Cambridge, UK; July 18, 2003 —Global Graphics Software, a leading developer and manufacturer of printing, document management and workflow solutions, and a division of Global Graphics, announced today that Autologic, an Agfa Company and a Harlequin RIP OEM since 1991, will base the latest version of its GRAFIX RIP for the newspaper industry and other markets on the next generation of industry-leading Harlequin RIP – the Eclipse Release. The Autologic GRAFIX RIP is a high-performance PostScriptlanguage compatible interpreter designed to meet the demands of deadline color production for newspapers and in other applications. Key to the adoption of the Harlequin Eclipse Release by Autologic is the RIP’s support for Portable Document Format 1.4, enabling the GRAFIX RIP to accept and process PDF files natively from the increasing number of front-end applications able to export PDF 1.4 files. In addition to handling all popular file formats, the Harlequin RIP Eclipse Release provides full support for PDF 1.4, including transparency, referenced PDF, encryption, RGB output and JBIG2 for high-compression of single-bit images, to maintain a high level of PDF file integrity, quality and accuracy throughout digital workflows. The Eclipse Release also maintains the Harlequin RIP’s ability to process PDF files natively, without the need to convert to PostScript first, to ensure fast and accurate rendering, and introduces support for PDF/X-1a:2001 and PDF/X-3:2002 production standards. Newspapers have adopted the PDF format in their workflow for a variety of reasons. Files prepared in the PDF format reduce potential font issues, can be used across multiple computing platforms, and are typically much smaller than files generated by native applications. PDF files also allow different newspaper departments to easily view the final job for approval and proofing, and many newspapers use PDF as a form of preflighting. In addition to enhanced PDF support, the Harlequin RIP Eclipse Release provides improved color control, significantly improved trapping options through a totally new Global Graphics developed engine, and support for additional operating platforms. “Global Graphics is committed to providing our OEM partners with the technology components they need to deliver powerful and cost-effective solutions to their customers,” points out Jim Freidah, president and chief operating officer. “The ability of Autologic to deploy a competitive solution that taps our PDF enhancements to the Harlequin Eclipse RIP with minimal time to market demonstrates a key benefit of our technology.” Autologic was among the first OEMs to complete Global Graphics’ 90-day pilot program and license the Eclipse Release. Other OEMs that have licensed the Harlequin RIP Eclipse Release include DSEA, ECRM, Highwater, Esko Graphics and Xitron.