Fusion iTrap for OS X

Interactive Trapping for OS X

Fusion iTrap for OS X is the first software package available for OS X that provides Harlequin RIP users with very high-quality in-RIP, interactive trapping. The OS X plugin is developed by Fusion Systems International, with core Fusion iTrap software developed by Lucid Dream Software. Lucid Dream has been building advanced trapping solutions since the late 1980's. Fusion iTrap is without a doubt the best trapping solution ever!

Features

1. •Cross-platform: works on Windows and Mac.
   

2. • Integrated with Fusion System workflows for advanced workflow automation.
   

3. • I-Link technology: trap once, output many (TOOM) formats.
   

4. • Powerful on-the-fly Trapping: preview current trap settings in an easy-access zoom window.
   

5. • Provides tools to adjust trapping parameters on a page and page-zone basis for single or multi-page jobs.
   

6. • Graphical Configuration tool allows editing of ink-based trapping parameters.
   

7. • Special image and vignette trapping options.
   

8. • Intelligent brush automatically adjusts the width at the corners and when creating complicated trap shapes.
   

9. • Setup Tool helps to configure trapping queues in the Fusion RIP (or other Harlequin RIP).
   

10. • Improved Workflow Management tool.
    

11. • Fusion iTrap Viewer works as a remote or server based automatic trapping station via a watch folder.
    

12. •    Fast performance on the local network.
    

Configurations

Like the Windows version that has been available for over 4 years now, the new Fusion iTrap for OS X comes in three configurations:

    * Fusion iTrap Full Server, which functions in client-server mode and allows unlimited (free) clients to prepare files for final trapping by the licensed server station. Client or server can be Mac- or PC-based and remote clients can view jobs, do ink remapping, and handle all trap settings -- which are then automatically applied at the server station.

    * Fusion iTrap Full, a reduced-cost version that is a single-station license. Viewing jobs, remapping inks, controlling trap settings, and final trapping must be done on the licensed station.

    * Fusion iTrap Auto. While all versions support Automatic In-Rip Trapping, this is a special licensing model that initially installs in full-server mode. After the 60-day period the interactive and client server functionality will end, but automatic trapping and ink remapping will continue to function.

Optional Enhancements

I-PDF

I-PDF is an optional, no-charge (free) plugin for Fusion iTrap -- a pdf trapper. This free PDF software allows you to use Fusion iTrap in the conventional "in-rip" trapping mode or as a plugin for producing trapped PDF files. I-PDF is available to any user of version 3 or greater of Fusion iTrap at no additional charge. I-PDF can be used with either the low-cost Fusion iTrap Auto or with the higher-end Fusion iTrap full server interactive.

I-JPEG

This is a soft-proofing plugin for Fusion iTrap that can produce an excellent-quality soft proof file as a JPEG in either browser-compatible RGB, or CMYK -- at any resolution! I-JPEG effectively turns Fusion iTrap into a pdf-to-jpeg converter or a PS-to-jpeg converter.

I-PDFxM

This plugin creates a raster-based PDF/x format file that has lineart at high resolution and images at a lower resolution. I-PDFxM allows you to control the resolution of both the LW and CT layer. This gives much more reliability than vector PDF files.

Features include:

    * Since it is based on the actual rendered data produced by the RIP -- the PDF creation is separate from the input source therefore any supported input source, including PDF, PS and EPS, can be converted to PDF with trapping.

    * Full spot color support (as does I-PDF) and it also supports Ink Remapping (which I-PDF does not).

    * Rock solid files that can be sent for valid output on any rip.

    * NO fonts, just very simple data structure.

    * Convert PS to PDF with trapping.

    * Convert EPS to PDF with trapping.

    * Convert PDF to trapped PDF.

    * PDF conversion that creates trapped pdf files.

    * If you are using the Harlequin in-RIP imposition and want to be able to trap PDF files and then impose them, Fusion iTrap -- with I-PDFxM and I-PDF -- is what you want! Previously, the only way to do this was to send the final imposition through the RIP and trap the whole imposed job. Now you can RIP and trap PDF pages and then impose them in the Rip or use any imposition software.

    * Imagine a print shop where they are not currently using any kind of imposition software. Instead they are imposing jobs directly in Quark, InDesign, or another page layout program. They do a lot of small work and step and repeat is a big part of it -- for instance 24 business cards to a sheet. Now with I-PDFxM plugin to Fusion iTrap print trapping they can trap a small business card, convert to PDF/X file, and impose it to a sheet, which saves lots of RIPping time!

    * In general when considering PDF creation it is important to determine the intended usage for these PDF files. Then for each usage you may want to consider various options for PDF creation software.

    * I-PDFxM plugin for interactive and automatic Fusion iTrap workflows is the premier PDF creation software meeting the general criteria:

    * High-Quality PDF workflow

    * Color proofing

    * Remote Online Proofing

I-TONE

The screening plugin for Fusion iTrap, I-Tone outputs screened, 1-bit TIFF files directly from Fusion iTrap. I-Tone uses configurable screening and currently ships with Agfa Balanced, Agfa CristalRaster Screening and Hybrid Screening based on these.

I-Tone is a powerful, fast, yet simple, new addition to the Lucid Dream Software's TaskForce product line. I-Tone is a plugin to Fusion iTrap to generate screened 1-bit TIFF files directly out of Fusion iTrap in a single pass.

I-Tone is based on the screening technology in Lucid Dream Software's most widely used product - TIFF/ITflow and has been in daily use by many companies since 2003!

Fusion iTrap Version 3 works in two easy-to-use modes. The integrated workflow mode is one of these, where jobs are RIPped and trapped and then output back through the Fusion RIP (or other Harlequin RIP). The second mode, using I-Tone, enables users to increase productivity and quality by using best-in-class screening options and save screened 1-bit TIFF files from Fusion iTrap.

Powered by Agfa's ABS and CristalRaster screening, I-Tone offers more choices and capabilities than most RIPs can offer. I-Tone's biggest benefit is the extensive array of screening types and options that are available.

I-Tone is fully JDF-compliant and stores both screening and calibration directly in JDF format. In its simplest-to-use mode, I-Tone allows you to specify screening and calibration for each print queue. The types of screening that are allowed are standard Agfa Balanced Screening, Agfa CristalRaster Screening, and mixed Hybrid Screening.

To provide even more control and quality, I-Tone goes far beyond most screening options. I-Tone gives you the ability to specify screening type and calibration for many sub levels:

    * Using the "Job" setting controls for the entire job (including all pages), it is possible to predefine screening or calibration to be applied to specific page numbers of a job.

    * The "Page" setting controls for the full area of a sheet. Using Fusion iTrap Zone Tool you can specify zones in the sheet and specify screen type and/or calibration to the zone.

    * The next level is "Data Type" -- for each page or zone you can specify screen type and/or calibration for each data type. Data types are "LineArt" which is all text and vector graphics, "Image" which is all scanned or continuous tone images, and "Vignette" which is all blends or shaded fill objects.

    * The last level is "Ink" -- for any Job, and/or any page, and/or any zone, and/or any data type -- you can specify screen type and/or calibration for any specific Ink, up to 16 inks total.

    * When considering the screening options for your shop, it is important to think ahead. I-Tone brings you the same ease of use as any current solution might offer, but I-Tone also gives you the knowledge that as your company encounters new printing opportunities you will have the tools necessary to answer any needs.

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