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Serendipity Software releases Studio for Blackmagic and Megarip

SYDNEY, Australia - November 16, 2009 - Serendipity Software today announced Studio, a new module for Blackmagic and Megarip that adds layout and tiling features to both packages.

"Studio allows users to layout and tile jobs using a visual interface and resolution independent, non destructive processing" said Peter Skarpetis, Serendipity Software's Chief Executive Officer.

Jobs, in any of the supported file formats, can be moved, cut, copied, pasted and cropped. They can be placed at native size or into configurable image boxes, re-sized and rotated to fit or fill an area.

Nesting templates or layouts can be quickly assembled for fast output - or precisely planned to best use the space on the paper or make cutting easier. Layouts can be stored in a library for later use.

Studio's multi-drop feature makes life easy for busy professional photographers. Just create a nesting template and drag a photo onto it. The image is instantly duplicated, resized and rotated to fit. Submit to print, then move on to the next photo.

Studio's tiling feature allows users to set the total area of a billboard then automatically create a tile grid based on pre-configured print media dimensions and overlap.

Studio's cloaking feature shades and locks images as they are submitted for printing, allowing new jobs to be placed in the remaining free space without fear of overprinting.

 

Serendipity Blackmagic 4.0.01 announced

 

SYDNEY, Australia - November 16, 2009 - Serendipity Software today announced version 4.0.01 of Blackmagic, a maintenance release of the software that includes numerous fixes as well as support for new devices.

 

"By far the most significant addition in this release is the introduction of the Studio module" said Peter Skarpetis, Serendipity Software's Chief Executive Officer. Studio allows users to layout and tile jobs using a visual interface and resolution independent, non destructive processing.

This version also introduces support for the Epson Stylus Pro 3880 and 9700 series of printers.

For more information on the new features of Serendipity Blackmagic 4.0.01 see the release notes: HTML

 

 

Serendipity Software updates Blackmagic to version 4.0

 

SYDNEY, Australia - August 3, 2009 - Serendipity Software today announced version 4.0 of Blackmagic, a major update to the software that includes many new features and enhancements.

 

"Blackmagic version 4.0 improves on the print quality and colour accuracy of previous versions by using a new, more sophisticated printer model that expands the useable gamut of the printer," said Peter Skarpetis, Serendipity Software's Chief Executive Officer.

 

Blackmagic version 4.0 introduces a new engine that performs all calculations using 16-bits instead of the usual 8. Using 16-bits provides 257 times the colour depth of regular 8-bit processing during imaging, colour management, screening and rendering. Greater colour depth allows for finer colour control and precise image reproduction.

 

Blackmagic version 4.0 introduces a user management system that allows system administrators to control users access to the software. Each user is assigned a group, granting access to particular applications and functions within Blackmagic. Users are able to receive notifications, via email, of events such as job processing failures, server crashes, dongle removal or media levels.

 

Blackmagic version 4.0 introduces a new item called Media. Media is self contained and includes all settings required to produce colour accurate proofs on that media, when loaded into the printer. It keeps track of how much paper is left on the roll, or how many cut sheets are left in the printer. It also tracks the calibration status of the printer when using the media.

 

Blackmagic version 4.0 improves on the print quality and colour accuracy of previous versions. Linearisation uses Lab measurements, and the number of steps is user-customisable. By measuring more steps, greater accuracy is obtained in the highlight and shadow areas. New ink limit and light ink algorithms expand the usable gamut of the printer, greatly enhancing colour accuracy. Per channel dot gain curves ensure printing standards such as ISO 12647-2 are easily met when proofing from ripped files.

 

Blackmagic version 4.0 includes an ink usage tool that calculates, accurately, ink consumption for whole magazines, newspapers and publications. The results can be exported to PDF, allowing plant managers to ensure that each job is being charged appropriately.

 

Blackmagic version 4.0 removes the length limit that was imposed in the 2UP and 4UP versions. The 2UP version now prints up to 330.2mm wide, while the 4UP version can print up to 614mm wide. Both versions can print up to the length of the roll.

 

Blackmagic version 4.0 includes support for on-board printer Spectrophotometers, allowing for unattended linearisation and colour verification.

 

For more information on the new features of Serendipity Blackmagic 4.0 see the release notes: HTML

 

Pricing & Availability

 

Blackmagic version 4.0 will be available worldwide starting on August 3, 2009.

Blackmagic comes in many flavours including Pro, Lite, Bureau, 4UP and 2UP.

 

For more information about US and International pricing and availability, visit the Serendipity Software dealers section of the website.

 

Serendipity Blackmagic 3.5.09 announced

For Immediate Release
New Serendipity Blackmagic 3.5.09
2nd of October 2008, Sydney Australia

 

Serendipity Software announces Blackmagic version 3.5.09

Serendipity Software Pty Ltd, the leader in digital proofing software for the pre-press and packaging industry, today announced Serendipity Blackmagic version 3.5.09. This is a maintenance release for users of 3.5.04 and includes new drivers for printers and spectrophotometers.

 

Highlights of this version include:

  • Support for Epson Stylus Pro 7900/9900 and GS6000 printers

  • Support for the i1 iSis by X-rite

  • Touch Console enhancements

 

For more information on the new features and fixes in Serendipity Blackmagic 3.5.09 see the release notes: HTML

 

Serendipity Blackmagic 3.5.04 announced

For Immediate Release
New Serendipity Blackmagic 3.5.04
13th of May 2008, Sydney Australia

 

Serendipity Software Pty Ltd, the leader in digital proofing software for the pre-press and packaging industry, today announced Serendipity Blackmagic version 3.5.04. This is a maintenance release for users of 3.5 however it includes some enhancements to existing features.

 

Highlights of this version include:

  • Support for Canon ipf500/600/700 printers

  • Calcheck patches can now be created in CMYK as well as Lab

  • Linearisations can be reverted to a previous item from the history list

  • Touch console is now resolution independent

  • Adobe Illustrator CS3 separated postscript is now supported

  • Faster Scitex Brisque polling

  • Improved Vista 64 support

 

For more information on the new features and fixes in Serendipity Blackmagic 3.5.04 see the release notes: HTML

 

Serendipity Blackmagic 3.4 announced

For Immediate Release
New Serendipity Blackmagic 3.4
4th of April 2007 Sydney Australia

 

Serendipity Software Pty Ltd, the leader in digital proofing software for the pre-press and packaging industry, today announced Serendipity Blackmagic version 3.4. This is a major update and includes many enhancements.

 

Highlights of this version include:

  • Softproof has an Ink key viewer which allows rapid press setup without having to export a CIP3 / CIP4 file.

  • Softproof can now automatically show reader spreads from single pages.

  • Softproof now allows users to attach notes to specific sections of the proof for others to see.

  • Softproof has user configurable press presets to allow rapid switching between colour setups to simulate different presses and stocks.

  • Support for multicolour press icc profiles which allows accurate proofing of processes such as hexachrome or heptachrome printing.

  • Support for Canon iPF5000, iPF8000, iPF9000 printers including RGB ink support.

  • Support for Epson 3800 printers.

  • Support for HP Z2100, Z3100 printers including RGB ink support.

  • User configurable light ink separator for smoother vignettes and photos.

  • Support for FUJIFILM Workflow XMF.

  • Improved PDF processing speed.

 

For more information on the new features in Serendipity Blackmagic 3.4 see the release notes: HTML

 

 

Serendipity Blackmagic 3.3 announced

For Immediate Release
New Serendipity Blackmagic 3.3
12th of September 2006 Sydney Australia

 

Serendipity Software Pty Ltd, the leader in digital proofing software for the pre-press and packaging industry, today announced Serendipity Blackmagic version 3.3. This is a major update and includes many enhancements.

 

Highlights of this version include:

 

  • SoftProof now has tabs to aid viewing multiple documents at once. Support has also been added for viewing imposed jobs with different work flows such as work and turn, work and tumble, etc.

  • Multiple jobs can be processed silmulatneously to better utilise multi-core CPUS

  • Multi-colour ICC support

  • Faster and more efficient nesting algorithms

  • User customisablie grouping of pagesetups and other settings

  • PDF export retaining spot colours

  • Enhanced virtual loupe

  • Full unicode support for filenames

  • More efficient clustering

For more information on the new features in Serendipity Blackmagic 3.3 see the release notes: HTML

 

 

Serendipity Blackmagic 3.2.01 announced

For Immediate Release

 

Serendipity Software announce Mac Intel Core support

 

Sydney, Australia - 28th April 2006 - Serendipity Software are pleased to announce the latest release of their flagship product Serendipity Blackmagic version 3.2.01. The highlight of this release is the support for the Mac Intel Core Duo platform which runs as a true Universal Application. This utilises the full potential of the new Dual Core machines by running natively on the new Macs. Speed gains are already being seen with current release of Intel Core machines and Serendipity Blackmagic is ready for the next generation of Apple desktop boxes which will take proofing performance to the next level.

 

The SoftProof Tool has further been enhanced with several new features to aid viewing and de-imposing of the impositions. At the recent international Ipex show in Birmingham, England, it was used to demonstrate Press Ready Proofing allowing the press operator to view the full page prior to the print run. Features such as reverse page viewing allows the back page to be viewed through the top page for inking and alignment checks. Signatures can be over laid on the screen, edited for positional check and submitted for de-imposing direct from the SoftProof application.

 

For more information on the new features in Serendipity Blackmagic 3.2.01 see the release notes: HTML

 

 

Serendipity Blackmagic 3.2 announced

For Immediate Release
New Serendipity Blackmagic 3.2
19th of December 2005 Sydney Australia

 

Serendipity Software Pty Ltd, the leader in digital proofing software for the pre-press and packaging industry, today announced Serendipity Blackmagic version 3.2. This is a major update and includes many enhancements.

 

Highlights of this version include:

 

  • ICC version 4 support

  • ICC device link profile support

  • Signature decorations render effect

  • Signature overlaying in softproof

  • Back page viewing in sofproof

  • Intensity support for spot colours

  • Halftone angles can be specified for up to 8 special colours

  • User configurable slugline

  • Better pdf compatibility especially with spot colour overprint and JPEG 2000 images

 

For more information on the new features in Serendipity Blackmagic 3.2 see the release notes: HTML

 

 

Serendipity Blackmagic 3.1 announced

For Immediate Release
New Serendipity Blackmagic 3.1
12th of August 2005 Sydney Australia

 

Serendipity Software Pty Ltd, the leader in digital proofing software for the pre-press and packaging industry, today announced Serendipity Blackmagic version 3.1. This is a major update and includes many enhancements.

 

Highlights of this version include:

 

  • Re-designed signature editor that can handle mixed signatures

  • Virtual viewing of magazines and books using the Flipbook

  • Improved duplexing and de-imposing

  • Built-in monitor calibration software

  • Virtual loupe and cropping support in the Softproof app

  • Support for the Epson 4800/9800 series of printers

 

For more information on the new features in Serendipity Blackmagic 3.1 see the release notes: HTML

 

 

Serendipity Blackmagic 3.0.01 announced

For Immediate Release
New Serendipity Blackmagic 3.0.01
6th of December 2004 Sydney Australia

 

Serendipity Software Pty Ltd, the leader in digital proofing software for the pre-press and packaging industry, today announced Serendipity Blackmagic version 3.0.01. This is mainly a maintenance release for version 3.0 users with a couple of enhancements thrown in.

 

Highlights of this version include:

 

  • Improved clustering

  • Faster server startup

  • Import of JDF signatures

  • Improved processing speed especially for colour keys and de-imposition

  • Create fully duplexed print dummies in pdf and html

  • Support for Fuji Celebra 6.0

  • Hewlett Packard 4000 printer driver

  • Support for X-rite series 500 Spectrophotometers

  • Selective autoproofing

  • Improved softproof including paper background simulation and measure tool

  • Easier configuration of user interface including duplication of tabs and manual sizing of items


For more information on the new features in Serendipity Blackmagic 3.0.01 see the release notes: HTML

 

 

Serendipity Blackmagic V3 Showcasing at DRUPA 2004

For Immediate Release
Sydney, Australia 14th April 2004

 

Serendipity today announced that they will be showing version 3 of their Digital Proofing product Serendipity Blackmagic at Drupa 2004. This new version brings a number of innovations that will benefit new and existing customers alike.

 

There is a completely new look interface making it intuitive and easy to use with many enhancements to the current release. But it is under the hood that the biggest changes have taken place. For instance, Version 3 has the ability to share the task of processing a job across different computers.

 

Business Development Manager Pete Carnell said, "Seeing 5 jobs imaging, 3 rendering and a couple printing all at the same time is very impressive." Job processing has also been optimised to allow for jobs to be reprinted with proof changes without the need to submit the job from the RIP again.

 

Other improvements include added support for special colours allowing opaque inks to be represented on an inkjet proof and a high resolution soft proof which shows all plates associated with the job. Plates can be turned on or off or colours changed on the fly which should appeal to packaging printers. The built-in archiving tool can save settings when desired and also periodically backup the configurations so a working copy of a calibrated system is always available.