Trueflow 6 - Worth it?

[eran]

Despite the fact that I don't have many issues with the conventional workflow of TFSE, I can't help but wonder if I'm missing out on anything.
Has anyone made the upgrade? Results?

[Pam Hanson]

We just upgraded from 3 to 6 and the main reason was the handling of transparency issues in the Creative Suite package, ie Indesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. These issues will become more apparent in CS4 as well. It depends on how much time you want to spend fixing such issues.

The learning curve is small. Most of the upgrade is under the hood.

[eran]

Interesting...
Did you purchase PDF trapeditor as well?

[Pam Hanson]

No, we just just adjust the trap in the RIP and use the Trap Editor viewing option periodically. We have never had a problem with the trap settings in TrueFlow. We do have the Page Optimizer option however which allows you to gang run odd sizes on one sheet. I see that as a huge benefit rather than stepping in Quark or InDesign. Another big plus is that all tickets honor transparency so you don't have to remember which jobs require it and which do not.

[rrh63]

Pam we are considering the Trueflow upgrade here also. Our biggest concern is that it handles transparency issues (that our latest version 3 with the latest point upgrades) can't handle. I would like to speak with you and get your feedback. My email is rrh63@yahoo.com Thanks, Randy.

[Pam Hanson]

The upgrade should handle the transparency issues. It is the biggest reason we upgraded.

[eran]

Has anyone experimented with modifying files via Pitstop in TF6?
I currently run 5.01 and I am able to adjust traps and overprints from my (Advanced Workflow) Trueflow PDF.
Does the ability still exists in 6?

[Pam Hanson]

I often edit pdfs in Pitstop Version 8, Update 4 and send them to our Trueflow 6 RIP. I am not necessarily adjusting the trap but other considerations such as color, page size, photo adjustments, etc. The only problem I have had is that the pdfs can't be secured or Trueflow rejects them.

Hope that helps.

[eran]

I guess what I'm wondering is in regards to using Pipstop in lieu of PDF Trapeditor after the file has been imported into Trueflow... Any thoughts?

[Pam Hanson]

Sounds like something you would have to question Screen about. The only way I see that working is to trap the file first in Pitstop and then not trap the file in Trueflow. But that seems like a lot of extra work. Is this because you don't like they way Trueflow is trapping your files? I don't believe you can alter a file that's already run through Trueflow. If you can that is new to me and we aren't using it.