LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--May 1, 2006-- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leading provider of office imaging systems, ink-jet technology and digital photography equipment, has teamed with GEI Wide Format Solutions, a Visual Edge Technology Company, to introduce a new large format scanning solution for the architectural, engineering and CAD markets - the imagePROGRAF W8400D with Colortrac Scanner System. The Canon/GEI system is a complete all-in-one large format solution, incorporating a Colortrac SmartLF Scanner, Dell Dimension 5150 HT desktop computer workstation and Canon imagePROGRAF W8400D 44-inch dye-based wide format printer all housed on a uniquely designed Colortrac Universal Repro stand. The imagePROGRAF W8400D with Colortrac Scanner System provides an ideal solution for scanning, archiving, printing, electronically distributing, and copying large format output. With simple operation and a suite of scanning and printing software, the imagePROGRAF W8400D with Colortrac Scanner System allows users to easily scan-to-print, scan-to-file, and scan-to-email large format output up to 44-inches wide. Complete with its own Dell desktop computer, scanning and HDI software, the system is a true all-in-one solution for design workflow. "We recognized the need to supply our customers with a complete scanning solution to copy, print, and archive their large-format output," said Tod Pike, senior vice president, Imaging Systems Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "Working with GEI allows us to deliver a total large format solution to the CAD, architectural and engineering markets, where high quality large format prints are critical for success." Crisp Output The new scan to print system uses Canon's 44-inch imagePROGRAF W8400D dye-based printer to deliver outstanding color performance and gradation on both plain and glossy print media. Capable of printing on media up to .08 inches thick, the W8400D printer is compatible with a variety of output media, and the front loading roll stock and ink allow the printer to remain in place while swapping out consumables. The W8400D printer exhibits exceptional print speed with precise four-picoliter ink droplets for clear line drawings and technical schematics. The new W8400D dye-based printer is a high-quality solution for niche large format markets including corporate graphics, CAD and architectural users, publishers, and proofing departments. The W8400D printer uses a six-color dye-based ink system with Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Light Cyan and Light Magenta inks, for accurate color reproduction. Scanning For Any Occasion The Colortrac SmartLF scanner 4080E is capable of scanning images up to 40-inches wide on media up to 44-inches wide, one-inch wider than most others in its class. The Colortrac Smart LF scanner can capture images at up to 2400 dpi for exceptional clarity when digitally archiving. The Colortrac scanner processes images at rapid speeds, scanning at up to 10.1-inches per second in monochrome and 3.36-inches per second in color at 200 dpi. The imagePROGRAF W8400D with Colortrac Scanner System uses a Dell Dimension 5150 HT computer with Intel Pentium 4 Processor and 80 GB of hard drive space for image storage and retrieval. The 80 GB hard drive stores a number of digitally scanned large format files to reduce storage and file space of large prints and allows them to be housed in the system for quick retrieval and hardcopy output. Software Solutions The incorporated software includes Smart LF ready-to-run software as well as CopySmart, along with Canon's drivers and PosterArtist software. Colortrac's SmartLF software allows for one-click scanning for fast efficient copying, archiving or e-mailing of large format output. The CopySmart software also provides simple "big button" designs for user simplicity and ease-of-operation. The software package provides for image editing as well with easy-to-use cropping, enlarging, color adjustment, and text or bitmap insertion, all from the system's Dell workstation. Image cropping allows users to focus in on specific areas of maps, blueprints, documents and schematics and produce large format prints with consistent quality. The system's included HDI driver allows direct, accurate printing from AutoCAD design formats. The imagePROGRAF W8400D with Colortrac Scanner System will be available through authorized Canon U.S.A. dealers in May 2006 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $18,995. The scanning system will also be available with either the W8400 or W6400 pigment ink based printers.