Helios' new PDF-native image replacement software garnered a positive response from Adobe.On Friday, Helios Software GmbH premiered its new PDF-native OPI (Open Prepress Interface) image replacement solution and Helios HandShake UB and ImageServer UB at the Print 05 & Converting 05 Conference being held in Chicago from Friday through Thursday, September 15.
Helios first announced the solution Wednesday, generating positive response from Adobe Systems Inc., creators of the PDF format.
Adobe commended the solution's full support of PDF transparency, drop shadows and XMP metadata features and also its ability to maintain these PDF features within an Adobe InDesign workflow.
"OPI has been one of the unfinished components of high-end PDF workflows. Helios' PDF-native OPI solution [provides] customers [with] a much more complete and versatile print production toolset that supports the advanced features in InDesign," said Adobe senior director of product management Mark Hilton.
HandShake and ImageServer run on servers running Linux, Apple Computer's Mac OS X Server, Sun Solaris and other flavors of Unix. Helios president Helmut Tschemernjak said that a Windows Server version of the two programs will be available later this year. The software does support Unix-based, Mac and Windows clients.
According to Tschemernjak, Helios' OPI image replacement solution costs about $10,000 per server. HandShake and ImageServer are also being sold as standalone applications for about half that much per product.
To read more about how Adobe server has enhanced PDF workflow support, click here.
HandShake and ImageServer provides prepress professionals, particularly those who use InDesign, with a host of new features.
They offer server-based color management that allows users to embed different ICC profiles into PDF print jobs, depending on the type of process used.
Moreover, the new features allow users to repurpose low-resolution PDF workflows from InDesign so that they can use one core document for proofs, print documents and Web sites, among other types.
As an example, Tschemernjak described a prepress operation developing a catalog. Using Helios' OPI solution, users can put together a proof of the catalog using low-resolution images obtained remotely, and then swap these low-resolution files with high-resolution ones during the final PDF stage.
In addition, Helios' OPI solution allows users to make use of features unique to InDesign that previously could not be utilized by previous server-based solutions, Tschemernjak said.
