Features
Tile Parallel Processing
A large surface can be subdivided into tiles, each of which can be rendered by a separate instance of the PDF Print Engine, running on a dedicated CPU. When complete, the rasterized tiles are seamlessly reassembled. Tests show significant performance gains for a range of job types.
Smoothest shades ever
Long gradient blends, both axial and radial, can sometimes show banding and artifacts when they include abrupt color changes. These unwanted effects have been eliminated. Continuous shading effects are consistently smooth, and more fluid than ever!
Extended spot color handling
Up to 127 color channels can be specified and used in any given region.
Cache management
Repeating elements in VDP jobs, and step-and-repeat labels/packaging jobs, can be cached after rendering to minimize processing times. Opaque and transparent elements can be cached and retrieved. PDF Print Engine supports caching of both rasters and device primitives (Display List elements).
16-bit processing
PDF Print Engine can be configured for end-to-end processing of images and graphics defined with 16-bit colors, ensuring smooth gradients at any length (no banding), and precise colors on any substrate.
JDF-based automation
The PDF Print Engine integrates into workflows managed by Job Definition Format (JDF), the industry standard. This capability can be leveraged for in-RIP processing of impositions, text placement, etc.
PDF Helper
PDF Print Engine includes the “PDF Helper” utility for dynamic job configuration based on run-time inspection of incoming files (read-only).
Tight integration with PDF Library
For systems which include the Adobe PDF Library, PDF Print Engine can invoke it at run-time, enabling real-time modification of job content, immediately prior to rendering.
Non-binary halftones
PDF Print Engine can produce accurate 2-bit, 3-bit and 4-bit continuous tone output for non-binary halftone screening.
Inline image processing
PDF Print Engine can be configured for in-RIP modification of images using any pre-defined algorithm, and metadata inputs.
Object-level transformation
PDF Print Engine can apply transforms to all elements in a job, or to elements of the same type (e.g. images). In additional, individual objects can be discretely targeted for transformation.
PDF Driver support
PDF Print Engine can accept printstreams submitted directly from desktop applications (Windows and Mac OS X), via the Adobe PDF Driver.
Anti-aliasing
PDF Print Engine can enhance visual perception of text outlines in continuous tone output (contone), including for interleaved devices.
Optimized compression
PDF Print Engine can distinguish between images, vectors and unmarked areas, right down to the pixel level, which enables use of the most efficient type of compression, for each type of content.
64-bit operation
PDF Print Engine is available as 32-bit and 64-bit binaries. Where the hardware/OS platform can support 64-bit applications, 64-bit processing delivers a large addressable memory space, and a performance gain of up to 15%.
Live Transparency
PDF Print Engine renders content using core Adobe PDF technology to accurately render transparent images and graphics, and effects such as drop shadows and feathering, even when combined with spot colors and smooth shades.
ICC-based Color management
PDF Print Engine uses the Adobe Color Engine (ACE) or proprietary CMMs (Color Management Modules) to efficiently and consistently render job elements, defined in any combination of color spaces, to a reference printing condition (e.g. SWOP), using ICC profiles.
VDP support
PDF Print Engine supports Variable Data Print (VDP) workflows where job content is expressed as Optimized PDF or PDF/VT, or where a PDF file is used as a page element in any other VDP architecture. Direct mail and Transpromo jobs can take advantage of the full richness of the PDF imaging model with high impact personalized content.