Elpical Releases Claro 7 Auto Image Optimization

By: E&P Staff Image-optimization and workflow solutions supplier Elpical Software, Giesbeek, The Netherlands, is releasing the latest version of its Claro automatic image-enhancement applications, with quality advances made to its Individual Image Analysis technology and further integration of image optimization in the page-layout process.

In addition to direct integration with Adobe InDesign, Claro 7 (distributed by Tools4Media), offers advanced skin tone analysis and correction and indexed colorspace options for eReader support.

Used by designers, agencies and small workgroups that create image-heavy or large publications such as catalogs and annual reports, the Claro Layout plug-in optimizes image quality, crop and size in one click, within InDesign. Claro Single (which can plug into automation solutions, such as Enfocus Switch or PuzzleFlow) offers entirely hands-off image optimization. Claro Premedia is a full client-server-based image-optimization workflow.

Claro Premedia 7 now features InDesign integration, offering very similar functionality to Claro Layout but with image processing performed on the server side and fully integrated within the Claro Premedia workflow. Publishers can set up image enhancement from within InDesign.

Another workflow enhancement, the customizable Scheduler processes images in a specific way, depending on time of day. Using the Scheduler, images can be sent to the Claro Inspector for visual, side-by-side inspection during the day, for example, while at night they can follow a 100% automatic flow.

Claro 7 also adds gif and png output formats. By adding indexed colorspace options on the output side, Claro 7 offers improved capability for support of e-readers such as the Kindle.

Claro 7 utilizes improvements made in Claro Individual Image Analysis technology, resulting in a better defined spectrum of specific skin-tone treatments. Claro recognizes skin-tones and treats them differently from other objects in an image.

The new version also features a faster, better noise filter that identifies and reduces jpeg artifacts. Other improvements include downsampling artifacts and more curve control of color output.