The Panther RIP is a pure software RIP, driving film and plate recorders through a standard SCSI-2 interface. Starting with Adobe CPSI as a building block, PrePRESS engineers add input software, user controls, and drivers for film and plate recorders. Since one engineering team designs the entire Panther Image setting System, you are assured of smooth integration of the components.

The SCSI-2 interface allows one RIP to feed data to multiple recorders. And with PrePRESS' unique Multi port Option, PantherPro recorders accept data simultaneously from up to four Panther RIPs. These features offer unparalleled options for Automatic Load Balancing and redundant operation.

The Panther RIP is designed for flexibility and ease of use. Multiple Hot Folders or Network Input Channels automatically change settings for resolution, priority, screening, and positive/negative output modes as required for different jobs, thereby increasing productivity by eliminating the need for operator intervention.

The Panther RIP provides a robust feedback system. The Status Window displays job progress and recorder status. The Job Accounting Log keeps a record of all jobs processed on screen and in a text file for later analysis. By adding PrePRESS RIP Tracker you can monitor the RIP from anywhere on the network.

Optional modules let you customize a workflow solution for the most specialized and demanding requirements. Panther Page Trapper adds Adobe in-RIP trapping, for automatic trap compensation on color jobs. Panther Page Imposer watches for completion of individual pages rasterized by the Panther RIP and assembles them into digital flats.

ESCOR III screening precisely controls halftone dots and eliminates angle and frequency moiré with patented PrePRESS technology. Panther OPI image management improves productivity by integrating high-resolution images at the Panther RIP.

The Panther RIP offers a comprehensive growth path. When you upgrade to a higher-performance recorder, you won't need to buy a new RIP. And since there's no special interface card, upgrading to a faster RIP workstation is easy. The Panther RIP even includes a driver for Hewlett-Packard DesignJet plotters for large-format color output and digital proofing.

Platform Overview

The Panther RIP runs on a variety of high-performance Mac and PC platforms. Greater RIPing productivity can be achieved by utilizing faster processor speeds and larger memory complements. Larger hard drive capacity provides greater storage of fonts, images, PostScript files and RIPed files. Configurations to best meet your specific requirements should be determined with the assistance of your sales representative.

Macintosh Hardware

A Mac OS system with a minimum Power PC processor running System 8.5 (or higher). Minimum Mac memory is 128MB. Additional memory can increase performance depending upon content and complexity of job. Extra memory is required for optional Panther Page Trapper software module. Disk capacity 1- 4GB, CD-ROM required.

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PC Hardware

PrePRESS provides and supports specific Windows NT platform configurations that have been tested for use as a Panther RIP. The following guidelines are offered for those who choose to take the responsibility of configuring and obtaining their own PC/Windows NT RIP platforms.

The recommended configuration includes at least a high performance Windows-NT based computer with 128MB of memory. Faster processor speeds and additional memory can increase performance for most applications. Extra memory is required for optional Panther Page Trapper software module.

Recommended System:

High performance Pentium System with

256K minimum cache**

256MB minimum RAM

SCSI Controller** with external SCSI-2 connector

Min. 4 GB Disk Drive

Ethernet Controller**

CD-ROM Drive**

1.44MB Floppy Drive**

MS-Windows NT v4.0 (with current Service Pack)

**Must be certified Windows NT compatible.

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RIP Software All Platforms

The Panther Licensed Software Package includes:

Standard

Adobe CPSI PostScript 3 Interpreter.

Output device drivers for Panther Family Image recorders, HP DesignJet series large-format plain-paper plotters.

Adobe Accurate Screens.

Large complement of fonts for Macintosh or Windows NT systems.

Optional

ESCOR III Screening

Panther OPI ­ Apple Macintosh & Power Macintosh

Panther OPI ­ Windows NT v4.0 (with current Service Pack)

Panther OPI ­ Solo Integrator for Macintosh and Power Macintosh

PrePRESS RIP Tracker

Panther Compression Option

Panther PageTrapper

Panther PageImposer

Recorder Subsystems

The Panther RIP drives the complete Panther Family of film image setting and plate setting systems. Available systems include the PantherPlus and PantherPro series of film/plate recorders, which provide imaging widths up to 625mm (24.625") and recorder imaging speeds up to 1354mm (53.3") per minute, and the Panther FasTRAK metal plate setting systems which image metal plates up to 625 x 914mm (24.625" x 36") at recorder speeds up to a plate a minute.

Proofing from the Panther RIP can be done on the Hewlett-Packard DesignJet color Plotter Series.

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