Company News: Page (1) of 2 - 10/12/04

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Quark Inc. today announced the forthcoming release of QuarkXPress 6.5, the newest version of the industry's leading publishing software. Version 6.5 expands the power, versatility, and creative possibilities of QuarkXPress software, with new features, increased stability and reliability. Developed in direct response to user requests, QuarkXPress 6.5 is expected to further enhance its position as the world's most widely used professional page layout software.

"For more than a decade, QuarkXPress has been the single most popular desktop publishing application, thanks to its proven performance with graphics, text, color management, and print output, as well as innovative new features that continue to expand its functionality," said Juergen Kurz, Quark's senior vice president of product development. "This upgrade is all about responding to customer input with features that help you meet your deadlines while exploring your design possibilities."

"We are excited about the release of QuarkXPress 6.5 and its Mac OS X-only features such as QuarkXClusive," said Ron Okamoto, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. "QuarkXPress 6.5 gives Mac users a powerful tool to create and deliver high-impact design for both print and electronic media."

Image effects directly on the QuarkXPress page
One such feature is QuarkVista, a new XTensions module for image manipulation. QuarkVista software extends the capabilities of QuarkXPress to include image editing within the context of the layout. In addition to standard image adjustments such as color balance, levels, brightness, and contrast, QuarkVista lets users apply a variety of common filters to images used in a QuarkXPress layout. QuarkVista filters are non-destructive, so users can change filter parameters at any time without affecting the source image file.

QuarkVista can also optimize images for output by applying transformations such as scale, crop, angle, and skew to the images collected for output, which can dramatically reduce the size of files for output and the time required to RIP for output. Users can also use the software to perform graphic file format and color space conversions, with support for popular image file formats such as EPS, JPEG, and TIFF.

Support for native Photoshop files
Now with QuarkXPress 6.5, users will be able to import native Adobe Photoshop documents (PSD files) into QuarkXPress and exploit the power of multi-layer Photoshop images without leaving QuarkXPress. Once imported, image layers can be switched on and off, opacities and blend methods can be modified, channels can be assigned to be spot colors, and clipping paths can be chosen, right in the QuarkXPress environment.

Powered by ALAP, PSD Import streamlines workflows and expands creative possibilities because it lets users do more in a single application: QuarkXPress. It saves time and hard disk space by eliminating the need to flatten images and saving many versions in different file formats. Users can maintain a single version of their image files.

Variable data printing
QuarkXPress 6.5 will include an upgrade to QuarkXClusive, an XTensions module that puts powerful variable data publishing capabilities in the hands of QuarkXPress 6 users working with Mac OS X. QuarkXClusive lets businesses output customized, database-driven documents on HP Indigo digital presses.

"HP is pleased to be working with Quark as a leader in variable data printing," said Bill McGlynn, vice president, Digital Publishing Initiative, HP. "Both our companies recognize the strength of using variable data for more relevant communications -- personalized mailing pieces grab your attention -- and there are more opportunities than ever before for businesses to capitalize on personalized, design-rich printed material to reach their customers. Together we can help make personalization technology in graphic design ubiquitous."

The new version will add support for PPML-T, allowing it to output to both new and older models of HP Indigo digital presses through HP Production Flow. PPML is an open standard for personalized printing, and one of the technological underpinnings of the personalized digital printing industry. QuarkXClusive presents customers with new opportunities to create uniquely targeted printed materials.

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