CHICAGO, September 28, 2003 – Heidelberg today unveiled an upgraded version of its MetaDimension workflow system enhancing the productivity and flexibility of PDF and Postscript processing at the same time showing the future industry trends for the common integration of prepress systems employed at commercial printers. This system provides a single workflow solution for both offset and digital print production customers. Part of Heidelberg’s Prinect Printready workflow system, Metadimension 4.0 uses a new Adobe Post Script interpreter with enhanced interpreter performance and increase throughput. It also incorporates a new color proof engine manager to provide for a wider range of inkjet proofing connectivity, enhanced screening technology and connectivity for all QM 46 DI presses which makes it a reality to extend JDF processing right down to the press. “The enhanced software will enable our customers to control the vital steps in the prepress process and link their prepress systems together easily and accurately,” said Dennis Ryan, product manager for Prinect prepress products. “MetaDimension 4.0 provides the foundation to build ever-increasing capabilities for more businesses and will enable printers to be more efficient and responsive to the changing market.” With MetaDimension 4.0, users can easily take advantage of the new Proof engine manager that offers professional calibration control features for getting better proofing results from Inkjet proofers, new Satin screening, Heidelberg's new 2nd order FM screening technology, advanced PDF and Postscript interpreter that offers multi-threaded operation for improved pipeline processing. MetaDimension significantly enhances the productivity of PDF workflows by offering JDF processing down to the final stage of proof and plate output. Even customers who process Postscript jobs directly will benefit by Job ticket workflows and be supported by the Adobe PJTF. Due to its modular structure, the software was created to adapt to various systems either big or small. “Heidelberg wants its customers to be successful and that is why we continually update our systems with the latest in printing technology to give them the best tools to succeed,” stated Ryan. “We will continue to add value to our systems to make them flexible and modular to meet the needs of each particular shop.”