"Sheet Preview Generation" option

In this step, you can create low-resolution sheet previews from the sheet layout data that are used for output. Sheet previews are needed on the one hand to preview the sheet contents at the press or in Press Center or in the CP2000 user interface. They are also needed for printing because the values for ink zone default setting, register control and color print quality control are calculated from the sheet preview data. While the printed sheets are being processed, cutting, folding and wire-stitching data are taken from the CIP3 / CIP4 files and assessed and applied by the machines.

The main idea behind the introduction of CIP3 / CIP4 files was to transfer information already available in the prepress stage to production stages further on (printing process, cutting, folding). The International Cooperation for Integration of Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP 3) was founded with the purpose of defining a general format which is independent of manufacturers and machines.

Format selection: CIP3 or CIP4

Select one of these options to define whether the sheet preview data will be created as CIP3 or as CIP4 data. The format you select depends on which format is supported by the press you will use.

The following specifications exist for CIP3 PPF and CIP4 JDF data formats:

​•​Parameters that are valid only for CIP3 sheet previews

The data format specified by the CIP3 consortium is known as the "Print Production Format" (PPF). The file extension is ".ppf".

​•​Features of the CIP4 format

The "Job Definition Format" (JDF) was introduced as a further development of well-known technologies such as PPF and PJTF (Adobe Portable Job Ticket Format). The JDF is based on the XML data format. JDF combines the job ticket specifications with a message description standard and a message interchange protocol. The file extension is ".jdf". The PPF data are a subset in a JDF file.

You can set "Original Reference Image", "Resolution" and "Orientation" for both formats. The other parameters in this group are relevant only for CIP3.

Parameters that are valid both for CIP4 and for CIP3 sheet previews

"Original Reference Image" option

Additional HEIDELBERG-formatted image data are created when you enable this option. You can use these data to measure ink zone information more accurately with an electronic measuring station, e.g. HEIDELBERG Image Control. In such a case, image data without process calibration information are used. The PPF file becomes noticeably bigger if this option is selected.

"Resolution" box

You can set the resolution of the preview image data in this box. You should not change the default of 50.8 dpi for the resolution of the "Sheet Viewables".