Box Editor 1.0

For the first time, Apagos Box Editor software is a low-cost plug-in to Adobe Acrobat(tm) that allows advertisers to easily set accurate "bleed and trim" dimensions or "boxes" to define the size of an ad. PDF/X files have been widely adopted for advertising workflow. But, the bleed and trim data required by the PDF/X standard often contain incorrect information leading to costly mistakes and lost time. To place ads on pages and impose pages and spreads efficiently, publishers need PDF/X files from advertisers with accurate data in bleed and trim boxes.

The software allows advertisers to import and export bleed and trim data in the new XML format to create a "Library" of ad specifications for different publications. Box dimensions can be entered as decimals (2.25) or in fractions (2 1/2). A powerful Grouping feature allows the advertiser to position both the trim and bleed boxes at the same time.

Box Editor also includes unique capabilities that act as a control panel for digital ads. Publishers can see PDF/X-specific information including Trapping status and OutputIntent values. The "Vue/X" mode automatically configures Acrobat to view PDF/X files correctly. With one mouse click, Publishers can delete all of the content outside the trim or bleed area removing unwanted registration marks and "slugs." The Fonts and Colors tabs can be used to quickly identify all the fonts and colors that were used in the ad.

Standard Format for Exchanging Ad Specifications
Apagos open XML format makes it easy for publishers to publish their ad specifications on their websites, enabling advertisers to easily download the XML file and import it into Box Editor software.
Currently, advertisers or their prepress providers visit each publications web site, print the specifications for reference and manually enter the bleed and trim sizes to create a template page in a layout program such as QuarkXPress(tm) or Adobe(tm) InDesign(tm). The new XML format allows all of the specifications for each publication to be in one downloadable file, thereby avoiding data entry errors.
Although XML is well suited to the task of exchanging ad specifications, previous attempts were complex and not widely implemented. The new Box Editor allows both a standard way for publishers to supply the bleed and trim data, and a simple and inexpensive software tool that allows advertisers to import that data and easily manipulate it within a PDF/X file.

Ad Specifications in XML Format
Ad specifications compatible with Apagos Box Editor software will be available for downloading from the ad production sites of Time, Inc., and CMP Media in late March, 2004.
Other publishers interested in making their specifications available to advertisers electronically can view and access the format compatible with Box Editor on the Apago website at www.apago.com. There is no charge for, and no restrictions on the use of the XML format.