MACWORLD CREATIVEPRO EXPO NEW YORK -- July 16, 2003 -- Creo announces the first major upgrade of Synapse Prepare software, the auutomation tool for designers that generates perfect PDF files ready for print production. Version 2.0 introduces unprecedented integration between creative designers and printers with features that streamline the print process. These include an enhanced Quark XTension software, a new plug-in for Adobe InDesign software, integration with the Synapse InSite Internet portal into prepress, support for the Mac OS X operating system, QuarkXPress 6 software, and Adobe Acrobat 6.0 software. Creo is demonstrating version 2.0 of Synapse Prepare software at the Macworld CreativePro Expo in New York, July 16-18, 2003. Synapse Prepare software enables design professionals to eliminate the delays and costs of job rework and re-submission because the PDF files are prepared to the exact production requirements using publisher or printer-defined "Directives", the instruction sets for PDF generation. Unprecedented Integration Enhances Automation... Synapse Prepare 2.0 software supports all Mac-based content creation and layout tools and features tight integration with leading applications for easy operation and one-click PDF creation. Version 2.0 includes an enhanced PrepareXT for Quark which now supports QuarkXPress page and section numbering. It also includes a new plug-in for Adobe InDesign to automate preflighted PDF creation. Another new workflow automation feature includes the Auto Print output option, which allows users to print directly to the network printer, eliminating the need to manually print individual pages when generating several documents together. Version 2.0 is scriptable and has the ability to automatically run an AppleScript application after successfully processing a job, which helps users to customize and further automate their workflow. Synapse Prepare 2.0 software also features Creo Page Assigner which creates JDF (Job Definition Format) files that describe the order in which pages are to appear in a finished publication. Intended for content creators and printers, Creo Page Assigner assigns run-list information to PDF pages creating JDF-based page sets to automate imposition. To streamline the creative and production processes even further, files can be uploaded directly to the selected job on a Synapse InSite server from within Synapse Prepare 2.0. "This development represents an exciting evolution of Networked Graphic Production(tm) and another indication of Creo's ongoing commitment to further integrating the production and creative process," explains Pat Lord, Creo product manager. Other job files, such as images or application files, can be uploaded the same way. Synapse Prepare 2.0 will also contact a Synapse InSite server to obtain the most current version of Synapse Directives to control PDF creation and preflight.