Adobe’s PDF Print Engine moves to version 2

Adobe has revealed that version 2 of its PDF Print Engine will soon be made available to printer manufacturers and print providers. The original PDF Print Engine allowed end-to-end workflows that managed layout documents in native PDF format, right through to output (no PostScript, no transparency flattening). Version 2 improves support for variable data printing (VDP) and in particular for the emerging PDF/VT standard.
www.adobe.com/products/pdfprintengine

QuarkXPress 8 unveiled at Drupa

Quark took advantage of the first day of Drupa to show off QuarkXPress 8, the forthcoming upgrade to its flagship page layout package. The software presents a redesigned user interface and now comes with the ability to export to Flash built-in (rather than as an extra-cost XTension). Quark announced the following list of new features:

- Picture Content Tool: Allows users to grab, rotate, and scale  images in real-time without typing in numbers or switching from tool  to tool
- Item Tool and Text Content Tool: Smart behaviour within these tools allows for less switching between tools, even for rotation and  managing multiple items
- New Bézier Pen Tools: Draw vector graphics Illustrator-style in QuarkXPress 8
- Workspace Enhancements: Include new buttons for instant access to  master pages and exporting to PDF, EPS, SWF and HTML; plus new  split-view buttons, enhanced contextual menus, and customisable  active pasteboards
- Measurements Palette: Further enhanced to make even more functions easily accessible, including with new clickable controls for on-the-fly drop-shadow modification
- Drag-and-Drop: Drag text and pictures from the desktop, Adobe Bridge, iPhoto, or any other application that supports drag and drop. Alternatively, drag content from QuarkXPress to Photoshop,  Illustrator, Microsoft Word, and other applications for direct  editing

It is expected that copies of the software will begin shipping at the beginning of August. In the meantime, Quark is promising a free upgrade offer: anyone who buys or upgrades to QuarkXPress 7 now will receive version 8 free when it ships. We will review QuarkXPress 8 in depth in LAYOUT in the near future.
www.quark.co.uk

TIPA announces award winners for 2008

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) has announced its final list of best new products of the past 12 months. Among the various cameras and camera accessories in the roll of honour were several products of interest to design, layout and print production professionals. These were…

Best Flatbed Photo Scanner: Canon CanoScan 8800F
Best Expert Photo Printer: Epson Stylus Photo R1900
Best Multifunction Photo Printer: Canon PIXMA MP970
Best Large Format Printer: Epson Stylus Pro 11880
Best Photo Software: Apple Aperture 2
Best Colour Management System: X-Rite ColorMunki Photo *
Best Digital Accessory: Wacom Cintiq 12WX
Best Photographic Display: Samsung SyncMaster XL30 LED BLU
Best Storage Back-up: LaCie 2big Triple

* We will review the X-Rite ColorMunki Design in LAYOUT in the near future

Founded in 1991 as an independent, non-profit association of European photography and imaging magazines, TIPA is an association of 27 photography magazines across 11 European countries. The award winners were chosen by the editors of the member magazines at a general assembly held in Rome.
www.tipa.com