KENNESAW, Ga., February 2, 2004 - Heidelberg today announced its Quickmaster DI short-run color presses can now be equipped with the latest MetaDimension 4.1 Raster Image Processor (RIP) to increase overall performance and flexibility of the system. Based upon the growing demands of customers and a changing market environment, Heidelberg is offering all the software advantages found on its large format presses to smaller commercial, in-plant, graphic design and advertising professionals who use the Quickmaster DI. MetaDimension 4.1 for the QM DI combines prepress software with workflow technologies that includes Heidelberg's proven Prepress Interface and can go as far as InRIP trapping and color management systems. MetaDimension 4.1 allows for an optional direct plug-in to the most popular proofers on the market. Heidelberg Color Management components ensure color matching. MetaDimension 4.1 also enables the connection in the Heidelberg Prinect Printready Workflow. "MetaDimension provides the user with additional options and flexibility to help them succeed in this changing market," stated Joerg Daehnhardt, Quickmaster DI product director for Heidelberg US. "MetaDimension 4.1 works with all Quickmaster DI presses in the market - back to the first installation. Specifically for more advanced and short-run jobs the new RIP offers improvements, as well as further enhancing the acceptance of the latest industry standard file formats. MetaDimensions 4.1 allows now for a common front end on the Quickmaster DI, the Digimaster 9110 and various CtP devices including Heidelberg's Prosetter family and Quicksetter 300E." The RIP is connected to the Quickmaster DI via a network cable. This allows the transfer of data during the imaging cycle directly from the RIP to the press. The Quickmaster DI is the leading Direct Imaging press in the word, with more than 1800 installations around the globe. Make-readies in less than 10 minutes, advanced technology throughout the press and the flexibility to print a variety of paper stocks have made the QM DI one of the preferred choices for short run 4 color jobs.