Introducing Imp Version 12, built on latest Windows .Net 5 framework and Adobe PDF library. With a host of new features and refinements, it takes layout plannnig, ganging, imposition and estimation to a new level.

Imp version 12 requires a fresh install. It does not require uninstalling older versions. It can be installed parallel to older versions.

Download a PDF version of the release notes here

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

Please follow the steps below to install Imp version 12:

Download the installer from above link

1. Right click the installer > Properties > Click on “Unblock” > Apply & OK
2. Run the installer
3. If .Net 5 is not installed on the system, installer will prompt and guide you to download .Net5 installer and run it.
4. After successful installation, activation window will come up.
5. Close this window

NEW FEATURES IN VERSION 12

Check-In function in Imp Flow

When jobs are processed in Imp Flow, there was no option to add/save them to the "Job Database" maintained by Farm service. A new action “Check-in product” is added to Imp Flow to do this.

Unwinding direction for labels

Imp now supports selection of “Unwinding direction”. This can be set in unbound component properties and Imp will place the label on reel-cut layout in required orientation.

Auto-adjustment of gap between labels for continous roll printing

When labels are planned for continous roll printing, the gap between each label should be uniform. Till now, the gap between each label was set by static bleed value. This resulted in layouts with irregular gap in the beginning and end of each layout (sleeve).

Now, in version 12 we have a new Auto-plan option settings as highlighted below to ensure the gap between each label is uniform. This option works with “Rectangular nesting” algorithm only.

Smart Print & Cut workflow for banners

As ganging is important for overall optimization, so is the job “Metadata” for efficient identification and tracking of jobs on ganged sheets. This is critical for an overall efficient workflow; to add “Barcode or QR code” and “Text mark” with job metadata on each job on the layout.

These marks are added on a tear-off flap on any edge as part of cut-path (red outline) as in illustration below:

This requires users to add the cut-line path and the flap at design stage to each artwork or can be done using automation tools like Switch.

Imp V12 now supports auto-generation of cut-line path with flap along with barcode/QR code, text mark automatically to each artwork.

This feature is implemented by using Imp’s dynamic marks template that allows user to create cut-line path using geometry tools by entering dimensions using parametric expressions such as “TrimWidth” and “TrimHeight” for dimensions.

A new option to “Import geometry from marks” is also added to the Geometry import options to facilitate import of die-lines from geometry marks.

New option “Do not rotate” components on layout

To ensure rectangular unbound jobs are not rotated on the layout, the only option available was to set the grain direction of component and press sheet. This was an inelegant solution. To address this issue, we now have a new option in component direction “Do not rotate”. With this option selected, the components will not be rotated on the layout.

Option to generate “marks” in separate layers

Downstream file processing can be easy if marks are placed in a separate layer in exported PDF. This way artwork and marks are in separate layers and can be turned on or off independently, as per requirement. To generate marks in separate layers we now have a new preference “Create separate layer(s) for marks during PDF export”.

The layers are generated based on set “Prioirty” for each mark. Marks of same priority are generated in same layer. Example: The camera registration marks are placed with “High” priority.

In the final exported imposed PDF, Imp creates a layer “MarksHigh” and generates all marks with high priority in it.

Option to “Rotate” 1Up geometry to an arbitrary angle

Some die-cut shapes offer better interlocking if they are rotated arbitrarily. Till now Imp supported rotation by 90° angle only. This resulted in wastage on layout as below:

In version 12, under “Geometry” tools in unbound component editor, a new “Rotate Geometry” tool is available

When the above job is rotated by 15°, it results in a better optimized layout.

Collecting & gathering order and positioning of partial signature

The collecting or gathering order and position of partial signature was controlled through preference setting till now. These were global settings which cannot be modified as per selected binding method on the job.

Now, in Version 12 these settings are moved from preference to “Binding method” database. This way user can create multiple binding methods with differnt collecting/gathering orders and partial signature position.

Rotate all input unbound rectangular jobs by 180°

For some specific printing applications, the incoming unbound rectangular jobs should be rotated by 180° angle.

For this a new settings “RotateAllIncomingUnboundJobBy180=1” in impui.ini file is available. Possible values for this setting in impui.ini are 0 & 1 - 1 to enable and 0 to disabled.

Procedure to set the flag:

1. Close Imp or Imp Flow if running
2. In Imp V12 installation folder in C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp V12 > Locate impui.ini file
3. Open this file in Notepad

Type RotateAllIncomingUnboundJobBy180=1 and Save the file

1. Launch Imp and Imp Flow
2. Now, all input files will be rotated by 180° automatically on import

Fixed “N-Up” margin between signatures

For N-Up finishing with fixed blade width, a fixed N-Up value is required. Till now, Imp used to calculate margin between N-up signatures by adding jog and non-jog trim margins, which resulted in more space than required for fixed blade width.

Now, we have a new option in binding method to ensure that only N-Up excess value is applied between the signatures. If the option "Only this between Nup pages" is not selected, the margin between signatures will also include Jog and Non Jog trim margins.

Support for online reel-sheeter in sheet-fed offset presses

Sheet-fed offset presses with online reel-sheeter attachment can only print on sheets cut from reels. While planning Imp should not consider any mill sheet sizes. Only reels should be considered.

In Imp V12 we have added a new option "Has online reel sheeter" in sheetfed offset presses under “More” tab as below. If this option is selected, only reels will be considered for planning.

Spot inks wash-up/make-ready time in offset presses

When the spot color changes, inking units must be washed which adds to the layouts

make-ready time. It is an important consideration when planning jobs with different spot inks. Till now, Imp was not taking this into account.

Now in Version 12 we have added a new field to enter wash-up or make-ready time for spot inks.

Option to define Click-cost “per area”

Digital presses can have a fixed click-cost irrespective of sheet size or can have different click-cost for different sheet sizes.

In Imp V12 user can define either click-cost common for all sheet sizes or click-cost per sq. meter. For US system, the option will be per sq. feet.

With per sq. meter click-cost, you can get different printing costs for different sheet sizes.

Option to define minimum sheet count

There are some printers who gang small quantities on offset presses. They need to print minimum sheets per layout while ganging.

In Imp V12, we now have an option to define “minimum sheets” in auto-plan settings as below:

Allow selected workstyles for layout planning

Till now Imp used to select the workstyle depending on the press configuration. Few customers wanted to have control on the workstyle while planning.

In Imp V12, we now have option to select workstyles that must be considered while planning.

Imp Flow - Option to dock print area on the layout

In ImpUI a user can dock the print area to any corner or center of an edge. This functionality was required in Imp Flow hot folder automation as well for handsfree processing.

In Imp V12, we have a new action “Dock print area on the layout” in Imp Flow to select the layout docking position as below:

Imp Flow - Add marks to unbound components

In Imp, we have an option to add “Job marks” to unbound components. As different types of unbound component can have different marks requirement, a user could manually apply a different marks template as per requirement.

In Imp V12, the same can be accomplished in a hands free manner using the new "Add job marks" action.

Support to define different papers and page range in a single bound component in XML input

“Carbon copy forms” are printed on papers of different colors. Till now, Imp's XML input format did not support creation of such bound components where different sections of pages were on different paper type.

To tackle this issue, <BoundComponent.PrintDefs> attribute is introduced in bound component PPXML input to define page range and material on which it needs to be printed. As in below screenshot, pages 1 to 4 are defined on different color papers.

Download latest Imp XML specification document from this link: https://insoftautomation-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/p/ravi/EYMXuyS- jYslDtiUA5OZJuXMBopon7Jj8GvQUgROU0l1Y4w?e=e4O4gv

Sync configuration - Disable “Push” option

When using “Sync configuration” feature, any user was able to “Push” and “Pull” configuration data. For a secured working, it is better to give "Push" option only to admin users.

In Imp V12, "Push" option can be disabled by setting "AllowPushConfig=0" in impui.ini file.. Procedure to set the flag:

1. Close Imp or Imp Flow if running
2. In Imp V12 installation folder in C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp V12 > Locate impui.ini file
3. Open this file in Notepad

Type "AllowPushConfig=0" and Save the file

1. Launch Imp > Tools > Sync Configuration data
2. Push option is not available, only “Pull” option is available to update the latest configruation data

FEATURE REFINEMENTS IN VERSION 12

Die-matching improvements

Imp’s die-search mechanism to find out a matching die for a new job used to consider only the outer cut-line path. Any mismatch in the inner parts was ignored.

In below example, the window in the carton was ignored and die-database showed 100% perfect match.

Now, Imp V12 offers die-search considering inner closed paths also.

While die-matching, if there are line segments, arcs or any other open shapes inside cutline path, these will not be considered.

“Allow trimming of sheets to fit the press” should work for reels

In Imp’s auto-plan settings, “Allow trimming of sheets to fit the press” option if selected will trim the big mill sheets to fit the press. This option was limited to sheets only. Now it is extended for reels also, with maximum of 25% trim wastage.

Option to control derived sheets

Imp can plan on derived sheet sizes from mill sheets as per the constraints of printing and finishing devices such as guillotine cutting, die-cutting or digital cutting devices. Till now, user can’t control which derivates to be used.

In Imp V12 preferences, user can now select the derivatives to be considered for planning:

Impui.ini flag settings moved to preferences

Impui.ini file settings flags are provided as a first cut of development delivery for specific requiremetns. Once the features stabilize, they are moved to Imp’s preferences.

Many features developed in Imp9 are now moved to preferences in Imp V12. Below is screen- shot of these new options under planning tab:

Bound jobs ganging

Imp's ganging engine used to gang only signatures of a single bound component. It does not combine signatures of different bound components, together on the same layout. This results in greater number of pallets for finishing as each layout will be cut, collated, and finished separately.

In Version 12 of Imp, this issue has been addressed. Now, the software can plan signatures of different bound components (but same page count) on the same sheet for better control and efficiency in collation and finishing.

Ignore orientation while saving and re-using LYT files

Till now, Imp’s LYT files are saved with job orientation. A LTY file saved using a portrait job can’t work for a landscape job of same size.

Now, LYT files used in Imp V12 are orientation free. Users can use LYT files saved even in older versions, using any orientation - portrait or landscape, and they will work for both orientations.

Support to import additional geometries from PDF file

Till now, Imp used to support import of only 3 geometries from input PDF files as Cut, Crease and perforation layers as below:

In case there are more geometries such as “Kiss Cut” “Half Cut” “Drill” in the input file, Imp used to ignore these.

Imp V12 can now import any number of geometries under “Others” tab:

Support to Import CF2 dies with 1Up placed in arbitrary rotation

Till now, Imp could only import CF2 die layouts with ups placed in orientations of 0°, 90°, 180° & 270°. If 1Up designs are placed at an arbitrary angle, as in below image, Imp used to skip the placements in bottom row.

Imp V12 supports the import of such die-layouts with 1Up placed at arbitrary rotation.

Digital Printing - Ignore make-ready time and wastage for similar layouts in a plan

Till now, Imp considered added make-ready time and wastage for every layout even if some of them are on the same press, sheet and workstyle. On digital presses, such similar layouts can be printed with single make-ready. This is fixed in version 12.

Option to control auto-start of flows for different users

The option "Auto start this flow when ImpFlow starts" is a convenient option to automatically start flows when ImpFlow is started. However, in multi-user environment, this leads to problems.

In version 12, each flow can be assigned a user affinity and only on that user's ImpFlow install will that flow auto-start on startup.

For this, set “UserName” in impui.ini file. This is not system user name. It is just a unique name for an Imp user.

Follow below procedure to set the impui.ini file:

1. Close Imp or Imp Flow if running
2. In Imp V12 installation folder in C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp V12 > Locate impui.ini file
3. Open this file in Notepad

Type "UserName=XYZ" (XYZ is only for sample) and save the file

1. Launch Imp and Imp Flow
2. In Imp Flow > Select the flow > Edit > Enter the UserName as defined in the Impui.ini file in “Auto start this flow when ImpFlow starts” field. This flow will only start for this user.

We have released an update of Imp version 9.1, please update your Imp install using the below binaries.

64-bit Update binaries: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yx1y22vnk99oc01/ImpUpdate_24.073f.zip?dl=0

bit Update binaries: https://www.dropbox.com/s/s1gbgboyrdx5rg5/ImpUpdate_24.073f_x86.zip?dl=0

BINARIES UPDATE PROCEDURE:

Close Imp UI & Imp Flow if running

1. Make a copy of your working Imp 9.1 folder to a safe location
2. Download the update zip file from the above links as per system OS – 32 or 64-bit
3. Right click the downloaded Zip file > Properties > Click on Unblock (image below) > Apply & OK
4. Extract the contents of the Zip file > Copy & replace in Imp install folder > C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp9
5. Launch Imp > Help menu > About > the build should be 24.073f

Note: This update is only valid on top of Imp version 9.1 build 24.023 or later. If you are using an older version, this update is not valid. Check your version and build from > Imp UI > Help > About.

Following are the new features and refinement included in this release:

Option to change field and property names used in Imp UI & Reports:

Imp’s UI and reports use hard coded field and property names till now. As users may have their own way of calling the field and property names used in Imp, a new CSV format is introduced with this release to input the name as desired in the given environment.

For example, if a user wants to change the default properties “Name” to “Item”. In Imp UI, currently the UI is shown as below with default values:

To change these, create a comma delimited CSV file and input the default property name first and then the desired name as below:

The file should be saved by the name “UserTranlations.csv” and placed inside “Data” folder in Imp9 installation folder typically in C:\InSoft Automation\Imp9\Data

On relaunching Imp, you can see the custom values as defined in CSV in Imp UI:

The change in property name is also updated in the plan reports:

Please note these UI changes does not affect XML input, the attributes in XML remain defaults as provided in the documentation.

Option to change label information on layout diagram in Imp UI and Reports

Imp currently shows component name, group, and inks on the layout diagram and it can’t be customized.

With this release, it is now possible to show the properties of your choice on the layout using the text mark variables. For this two new Impui.in flag settings are introduced – “UJobLabel” and “SignatureLabel”. UJobLabel is for unbound jobs and SignatureLabel is for bound jobs.

For example, a user wants to show PDF Artwork name, Customer and Shipping info on label of unbound jobs.

• PDF Artwork name comes from default <<Document name>> text variable.
• Customer is a custom property, for this the text mark variable will be <<Job.Customer>>
• Shipping info is again a custom property, it can be added by using <<Job.Shipping>>

To set Impui.in file with these properties, follow following steps:

• Go to Imp install folder in C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp9
• Locate and open Impui.ini file in Notepad
• Type UJobLabel=<<Document name>>\n<<Job.Customer>>\n<<Job.Shipping>> and save the file

(\n is a line break expression to generate each property in individual line)

• Launch Imp

Now import jobs with custom properties defined for each component:

The layout will now have labels as per Impui.ini flag setting in Imp UI and Reports layout diagram

Similarly, you can set label text variables for bound job signatures also.

Option to define signature crop marks inside the signature boundary

Imp currently adds signature crop marks on the outer edges of signature boundary as marked below:

In some cases, these marks are required to be generated inside the signature boundary. For this we have a new “Offset” option in signature crop mark settings. If a negative value is defined, these marks will be generated inside the signature boundary, positive value for generating these on outside the boundary.

Show no-print margin in layout reports

Imp now shows the no-print margins along with gripper margin in layout diagram in reports:

Increase book block thickness range in binding methods

Imp currently supports a maximum block thickness of 1000mm or 39.37in the binding methods. We got requests from customers to increase this range especially to handle variable data / direct mail jobs having thousands of records.

Now, the maximum block thickness is increased to 50000mm or 1968.5in.

Signature text mark to align from bleed edge

The signature text marks defined in binding methods are placed referenced to the trim box corner requiring users to input offsets to place it in the bleed region. With this release, Imp now places the signature text marks referenced to bleed box corner.

To ensure this fix does not disturb the existing customers using signature text mark from trim box reference, a new Impui.ini flag has been introduced, PlaceSigMarksOnBleedBox=1. Without this setting, Imp will add signature text marks from trim box reference only.

To set this flag please follow below procedure:

• Go to Imp install folder in C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp9
• Locate and open Impui.ini file in Notepad
• Type PlaceSigMarksOnBleedBox=1 and save the file
• Launch Imp > Plan a job and you will see signature text marks assigned from bleed box reference.

Following are the bugs fixed in this release:

Imp plans collision layout when ganging bound jobs if "Ignore guillotine cutting cost" option is not selected in the auto plan settings

In a particular job, Imp was generating a layout with pages overlapping each other. The reason was “Ignore guillotine cutting cost” option was not selected. This bug is now fixed. Imp will not create a collision layout irrespective of the ignore guillotine cutting cost option is selected or not.

Imp crashed when layout templates (.LYT files) are created or saved layout templates are edited

In some cases, Imp crashed on saving or editing layout templates (.LYT). This bug is now fixed; Imp will not crash on saving or editing layout template files

BINARIES UPDATE PROCEDURE:

Close Imp UI & Imp Flow if running

1. Make a copy of your working Imp 9.1 folder to a safe location
2. Download the update zip file from the above links as per system OS – 32 or 64-bit
3. Right click the downloaded Zip file > Properties > Click on Unblock (image below) > Apply & OK
4. Extract the contents of the Zip file > Copy & replace in Imp install folder > C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp9
5. Launch Imp > Help menu > About > the build should be 24.067f

Note: This update is only valid on top of Imp version 9.1 build 24.023 or later. If you are using an older version, this update is not valid. Check your version and build from > Imp UI > Help > About.

Following are the bug fixes and refinement in this release:

Imp Crashes while planning

In some cases, Imp was crashing during auto planning. This bug is fixed.

Imp UI closes without any error when editing layouts

In some cases, Imp UI was closing without any error/crash log when working on layouts in layout editor. This bug is fixed.

Imp Flow – Error when generating Cutting JDF

Imp Flow was giving error while generating cutting JDFs. This bug is fixed.

Incorrect component Inks display in PDF reports

In printed reports, the component Inks were displayed wrong. Imp was showing total inks on layout for each component. This bug is fixed.

Export Cutting Data in CIP3 - PPF format

Imp can now export cutting in CIP3 PPF format. In Imp UI, the option is added in layout editor as below:

In Imp Flow a new action is added under Export category as below:

Export layout in PNG format

Imp can now export layouts in PNG format. In Imp UI, the option is added in layout editor as below:

In Imp Flow a new action is added under Export category as below:

Internally, Imp ensures that the size of the PNG file is not more than 2000x2000 pixels.

BINARIES UPDATE PROCEDURE:

Close Imp UI & Imp Flow if running

1. Make a copy of your working Imp 9.1 folder to a safe location
2. Download the update zip file from the above links as per system OS – 32 or 64-bit
3. Right click the downloaded Zip file > Properties > Click on Unblock (image below) > Apply & OK
4. Extract the contents of the Zip file > Copy & replace in Imp install folder > C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp9
5. Launch Imp > Help menu > About > the build should be 24.066f

Download all the release notes here

BINARIES UPDATE PROCEDURE:

Close Imp UI & Imp Flow if running

1. Make a copy of your working Imp 9.1 folder to a safe location
2. Download the update zip file from the above links as per system OS – 32 or 64-bit
3. Right click the downloaded Zip file > Properties > Click on Unblock (image below) > Apply & OK
4. Extract the contents of the Zip file > Copy & replace in Imp install folder > C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp9
5. Launch Imp > Help menu > About > the build should be 24.063f

Note: This update is only valid on top of Imp version 9.1 build 24.023 or later. If you are using an older version, this update is not valid. Check your version and build from > Imp UI > Help > About

Following are the new features and refinements included in Imp layout planning & imposition module:

Modifications to Cutting JDF Export

When exporting Cutting JDF with impui.ini flag “ExportOffcutInCuttingJDF=1” if there is no offcut value defined, Imp was exporting the block size as bleed size.

The correct behaviour is to export Cutting JDF in trim size only if there are no offcut values defined. This is now the default behaviour with above mentioned ini setting.

You can set the special setting in impui.ini file as listed below:

1. Go to Imp9 install folder inside c drive > InSoft Automation
2. Locate and open impui.ini file in notepad
3. Type ExportOffcutInCuttingJDF=1 and save the file
4. Launch Imp/Imp Flow, exported cutting JDFs will have offcut block information
5. If there is no offcut value defined, the block size will be in trim size of the component

Option to place mirrored “Text” & “Color Identifier” marks.

For some special applications like t-shirt transfers and screen printing, printers require text mark and color identifier marks to be placed mirrored on the layout. Now we have a new option – “Printing Style” to select the mirror options as shown below:

Option to apply crop marks to signature boundary.

When ganging signatures, it is important to cut each signature in correct size considering the trim and lap margins. For this it is essential to place crop marks on the signature corners.

Earlier it was possible only through making a marks template with corner marks and apply to signatures of bound jobs.

For full automation, we now have a new option in Auto Mark Settings > Dynamic Marks > “Add crop marks on signature boundary”.

If this option is checked, crop marks will also be placed on signature corners as shown below:

Option to define “Lap” position in XML.

When defining bound components in XML, the lap position attribute was not available. Now with this release users can define lap position under bound component properties in XML file using “IsLapOnHighFolio” attribute. If set true (IsLapOnHighFolio="True"), the lap will be set on the high folio side. If set false (IsLapOnHighFolio="False"), the lap will be set on the Low folio side.

You can download the latest XML specifications document from this link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7if6mvhgor1m0ps/Specification%20of%20Print%20Product%20XML.pdf?dl=0

New text mark variables “Document name” and “Book page number” added to bound components

When working with bound components you can now add text mark variable “Document name” to print the PDF file name and “Book page number” for printing folio of the 1^st page of the signature. These marks are also added to the “Signature marks” under binding method for automatic placement of these marks on the signatures.

Option to apply crop and fold marks from bleed not from offcut

When offcut margin is defined for an unbound component, Imp applies the crop and fold marks from the offcut not from the bleed as in below image.

A control was needed to apply crop and fold marks from bleed even if offcut is defined. To enable this behaviour a new INI flag is available “PlaceFoldAndCropMarksOnBleedBoxOnly=1”, possible values are 0 and 1, 0 will apply marks from offcut.

To set this flag please follow below procedure:

1. Close Imp & Imp Flow if running
2. Locate impui.ini file inside Imp install folder in C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp9
3. Open this file in Notepad
4. Save the file and close it
5. Now launch Imp & Imp Flow. Now crop and fold marks will be applied from bleed not from offcut

Type PlaceFoldAndCropMarksOnBleedBoxOnly=1

Support for multiple impressions of same colour / ink

For special printing requirements, some jobs require multiple impressions of the same colour / ink. This means in component properties same colour / ink should be defined multiple times and when planning Imp must consider multiple printing units for same ink.

With this release you can now import and plan jobs which requires multiple impressions of the same colour

/ ink.

Option to round-off trim size imported from PDF file

In some cases when PDF files are imported, the trim size is set in decimals like 2436.001mm as in below image.

In some cases, Imp will not plan the job even if the image area exceeds the printable region on the layout by 0.001mm.

Such jobs can be round-off by using the new INI flag “PDFTrimSizeRoundOffDecimal=0”. The behaviour of this flag is as follow:

This flag works using mm as base unit.

If the trim width of a PDF page is 2432.1234mm and the flag value is set to 0, then Imp will change trim size to 2432mm. If the flag is set to 1, then Imp will change size to 2432.1mm and so on...

If this flag is set and units are set as “inch” or “cm”, Imp will first convert the sizes into mm and then do the rounding off, convert the final values in “inch” and “cm” and set the resultant values as trim size in component properties.

To set this flag please follow below procedure:

1. Close Imp & Imp Flow if running
2. Locate impui.ini file inside Imp install folder in C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp9
3. Open this file in Notepad
4. Save the file and close it.
5. Launch Imp and Imp Flow. Now the trim sizes from PDFs will be rounded-off as per set value.

Type PDFTrimSizeRoundOffDecimal=0

Following are the bugs fixed in Imp layout planning & imposition module:

In European regional settings, in Imp Flow “Export imposed PDF” action, sheet size selection is not retained, it is reverted to plate size.

This issue is fixed now. Imp Flow retains the sheet size selection in export PDF action.

In all “Auto Plan” actions in Imp Flow, “Ensure grain perpendicular to feeding direction” is the default sheet/reel grain direction selection. It should be set to “Don’t care” as a default.

This issue is fixed now. In all “Auto Plan” actions, “Don’t care” is now the default grain for the sheets/reels.

When importing colours from PPXML, the back-side colours are not defined correctly.

This issue is fixed now. Imp/Imp flow now imports the back colours correctly from the PPXML files.

Imp UI crashes when “Edit” unbound component button is hit.

This issue is fixed now. Imp UI does not crash when editing unbound components.

Update procedure:

• Disable any anti-virus application if running.
• Close Imp and Imp Flow.
• Download the Imp update from the Trial link, right click it, see properties and click on Unblock as shown in below image and then Apply, OK.
• Extract the contents of the zip, copy and replace in Imp9 install folder, C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp9 folder
• Launch Imp, help menu > about > the build should be 23.03!r

New Features

• Option to add a multi-page PDF in an opened product
  PDF wizard option is primarily used to create unbound components from a multipage PDF file. This is very common a user may get many multi-page PDFs with different front and back page assignments for creating unbound components. Till now it was not possible to use different multi-page PDFs in Imp software UI. User must break the PDF files into single page or 2-page PDFs to be imported an unbound component.
  Now we have PDF wizard option available inside an open product. This button is available in the vertical tool bar as shown below.

• Option to define stroke thickness of “Page trim box” in “Export PDF”
  If a user wants to add trim box or die-shape in the exported PDF, the stroke thickness was hard coded. Some customers wanted more control on defining the stroke thickness. Now we have given the control in export PDF dialogue box to define the stroke thickness.

• Option to export die-layout in PDF format with filled geometry marks
  Imp’s die-layout export used to support only the strokes for geometry marks like circle or rectangle added to the die-layout.
  Some digital die cutting machines required the camera registration marks to be filled circles on the die-layout. Now, if a user defines a geometry mark or camera registration with fill, Imp by default export the die layout with filled geometry marks in PDF format. In other formats available for die-layout export, the geometry marks will come in strokes only.

• Layout ID (Unique ID) from Plan XML to be part of Imp marks
  Imp generates a dynamic “Layout ID” for each layout in “Plan XML” export as shown below:
  
  This “Layout ID” can be used in downstream operations like sorting, packing and dispatch. Till now “Layout ID” was not available as a marks variable that can be used for QR Code, barcode or text marks. Now “Layout ID” variable is available in Imp marks and can be used to print this ID in different marks.
  The “Layout ID” variable is available as “Unique ID” in Imp marks, please see image below:
  
  The “Unique ID” is 256 binary characters long that cannot be read by some barcode/QR code readers. If you want a shorter version, use “Unique ID – Short”, this is only 12 characters long.

Bug Fixes

• Imp Flow – Nup excess defined in binding method is not honored
  In Imp Flow, when a bound job is planned with “N-up” value and in selected binding method “N-up excess” value is also defined to add extra margin in the foot gutter to separate different ups, Imp flow was not adding this value to the gutter margins. This is fixed now.
• Imp crashes when back side layout diagram is printed in reports
  In case simplex and duplex jobs are ganged together and in reports, back side of layout printing is selected, Imp was crashing on printing reports. This is fixed now.
• Color bar placement issue in marks template
  If a color bar is placed in a Marks Template using “repeat to sheet width” option and reference to left top corner of the sheet, an error message “The mark file could not be loaded successfully” was displayed and the color bar PDF was dropped. This has been fixed now.
• Imp Flow – Purge command to delete folders inside “Done” and “Fail” not working
  Purge command was only working to delete the files moved to “Done” and “Fail” folders. It was not deleting the folders inside. It is now fixed. You can refer how to setup Purge function in Windows from this link.
• Auto-Mark settings – Priority of Dynamic Marks (Crop and Fold) not retained
  If the priorities of “Dynamic marks – Crop and Fold” are set as “High” or “Overprint page content” in Auto-mark settings, Imp was not retaining the set priorities and reverting it to “Normal”. This is fixed now.

Update procedure:

• Disable any anti-virus application if running.
• Close Imp and Imp Flow.
• Download the Imp update from the Trial link, right click it, see properties and click on Unblock as shown in below image and then Apply, OK.
• Extract the contents of the zip, copy and replace in Imp9 install folder, C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp9 folder
• Launch Imp, help menu > about > the build should be 23.032f

New Features

• Option to add camera registration marks automatically in layout editor
  For digital cutters, dot marks or camera registration marks are very important. Imp applies these marks automatically during planning based on marks settings in “Auto marks settings”. If the layout is edited, there was no option to apply these marks at layout level.
  Now we have a new tool to add dot marks at layout level in a single click. This tool will automatically get active if digital cutter is selected in layout properties.

• Option to set default grain direction
  Now, user can select the desired grain direction in component properties and save it as default. All future jobs will have the same grain direction. If a different grain direction value is coming from XML, CSV or PDF name, this value will be overridden.

• Include custom product and component properties in Plan XML Export
  Till now Imp was able to import the custom properties from XML file but unable to export them in the plan XML export.
  Now with this build, all custom properties will be exported in the plan XML.

• PDF Wizard now supports "Infer Colors" and "Import Geometry"
  PDF wizard till last update used to import only the rectangular jobs and it was not possible to infer colors from the incoming PDF.
  Now, option to import geometry from spot colors in PDF and also import correct colors through “infer colors” options are available now.

• Option to rearrange jobs on the layout in Imp Flow – “Repack” action
  Often layouts created by auto planning are rearranged better when the "Fit" button is pressed in 'Layout editor'.
  The same functionality is now available in Imp Flow. Under “Edit” there is a new action “Repack layouts” that can be added to the flow after “Auto Plan” action and it will do the repack of all the layouts.

• Imp Flow - Notify users when a job is failed
  If a job is submitted to Imp Flow and it fails, there was no mechanism to inform user about the failure. The failure log was only accessible through Imp Flow UI and it was not accessible to users working on network.
  Now Imp Flow can send email to the listed email IDs in each Flow when there is a job failure. For this the first step is to set up Bot.ini file with SMTP details with email ID and password through which email will be sent to the user. This Bot.ini file should be located inside Imp9 install folder, inside C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp9 folder.
  Download a sample Bot.ini file from here.
  Close Imp and Imp Flow if running and place Bot.ini inside Imp9 folder. Now launch Imp Flow and select and edit the flow and you can see a new field where you can enter email IDs of users who should be notified in case of job failure.

Bug Fixes

• Changes in Imp’s rectangular ganging algorithms
  In certain situations, as reported by some customers, Imp was planning extra ups of a job on the layout to fill the sheet, which was resulting in massive overruns. Internally the planning algorithms are now refined to avoid these situations.
• XML Page sequence issue
  If an XML file has page sequence has to start with “0”. Now this has been fixed and Page sequence can now start from “1”.
• XML does not work on systems with “,” as decimal
  It is now possible to import an XML with “.” Decimal on systems running “,” as decimal value. Go to Imp9 install folder in C drive > InSoft Automation > Imp9 folder > locate and open impui.ini file in note pad. Paste LocalizeInputXML=0 in impui.ini, save it and Imp will load XML file with an invariant culture in which ‘.’ will be the decimal separator irrespective of current language settings on the system.
• Imp Flow - Sort Flow names alphabetically
  In Imp Flow, the flows were arranged by the creation date. Now with this update they will be arranged alphabetically.
• Output intent / ICC profiles embedded in input PDFs are not retained in exported imposed PDFs
  With CopyPDFMetadata=1 tag in impui.ini file, Imp was able to retain the ICC Profiles embedded in the incoming PDF files in exported imposed PDFs. In case of ganging, this was not supported as different files can have different profiles. But it was also not working if all PDFs have same ICC profile embedded.
  Now this has been fixed. If different PDFs have same ICC profile embedded, Imp will retain the ICC profile in exported PDF files.
• Imp hangs while planning more than 1000 items in one product
  Imp can now plan close to 2000 items within one product/job. Just set QuickPlanning=1 in impui.ini file inside Imp9 folder and see the unthinkable happening.
• Job overlaps the non-printing strips defined in sheetfed press
  In some scenarios, Imp was overlapping jobs over the non-printing strips defined in the offset press. Now this has been fixed.
• Duplicate instances of a same PDF in Imposition JDF causes issues
  In some scenarios, while exporting Imposition JDF, Imp was referring the linked input PDF multiple times. This was causing the workflow to hang. Now, this has been fixed and now Imp ensures that one document is referenced only once in Imposition JDF.

Version 9.0 of Imp, a fully automatic layout planning and imposition software, is now available for download. It is a major release packed with many features and multiple enhancements setting yet another benchmark when it comes to print layout planning and preparation. This document is a complete and detailed report of new features and enhancements in this version.

• Planning on bigger sheet even if Die Cutting/Making Machine is small
  • Creating Sub-Layout manually
  • Editing Sub-Layout
  • Sub-Layout Properties
• Automatic placement of registration dots for cutting tables
  • Changes to Auto Mark settings
  • Dot Mark
  • Automatic placement of dot registration mark
• Marks for operations other than printing
  • Marks margin for Die-Cutting, Die-Making and Digital Cutting Machines
• Improved Pure Nesting Algorithm
• Support for Flexo Presses
• Possible to create layouts without selecting a press
• Jobs are not planned if required machines are not selected
• Allowing overruns
• Disallow Ganging on certain jobs
• Enhancements to planning with LYT
• Automatic inference of inks and coatings of layout
• Automatic setting of sheet cut-size by removing white area
• Changes to make ready time and wastage calculation for work and turn/tumble
• Action to automatically import material CSV in ImpFlow
• Enhancements to User Interface
• Changes to preferences
• Changes to Auto Plan settings
• Other notable features

Imp 8.0, a fully automatic layout planning and imposition software, is now available for download. It is a major release.

Support for Large Format Presses

Ground-up support for large format presses is the callout feature in version 8. From this version on, there would be no hesitation is claiming that Imp software is a rapid print layout creation software for large format presses (also!).

Large Format Presses are now a New Machine Category

With the new version of Imp, you can create efficient layouts for large format presses. Both roll-to-roll and flat-bed format presses are supported. The costing function for these presses try to capture the realities of large format printing with better accuracy.

Ganging Algorithm Fine-tuned for Large Format Printing

When planning on a large format press, the ganging algorithm of Imp works differently. With less emphasis on reducing number of layouts and more on saving substrate and ink, the software will find the most cost effective ganged layouts. The software is also capable of considering and placing the same job on multiple layouts.

New Digital Cutting Machine Category

Again with the goal of making cost effective layouts for large format scenarios, Imp introduces a new machine category: Digital Cutting Machine. The cost function of this machine can calculate the cost of digitally cutting a layout (with knife or laser).

Improvements to Die Export

In version 8, there is considerable focus on handling of CAD data. This section highlights those enhancements.

CAD like Editor to Make Corrections to Geometry of a Job

Until now, geometry of an unbound component could be set only by importing CAD files (DXF, CF2 or PDF). No changes could be done to the CAD data within Imp. This has changed; you can now make changes from within Imp by choosing the "Edit Geometry" option. Currently this CAD editor has only some basic functionality. But, going forward you can expect considerable development adding more and more features to this CAD Editor. Currently, this editor can come in handy in the following situations.

• Make corrections to a badly drawn outline so that Imp can find the closed outer geometry.
• Add holes or other special layers from within Imp.
• You can even draw the entire outline directly in Imp. However, please note that it is a non-parametric editor.

Edit Die Export Data before Exporting

The same CAD Editor mentioned above comes in handy when you want to add some new lines or layers to the die data, just before exporting it. The editor also has a smart tool called "Auto Repeat Selection", which can automatically repeat any geometry you add over one or more stations. This tool is very handy when you want to add stripping rules to the die.

NOTE: You cannot delete existing geometry of the layout.

Preview of Die when Exporting

The Die Export window now shows dynamic preview of the die to the right as shown in the window below. Preview is shown as per the layers settings you have configured on the left.

More Control on Other Geometry

For other geometry layers, you can now control two more things other than its color:

1. The line style (dash/dot etc.)
2. Whether the geometry in this layer will require some rules to be made when making the die.

The software will remember these settings and automatically apply them in the future for layers with matching names.

More Control on Line Styles

You can now control how different line styles are rendered inside Imp's user interface. These settings also affect the line styles exported to DXF or PDF die.

You can also add new line types.

Below you can see the popup that allows you to define and control the different line styles. You must enter a series of values in millimeters. These values alternately define the stroke and space length.

While you can delete custom line types, predefined line types cannot be deleted.

Option to Draw All Layers in Layout Report

Before version 8, Imp would only draw the cut-outline of the jobs in reports. By choosing the new option "Show all die lines", you can now make Imp draw a to-the-scale die drawing in the same place.

When this option is checked, Imp will also draw a line legend in the report for the reader to identify which lines belong to which layer.

More Attributes on Material for Intelligent Automation

Couple of new attributes have been added to a material (substrate) entry in the configuration data.

Requires UV drying: Identifies if the substrate’s surface is adsorbent or not. Nonadsorbing surfaces will be planned only on UV printing machines.

Different finish on back: Identifies if the two surfaces (front & back) have the same finish. If they have different finish, Imp will not use work & turn/tumble workstyles for such sheets. It will also raise a warning if the user creates such a layout manually.

New Rectangular Ganging Option

For simplifying cutting process, a common request was to have only one job per column when ganging multiple jobs together. This feature is now available. This option is applicable only when "Stack jobs only vertically" option is also selected.

Geometry Marks for Die

It is now possible create geometry marks which are never printed but only exported to the die CAD file. Moreover, user can control the name of the layer to which the mark is written into. Previously, this layer was always called “Registration” layer.

Enhancements to Rectangle Mark

The stroke of the rectangle mark can be selectively turned on/off on any of the sides. It is now possible to create corner angle marks. Another new option for rectangle mark is the "corner radius".

Custom Properties

• Custom properties can now be defined on a layout too, just like it is possible to define them on a product or its component. These custom properties can be accessed as a variable in text mark.
• Default custom properties can now be defined in the Preferences dialog for components and layouts also. So, if there is any additional data that you want every job to carry, you can define such a field in preferences and every new job will have this field.
• Custom properties of the component can now be selected to be shown as a column inside the Product sheet interface.
• Custom properties can also be selected to be displayed on the job in the Job pallet of the plan interface.

Specify Sheet & Roll Size Manually

It is now possible to manually enter the sheet sizes and roll widths that the software must consider while planning. This gives more control to planners who would like to try out different options.

Offcut Values for Covers

Offcut values for covers can be parametric.

Other new features

• It is now possible to define a soft and hard limit to the die rule length that your die equipment can handle. When auto planning, Imp software will take this limit into consideration and generate layout solutions which do not exceed the hard limit. It will raise a warning when the soft limit is crossed.
• Improved Push & Pop planning efficiency.
• It is now possible to select multiple .lyt files when planning with layout template file(s) option.
• The software can now expand gutters of signatures at the time of auto planning bound component. It is no longer necessary to manually click the Expand gutters menu to expand the gutters.
• Number of lines/points in the exported CAD data can be reduced by approximating series of small line segments with arcs. In some cases, this can drastically reduce the file size of the exported die/CAD data.
• Additional columns in the CSV files will now be imported as custom properties of the component. Such a CSV file must have header row at the beginning.
• Better error reports are generated when a CSV file or few lines of a CSV file fail to import.
• It is now possible to include and print manually filled data in layout reports.
• It is now possible to define custom properties for layouts just the same way as it is possible to define for a product or component.
• New option to save Imp reports as .xps file while generating them through ImpFlow.
• Plan information can be exported in a CSV format.
• By setting an option in impui.ini file, it is now possible to align jobs on the outside in a ganged layout. This can simplify guillotine cutting.
• PDF and job-size mismatch warning is now shown in the Product Sheet UI.
• Maximum folding depth value can now be imported through the material CSV file.
• You can now precisely control the quiet zone around a barcode mark.
• Creep compensation can now be applied by scaling of the content.
• The software now supports Offcut margins for unbound components. You can use this margin to enforce additional space around the job on the layout. Like bleed margin, offcut margin is also measured from the trim edge of the job and hence will have effect only when its value is greater than the bleed margin value on a given edge.
• Where numbers are entered, the software will show digit grouping. Ex: 100,000 instead of 100000.
• It is now possible to batch import multiple DXF files into a product in one shot. Simply drag and drop the files.
• More user control on the job name and layout name attributes in imposition JDF output by Imp. User can now ensure that the title of the job in the RIP is accurate and he or she wants.
• It is now possible to create geometry marks which are never printed but only exported to the die CAD file.
• New option to scale the geometry of a non-rectangular job.