Metrix XML breakthrough makes ganging even easier

LithoTechnics, Australian manufacturer of the ground-breaking automated layout calculator, Metrix, is introducing an enhanced tool for importing and exporting data.

Metrix produces layouts (impositions) for multiple jobs within a project, taking account of the number of each required and physical properties like sheet size, paper grain and bleed.

Metrix is JDF compliant but the ganging function, which gives Metrix users a significant commercial edge, is not defined within JDF itself.

MetrixXML (MXML) will feature in v2.0 of Metrix and allows ganged jobs to be handled correctly.

"Since version 1.0, Metrix has supported JDF, and this support has grown with each new release" says Rohan Holt, founder and CEO of LithoTechnics.

"In Metrix version 2.0, our JDF support has again grown significantly.

Metrix 2.0 imports and reads Imposition Preparation grayboxes, a common JDF graybox used for describing bound type jobs.

Bound type jobs are fully supported in Metrix 2.0." "JDF still lacks a clear and simple way of defining gang run jobs, and this frustrates our users who want to fully exploit the benefits of Metrix and who need a seamless exchange of data with their MIS.

Metrix 2.0 introduces a new way of exchanging data with Metrix, called MetrixXML, or MXML.

MXML is a simple file format that has similarities to some parts of JDF, but is essentially based on the internal Metrix data model.

I'm glad to finally have a foolproof way of getting product and project metadata in and out of Metrix." "MXML can be imported via the user interface or a hot folder.

Metrix imports both JDF and MXML in the exact same manner, determining on-the-fly what sort of file it is dealing with.

MXML can also be exported, just like JDF, PDF, CIP3, or Preps Templates.

MXML opens up virtually every property of the Metrix data model, enabling unprecedented interoperability.

It fully supports folded and bound jobs too, so every type of job that Metrix 2.0 can handle can be expressed in MXML." Metrix 2.0 was shown at IPEX as a technology preview, and will be available in the autumn.

Anyone purchasing Metrix 1.7 now will get a free upgrade to v2.0.

The first UK public showing will be at Digital Print World, on Stand 528, where Positive Focus will be offering comprehensive demonstrations, and will discuss the potential for automatically ganging jobs together.

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