The Chili Rendro workflow
Belgian PDF and composition software firm Chili Publish has announced a new tool for online PDF rendering, which it claims is a missing piece in print workflows now so much work is processed online and via mobile devices as well as PCs.
‘There is now a need for mobile rendering in addition to desktop rendering of PDF,’ said Chili Publish chief executive Kevin Goeminne. ‘There is currently no way to render PDF on a mobile device, even Adobe’s tools fail.’
Product manager Geert Fransen added: ‘It has been assumed that PDFs are rendered correctly online but they are not.’
PDF cannot be accurately rendered in common applications including Preview, Chrome or iBooks Elements not handled by mobile devices today blending, transparency, overprint and non-RGB colourspaces.
Chili Publish’s solution is a new technology it calls Rendro, which renders files in the cloud using Chili’s servers and processing technology. The data is then streamed using HTML5, to enable it to be dynamically presented correctly on computers, tablets and phones.
Rendro is an enabling technology that the firm offers via a software development kit (SDK) for partners to integrate into their own workflow products. It is intended to be used in online PDF readers; collaboration and proofing tools and comparison and version management.
The first product to make use of the technology will be Enfocus’ recently announced PDF View tool, which will be shown at drupa for the first time [link to story please].
‘We hope that Rendro will become the de-facto online PDF rendering technology,’ said Mr Fransen.
Chili Publish has also announced enhancements to its dynamic document composition engine Chili Publisher, which has now reached version 5.
Developments include language support for Chinese, Korean and Indonesian, and simulation of final print effects including- varnish, spot varnish, foiling and embossing.
A new dynamic user interface intelligently optimises appearance based on the platform being used be it desktop, tablet or phone and whether the user is operating via touchscreen or mouse.
