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Prepress
proofing software for professional prepress needs: ProofMaster
replaces Aurelon
Aurelon
DeskCheck proofing system allowed the user to simulate any
printing press on any paper with a simple desktop printer
such as the Epson
5000. A demo that I participated in with Aurelon DeskCheck
suggests that a beginner can learn the basics in a single
day.
DeskCheck
is not based on ICC profiles because the developers feel that
their software can better profile a paper, a printing press,
and a proofer (the Epson or other inkjet printer).
ScreenCheck
is a means to see aspects of the proof on the monitor before
committing the job to paper. This system works on a Macintosh
and PC.
Plus
aspects: people who use Aurelon evidently like it. Certainly
appears to have more features than Birmy, so potentially more
features than Birmy's succesor iProof or Adobe
PressReady. Potential negative aspects of Aurelon: no
direct technical support in USA, meaning no telephone support.
ICC profiles seem to be the basis of everything being developed
in the world of large format inkjet printer color management.
The DVD-RAM
vs DVD-ROM and Beta vs VHS has long ago demonstrated that
the better system does not necessarily win in the marketplace.
Instead what wins is the system that becomes the basic standard.
There is also the question of an upgrade path. Since ICC profiles
are an international standard, they are interchangeable and
systems that use them have an upgrade path.
A
few months after we visited the Aurelon headquarters in The
Netherlands the best features of this proofing software were
turned over to PerfectProof. The main advantage of this was
that PerfectProof has an office in the USA. We visited the
PerfectProof
booth at Print '01 tradeshow and again at Graphics of the
Americas '03.
The
professor at our university was impressed with the potential
of ProofMaster. So we have installed the ProofMaster proofing
software and our report has been issued.
We
never did complete installation of the BEST
color management proofing RIP system. But we did take
an excellent 3 day course at BEST headquarters. This is a
heavy duty RIP that really needs training. However three days
turned out to not be quite enough. That's why we tend to use
PosterJet and Wasatch ourselves; they are so much easier.
For proofing PerfectProof seemed intuitive. Plus you can get
tech support both in USA and in Europe.
For
additional information and for help making your decision
now ,
ask for the "FLAAR Report on Large Format Inkjet
Printers as Proofers."
These are sent to you as a PDF file by our university
at no cost.
Please
note that FLAAR is dedicated primarily to large format
printers, defined as 24" and above.
If
you are unsure which report is best for you, just explain
what you intend to print, whether this is for commercial
use or in a small fledging business, whether you are new
to this or already have another inkjet printer, and so
on. This way our staff can judge which FLAAR reports are
most appropriate for you.
If
this will be your first printer, then we have a special
report that holds your hand and leads you through all
the basic questions that will assist a first-time buyer
of a large format printer. You can purchase the FLAAR
report on "RIP
+ Help." This explains what RIP software is,
why this is useful, and includes tips, warnings, information,
and help for a wide range of matters for a newbie. Here
you will really appreciate that FLAAR is based at a university;
Professor Hellmuth has plenty of experience writing in
a manner that explains what you need, and why.
iProof,
iProof PressProof, PressProof Proofing System are all either
registered trademarks or otherwise designations of iProof,
which seems to be iProof Systems and/or Birmy. DeskCheck,
Screen Check, Signalize are registered trade marks of Dunaway
Products and/or Aurelon Europe BV. Adobe PressReady is registered
trade mark of Adobe.
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All reports by Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth |
UPDATED:
Nov 25, 2001, last revised May 13, 2002
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