In our next free update (scheduled in September) ImageNest graduates to becoming a fully integrated hotfolder workflow for PDF files.   ImageNest’s new PDF creation feature really packs a workflow punch with the ability to:

1.  Create single or multipage PDF files from a nested layout:   This means you can use all of ImageNest’s nesting power to create a file.   That file can then be sent to your printer or dropped to a proofing system.  This has been a major request from our proofing customers who use a SWOP or Gracol certified solution to run their printer.   ImageNest can create an imposed PDF faster and better than any of the competition and can automatically drop to a hotfolder.

2:  Auto length Sizing:   When creating a layout of several images no one ever knows exactly how long a page needs to be.   No one that is, except for ImageNest !.   ImageNest will automatically size your page length so that you need not figure out how many inches of page you need.

3:  Extra Margin Option:  Automatically add extra white space at the bottom if you need.

With its newest driver epson has added a great feature that is extremely usefull to all ImageNest users.   The new feature will automatically remove any extra “White Space” from a page.  This will allow customers to use one page size for almost all thier work.  So no more switching page sizes or making extra custom page sizes for different Job.  For example.  If you have a 24 inch by 50 inch layout and only 14 inches worth of images to print,  the Epson Paper saving mode will stop printing and automatically cut after the 14 inches even though the page size was 50 inches long    Here is how it works:

1:   Select a canned page size that is specified as “banner.   If you are making a custom page size you can choose “Banner” in step 2.  A new dialog will be available in this situation.

Step 2:  When printer with ImageNest double check the print dialog to make sure all the settings are correct.  If you created a custom page size you will have an additional dialog next to the phrase “Page Setup”  In this dialog make sure that you choose “Roll Paper – Banner”.  Only this setting will allow you to automatically remove any white area.

Step 3:  Roll Paper Settings:   The “Print Settings” tab can be pulled down to revel the “Roll paper settings”  Make sure the box labled “Save Roll Paper” is checked.  You also have options for cutting but “normal is recomended.

Once all the settings have been made they can easily be saved as a pre-set and used again.   This method of printing greatly enhances the funtionality of the ImageNest Software RIP

Layout controls in main interface: With version 1.2 ImageNest will now have its Mac Layout controls directly in the layout interface so they are always available to the users.  No more going to the Layout Button to configure your layout on the fly.  Everything is right in front of your eyes.

Integrated Page Setup: Version 1.2 also now has the printer and page setup integrated directly into the layout controls so switching printer and paper sizes can be done without going to the menu or any sub-dialogs.  This makes switching printer and papers sizes easier and also always displays your current size so you never have to go to a sub-dialog to see it.

Printing of Embedded JPG files inside DNG files: DNG files contain 2 major imaging components.   The Camera RAW data (which is the original data that a camera recorded)  and a JPG file that contains a bitmap image of all the corrections that have been made to the Camera RAW file. ImageNest is the ONLY RIP on the market that will extract the JPG files and print them.  This is a major leap forward in making a full DNG workflow into a reality.

Batch Size Files on Import: Now ImageNest customers can easily batch size files on import.  ImageNest has the ability to take an unlimited number of files and re-size them automatically before they are sent to our nested layout.  Think of the amount of time that could save !  Grab 20 Files, make them all 5 by 7,  Grab another 20 make them all 4 by 5.   Options for Fit to Size or Fit to Fill allow users to specify how to deal with any difference in aspect ratio.  You won’t find this feature in any other software RIP.

Batch Fit to Size: When importing files you can automatically fit them to a specified size.  When using the “Fit to Size” files will automatically have their aspect ratio maintained and if they do not fit into the specified selection made in the “Fit to Size” dialog they will be scaled to as close to the selected size as possible while maintaining aspect ratio.  The file will not be cropped in any way.

Example:  Original Image  8 by 10
Fit to Size 5 by 7
Final Size 5 by 6.5 (since an 8 by 10 picture can not be perfectly fit into 5 by 7)

Batch Fit to Fill: When importing files a user can “fit to fill” “Images to a specific size. When “fit to fill” is used a files aspect ratio may not be in correct proportion to the specified size. When not in perfect proportion a file can be cropped at the edges. The user than has the option to move the picture within the outlines of the “Fill” box to line it up any way they wish. The amount cropped is small and the user always has control over what part of the images is cut off.

Example: Original Image 8 by 10
Fit to Fill 5 by 7’
FInal size: 5.6 by 7 image centered in a 5 by 7 box. Image can be moved within the box to choose what parts will be cropped off when added to the layout.

These new features to our Software RIP are 100% free to all users.

PhotoGraphic technologies has posted a review of ImageNest version 1.1. Extensive testing was done on our automatic arrangement technology and it has been compared head to head with ImagePrint. Check it out !

Photoshop Blog

In version 1.0 we will be including something most people have never seen. We are calling it Single Image Nesting and think it will change the way people print. Single Image Nesting will allow users to take a whole batch of images and automatically scale, rotate, center (with offset if desired), and add cut marks to them in a single step. The result is that each image in the batch is on its own page. If you have 10 images you have ten pages ready to print. Users of course control page size and all other parameters.

Single Image Nesting can perform this function on 25 images in less than 1 second. Yes, it is that fast and it even does PSD, Camera RAW, and DNG files. If any of you out there have progressed to the HDR format, yes, we support that too.

As far as wee know, we are the only software RIP to offer this feature

What is Nesting ? A lot of people want to know because it seems everyone has a different way to describe nesting. Nesting is the same as Ganging or layout. Nesting just means that you can take several images and place them on a single page. It isn’t a new idea, nesting can be found on the mac in (more…)