Abstract: A method for designing a printing plate for mounting on a printing cylinder. An optimal lateral seam path is defined between opposite lateral edges of the plate by applying an energy minimization function. Top and bottom edges of the plate are defined based upon the optimal lateral seam path, preferably with a variable gap therebetween, and the bottom edge is unwrapped from the top edge to define a closed cutting path. The area inside the closed cutting path is wrapped with artwork or portions thereof, and an updated digital graphics file stored. The energy minimization function may include a penalty function, overall seam path length, and seam path amplitude, with weighting factors. For artwork including staggered lanes of step and repeat one-up images, the optimal lateral seam path may extend across each lane through one-up images, steps between adjacent one-up images, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for proofing a selected part of a graphical data input file for output to an output device by automatically adjusting at least one graphics feature in the input file to compensate for a predetermined resolution limit. The method includes identifying one or more portions in the selected part of the input file having an initial thickness less than the resolution limit, determining a set of optimal anisotropic offset parameters that will bring the one or more portions above the predetermined resolution limit with a minimal total offset value, applying an offset using the anisotropic offset parameters to modify the selected part of the input file to give the one or more portions an adjusted thickness greater than the initial thickness, and creating an output file comprising the at least one graphics feature having the adjusted thickness.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for visualizing printed graphics applied to at least one defined printing area or part of a three dimensional (3D) structure is described.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer program products, and computer systems for preparing a digital artwork document for printing. An input digital artwork document is modified to enhance or avoid a physically printed result by generating an output digital artwork document containing digital objects that align to the one or more features of one or more portions of the artwork, such as for use in trapping, reverse trapping, or pullback of objects, providing rich black, white underprint, or spot varnish. The digital objects are generated in accordance with a combination of first and second sets of instructions, such as a first set generated by a computerized expert system, and the second set created as an exception to the first set. The output document is annotated by storing at least one association between each instruction in the second set and each corresponding selected portion of the document governed by the instruction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for visualizing printed graphics applied to at least one defined printing area or part of a three dimensional (3D) structure is described.

Abstract: A method for designing a printing plate for mounting on a printing cylinder. An optimal lateral seam path is defined between opposite lateral edges of the plate by applying an energy minimization function. Top and bottom edges of the plate are defined based upon the optimal lateral seam path, preferably with a variable gap therebetween, and the bottom edge is unwrapped from the top edge to define a closed cutting path. The area inside the closed cutting path is wrapped with artwork or portions thereof, and an updated digital graphics file stored. The energy minimization function may include a penalty function, overall seam path length, and seam path amplitude, with weighting factors. For artwork including staggered lanes of step and repeat one-up images, the optimal lateral seam path may extend across each lane through one-up images, steps between adjacent one-up images, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for proofing a selected part of a graphical data input file for output to an output device by automatically adjusting at least one graphics feature in the input file to compensate for a predetermined resolution limit. The method includes identifying one or more portions in the selected part of the input file having an initial thickness less than the resolution limit, determining a set of optimal anisotropic offset parameters that will bring the one or more portions above the predetermined resolution limit with a minimal total offset value, applying an offset using the anisotropic offset parameters to modify the selected part of the input file to give the one or more portions an adjusted thickness greater than the initial thickness, and creating an output file comprising the at least one graphics feature having the adjusted thickness.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus, and a computer-readable medium encoded with instructions to carry out a method. The method is of rendering a model of a surface of wrinkly material such as paper or foil, e.g., a model of packaging on a display device. The method includes accepting a description of the different parts of the surface of the packaging, and how and where any of the parts are connected, discretizing to form a mesh, modelling the physics of the mesh, running a simulation to find a stable end-state for the mesh, modifying the mesh to visually smooth the mesh in a way that is perceived as typical for flexible packaging material; and rendering the model on a display device. The modifying the mesh is to visually smooth the mesh includes modifying during the rendering or modifying prior to the rendering.

Abstract: A method to aid designing flexible packaging for wrapping around a solid object and finalizing the packaging. The method includes accepting a description of the surface of a sheet of packaging material after wrapping around the solid object and finalizing, using a mapping of points in the 2D plane of the sheet of the packaging material to the corresponding points in the 3D surface of the wrapped and finalized packaging. The method further includes displaying the surface of the wrapped and finalized packaging or displaying graphic elements on the surface of wrapped and finalized packaging. A version includes pre-distorting graphics to correct for any distortions to graphics that occur during the wrapping and finalizing process, and generating press-ready graphics from the pre-distorted graphics for printing onto the surface of the sheet of packaging material.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus, and a computer-readable medium encoded with instructions to carry out a method. The method is of rendering a model of a surface of wrinkly material such as paper or foil, e.g., a model of packaging on a display device. The method includes accepting a description of the different parts of the surface of the packaging, and how and where any of the parts are connected, discretizing to form a mesh, modelling the physics of the mesh, running a simulation to find a stable end-state for the mesh, modifying the mesh to visually smooth the mesh in a way that is perceived as typical for flexible packaging material; and rendering the model on a display device. The modifying the mesh is to visually smooth the mesh includes modifying during the rendering or modifying prior to the rendering.

Abstract: A method and a carrier medium carrying code to execute a method of designing a carton. The method includes accepting carton structural information, forming a 2D unfolded model of the substrate that when cut and folded forms the carton, and forming a 3D model of the carton. The method further includes displaying a 2D view of the unfolded carton design, and a perspective view of the 3D model. A user has the ability to manipulate the view of the 3D model, and also to select a flap of the carton on perspective view. As a result of the selecting, the method modifies the 2D unfolded view to be of the selected flap shown in an orientation suitable for designing the selected flap. The user designs the flap and the method accepts the design. The method includes modifying the perspective view of the 3D model to include any changes made in the design.

Abstract: A method for representing a digital image in an extended CMYK color space that has an extended color gamut. The image is for output to an output device that uses a set of more than four colorants and is capable of reproducing the extended color gamut. The method includes providing a transformation from the extended CMYK color space to amounts of each of the set of colorants of the output device, providing a device profile for the extended CMYK color space that is associated with the transformation and that provides for converting a first color represented by a first set of color coordinate values in a first color space into a set of CMYK values in the extended CMYK color space such that the output device behaves as if it was a CMYK device with the extended CMYK values, and representing the digital image in the extended CMYK color space.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and product to generate trap areas. One embodiment is a method for generating a trap pixel of a trap area surrounding one or more trapping edges of an image that includes, for each trapping edge in the image, and for each pixel within a predefined area around the trapping edge, comparing the distance of the pixel from the trapping edge according to a distance measure with a provided measure indicative of the distance of the pixel from any edge of the image to determine if said each pixel is closer to the trapping edge than to another edge. The method further includes, if said pixel is closer to said edge than to any edge, setting the pixel as a trap pixel of the trap area, including setting a trap color for the trap pixel.

Abstract: A method for representing a digital image in an extended CMYK color space that has an extended color gamut. The image is for output to an output device that uses a set of more than four colorants and is capable of reproducing the extended color gamut. The method includes providing a transformation from the extended CMYK color space to amounts of each of the set of colorants of the output device, providing a device profile for the extended CMYK color space that is associated with the transformation and that provides for converting a first color represented by a first set of color coordinate values in a first color space into a set of CMYK values in the extended CMYK color space such that the output device behaves as if it was a CMYK device with the extended CMYK values, and representing the digital image in the extended CMYK color space.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and product to generate trap areas. One embodiment is a method for generating a trap pixel of a trap area surrounding one or more trapping edges of an image that includes, for each trapping edge in the image, and for each pixel within a predefined area around the trapping edge, comparing the distance of the pixel from the trapping edge according to a distance measure with a provided measure indicative of the distance of the pixel from any edge of the image to determine if said each pixel is closer to the trapping edge than to another edge. The method further includes, if said pixel is closer to said edge than to any edge, setting the pixel as a trap pixel of the trap area, including setting a trap color for the trap pixel.