Portland, OR - Fusion Systems International, the leading developers of Unix-based RIP workflow solutions, announced release of Version 7.0 of the Fusion OS X RIP today. Fusion Systems International specializes in scalable Unix RIP technologies and has been providing solutions since 1997 for Apple OS X, Redhat Linux, SGI IRIX, and Sun Solaris. The new Version 7.0 Fusion RIP release is based on Global Graphics’ Genesis Harlequin RIP and brings increased efficiency and productivity. New features for print operations of all sizes include: native compatibility with PDF 1.5; an advanced font emulation capability for time critical applications such as newspapers and printon-demand; simple in-RIP imposition for two-up conventional printing and digital print; support for PDF/X-1a:2003 and PDF/X-3:2003 and the JDF 1.2 specification; and, improved color management. Users can benefit from several new technologies introduced into the new release. "This latest version of the Fusion Harlequin RIP provides higher performance and new levels of functionality that will provide tremendous benefits, flexibility and scalability to the graphic arts market”, states Tim Tomassi, Fusion Systems’ Product Manager. “In combination with our own scriptable plug-in products we have dramatically increased the range of functionality, scalability, automation and throughput beneficial to any size facility, even those with small format imaging devices New features available in Version 7 of the Fusion RIP Release include: PDF 1.5, PDF/X-1a:2003 and PDF/X-3:2003 support - In addition to handling all popular file formats the new RIP provides full support for PDF 1.5. In line with Global Graphics' commitment to open standards the Company is among the first to offer support for PDF/X-1a:2003 and PDF/X-3:2003. Fusion Systems’ Version 7 RIP Release maintains the ability to process PDF Files natively without the need to convert to PostScript first, to ensure fast and accurate rendering. Font Emulation - The Version 7.0 release introduces sophisticated font emulation for time critical applications, such as Print on Demand (digital production print), newspapers, magazines, jobs where artwork or advertising is supplied independently of the paying customer, and other applications where output must leave on time. This revolutionary font emulation capability will make a typographically acceptable match to missing fonts with no text overflow and with appropriate character spacing, weight and width. Simple in-RIP imposition - For environments requiring only simple imposition the new release introduces an easy-to-use and automatic imposition feature that isselected within the RIP's page setup. It is designed for RIP users who do not require complex imposition, and is initially targeted at two-up conventional printing (mainly but not exclusively CTP for offset litho) and the digital print market. Improved Color Management - The Version 7.0 Release introduces greatly improved color rendition in overprinting regions and blending. Color management can be applied at the end of the process, after composition, for greater fidelity. JDF Enabler Version 2.0 - Version 2.0 of Global Graphics' JDF Enabler for the Harlequin RIP is designed to be compliant with the published JDF 1.2 specification and with level 2 of CIP4's Base Interoperability Conformance Specification. Global Graphics JDF development continues to be focused on meeting the needs of both large customers with formal JDF workflow requirements and those that are looking to improve efficiency by adopting ad-hoc JDF workflows. The JDF Enabler Version 2.0 now allows for the handling of TIFF files either as an input file format in its own right or as a reference file format within JDF to support TIFF shooter workflows. TIFF split workflows are supported where the bulk of the processing overhead for a job takes place on a separate machine to that feeding the final output device.