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Graphic Arts: AutoTools tunes batches of XPress files

Aiming to diminish the drudgery of common prepress tasks, Macrobyte Resources

recently released PrePress AutoTools. The $289 engine batch-processes

QuarkXPress files to create PostScript files or proofs.

AutoTools is based on UserLand Software Inc.'s free Frontier 5.0 scripting

software, and it requires Frontier 5.0 to run. From a central Tasks palette,

users can choose spot color, trapping, knockout color, image or printing

functions or combine several tasks within a single batch process.

AutoTools lists spot-color information for all selected documents and lets

prepress users specify CMYK mixes, set trapping preferences, ensure that white

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areas are knocked out of surrounding color, and check and update image links.

A Print function lets users specify settings for the entire batch of files.

Users can customize AutoTools by writing simple script-based plug-ins in

Frontier UserTalk or in AppleScript, Macrobyte said. Example files and a

tutorial are included.

PrePress AutoTools is available for an introductory price of $189 until May

16. A free demo can be downloaded from the company's Web site.

Macrobyte Resources of Stonington, Conn., is at (860) 535-9450;

macrobyte@snet.net; http://www.macrobyteresources.com.