1bit TIFF Imposition System

Screen shots

TIFF Assembly Performance Test (HTML)

TIFF Assembly Performance Tests (PDF)

Low-cost workflow + imposition that works with any TIFF RIP

Pyramid incorporates the full functionality of stripping and imposition in a software package. This incredible product provides a simple post-RIP imposition workflow for any RIP capable of generating and a single-bit TIFF.
 

Feature Overview

• Pyramid is a hot folder based, single page, stripping and TIFF post-RIP  a simple three process architecture making for a very fast and efficient workflow.
• Layouts are designed at the remote client on any Macintosh or PC, using thumbnail preview files automatically created by system.
• Pyramid Clients communicate with the Builder using standard Internet connectivity and provide full remote operability--including page previews--from anywhere in the world.
• Final output is a tiled 1-bit TIFF in CCITT or any other standard compression.
• Signature page replacements are possible at any time.
• Pyramid supports infinite possibilities for placing marks on the flat. Pyramid ships with a library of standard marks and the ability to add your own custom marks. You can automate placement of marks-sets designed for each press or job type or manually drag and drop marks into position.
• Easily map any color separation to any other color.
• Operators coming from a stripping background will find Pyramid very easy to learn. The terminology and tools used in the GUI are conceptually the same as a stripping table.
• Operators can layout jobs with the book template wizard, imposition template wizard, or use the manual stripping mode for ganging, combo runs, nesting or step and repeat jobs.
• No need to replace your existing equipment with an expensive proprietary prepress workflow solution. Pyramid takes in screened raster single-bit TIFF files from any manufacturers RIP. The final flat can be output through any system that processes single-bit TIFFs.  
  

Pyramid Imposition Workflow

1. Operator prints a job from the desktop application to the existing RIP platform on the network.
2. The RIP separates, screens and rasterizes into single page 1-bit TIFF files and sends the job to Pyramid.
3. Pyramid Builder creates composite thumbnails with a color preview.
4. The raster pages are saved on the locally for final output.
5. The operator creates layout flats in either manual stripping or automated imposition mode, places marks and generates output back to the Builder. 
6. Operator releases the layout design to the Pyramid Builder in XML job format.
7. Late page replacements may be made as needed. 
8. The Builder TIFF assembler tiles the pre-Ripped raster files, and places any imported or digital marks.
9. Page replacements can also be to the saved flat template after a flat is assembled by the Builder and then output again--in seconds.
10. The final output engine, either a RIP or a raster file spooler, verifies the files are ready for output and passes the raster data to the final output device without further processing.

Late Page Replacement

Using a film workflow, a page with a correction is simply re-output and "stripped-in" on the light table. Computer-to-plate prohibits this. Traditional imposition software requires you to re-output and re-RIP the entire flat from the front-end application causing significant delays in production. A single-page post-RIP stripping and imposition workflow solves this problem by allowing you to send only the page with the correction to the RIP. The new page is inserted in minutes without interruption.

Even if you are still outputting to film, you can benefit with a post-RIP imposition workflow. You save time by eliminating the need to re-output and re-RIP the entire flat just to make a correction--all while preparing for a future with CTP.

Marks

Preparing press-ready-plates requires all the necessary marks, including bleed marks, logo bugs, color bars and sluglines to be placed on the flat before output. Pyramid has a library of marks and provides the ability to import custom marks. Marks can be grouped together in mark-sets and automatically placed for a specific press or job type, or the user can manually drag them into place. New Feature: in-Imposition preview for all digital and imported marks.

Manual Stripping

There are many imposition packages on the market, but few have a true manual-stripping mode with all the features necessary to position irregular sized jobs and marks. Pyramid's electronic stripping table allows you to position pages on a flat as you would place films when stripping on a light table. This ability makes it easy to create custom layouts for combo runs, nested jobs, double burns and step-and-repeat jobs and more.

Pyramid System

The Pyramid application suite consists of three applications: Builder, Director, and Impose. The primary benefit of splitting Pyramid into a distributed application is, the imposition is done on the desktop, while all the processing is done in the Builder. Operators position pages using a small thumbnail file with a preview to show a representation of the files being imposed. The templates with the imposition instructions are sent to the Builder in a matter of seconds. The operator no longer has to wait while printing a large PostScript file on their desktop or create heavy traffic across the network. For smaller shops, Pyramid can run on a single, high-powered PC.

Pyramid Impose

Impose is a full-powered page layout imposition tool based on the technology used in our Impose-X imposition product.

• Cross platform Java client.
• XML communication interface.
• Visual preview of sheet, media and punch location.
• On screen preview of imposed pages and marks.
• Precise punch alignment to media.
• Snap function for quick alignment to existing pages.
• Justify layout to center or any combination of sheet edges.
• Measuring tool for checking gutter, page and layout sizes and other distances.
• Job wizard setup with prompts for job ID, customer, paper size, margins, laybacks, output device, press, mark-sets and more.
• Drag-and-Drop positioning of pages and marks.
• Drag-and-Drop construction of step and repeat layouts.
• Imposition Book Template Mode for single form symmetric layouts with control of gutters, page count, form configuration, head direction, multiple-up imaging.
• Manual Stripping Mode for irregular, ganging, combo runs, nesting or step-and-repeat jobs.
• Output small XML-based templates with embedded pathnames pointing to the pre-Ripped files.

Marks

• Built-in marks such as trim, bleed, sheet centers, side guides, sluglines, time stamps and more.
• Import external files to create custom marks using the same methods as when adding any new page to a system queue.
• Create and save mark-sets in library.
• Create dynamic sluglines.

Pyramid Director

The Director is the client user interface used for setting up and monitoring Pyramid workflows.

• Cross platform Java clients.
• Internet enabled, XML communication interface.
• Setup processing queues and monitor job status.
• Preview incoming pages and files.
• Modify color separation file assignments in any page.
• Instantly change page assignments and reprocess flats without going back to imposition client.

Pyramid Builder

Pyramid Builder is a multitasking application that handles image processing, workflow, data storage, and file handling for the Pyramid system.

• Internet enabled XML communication interface.
• Built in XML database.
• System operation and workflow control.
• Automatic page preview creation from your separated, single-page RIPped source files.
• Assembles the pre-RIPped pages into tiled layout TIFF flats ready to output to Imagesetters.
• Supports post-RIP page rotation in 90-degree increments.
• Renders simple marks on-the-fly such as crop, folder, side guides, sheets centers and more.
• Produces the correct page replacement, pagination sequence, press templates, applies the correct marks and moves assembled flats to device input folders.

Preparing for the computer to plate age

- SCREEN SHOTS