horizontally, for cutting lines between columns.
    • Line Weight [14] – Determine the weight of the Dieline here.
    • Technical Color [17] – Define your desired Technical Color. All system-wide defined Technical Colors are available in this selection menu.
    • Overprint [18] – Set the Dieline to »Overprint« (default) or »Knockout«.

Figure 5: Applying a Dieline to both Columns and Rows in Step & Repeat Mode.

Impose Editor

2.2.3. Object Creation Tools

During the imposition process, additional objects in the form of cutting lines, text descriptions as well as shapes may need to be added for special applications. In order to achieve this, new drawing tools are available with version 1.9.1 of the Workflow. These tools can be used in all impose modes with the exception of Tiling. Objects created during the imposition process are only created for the imposition currently being created. The objects created with these tools are only created for the current imposition. It is not currently possible to save these objects in an Impose Template.

To create an object, proceed as follows:

  1. Select the desired tool in the Object Creation Tools submenu [19] in the toolbar.

Figure 6: Object Creation Tools are located in the submenu.

Impose Editor
  1. Create shapes by dragging the object to the desired size. When creating a text, simply click on the desired position and enter text.
  2. Select the desired parameters for the created object in the Settings Panel.
Object Creation Tools in detail

In addition to the five drawing tools available for creating different objects, a selection tool is also available for selecting existing objects. The following tools are available:

  • Direct Selection Tool [20]: Use this tool to select existing objects in order to change their size, position and color. Selected objects can of course also be removed again by pressing the Delete key or by clicking on the trash can in the Object List.
  • Line Tool [21]: Use this tool to create simple lines that are described by a starting point and an end point. If the Shift key is pressed when drawing the line, the line is constrained to 0° or 90° from the starting point.
  • Rectangle Tool [22]: Use this tool to create rectangles with a fill and/or stroke, for example to create a partial non-printing white area or a printed white area. The stroke weight as well as the fill and stroke color, can be applied separately. If you hold down the Option key while drawing, the rectangle is created from the center. If you also press the Shift key, a square will be created from the center.
  • Ellipse Tool [23]: Use this tool to create a circle, by pressing the Shift key, or an ellipse and apply a fill and/or Stroke to this object, for example to create a partial unprinted white area or a printed white area. The weight of the stroke, as well as the fill and stroke color, can be set separately. If you hold down the Option key while drawing, the ellipse is created from the center. If you also press the Shift key, a circle is created from the center.
  • Multipath Tool [24]: Use this tool to create a closed path. The stroke weight as well as the fill and stroke color can be set separately. In addition, you can determine the type of Butt Cap, smoothing and also the appearance using the stroke/gap option. The smoothing option allows you to smooth a drawn path that contains sharp angles. Pressing the Option key and clicking will automatically close the path segment. Pressing the Shift key will constrain the path segment to either horizontal, vertical or diagonal angles.
  • Text Tool [25]: Use this tool to create a single-line of text on a desired position. A font, font style and font size can also be selected. In addition to this, the color of the text can also be defined. This option can be used, for example, for user-defined Captions for individual Print Items in the imposition.

Figure 7: The Object Creation Tools submenu.

Impose Editor

Object Creation Tool Setting Panels

When a drawing tool is selected, all impose settings and displays are dimmed and the settings area for the currently selected drawing tool is then displayed. Depending on the tool selected, different options are displayed based on the context of the tool being used. Additional updates to the user interface will be added in a future release 1.10.

Figure 8: The Drawing Tool Settings Panels are context based, which means that the options displayed will change depending on the tool that is selected.

Impose Editor

Object List

The Object List [26] which displays all objects created by the user, is located in the lower part of the settings panel. A clear overview of the objects placed on the sheet are displayed here. Three functions are available for drawn objects that are listed here:

  • Remove all elements: If you click on the trash can icon in the header of the impose editor, all objects will be permanently deleted.
  • Highlight [27]: If you click on the entry in the list, the object is highlighted by a blue shadow on the sheet.
  • Remove Item from Substrate [28]: Clicking on the trash can icon deletes the respective object from the sheet.

Figure 9: The Object List with two entries and a selected object on the sheet.

Impose Editor
Additional Functions

Additional functions are available when using Object Creation Tools.

  • Select Object – Using the Direct Selection Tool in the Object Creation Tools submenu, you can select objects that have already been created on the sheet. Selected objects can be moved with the mouse. The settings or properties of the object can be adjusted in the panel next to it.
  • Duplicate Object – By pressing the Option key, while selecting the object and moving the mouse, objects can be duplicated. A new, independent object is created on the sheet.
  • Remove all elements – By clicking on the trash can in the Impose Editor header, all drawn objects will be removed from the sheet. This function cannot be undone.
  • Remove item from Substrate – By clicking on the trash can next to the respective object, this object will be removed from the sheet. This function cannot be undone either.
  • Change object parameters – If an object has been selected on the sheet, then all properties or settings for the object can be adjusted.
  • Warning when switching to Tiling – If drawn objects have been created and the user switches to »Tiling« Mode, a warning will be displayed, indicating that all objects will be automatically deleted when the operation is performed.

2.2.4. New Tiling Overlap options

Up until this point, if you entered an overlap, it was automatically generated per tile, on the defined edge when using Tiling Mode. Calculation of the overlap depends on the number of tiles and which Construction option was selected under the Mounting Direction options. In version 1.9.1, this behavior has been retained by default, but it is now also possible to specify a user-defined overlap per tile for each tile edge. Proceed as follows:

  1. Open the Impose Editor using Tiling Mode.
  2. Create a Tiling with the desired settings.
  3. Enter your desired Overlap size as well as the Printed Overlap.
  4. Make sure that the Create Overlap automatically option is enabled.

This will generate an Overlap using the entered size on those edges of the tiles that need an Overlap. The Create Overlap automatically option ensures that the automatic generation is applied by default. By deactivating this option, the Overlap can then be defined individually for each edge of a tile.

  1. Deactivate the Create Overlap automatically option [31]. After deactivating this option, the entered Overlap is created for all edges. The Mounting Direction and the number of tiles will be ignored. The Overlap settings therefore will affect each tile.

Figure 10: Deactivating the Create Overlap automatically option automatically adds the defined Overlap on all four sides of the tile.

PMS WebGui :: Production Jobs
  1. In order to enter individual Overlap values per tile, switch to Tile Mode [29] and then select the first tile.
  2. Enter the desired values for the first tile in the Overlap settings area [30]. Deactivate the lock symbol to enter individual values for each edge of the tile. The values entered here are automatically applied to all tiles.
  3. Then switch to Tile 2 and enter the desired Overlap values for this tile as well. If you enter a value that differs from that of Tile 1, a yellow bubble with a number [33] appears above the Overlap Configurator icon [32]. This indicates the number tiles that contain individual Overlaps.
  4. Continue entering Overlap values for the subsequent tiles until you have defined all necessary Overlaps.

Figure 11: The Overlap Parameters panel indicates that in this particular Tiling, three tiles contain individual Overlaps.

Impose Editor
  1. To see an overview of the Overlap settings for individual Tiles, click on the Overlap Configurator icon [34]. This opens the following dialog in which you can view the values of individual Tile Overlaps.
  2. If you still want to make changes, you can also achieve this here. To do this, click on the values for the Tile, which will open a modal dialog in which you can change the values for the selected Tile.

Figure 12: The Overlap Configuration dialog, where you can view a summary of the Overlap values for all Tiles.

PMS WebGui :: Production Jobs
  1. Click on Save [36] to finalize your changes. By clicking on Cancel [35], previously entered values are retained.

Adding Edge Reinforcement when Tiling

The user-defined Overlap function for individual Tiles can also be used to create an Edge Reinforcement per Tile. To achieve this, enter your desired Edge Reinforcement ( Overlap) value for each edge per Tile.

2.2.5. Impose Validation

Three new warnings have been implemented in version 1.9.1 which informs the user when certain actions are required. The following new warning messages are displayed:

  • Number of drawn objects outside the Impose Sheet – Indicates the number of objects created with the drawing tool that are outside the impose sheet.
  • Print Item is overlapping the sheet – Indicates the number of objects that are partially or completely outside the impose sheet. This warns the user when Print Items may not be printed completely.
  • Overproduced Print Items – The quantity of overproduced Print Items is displayed per Print Item in this version. Previously, only the sum of overproduced Print Items was displayed in this warning.

2.3. Zünd CutCenter Materials

As of version 1.9.1, Materials that are available when using Zünd CutCenter (ZCC) can be imported in the Workflow. These Materials can therefore be selected for Production Jobs that are transferred to the cutting device. The Material selected for the cutter is written into the cut file and sent to the cutting device. You can find more information below on how this works.

How we define Materials for cutting devices

A Material in the Zünd CutCenter is understood to be a cutting "recipe" for the selected Material. Among other things, this "recipe" can specify the sequence in which the Dieline should be cut, and with which tool and after which specific step the Material should be turned on the cutting bed.

2.3.1. Importing and manage Materials from Zünd CutCenter

Before using Materials for the Zünd cutter with Production Jobs, these Materials must be imported first into the Workflow. To do this, the Zünd - Zünd CutCenter cutter must be created or already exist in the Workflow. When the cutting device is created, a connection to the cutting device software is established via the Host. Only after ensuring the connection to the Host, is it then possible to import Materials. Proceed as follows:

  1. Go to the Administration > Cutter Devices menu item.
  2. Click + New in the footer of the Devices panel.
  3. In the Add Cutter Device dialog, select Zünd CutCenter | Zünd under the Device Type drop-down.
  4. Assign a unique Name for the cutting device.
  5. Select the Host where the CutCenter software is installed.
  6. Select the desired Destination directory where the cutting data will be copied from the Workflow.
  7. Fill out all other necessary settings to configure the cutter as needed.

Check the Host and start CutCenter

Materials from the cutting device can only be imported in the Workflow when the Host is correctly setup and connected. Double check to make sure that the selected Host is where the CutCenter software is installed. Ideally, this should also be started in order to query the Materials.

Figure 13: To manage cutting devices, navigate to Administration > Cutter Devices.

PMS WebGui :: Cutter Devices

With version 1.9.1, two new settings panels: Cutter Materials [37] and Material Info [38] have been added to this view.

Importing Materials

After successfully adding the cutter, cutter materials can be imported in the Workflow. Proceed as follows:

  1. Navigate to the Administration > Cutter Devices menu item.
  2. Select the Zünd CutCenter cutting device.
  3. Navigate to the Cutter Materials panel, this option is only currently available for the Zünd cutter.
  4. In the footer of the panel, click on the Import Materials button.

Figure 14: Importing cutter Materials from Zünd CutCenter software.

PMS WebGui :: Cutter Devices
  1. Click on OK to start the import process.
  2. After importing Materials successfully, they can now be used.

Problems importing Materials from a cutter?

If for some reason the import process does not work, the user will be alerted with an error message. If this is the case, please check the following settings:

  • Was the correct Host selected for the cutter where the cutter software is running?
  • Was the cutter software started on the selected Host?

Updating the materials

The import process can be repeated as needed when new Materials have been added using the cutter software. The user is not notified automatically that a new Material has been created in the ZCC.

Please note that when carrying out a new import, Materials are only imported which are not yet available in the Workflow or which were previously deleted.

Managing Materials

After successfully importing Materials, they can be managed and/or used. The following functions and information is available in this area:

  • Import Materials – Using this button, Materials can be imported from the cutter software. If importing several times, only Materials that have not yet been imported or that were previously deleted will be imported again. If the connection to the cutter software cannot be established or it is not started, the process cannot be completed successfully.
  • Delete – By pressing the Delete button, the Material selected in the list can be deleted in the Workflow. After it is deleted, it can no longer be used (selected) in the Workflow. When re-importing, Materials that have already been deleted can be re-imported.
  • Hide – Using this function, individual cutter Materials can be hidden (made inactive) in this list. Hidden Materials are moved to the end of this list and are dimmed. They cannot be used (selected) in production.
  • Show – Materials that were previously hidden in this list can be displayed again by pressing this button. This will list Materials in the correct order by default. Obviously, these Materials can be used again for Production Jobs.
  • Material Info – By selecting a Material in the list, additional information about the Material is displayed in the panel next to it. This information is provided by the cutter software and can only be edited there. These properties serve purely as additional information.

Figure 15: The Cutter Materials and Material Info panels for the Zünd Cutter.

Workflow - Hybrid

2.3.2. Using CutCenter Materials for output

After cutter Materials have been successfully imported and the list has been revised, all displayed Materials can be used for Production Jobs in connection with cutting devices. Proceed as follows:

  1. Create a new Production Job or open an existing one.
  2. Select the desired Output Settings under the Output Settings tab or select the Finishing tab in the Send to Printer dialog.
  3. In both places, you can select the Zünd CutCenter cutter with the desired configuration.
  4. You can select the desired Cutter Material here if needed.
  5. Save the Output Settings and then click on Send to Printer.

When the Production Job is being sent to the printer, the cut file is also created at the same. The Material information is written into this cutting file as well. The cut file is also simultaneously sent to the cutter when the Production Job is being sent to the printer. The cutter software will read the information from the Material and use it internally.

Figure 16: The Output Settings with a Zünd CutCenter cutter selected as well as Cutter Material.

Workflow - Hybrid

Save Materials from a cutter in the Output Settings

Cutter Materials can be selected wherever Cutting Devices can be selected. The easiest way to do this is to create add the Material in an Output Configuration Template so that you can access this configuration at any time.

2.4. PDF Printer Materials

In the previous Workflow version, PDF Printers could only use automatically generated Substrates, which were created when the PDF Printer was created, in Production Jobs. As of this release, PDF Printers can use all Substrates available in the Workflow.

Check out the release notes for version 1.8.0 under the section 2.9. PDF-Output - Prepress Workflow for details concerning outputting PDF files using PDF printers. The following feature has been added/enhanced in this release:

  • In the Output Settings of a PDF Printer, all Substrates created in the workflow can be selected. The Color Setup can therefore be used for all Substrates.

Figure 17: The Output Settings of a PDF Printer with access to all Substrates that have been created in the Workflow.

Workflow - Hybrid

2.5. Fixups

In the course of developing this release, new Fixups were added and existing Fixups were extended in functionality or improved in terms of usability.

2.5.1. New Fixups

In version 1.9.1, we've added additional FIxups based on requests from customers within the Label and Large Format Segments.

Day and Night Output

This new Fixup prepares Print Items for Day-and-Night output by adding a white channel and optionally reducing the opacity of the image.

Use case Scenario: Use this Fixup to create a single or double-sided Print Item when printing on the front and back of a transparent substrate, or to prepare a Print Item for day-and-night output. Three different modes are available:

Double sided on transparent substrate

When applying the Fixup to a single-sided Print Item, the parameters shown in the image below will be used to create a double-sided PDF with the same Print Item, where the Print Item on the second side has 80% coverage.

Figure 18: The Fixup allows you to prepare a Print Item on the front and back side when using transparent substrates.

PMS WebGui :: Data Preparation

Single sided on opaque substrate (color/white/color)

When applying the Fixup to a  single sided Print Item, by choosing the parameters shown in the image below, a double sided PDF will be created, where:

  • The Print Item on the first page and second page remain unchanged, with the exception listed below.
  • The Print Item on the second page uses 80% coverage and a 100% overprinted white channel is created.

When applying the Fixup to a double page Print Item, by choosing the parameters shown the image below, a double page PDF will be created where:

  • the Print Item on the first page remains unchanged and,
  • The Print Item on the second page is created with 80% coverage and a 100% overprinted white channel.

Figure 19: The Fixup allows you to prepare a Print Item for Day and Night output as a single sided Print Item on an opaque substrate (color/white/color).

PMS WebGui :: Data Preparation

Custom

The difference compared to the single sided on opaque substrate mode (color/white/color) is that:

  • A white channel can also be added to the first page of the PDF
  • The image on the second page can be rotated or mirrored.

Figure 20: Custom mode offers even more options and control over how the Fixup affects the pdf.

PMS WebGui :: Data Preparation

Options: The description below provides more in depth information.

  • Mode: Three different Fixup options are available in this drop-down menu.
    • Double sided on transparent substrate – Prints a single image/Print Item on the front or back side on a transparent substrate.
      • Back Side – Opacity: The Print Item from the first side is applied using the specified percentage.
    • Single sided on opaque substrate (color/white/color) – Either the same or different image should be printed on the front and back sides according to the selected settings and additionally on the back side with a white channel.
      • PageBox – Determine whether the white channel should be created using the ImageBox or ImageBox + Bleed dimensions.
      • Add White To - Determine whether the white channel should be added to the front or back side.
      • Spot Color – Select the Spot Color to be used for the separation in the output. White is typically used here.
      • Tint Value – Specify the Tint Value for the Spot Color.
      • Offset – Specify the defined offset from the PageBox. This will increase or decrease the area of the white channel.
      • Coverage – Set the Coverage of the image to be printed on the back side.
  • Custom – The following additional options are also available:
    • Add White Channel – Use this to specify if an additional white channel should be created for the first side of the Print Item.
    • Underlaying Image / Rotate – Rotate the image to be printed on the back side.
    • Mirror – Use this to mirror the Print Item being printed on the reverse side.
  • Advanced: This tab provides additional options to apply Spot Color objects to the desired layer according to the conformity of the processing steps to ISO 19593-1.

Availability

This Fixup is only available to customers with a Workflow Plus license under the Data Preparation tab. This Fixup can also be used in Fixup Chains.

Place Spot Color object in the Foreground

The Place Spot Color object in the Foreground Fixup works as follows. By choosing a Spot Color, this Spot Color is then placed on the top most layer, additional Spot Colors that are chosen are placed below the first Spot Color hierarchically.

Use case Scenario: Use this Fixup to bring Dielines that have been created in the background of the Print Item to the foreground to make them visible to the user. Also use this Fixup to organize the document structure regarding technical Colors: Thru-cut, Crease, Gluing, Ink-free Zones, etc. For example, if you want to bring a white separation into the foreground as an overprinted object.

Options: Each option is described in more detail below.

  • Selection of Spot Color(s): Here you can select all Spot Colors that are contained in the Print Item. If the Fixup is used in a Fixup Chain, all system-wide Spot Colors can be selected here.
  • Overprint State: This determines whether Spot Color objects that are moved to the foreground should be overprinted or excluded (Knockout).
  • + - Symbol: Click on the + symbol to add additional Spot Colors.

Figure 21: The Fixup Place Spot Color object in the Foreground, with a Dieline selected.

PMS WebGui :: Data Preparation

Availability

This Fixup is only available to customers with a Workflow Plus license under the Data Preparation tab. This Fixup can also be used in Fixup Chains.

2.5.2. Improvements to existing Fixups

The following Fixups have been improved in version 1.9.1

Create White only separation

This Fixup creates a white separation as a Spot Color for all objects selected under »Apply to«. This removes all other image content (except Technical Colors), leaving only the white areas as printing areas.

In this version, the user can select either Printed Objects and Non-Printing Objects under the Apply To drop-down.

Use case Scenario: Use this Fixup to add all printed or all non-printing areas in a Print Item as separation using the selected Spot Color: primer, white or varnish, e.g. to print the white channel on a transparent film.

Options: We describe each option in more detail below.

  • Apply to: Choose either:
    • Printed Objects – Creates a Spot Color separation for each pixel, except for white and transparent areas.
    • Non-Printing Objects – Creates a Spot Color separation for non-printing pixels, for white as well as transparent areas.
  • Create Spot Color: Select a separation Spot Color.
  • Tint Value: Use this to determine the Tint Value for the separation to be created.
  • Advanced: You can choose the following parameters under the Advanced tab:
    • Accuracy – Use this option to determine the exactness with regard to calculating the resolution.
    • Layer Name – Specify on which layer the newly created object will be placed.
    • ISO 19593-1 – Define which Group and Type the created object should have conforming to ISO standards.

Figure 22: The Fixup Create White Only Separation contains two tabs.

PMS WebGui :: Data Preparation

2.6. SDK Versions

With version 1.9.1 two new SDK versions are available, in which some bugfixes were implemented from the manufacturers side and some additional functions have been added. The following SDK versions are used in this version:

  • Callas - pdfChip version 2.3.070
  • Callas - pdfToolBox Version 12.2.563

Using the pdfToolbox Desktop version

Please note that new Fixups using the .kfpx file extension, must be created with most up to date pdfToolbox version 12.2.x. kfpx files from previous versions are of course supported – they do not need to be converted to version 12 of pdfToolbox.

3. Improvements

In version 1.9.1 of the Workflow, the following minor improvements have been implemented:

3.1. Tiling Impose Preview

Up until version 1.9.1, only the first tile image was shown as a preview from a Tiling imposition under the Impose tab in a Production Job. As of this version, the entire Tiling imposition is displayed using separator lines, so it is easier to determine where the tiles are split. The original version of the preview can still be displayed by clicking on First Tile [39]. For Tiling impositions, the new tiling preview is used by default to preview the Production Job. This preview is visible in the following places:

  • Production Job > Impose
  • Production Job > Output Settings
  • Production Job > Send to Printer dialog
  • Production Job
  • Impose Editor > New > Open an Imposition
  • Impose Editor > File Manager > Production Job

Figure 23: The Tiling preview displaying Tiling separation lines.

PMS WebGui :: Production Jobs

3.2. Check-in enhancements

Two new options are available with version 1.9.1 when checking-in print data. The first enhancement is that the Mediabox can be set to the origin 0/0 automatically when uploading print data. The second enhancement is that alternative color values for Spot Colors contained in the print data can be transferred to the document based on available system-wide Spot Colors. Both options can be activated or deactivated so they are applied by default in the Workflow.

3.2.1. Set Mediabox to Origin 0/0

This Fixup sets the coordinate origin of the Mediabox in the document to 0/0 if this option is enabled in the Workflow settings. This option ensures that print data with the Mediabox coordinates set incorrectly are corrected when uploading data in the Workflow. Follow the steps to enable or disable this option:

  1. Navigate to Administration > Settings > General menu item.
  2. Locate the Box Options panel
  3. If you want the Mediabox origin to be set to 0/0 by default when uploading print data, then check this option.
  4. Save your settings

Figure 24: The Box Options, Set Mediabox to Origin 0/0.

Box Options

3.2.2. Match Alternate Colors with Spot Colors

This Fixup matches alternate Spot Color values present in a PDF based on the Workflow's system-wide Spot Colors if the option has been enabled in the Workflow's system settings. This option ensures that the Spot Color in the preview of the Print Item matches existing system-wide defined Spot Colors.

Use case Scenario: The PDF file to be produced contains a Spot Color called »CutContour«. This Spot Color was defined in CMYK – 100% Cyan. In the Workflow, a system-wide Spot Color / Technical Color called »CutContour« exists and is defined as CMYK – 100% Magenta. If the Match Alternate Colors to Spot Colors option is enabled, the alternate color values for the Spot Color called »CutContour« are converted to 100% Magenta when the document is uploaded.

Follow the steps to enable or disable this option:

  1. Go to the Administration > Settings > Preflight & Fixup menu item.
  2. Locate the General Settings panel.
  3. Activate the Match Alternate Color to Spot Colors option.
  4. Save your settings.

Figure 25: The General Settings panel with the new option Match Alternate Colors to Spot Colors.

PMS WebGui :: Preflight & Fixup

3.3. Revert to version

When changing a version of a document, before version 1.9.1 a specific tab called Additional Data had to be opened in the Workflow. As of this release, the »Revert to version« function can be executed in both the Article/Print Item detail view via the Process drop-down menu in the action bar.

Figure 26: The Revert to version function is available in either the Article or Print Item  detail view.

PMS WebGui :: Production Jobs

3.4. Minor Improvements

The following minor improvements have been implemented.

3.4.1. Workflow

Substrate Display Color

When manually creating a Substrate in the Workflow, a display color can be defined and saved. This display color was not stored by default by the system when the Substrate was imported or created via Rest-API. As of this version, a default display color defined as RGB 200/200/200, is also saved for these two variants.

Saving a Tiling Imposition

When saving a Tiling Imposition, individual tiles can be split into individual Print Items using the Create separate Article for each Tile option and uploaded to the Workflow. If this option was selected, a Fixup is automatically applied in the background, which removes all elements outside the MediaBox. This subsequently led to problems when using cutting devices. As of this version, this problem is fixed.

Routine Translations

In the Workflow, the unit of time specified in days, seconds, etc. which can be seen under Administration > Routines > Edit > Older than days – could previously only be displayed in English (days). In this version, the behavior has been changed and the international abbreviations of these time specifications are used (days = d). From this version onwards, time data will be displayed according to ISO standard - ISO 8601.

4. Fixed Bugs

4.1. Adobe Illustrator Plug-in

International number format: When checking out files in the Plug-in (on MacOS only) problems occurred with the conversion of units when the local format ( in the MacOS settings) for decimal comma characters was set to ».«. This problem has been fixed. (DW-5713)

4.2. Workflow

Hotfolder Lists: Some minor issues in the Hotfolder Detail view were fixed in this release. These fixes related to filter functions, automatically refreshing the list, alignment of GUI elements and incorrectly displaying processes. (DW-5507)

Create Production Job: As of this release, the Save button is disabled until a valid output configuration is selected via Output Template or by manually defining the Output Configuration. As soon as the output configuration is complete, the Save button is enabled. (DW-5681)

Change Tint Value of Spot Color: This Fixup was revised because it partially removed Spot Colors when being applied to Adobe Photoshop TIFF files that contained Spot Colors. This problem has been fixed. (DW-5671)

Spot Color names that contain special characters: Errors occurred when calculating Ink Costs and sending to the printer if the document contained Spot Color names with the "(" character. These problems have also been fixed. (DW-5660)

System settings for Date and Time formatting: Sometimes when Date and Time settings were not saved or applied correctly. This behavior was corrected. (DW-5575)

Uploading multiple files: When uploading multiple files simultaneously (>60), error messages were sometimes displayed and processes were aborted. These bugs have been fixed. (DW-5537)

Defective Color Setups: In some cases, incorrect or incomplete Color Setups could be uploaded in the Workflow. As a result, the Color Management tab in the Workflow settings could no longer be opened. This problem has also been solved. (DW-4803)

Fixup: When applying a Fixup Chain using »Create Bleed by Mirroring« and »Add Dieline to the ImageBox«, the BleedBox was sometimes not changed correctly. This error has been fixed. (DW-5746)

4.3. Impose Editor

Lines: It was possible to define a negative stroke weight for Lines. This behavior has been fixed by allowing only positive values to be entered and saved. (IMPOSE-2534)

Cutter Marks: The settings for vertical and horizontal spacing between Marks were reversed. This caused problems when both settings were defined differently. This error has been fixed. (IMPOSE-2640)

Dielines: When changing the Spot Color for Dielines, the overprint status setting was reset. This bug has been fixed. (IMPOSE-2635)

Cutter Settings: When opening the Artboard Settings, the settings options for the cutters' Marks and Barcodes disappeared. This behavior has been fixed. (IMPOSE-2624)

Scale Tiling: Scaling in tiling was only applied after pressing the ENTER or TAB keys twice. This problem has been corrected. (IMPOSE-2678)

Grommet Offset: Entering an Offset for Grommets was not be applied or saved in the imposition. This bug has been fixed. (IMPOSE-2674)

5. Hotfixes

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