Why Do We Need More File Formats? Aren't the Formats Already Good Enough?
The answer is both ※yes§ and ※no§. The most reliable file exchange format for graphic arts applications has been TIFF/IT (ISO 12639:1998, Graphic technology 每 Prepress digital data exchange 每 Tag image file format for image technology (TIFF/IT)). It has served, and will continue to serve the industry well, but it is restricted to raster data. That means that all graphic objects and text must be converted to raster data before data can be exchanged using TIFF/IT. A standard file format is urgently needed that will support object-based elements in addition to raster data.
As we look at the file formats available in the industry, we really have too many to choose from 每 most of them unfortunately unique to specific application programmes.
PDF is a more general format, but has so many options that it is very difficult to be sure that the sender and receiver of a file have the same understanding of the options chosen and how to handle them. In addition, a basic premise of PDF seems to be that, if there are questions or problems, it is better to do something than nothing. Therefore, PDF by itself does not provide the level of reliability and predictability required for the graphic arts industry 每 particularly for catalogue and advertising material.
This is where the ※/X§ in PDF/X comes in. Although never formally defined, the ※/X§ to most of the people involved in the standards activity represents reliable eXchange. This is accomplished by identifying a limited set of PDF objects that may be used, and adding restrictions to the use, or form of use, of those objects and/or keys within those objects. The goal is that as long as both the sender and receiver of a data file use applications that meet the same PDF/X restrictions then the received file, when printed, will be exactly what the sender intended 每 no surprises and no detailed conversations to iron out the details! |
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