Cambridge, UK and Centreville VA 05/15/2007 05:00:00 PM
Global Graphics has launched Version 1.1 of the Harlequin® Host Renderer SDK that provides high-quality components with which to build printer drivers and other host-based rendering solutions for a wide variety of raster devices. It adds native support for PostScript® and PDF processing in addition to the XPS support available from Version 1.0.
The Harlequin Host Renderer SDK will be particularly useful to printer/MFP manufacturers who develop their own drivers and who need Page Description Language (PDL) technology that can accommodate new and emerging PDLs such as XPS. It enables developers to build high-performance solutions that are fully compliant with the Windows Hardware Quality Labs testing requirements for Windows Vista™ Premium Logo status. Used as a filter within an XPSdrv filter pipeline it can be configured to support a wide range of raster-driven devices including inkjet printers/MFPs and low-end raster laser printers/MFPs. As a renderer the Harlequin Host Renderer can also be linked or loaded into an OEM-provided, host-based tool for printing on premium output devices, such as wide and grand format and digital production printers.
Highly configurable, the Harlequin Host Renderer SDK offers extensive Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that allow customization and integration of OEM specific technology such as screening, color management, font handling and image filtering as alternatives to the built-in functionality. Advanced PrintTicket processing allows for the handling of common PrintTicket keys, such as PageResolution, PageMediaSize and PageOrientation, and also provides a flexible mechanism for printer manufacturers to add their own custom PrintTicket keys. Cross platform support allows deployment in host-based solutions on a wide variety of operating systems.
The Harlequin Host Renderer SDK is based on a new iteration of the powerful RIP kernel found at the heart of the Harlequin RIP with significant expansion, modularity and optimization. It is part of a new range of SDKs for driver-based, embedded and server-based solutions that share a common architecture based on Global Graphics’ next-generation RIP technology.
Paul Collins, Global Graphics’ RIP technologies product manager comments, “Our new range of toolkits excel at processing Page Description Languages and other document formats at high speeds. The Harlequin Host Renderer SDK allows manufacturers to bring their printer driver or host-based solutions to market quickly with their chosen set of customized features. When they want to scale up or expand their solutions to other devices in their range they can do so because our new SDKs are based on a common RIP architecture. By standardizing their solutions on our powerful and flexible technology manufacturers will get the performance gains they require and a reduction in the engineering effort they expend on integrating different solutions together or on maintaining several different architectures. That’s a compelling commercial argument.”
A recognized expert dedicated to interpreting, rendering and converting PDLs for nearly 20 years, Global Graphics’ leading edge expertise and engineering capability were factors in the company being chosen by Microsoft in 2003 to provide consultation services on the XPS specification as well as develop a prototype and a print reference XPS RIP for Microsoft. The print reference XPS RIP is an openly available test vehicle that allows hardware and software vendors to create prototypes, familiarize themselves with the compliancy requirements needed to meet the XPS specification and to examine the quality of XPS printed output against the specification. Evaluators are encouraged to contact Global Graphics to discuss the extensive functionality available in our commercial products that is not present in the print reference XPS RIP.
Editor's Notes
Note to Editors:
To obtain a diagram showing the operation of the Harlequin Host Renderer SDK contact: jill.taylor@globalgraphics.com. For more information on Global Graphics’ range of Page Description Language technology visit http://www.globalgraphics.com/. To consult Global Graphics’ XPS Intelligence http://www.globalgraphics.com/xps/index.html
About XPS
The XPS (XML Paper Specification) Document format is a paginated, fixed-format, representation of electronic documents and is based on XML and the new graphics architecture that Microsoft has developed alongside Windows Vista. As an open, cross-platform document format, XPS allows users to create, share, print and archive documents. When combined with the new print subsystem, its capabilities as a new page description language mean that it will offer significant improvements in fidelity and increased performance in rich graphics content that users increasingly demand.
About Global Graphics
Global Graphics Software (http://www.globalgraphics.com) is the technology expert for open document and print solutions committed to the continuous development of industry standards. It is a leading developer and supplier of sophisticated high performance RIPs, PDF document, workflow and color solutions mostly to a customer base of Independent Hardware Vendors, system integrators, software developers and resellers. These partners include the world's leading vendors of digital pre-press systems, large-format color printers, color proofing systems, copiers and printers for the corporate and SOHO markets and software applications. Global Graphics Software is a subsidiary of Global Graphics S.A. (Euronext:GLOG)
Global Graphics, the smarter alternative, Harlequin and the Harlequin logo are trademarks of Global Graphics Software Limited which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. Global Graphics is a trademark of Global Graphics S.A. which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other brand and product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.