Enfocus has released PitStop Font Fix, a plug-in for Adobe Acrobat, which checks PDFs for missing or corrupt fonts and can embed them on demand via the Monotype Baseline Platform (for a fee). This plug-in is available for free if the user posts a message about it on a social media account.
Enfocus releases Switch Update 3
Enfocus has announced the release of the latest version of their automation solution Enfocus Switch 12 Update 3. This version adds a new feature for the documentation of workflows and enhanced communication possibilites allowing the the inclusion of all participants in the distribution of informations about a particular workflow, work more efficient and distribute files more easily. In addition Apple MacOSX 10.10 (Yosimite) is now supported.
Standardisation of packaging workflows
Dave Zwang, chairman of the Ghent Workgroup (GWG), has published a two part article on the state of standardisation of packaging workflows on whaththeythink.com. The first part covers the definition of spot colors using CxF (Color Exchange Format). The standardisation of non-printing information (e.g. die cutting, varnish, braille) in packaging files using meta data in optional content groups (layers) in PDF is the focus of the second part. On the iniative of GWG both topics are currently integrated into upcoming ISO standards.
Instructions for successful output of Ghent PDF Output Suite 4.0
The Ghent Workgroup (GWG) has published a web page with links to recommended settings for successful output of Ghent PDF Output Suite 4.0. These settings are also valid for the Output Test Pages 3.0 of PDFX-ready since those are using the GWG test pages.
Unfortunately only the settings of GWG vendor members (Agfa, Esko, Kodak, Dalim) are listed. Some other vendors (Océ, EFI, Ricoh) will follow.
QuarkXPress 2015 will (finally) support PDF/X-4!
QuarkXPress which is promised for March 2015 will support the creation of PDF/X-4 files. This feature is shown in a short YouTube video.