RIP and CTP systems

The workflow involved all aspects of publishing and became a fundamental issue that must be considered in establishing a full-fledged publishing system, and RIP (Raster Image Processor) played a key role in the workflow. As we all know, today's RIP is not only the initial interpreter, but other processing such as trapping, imposition, preview, pre-screening, screening, rasterization, and imaging are all included in the RIP functionality. . Some RIP functions also involve post-press binding, and some RIPs can also send some printing data related to dots and inks to printing presses. RIP has been processing more output tasks and has become a central intelligent service organization that performs various output functions. Therefore, choosing a suitable RIP is crucial when setting up a publishing system.

RIP continues to develop

The early computer word processing system did not appear to use the word RIP. This is because there was no typesetting language at that time. When writing a program that used machine code or machine assembly language to describe textual image elements on the page, it was simple. Hardware and software processing means that the statements describing the page elements can be converted into the scan information required by the output device. Later, a few units developed their own typesetting language and used their own "controller" (the term RIP was not used yet). Until the Postscript language was developed and widely used, and became the de facto universal international standard, PostscriptRIP was also developed and gained corresponding development. But at the beginning it was only interpreting the layout information described in the Postscript language as the laser scanning information required by the output device. Soon, the function of the RIP became larger and larger. First, because of the large variety of fonts used in typesetting, RIP had the ability to handle different fonts from the outset. Later, because of the need for simultaneous output of graphic images and text, RIP had a screening function, and subsequently added a color screening function. 1996 The trapping function was added to the RIP before and after the year.
With the launch of large-format photo-composing machine and CTP, RIP has added the imposition version, large-scale proofing and last minute modification function, among which the imposition version has involved the binding after printing. Some RIPs have added features such as setting up network expansion and ink supply to the printing stage. Usually the RIP processing speed can not keep up with the processing speed of the image output machine. Sometimes it is necessary to configure multiple RIPs to work in parallel to appear RIP combination. In order to check the errors of the documents before and after the RIP output, some RIPs do not have multiple preview preflight functions. In order to meet the needs of large-volume photocopying and CTP workflows, Hyundai's new RIP also divides the entire RIP process into two separate phases or separates the RIP process from the entire output process, so that the role of RIP in the workflow is greatly enhanced. . In short. Modern RIP is no longer a simple interpreter at the beginning. Many complex and time-consuming tasks in the entire prepress workflow can be handed over to RIP. RIP becomes more and more prepress, and even involves printing and printing. Smart center role.

CTP system requirements for RIP

The CTP system has broken through the workflow of the original photocopying work flow and has concentrated on a variety of high-tech requirements for RIP. The following are summarized:
1, trap leaks. RIP, together with the corresponding trapping software, can solve the problem of color registration in color printing.
2, fight board. The vast majority of direct plate-making machines have more than half the plate format. They must use the imposition software together with RIP to compose a single page group into a large version of the booklet according to the layout and binding requirements of the publication. This is the mechanism of direct plate-making. Only after the entire printing plate is printed, can printing be installed.
3. Last minute change. In the work, it often happens that before the production of the printing plate, one of the appearances needs to be modified. In order to avoid re-processing of the entire large version of the RIP, the modern RIP allows only this page to be modified without having to deal with the same page. Patch all the other pages of the big version to do repeated RIP processing. In the same way, when the last full page is still missing the last late page, you can deal with the other pages without waiting for the missing page. This page can be processed after the remaining pages are exchanged at the last minute. deal with.
4, RIP once, output multiple times. Because the CTP system does not use film, it must use digital prepress proofing. The digital prepress proofing and final product output use the respective RIP elbow. It is often the case that the proofs are inconsistent with the final product and therefore both require the same RIP. The RIP at this time should have the function of “RIP once and output multiple times”, that is, the same data after RIP processing can be used for prepress proofing and final product output at the same time, and requires RIP to have different resolutions according to different device outputs. The data, such as the data to be prepared for the final product output device, is reduced in resolution from 1 to the low resolution data required by the proofing device. Using the same RIP data, you can make proofs accurately reflect the final product, avoid or reduce color cast and error opportunities. The data output to the proofing device L may also be subjected to processing such as edge smoothing by the relevant software in order to show the final situation in history.

Examples of RIP available abroad for CTP systems

There are many types of RIP that are popular abroad. Seybold magazine has introduced some well-known RIP data since April 1996. This article combines the information provided by relevant manufacturers and summarizes the features according to their characteristics. The purpose is to make readers understand through specific examples. The current RIP development level is for reference when establishing a CTP system.
1. The RIP process is divided into two phases: rasterization and screening.
This can be represented by RampageRIP. Rampage is a U.S.-based RIP-based company and has developed RIP for a number of years due to large-volume photocopying and CTP devices. In the Seybold'96 exhibition and Printt'97 exhibition, some well-known imagesetters and CTP manufacturers such as Creo, Big Screen, Agfa (US) Presstek, Gerber, Gerber, etc. are all using Rampage. RIP. They believe that the main advantage of RamPage RIP is to reflect a good workflow, which is a key measure of RIP performance. Taiwan's Huakang Technology Co., Ltd. has a considerable stake in RamPage. It is RamPage's only representative in Asia. It is responsible for product development and promotion of RamPage's products in East Asia. The Dyna RIP and Rampage RIP of Huakang Technology are from the same company. Sources of technology and value-added products with improved double-byte processing capabilities. The feature of RamPage RIP is to divide the entire RIP process into two separate stages of rasterization and screening. After inputting the resolution, the image is rasterized and then saved. Finally, a dedicated screening is used during the screening stage. Board, high speed output with required resolution. That is, there is a rasterized data that is highly compressed and not screened on the disc. This composition provides this very important benefit:
a, because the data after the raster is stored on the disk, can achieve 'RIP once, output multiple times';
b. It is allowed to make last-minute changes to a page in a large version that has already been spelled out;
c. If the system is to be connected to a new imaging device, the original rasterized file can be retrieved from the disk for output, without the need for re-rendering the file;
d. If the film or printing plate of a certain color is damaged, only the single-color film or printing plate can be scanned and output, which saves considerable time;
e. If it is necessary to change the originally selected printer or printing paper at the last minute, only the offset compensation value of the dot expansion should be changed accordingly. There is no need to re-rasterize the entire operation;
f. If the imagesetter or the platesetter has a failure, Rampage RIP may continue to rasterize the files and temporarily store the processed data in the disk until the imaging device returns to normal.
2. Separate the RIP process from the entire output process. Agfa's Taipan RIP has this feature. It can store RIP's good documents on the disk, allowing users to preview the documents in the document before scanning the printing plate. Whether the image, trap, or imposition is correct, can be zoomed to observe the panoramic image, display the synthesis of separation colors (including spot colors), the dot angle condition, and the degree of ink hiding. 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 is a software RIP for Windows NT. It can run on a dual-CPU workstation. It can accomplish two tasks at the same time. For example, when you output a document, you can 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 determine whether the print output will be immediately output or whether the output will be postponed or backed up.
3. Add an open intermediate format to the RIP process. The original Rino developed by Linotype-Hell and the scriptworks developed by Harlequln are of this type. The entire Delta RIP consists of Delta software, DeltaTower, and Deltaworkstation. Linotype-Hell thinks it is not appropriate to regard it as a simple RIP, but as an integrated system, it is a Delta technology. The most notable feature of Delta technology is the introduction of an intermediate format called Delta List between interpretation (interPretation) and rasterizins. The Delta List format is open and has the following effects:
A. Make other RIP suppliers also make a Delta List. Connect the Delta LISI to the output device's Delta Tower processor for output.
B. Allow third-party developers to write an application to send Delta List to complete tasks such as patching, imposition, and color proofing.
C. Allow Delta RIP to drive non-Linotype-Hell output devices. Others only need to develop programs that can read the Delta List format and write interfaces to their output devices.
In this way, in addition to the usual print queue management, image management, and OPI service functions, the DeltaRIP system also provides functions such as patching, proofing, imposition, and offline production. When using the specified hardware processor and the specified output device, the Delta List keeps the output device running at full speed. Another feature of the Delta technology is "RIP once, output multiple times". Delta RIP can be used with Linotype-Hell's dedicated layout workbench signastation, digital proofing ForlnProof, and servers and databases to meet multiple requirements in digital workflows.
Harlequin's scriptworks also has Display List Access set up between interpretation and output imaging. It allows OEMs and third parties to write specific applications for users and put these applications into Scrlptworks to enhance their respective systems. In addition to trapping, previewing, etc., Harlequin Fine Screening (HPS) is also included in the scriptwork RIP. HPS can reduce or eliminate moire. It can also choose the dot angle and frequency to get the desired result. The scriptwork's "ExtraGrays" feature can be used in conjunction with the HPS to extend the grayscale of each color.
Scrlptworks can perform overlapping operations on input, interpretation, and output. That is, when a document is interpreted, the previously interpreted document is 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 scriptworks compresses and exists on the hard disk before sending it directly to the output device. In this way, the aspect saves time compared to storing the original compressed job. On the other hand, when an additional finished product or machine malfunction is required, it is not necessary to reinterpret the print job because the entire dot matrix data is already stored on the disk. It is easy to re-export. If you need to reorder the pages, you do not need to reinterpret the original page when printing and reprinting a page during the process. Scriptworks is also fully compatible with Postscript Level2 and promises compatibility with Postscript Level3. Scriptworks can handle PDF 1.2 documents.
Scriptworks's mixed workflow support such as Postscr