Multi-threading in the Harlequin RIP using Harlequin Parallel Pages, a feature in the Host Renderer, accelerates page processing time to give faster throughput for digital printing solutions. Multiple threads are used to perform the various steps of RIPing and outputting the pages of a job once; there are no longer any periods when only a single thread is active. While a version of multi-threading is not new to the Harlequin RIP, the Parallel Pages feature is. Parallel Pages, incorporated into the Harlequin Host Renderer 3, allows multiple pages to be interpreted and rendered at the same time. Basically, by decoupling interpretation from compositing and rendering, one thread is able to interpret page two of a job while the other threads are composting, rendering, and printing page one. Harlequin RIP also features flexible architecture that allows for high scalability—up to hundreds of RIP instances can be run simultaneously, depending on the architecture of the DFE. The Harlequin VariData feature speeds up the processing of VDP jobs in PDF, by reducing VDP complexity and enabling the efficient use of objects that are reccuring. VariData identifies groups of graphical elements that are used multiple times, and then renders each group only once. PDF Retained Raster automatically analyzes a PDF file to identify those pages that use shared elements. Those shared elements are rendered only once—instead of, let’s say, 50,000 times, while the variable data on each page is rendered separately. The performance increase is significant, noted Bailey. “Quality is also an issue, with so much demand and discussion on whether digital print has achieved offset quality,” he said. For the RIP, that demand means color management and screening capabilities. Also coming up when talking about offset quality is the absolute need to be able to output logos in brand colors. With the Harlequin RIP, the ColorPro option can be used to perform in-RIP color management, and also delivers accurate color reproduction and custom-rendering intents. As inkjet machines look to improve the quality of output, print faster, and go wider, digital front ends will have their work cut out for them. Find this article at MyPRINTResource.com/12067227 Processor activity trace using multi-threaded compositing and redering, but not Harlequin Parallel Pages Processor activity trace using multi-threaded compositing and redering in combination with Harlequin Parallel Pages is 1.3 times faster. necessary ROI to make the investment worthwhile, Bailey noted. Incorporating faster speed, personalization, and a full boat of color capabilities, production inkjet machines are also now a lot more expensive than they used to be. Global Graphics’ Harlequin RIP, which is OEMed to print manufacturers such as HP, offers multi-threading using Harlequin Parallel Pages. Multiple threads are used to perform the various steps of RIPping and outputting the pages of a job at once. 22 Inkjet’s Age | June 2015 MyPRINTResource.com
InkJetsAge_0615
To see the actual publication please follow the link above