Phoenix, Arizona -- LithoTechnics Inc., developer of Metrix, the intelligent, automated job planning and imposition system, announced today that Metrix 3.6 had been released. Metrix 3.6 introduces 5-knife trimming, also called N-Up Binding, along with other improvements designed to enhance the automation of job planning, proofing, and imposition.

Rohan Holt, President of LithoTechnics, said, "In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever for printers to maximize their efficiency – they must do more with less. We are convinced – and our customers' experiences prove – that Metrix is one of the technologies that can make a real difference. Metrix not only replaces archaic methods and streamlines time-consuming and error-prone processes, it actually finds smarter and more profitable ways of producing jobs. In today's environment this is more than a nice-to-have – it is a must-have. With Metrix 3.6, we've added features aimed at automating certain types of book production, improving the ability to check accuracy with proofs, and enhancing the operator experience and ease of use. It's another release we are very proud of."

Metrix 3.6 highlights:

•    N-Up Binding: N-up binding support is the major new feature in Metrix 3.6. Now Metrix makes planning N-up books as simple as selecting the binding number up, the content orientation of each N-up, and the gutter between each n-up. All these settings are simple product properties and can be edited as easily as any other product property – it could not be easier!

•    Rule-Up Lines for Proofing: Metrix 3.6 has the ability to include rule-up lines for proofing in all prepress exports. Four new properties – Trim Line Color, Trim Line Type, Bleed Line Color, and Bleed Line Type – give users complete control over the appearance of the lines.

•    Optionally Exclude Content on Imposed Barcoded PDF: Metrix customers use imposed barcoded PDF to automate shipping and billing. Metrix 3.6 allows for excluding the content when imaging the barcoded overlay and using instead only the rule-up lines, speeding the output and reducing ink costs.

The Metrix family includes Metrix Commercial, Metrix Max, Metrix X-8 and Metrix X-80, targeted at different segments of the commercial print market. All editions are available on Mac OS X and Windows, and all automatically plan and impose flat, folded, and bound work. All editions can import JDF and export imposed PDF. Select editions also export various forms of JDF for prepress and finishing. The Metrix family is available in English, German, Spanish, French, and Simplified Chinese.