2 An introduction to HELIOS ImageServer
2.1 Features of ImageServer 2.5
ImageServer, the new HELIOS software that replaces EtherShare OPI, facilitates the handling of huge image files in a typical prepress environment, and - as one of the new features in this program version - can be used for server-based repurposing of image files, including color management, color space transformation, compression, resolution, and image file format conversion between all supported image formats.
Note: HELIOS ImageServer runs on top of the foundation provided by HELIOS Base. Please read the HELIOS Base manual for installation and other important details.
2.1.1 OPI functionality (image replacement)
At first, you scan your original image with an adequate (comparatively high) resolution. Then, you retouch this high-resolution image using an image processing application (such as Photoshop) and save the result. As soon as the new high-resolution original image file is saved on ImageServer, the OPI software automatically generates a low-resolution duplicate (called a
layout file) that needs much less disk space. OPI-compatible layout applications - such as QuarkXPress, PageMaker, or FreeHand - running on network clients, can work with these small low-resolution proxy files which leads to a reduction of processing time. All modifications like positioning, scaling, or rotating are marked by OPI comments which are inserted in the PostScript when you launch the print command. During printing, the modifications are applied to the high-resolution original images that now replace the low-resolution substitutes.
With this concept, huge image files are completely kept away from the layout computers in a network. Thus, printing from a client is much faster and the network traffic is reduced.
Fig.
1 shows a prepress environment and illustrates how you can benefit from HELIOS ImageServer.
Fig. 1: The handling of image files on ImageServer
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The OPI standard and the syntax and structure of OPI comments were created by the Aldus Corporation that now belongs to Adobe Systems, Inc.
2.1.2 Server-based Image conversion
ImageServer supports a wide range of image formats and color spaces including clipping paths and spot colors. It can convert images to any supported file format, resolution, compression and color space to be used for printing, Web or any other purpose. HELIOS PDF HandShake adds PDF file format support. See also:
2.1.3 Server-based color management
ImageServer 2.5 supports ICC profiles and includes full ColorSync support, which has been co-developed with Heidelberger. ICC profiles will be applied for layout generation, image conversion, printing and proofing.
ICC profiles can be tagged to individual images, for a specific folder as well as for volume and server defaults. See
5 "Using ImageServer 2.5" for more information.
ImageServer 2.5 includes a Script Server service which implements a hot folder mechanism. You simply drop files into the hot folder. The idea of a hot folder is that, when files are dropped into this folder, a process is automatically started converting the files according to a given script. See
7 "Script Server" for more information.
2.1.5 HELIOS OPI TuneUp XT
ImageServer 2.5 supports background colorization of Black & White and Grayscale TIFF images. Foreground colorized images have already been supported in the previous version. ImageServer 2.5 supports both types foreground and background colorized images.
To enable these features in QuarkXPress, ImageServer 2.5 includes the extension "HELIOS OPI TuneUp XT" for QuarkXPress (Windows and Macintosh versions) which can be used with any QuarkXPress version including Asian versions. The extension includes additional ADSC comments in the print job, which allow colorizing images during OPI replacement. See
5.8 "Using QuarkXPress with ImageServer 2.5" for instructions on how to use the "HELIOS OPI TuneUp XT".
