Enfocus targets iPad PDF conversion problems with PitStop update

Enfocus has announced an update to its PitStop Pro 10 and PitStop Server 10 preflighting tools that allows PDFs to be optimised for viewing on tablet computers.

Enfocus said it worked with several pilot customers to solve their most common problems when it came to producing content suitable for viewing on tablets, with particular focus on the Apple iPad.

The update allows printers to choose parameters such as file resolution and optimise the PDF accordingly for faster and better viewing, while ensuring that images and text retain the necessary quality and level of interactivity when zooming.

Andrew Bailes-Collins, Enfocus senior product manager, said: "We talked to quite a few people who were having trouble taking a print PDF and converting it for viewing on a tablet.

"There are a few fundamental problems like colour management and having to convert everything to RGB, but the iPad 1 also had problems rendering graphics when it came to displaying complex shapes, like Illustrator files.

"We've introduced a feature that takes all the elements of a PDF that aren't text and rasterises them to one image. So where you might have three or four images and a few vector shapes, they all become one image, you can pick a resolution and its converted automatically to RGB."

The software can also check live URLs in the PDF to ensure they are linked to a website.

"Tablet devices might have limitations which cause lengthy delays waiting for a PDF to open [and] can even crash the PDF reader application completely," said Enfocus director of product management Elli Cloots.

"With this update we address the increasing market need for matching PDF files with these successful e-reader applications."

PitStop is distributed in Australia through Colour Process. Managing director Yves Roussange (pictured) confirmed the update was available now.

"PitStop offer a popular product and they are very good at following up on what the industry requires," he said.

Roussange added that pricing will be inline with Europe where PitStop Pro 10 costs €599 ($815) and is available as an upgrade from €169; PitStop Server 10 costs €2,499 and is available as an upgrade from €649.