Most PitStop users know that the 'Update 1' releases are usually aimed at supporting the new macOS and fixing bugs. But looking at what this 2023 Update 1 brings our users, we can say: "This is not business as usual!"
Here is what you get when you update to PitStop 2023 Update 1:
support for macOS Sonoma;
flatten form XObjects;
select by fill type;
check for incorrect Type 3 font sources;
select by fill colour;
new options for actions and tools;
overlay PDF, add copied images and place PDF;
place colour bar (revamped feature);
improved speed;
optimised actions for faster execution of preflight profiles on complex documents;
disable debugging datasets in Switch workflows (PitStop Server Configurator);
bug fixes.
Below we explain the main parts. Meanwhile, Enfocus is already working on future versions of PitStop.
Support for macOS Sonoma
This PitStop version is compatible with the latest macOS Sonoma.
Flatten form XObjects
Some users reported that third-party applications could not handle Form XObjects well. You can now extract objects from a Form XObject with this action. Note: extraction does not work if the Form XObject is a transparency group, to prevent the visual appearance from changing.
Apply this action carefully to complex documents: it can increase file size and memory use. Form XObjects actually optimise those parameters by allowing objects to be reused multiple times in a document.
Overlay PDF, place PDF and add copied images
You can now choose which page of the PDF to place, and set the imported content as an isolated group. With 'Add copied images' you can now set the page to import, and apply a specific scale when placing. With the 'Overlay PDF' action too, you can now set the placed content as an isolated group.
Select by fill type
You can now select paths by fill type. Fill types (non-zero winding and even-odd) affect how objects are rendered. The fill type is visible in the Inspector.
Check for incorrect Type 3 font sources
Users who experience problems with incorrect Type 3 font sources can now use an action to detect them.
New options for placing colour bars
This version introduces new options for placing colour bars on the page.
Select by required colour set
You can now select all colours except those in the required colour set. Think of CMYK objects: to get yellow and magenta objects, use 'Required colour set' to exclude black and cyan from your selection.
Disable debugging datasets in Switch
You can now choose to disable the debugging datasets that the PitStop Server configurator usually produces in Enfocus Switch workflows. If you set this field to 'No', processing speed improves slightly because memory use decreases. We recommend 'No' unless you really need the extra datasets for debugging.
Speed improvements
We have improved our internal algorithms in favour of speed, especially for the following actions:
select overlapping objects;
select inside or outside contour;
select hidden objects;
select visible objects.
You will notice considerable improvements with complex documents and when running GWG2022 preflight profiles. Want to know more? Get in touch with us.
