Enfocus has announced PitStop Pro 09 and PitStop Server 09. These new versions of Enfocus' industry-leading and indispensable tools for editing, checking and fixing PDF files include significant enhancements that streamline desktop and server-based processing of PDF files in fast-paced printing and publishing environments.
"The adoption of PDF as a standard means of transferring files and as the basis for today's more efficient workflows has many advantages for printing and publishing professionals," said David van Driessche, director of marketing, Enfocus. "However, PDF files can be troublesome to work with at times. Sometimes they are not generated properly or do not output as expected, and this often requires more editing than is supported by Adobe Acrobat. In delivering PitStop Pro 09 and PitStop Server 09 we have focused on what functionality was still missing, but just as much on making frequent tasks easier to handle and quicker to perform."
PitStop Pro 09 is comprised of an impressive array of PDF editing tools that allow users to edit text; change colors; and move, rotate or scale objects. Last-minute problems in busy professional printing and publishing environments can be corrected in seconds. PitStop Pro 09 also tackles more complex problems such as applying a template with correct trim and bleed boxes to a document while simultaneously inserting printer marks.
PitStop Pro 09's user interface has been optimized to improve efficiency, letting users more easily customize their work environment. Toolbars, menu items and panels have been streamlined and can be hidden from view as needed, reappearing in the customized workspace at the click of a button.
The new release also includes a redesigned global change engine that allows users to more readily apply Global Changes to long PDF documents. Different versions of Global Changes with predefined settings can be saved and then accessed via "Favorites" in the global change panel. The range of Global Changes that can be implemented throughout a document has also been dramatically expanded. This includes such tasks as applying stamps, inserting cover pages, renumbering pages, converting colors and fixing PDF files generated by Microsoft Office and other composition applications that are designed with an office, rather than production, environment in mind.
PitStop Pro 09 also contains powerful design layout tools that allow users to quickly visualize existing page boxes and safety zones. Design layouts, including proper page boxes and printer marks, can be instantly applied. It also includes a brand-new preset manager that manages all presets, including preflight profiles, Action Lists, Global Changes, workspaces and design layouts, in a consistent manner.
PitStop Pro 09 is fully compatible with Certified PDF 2, which allows checking a document and embedding the preflight results in the XMP metadata for the file. Standard and secure digital signatures are used to enable tracking of who checked and who edited the document. Certified PDF 2 is an Enfocus maintained, public standard that is compatible with the Ghent PDF Workgroup's Proof of Preflight specification.
"In short," added van Driessche, "whatever problems users face with troublesome PDF files, PitStop Pro 09 helps fix them quickly and efficiently without ever leaving the Adobe Acrobat application. We consider it an essential tool in the PDF toolkit and we're convinced it'll be easier to use than ever."
PitStop Server 09 is driven by the industry-standard Enfocus PDF preflight and auto-correction library that processes PDF files faster and more efficiently than any other solution on the market. PitStop Server 09 takes full advantage of multiple processor or multiple-core systems. Its new predictive Action List engine optimizes the execution of Action Lists and preflight profiles, even further increasing the speed of the solution.
Other new features include real background processing on Mac and easier integration with larger systems through the use of the new command-line interface (CLI). The CLI is available to all PitStop Server 09 users. It features an easy mode that offers instant integration with standard settings and an advanced mode offering full flexibility using an XML-driven integration.
PitStop Server 09 also integrates with Enfocus Switch to provide preflighting and auto-correction of PDF files in larger automated workflows.
Both PitStop Pro 09 and PitStop Server 09 will become commercially available in September 2009. With immediate effect a grace period commences whereby buyers of PitStop Pro & PitStop Server get a temporary 08 key and will receive a free upgrade when products become available.
For customers using old versions of PitStop Professional and PitStop Server that normally wouldn't be eligible for special upgrade pricing, a special action is available.
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