Aldus to offer PressWise 2.0 imposition software for large-format presses

BIRMINGHAM, U.K, September 7, 1993--Aldus Corporation today unveiled an
enhanced version of Aldus PressWise, the company's advanced electronic
page imposition software for prepress businesses that rely on electronic
page-layout software and large-format output devices. The announcement was
made at the IPEX '93 conference.

Designed to increase productivity for prepress professionals, PressWise 2.0
will enable users to quickly prepare accurate, plate-ready signature forms
of multipage documents for large-format printing presses, such as web-fed
and 40-inch, sheet-fed machines. Earlier versions of PressWise focused on
medium-sized, 25-inch presses.

"PressWise 1.0 has enjoyed wide acceptance in the commercial printing
industry because we listened to our customers and produced a product that
met their needs," said Michael Reiher, Aldus prepress product manager.
"PressWise 2.0 will be no different. We continue to work with existing
customers and other trade professionals to enhance PressWise with a full
range of advanced controls that will further empower the trade
professional."

Although the software runs on Apple Macintosh computers, PressWise is an
open-architecture solution for electronic imposition. It can correctly
impose most PostScript files generated in Macintosh, Windows, or Unix
page-layout applications. Typical documents include those created in Aldus
PageMaker, QuarkXPress, Ventura Publisher, and FrameMaker.

New features for larger output and greater productivity 

New features designed for large-format usage will include larger imposition
layout templates (64 pages per form, 128 pages per signature), combination
layout templates, bottling controls (to compensate for folding
distortion), and extensive page-positioning controls. It will have
complete support for sheet-fed and web-fed imposition arrangements, with
automatic configurations for perfect-bound, saddle-stitched, stacked-web,
and loose-leaf binding methods.

Productivity enhancements will include positioning controls for
pin-register imagesetter systems, customizable marks with an on-screen
layout preview, links to color separation programs such as Aldus PrePrint
1.6, and UserLand Frontier scripts that will automate repetitive tasks. It
will have no limits on the dimensions of the output it produces, nor on
the type of PostScript output devices it supports.

PressWise operators can open multiple PostScript files at once and impose
more than 5,000 pages per job--useful, for example, when merging several
chapter files of a long publication. This option also lets users organize
and manage their electronic files in whatever way suits their working
style.

Other standard PressWise features 

PressWise has always offered many printing options to enable users to
control vital aspects of imposition forms. Users can set bleeds, scale the
output for proofing on small-format devices, select a range of signatures
or print just one, and distort a form either horizontally or vertically to
compensate for plate distortion in flexographic printing, in which a
rubber printing plate is wrapped around a drum.

Depending on the output required, PressWise can produce plate-ready film,
press-ready plates, or a PostScript file of the imposed signatures for use
in other post-processing operations.

A print error log lets users know the status of printing at all times and
aids with troubleshooting any printing problems. PressWise can also
perform background and batch printing, and can output to multiple printers
simultaneously.

Pricing and availability 

Aldus PressWise 2.0 will be available worldwide in the fourth quarter of
1993 for a suggested retail price of $2,595 (U.S.). Customers will be able
to purchase it from select graphic arts resellers, Original Equipment
Manufacturers (OEMs) of high resolution output devices, and directly from
Aldus. Upgrades from PressWise 1.0 to 2.0 will be available directly from
Aldus for $495 (U.S.).

System configuration 

The recommended system configuration for Aldus PressWise 2.0 will be any
Apple Macintosh II or Quadra series computer with System 7 or later, at
least 4MB of RAM, a 120MB hard drive, and a 13-inch or larger monitor. The
minimum configuration will be a Macintosh with a 68030 processor, 2MB of
memory, an 80MB hard drive, System 7 or later, and a 13-inch monitor.

Aldus Corporation (NASDAQ:ALDC) creates computer software solutions that
help people throughout the world effectively communicate information and
ideas. The company focuses on three lines of business: applications for
the professional publishing and prepress markets; applications for the
general consumer market; and service and support programs for professional
end-users. Aldus has subsidiaries in Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim
serving a worldwide network of dealers and distributors.

Aldus Corp, 411 First Ave South, Seattle, WA 98104-2871
206-622-5500

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