Xenith Sierra Adobe PDF Print Engine Workflow

Job Tickets

Xenith Sierra’s job ticket functionality offers the power and flexibility to create and store production plans for all jobs regardless of complexity.

Source Files

Operators can submit jobs as PostScript, PDF, or EPS. Sierra accepts all standard input formats.

Reading Order

Any job page may be submitted to Sierra as soon as it is ready, rather than waiting for the entire document to be complete. Sierra builds a Run List that determines the order and placement of pages in the finished imposition while automatically tracking revisions, providing a history of changes to the job.

Job Structure

Using the industry standard Enfocus library, Xenith Sierra provides accurate preflighting for any PDF workflow. Plus, users can add Acrobat preflighting with Sierra, creating a powerful error checking system.

Mutiple Workflows

Create as many workflows as necessary to automate production. Select preflighting, hard copy proofing, web proofing, imposition, trapping; whatever elements are needed to insure fast, predictable output.

Trapping

Adobe in-RIP trapping is a standard feature of Xenith Sierra and even supports zone-based trapping. This means the system wastes no computational time or resource on areas that don’t need to be trapped.

Fully integrated and automated, Xenith Sierra provides imposition capability within the workflow. Sierra can create an imposition from scratch or accept templates from the most popular third-party imposition programs, allowing users with existing tools to keep their current imposition schemes intact. Sierra automatically selects signatures based on the finished page specifications, binding style and number of pages in the job. Sierra even supports JDF imposition.

Ink Re-Mapping

Operators can use Sierra for re-mapping inks with name variations to their proper plates, instead of forcing them to return to the authoring application. For instance, Pantone 199 CV, Pantone 199 CVC, Pantone 199 CU, or Rubine Red may all appear as different inks within a job but Sierra will properly RIP the information to a single separation.

Local Approvals and Web Approvals

Xenith Sierra offers substantial flexibility for job approval. Local Approval provides the ability to have someone else within your shop view and approve jobs. Web approvals, utilizing the optional PRINTERnet, provide remote proofing and approval across town or across the globe.

Output Devices

Combined with Xitron’s ability to support more than 256 different output devices, Xenith Sierra is easily the most flexible workflow on the market, providing output to film, plates, digital presses and production copiers and printers.

Multiple Streams

Sierra makes it easy for operators to create multiple workflow streams to facilitate any production need. Jobs can automatically route through the system based on press, platesetter, imposition schemes, or proofing cycles.

Proofing

Extensive feedback and viewing capabilities provide operators with the ability to quickly check a job at any point in the workflow.

Imposed Flats

Operators receive visual confirmation that composite or rendered flats are correct and complete before final output, saving time and materials.

Inkjet Proofing (Optional)

Sierra drives the most popular inkjet proofing devices from Epson and HP and even supports output to third party proofing systems such as EFI and CGS.

3D Proofing

This unique functionality allows operators to view completed, bound jobs in a 3D format, ensuring proper imposition and binding instructions will be carried through production. To download a 3D proof sample file click here

Web Based Proofing (Optional)

Optional PRINTERnet allows customers to view and approve their production proofs online, eliminating the delays encountered when using couriers and express delivery services.

Simplicity and Power

Designed for ease of use, Xenith Sierra combines simplicity with power. Building on Adobe’s PDF Print Engine, Sierra opens the door to productivity with full featured JDF functionality.

Real Automation

Production schedules change. Systems must be flexible. With a simple command, Sierra will reformat an entire job for production on a different press - and every aspect of the job will change accordingly; preflight, color management, proofing, even imposition.

Efficiency

The combination of JDF and Adobe PDF Print Engine (APPE) technology make this interpreter the fastest ever. Even the largest and most complex of jobs benefit from this significant boost in performance.

Remote PDF Submission via Acrobat

Tight integration with Adobe Acrobat 7 and 8 means that customers can submit their PDFs directly into Sierra’s job tickets. This streamlined approach includes all customer data and source files.

Output and Print

Xenith Sierra can output to more than 256 different devices such as proofers, imagesetters, platesetters, and digital presses. Sierra even offers optional direct drive capability to popular printers from HP and Epson.

Adobe PDF Print Engine

Xenith Sierra leverages the powerful performance features of the latest Adobe PostScript interpreter, delivering increased productivity with JDF workflow support.

3D Proofing

This unique functionality allows operators to view completed, bound jobs in a 3D format, ensuring proper imposition and binding instructions will be carried through production. The 3D view can be saved as a small executable file that may be emailed to your client for their review retaining all the setting chosen by the prepress operator. Nuances such as the use of a gloss on an area can be seen in the 3D view. Lighting conditions may also be established to insure that the proof shown in a simulation of how the final job may be viewed.

A 3D Proofing file link may be found on this page and downloaded for further review. The file contains a readme document that outlines the basic commands required to manipulate this proof. Please review the readme document prior to installing the file.

Xenith Sierra 4 Bundle 

Xenith Sierra 4 bundle includes Xenith Sierra 4 software, computer server platform with operating system, a choice of one Xitron high-resolution interface for 4-up devices and onsite installation and training for up to 2 key operators, all travel expenses for Xitron Support Specialist (additional charges apply outside the 48 contiguous states), 1-year TotalCare Support Agreement.

Xenith Sierra 8 Bundle

Xenith Sierra 8 bundle includes Xenith Sierra 8 software, computer server platform with operating system, a choice of one Xitron high-resolution interface for 8-up devices, onsite installation and training for up to 2 key operators, all travel expense for Xitron Support Specialist (additional charges apply outside the 48 contiguous states), 1-year TotalCare Support Agreement.

Xenith Sierra bundles include Xitron TotalCare Support, a one-year software support program providing end-users with total coverage for the Xenith Bundled solution.; unlimited Xitron software support by Xitron Support Specialists via telephone and email; extended warranty coverage for Xitron interface cards (where applicable) and software security device(s). TotalCare also includes three years of support for the Xitron-bundled computer platform and operating system (provided by the computer manufacturer or third-party designee).

TotalCare 3- Year Support Agreement

Investing in a new workflow solution is a major decision for most businesses. In many cases, it is part of a larger equipment purchase or lease, coupled with a new output device. 3 Year TotalCare maximizes this investment in Xenith Sierra.  Adding this  option with the  bundled package will save you 50% over the regular price of a support agreement over the second and third year while protecting you from any cost increases that may occur for these agreements.

TotalCare Features

TotalCare Support Agreements include the following benefits:

• Telephone and hardware support on the computer platform and computer operating system including next business day replacement parts directly from the computer platform manufacturer or their designee
• Unlimited email and telephone software support from Xitron Support Specialists including remote diagnostics
• Priority response from Xitron Support Specialists
• Access to Xitron’s Answer Book providing 24 x 7 answers to commonly asked application issues
• Free maintenance upgrades and discounts on major upgrades including discounts on Web-based installation by Xitron Support Specialists
• Extended warranty coverage on Xitron interface hardware (where applicable) and software security device(s).
• Discounts on onsite training by Xitron for new or additional operators

PC Client

• Windows XP/Vista
• 2 GB RAM
• 100/1000 Network Interface Card

Mac Client

• Intel Mac
• Mac OS 10.4.6 or higher
• 2 GB RAM
• 100/1000 Network Interface Card

(The client will run on PowerPC G4 and higher but performance will be substantially reduced.)