Abstract: A rasterization processor capable of properly selecting a rasterization processing method reducing a non-operating time of an output unit is provided. The rasterization processor acquires the operating state of the output unit and a time up to termination of output operation of the output unit, calculates times for rasterizing page data at a time and consecutively rasterizing a plurality of separation data separated from page data respectively and compares an output operation end time and an at-a-time RIP processing time with each other. On the basis of the result, the rasterization processor selects and executes either rasterization processing. Thus, a rasterization processor maximally keeping the operating time of the output unit and improving efficiency of printing/prepress steps can be provided.

Abstract: A page data processor capable of reducing a dead time or an output interrupting time of an output unit calculates an output start time in the output unit from a time necessary for rasterizing page data and a time necessary for outputting output data generated by the rasterization processing. The page data processor also generates a plurality of output files by dividing the output data every time the rasterized output data reaches a prescribed data size, and transmits the same to the output unit in units of the output files at the output start time. Thus, the page data processor can reduce the dead time of the output unit for improving the efficiency of printing/prepress steps.

Abstract: A workflow creating apparatus stores rules (311) for creating workflows and environmental information (312) relating to execution of each process constituting the workflow in advance in an auxiliary storage. When output requirements (310) constituted by attribute values for an image recording media such as film, press plates, or printed matter etc. taken as finally resulting matter are designated by user operations, the processes required to make an image recording media satisfying the output requirements (310) are decided upon and the parameter values for each of the required processes are set by applying workflow creation rules (311) to each of the attribute values of the output requirements (310). A workflow is then created taking into consideration environmental information (312) based on results of applying these rules and tickets (321 to 323) corresponding to this workflow is created.

Abstract: A rasterization processor capable of properly selecting a rasterization processing method reducing a non-operating time of an output unit is provided. The rasterization processor acquires the operating state of the output unit and a time up to termination of output operation of the output unit, calculates times for rasterizing page data at a time and consecutively rasterizing a plurality of separation data separated from page data respectively and compares an output operation end time and an at-a-time RIP processing time with each other. On the basis of the result, the rasterization processor selects and executes either rasterization processing. Thus, a rasterization processor maximally keeping the operating time of the output unit and improving efficiency of printing/prepress steps can be provided.

Abstract: A page data processor capable of reducing a dead time or an output interrupting time of an output unit calculates an output start time in the output unit from a time necessary for rasterizing page data and a time necessary for outputting output data generated by the rasterization processing. The page data processor also generates a plurality of output files by dividing the output data every time the rasterized output data reaches a prescribed data size, and transmits the same to the output unit in units of the output files at the output start time. Thus, the page data processor can reduce the dead time of the output unit for improving the efficiency of printing/prepress steps.

Abstract: The present invention readily produces an image of a special color separation, with respect to a color image which is to be reproduced by a plurality of color separations including Y, M, and C separations. The method first specifies a relationship between a predetermined density of a special color separation and densities of a plurality of other color separations corresponding to the predetermined density of the special color separation; then extracts each color element included in a color image as a target color element; and determines a density of the special color separation according to the specified relationship.

Abstract: A plurality of linework data including run length data are combined at a high speed and without reconverting run-length data to pixel image data. During the combining operation based on linework data stored in a linework operation memory 50, subsequent linework data is supplemented from an external storage unit 64 to an input linework memory 48. When one of the plurality of linework data in the linework operation memory is used up, the supplement of linework data is transferred from the input linework memory to the linework operation memory, both of which are random access memories. In the combining process of run-length data, unit-run data are respectively extracted from each linework data according to the value of a current position pointer representing an end point of the run which has already been combined. Combined unit-run data is produced by comparing the working data for the plurality of linework data.