TrapWise: a breakthrough in desktop trapping doesn't meet all trapping needs
Article Abstract:
The $4,995 TrapWise software package from Aldus is an easy-to-learn and robustly featured trapping program, but it lacks some important professional capabilities and has an extremely complex workflow. Trapping involves overprinting or knocking out colors at the border of two touching colors in order to provide precise printing of the boundary of those colors. TrapWise accomplishes this by adding narrow pentagons to the edge of each color in an EPS-format image. Other features include automatic trapping of EPS files, a color reduction tool and a sliding trap that gradually changes from a spread to a choke. Trapping of most files takes 10 to 20 minutes. Drawbacks include the fact that only Aldus PrePrint produced separated TrapWise files without any problems, continuous-tone images can not be previewed, objects on top of continuous-tone images can not be choked, relations between color pairs can not be trapped and a maximum of four spot colors can be trapped per file. The software was rated three stars on a scale of five.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1993
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PageMaker 5.0
Article Abstract:
PageMaker 5.0, from Aldus Corp, is an improved desktop publishing software package that now has extended typographic controls, customizable line weights from 0.1 to 800 points and significant color handling features. The list price is $895; upgrades are $150. System requirements include a Motorola 68030-based Macintosh with 5Mbytes RAM, 80Mbyte hard drive and System 7. The program also can run on an Intel 80386-based microcomputer with 4Mbytes RAM, 80Mbyte hard drive, MS Windows 3.1, and Super VGA or XGA display. The PageMaker Control palette simplifies text modification by allowing text changes that include font, style, size and kerning; and paragraph alignment, leading and indents to be done easily. Regularly used text and graphics can be handled with a drag-and-drop feature on the on-screen Library palette. More than one document can be opened at a time.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1993
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The fine art of trapping
Article Abstract:
Desktop publishers can employ trapping techniques for compensating for misregistration of colors during the offset printing process. Trapping consists of slightly overlapping areas of colors where they meet so white will not show due to misregistration. Most trapping is done in the darkroom or at the press. It can also be done on the computer with some graphics programs, but most drawing programs only allow manual trapping. QuarkXPress is the only page layout software package that provide automatic analysis of color areas and application of overlapping spreads or chokes to prevent misregistration. There are existing powerful dedicated trapping solutions, but these are specifically tied to the high-end press systems. Who should do trapping is also discussed.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1993
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