Collage Software
Collage 3.1 New Features
The newest release of Collage includes a number of new features, including internationalization, expanded Linux support, and more.
This page highlights some of the new features. Not all features are available in all Collage products. Some features are optional and require purchasing a license.
Internationalization 
Collage now supports the following languages on Windows 2000 and Windows XP: English, French, German, Italian, Polish, and Spanish.
Collage servers and RTI’s running on Linux OS support the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Polish, and Spanish. Note: Internationalization is not supported on Collage servers or RTI’s running Solaris OS.
Expanded Linux OS support
Collage now supports the Linux OS Fedora Core 6 for Collage servers and Collage RTI’s. Existing systems with Linux Red Hat 9 are still supported; updating the OS is not required. New servers or RTI’s will ship with Fedora Core 6 installed.
Dialog location remembered
The location and size of Collage dialog windows is now remembered. When you change the size of columns in windows with columns, such as the Image Converter, the size of the columns is remembered. You can even use Collage with dual monitors, viewing the job in the main layout editor in one monitor and opening dialogs in a second monitor.
Ability to output files for Helio
This is an option that requires an additional dongle license. Contact Daetwyler to purchase this option. Does not include support for Xtreme.
Create jobs in Collage that will be engraved on Helio K500 engravers. The Gravure Parameters window now includes Helio pages where you can enter values for a Helio engraver. You can specify the resolution to use when creating the tiff. The Tiff Generator provides an output device for creation of the job ticket, fast advance file, and tiff image for output on a Helio engraver.
Match Helio on a Gravostar
Create jobs in Collage with special Match Helio screens to be engraved on a Gravostar HS engraver. The cylinders will closely match cylinders engraved on a Helio engraver.
With special configuration of the Gravostar engraver, the match between cylinders will be exact.
TopFlexible separation management
The Manage Separations window allows you to add separation(s) from one job into the current job. When working with single-separation jobs (such as tiffs), you can join all separations into a single job for better job creation, web compensation, and proofing. Also, you can delete a specific separation (instead of only the last separation, as previously.
Vertical web comp
Set up vertical web compensation in addition to horizontal web compensation, for each separation.
Warning if Grid is Disabled
If any grids are disabled (hidden) when you set a job RFP, a message warns about the disabled grids, which will not engrave.
User-defined Guide Colors
The Grid & Movement Parameters window allows you to create and edit vertical and horizontal guidelines. Previously all guide lines were a light blue color. Now you can select a color for each guide line from the standard Windows color picker dialog.
History of Job Changes
Certain operations performed on a job are stored in the System Log page of the Job Notes window.
Ink Volume Calculator includes Print function
You can now print the reports generated by the Ink Volume Calculator.
Over-engrave (double-cut) support enhanced
A Cylinder Id field has been added to the Color Sequence page, for use by Automated engravers. Use the Over Engrave Sequence field to specify the order separations will be engraved on the same cylinder.
Improvements in tranScribe
Collage jobs with native Tiffs can now be tranScribed.
In the tranScribe Image Processor window, Open Job has been removed from the File menu. Instead, select a job from the drop-down menu. Only jobs with tranScribe filters selected are listed.
Test Cut values
Set your preferred default test cut values for Gravostar engravers in the User Preferences window.
Midtone values
Specify exact values for the Midtone Volts and the Midtone µ in the Gravure Parameters, Cell Setup window and in Defaults Editor, Cell Setup page.
Added stylus angles
Additional stylus angles 150, 155, and 160 have been added to the Gravure Parameters window and Defaults Editor, and to the RTI-E Cylinder Editor.
Specify keyway location
In the Cylinder Geometry Editor, a Keyway Location can be specified for both shafted and shaftless cylinders.
JawsRIP Hot Folders now support rotate and mirror settings
If you are always mirroring or rotating PostScript and PDF when importing into Collage, a hot folder can be configured with those settings.
Note: These options apply to hot folders set up for ripping PostScript and PDF into Collage format images using Jaws RIP.
Import GravoComplete jobs into Collage
Use the GravoComplete Archive Reader to convert GravoComplete jobs into Collage jobs for output through Collage. Requires a special license.
Changes in Collage-E
Scaling
Collage-E jobs can now be scaled, using percentage values entered in the Info/Edit window opened from the Image List window.
Compression
The Enable Compression checkbox is now available in the Collage-E Tiff Generator to create compressed tiffs.
PDF Support
Pre-separated PDF files can now be used to create jobs in Collage-E.
Changes in RTI-E
The Search field allows you to quickly find a job when the list is very long.
Also, file selection is retained after an operation. For example, select a job to Decompress, and then Preview it.
Engrave Window changes
On an RTI, the Engrave Window has a new look. Functionality has not changed. Use the mouse to click the buttons. To close the window, from the File menu select Exit.
After a cylinder has been engraved, its appearance in the Select Cylinder list changes: the text is slightly lighter (grayer) and the time it was engraved is shown. This indication doesn't prevent the cylinder from being engraved again.
Additional Information
See a quick introduction to the Collage Layout System.
See a list of all products we support.
Note: As of this date, Collage does not support Windows Vista.