Digicomp FAQ
- Do I need to calibrate my presses, and if so, where do I get the direction to do this?
- Can I use any ink color with SecureX images?
- What imaging systems is SecureX compatible with?
- What is SecureX XTreme?
- I'm only interested in SecureX. Do I have to also buy FormsX?
- I'm a forms distributor. Do I need to buy SecureX to set up voids in jobs?
- Why should I use SecureX rather than manually ‘duping’ negatives?
- Why can I see the hidden text when I print to my laser printer, but it’s missing when I print to my imagesetter?
- Do I have to know in advance what screening values to use in SecureX?
- When I use my own pantograph tile or custom logo in a pantograph, why do I keep getting postscript errors when I try to print?
- I have an Agfa imaging system. What is the ‘Agfa RIP Limitation’ option in the General tab of FormsX Preferences?
- What's up with the different technologies? Do I need a manufacturing license?
- Is there an easy way to select all lines on my document?
- Why are FormsX box frames, rule boxes, pantographs and borders missing when I print my file to an HP LaserJet printer?
- How do I include FormsX manufacturing items when generating PDF files?
- Do I have to use fractional units with FormsX?
- When using Box Creation Mode, the newly creating boxes contain unwanted text or fills. Why is this?
- Is there an easy way to apply text attributes when creating boxes in Box Creation Mode?
- I’ve switched to a new computer and now FormsX will not load (or now it loads in “Reader Mode”)
- How do I snap to half Grid increments?
Q: Do I need to calibrate my presses, and if so, where do I get the direction to do this?
A: The desired result of a “smooth” security image that both looks correct in the final press sheet and functions correctly on copy depends on more than a press calibration. The crux of the issue is dot gain, and the fact that different half
Q: Can I use any ink color with SecureX images?
A: No. As a general rule, the ink in a SecureX “void” must contain at least 20% black. This rules out pure yellow, etc.
Some PMS colors that are known to work are:
PMS Red 1955
PMS Blue 2965
PMS Brown 4695
Q: What imaging systems is SecureX compatible with?
A: In the past, SecureX could not be used in any way with Creo/Scitex and Rampage systems due to the unchangeable way they process halftones. SecureX also could not be used with PDF workflows due to the nature of PDF and halftones.
However, w
Q: What is SecureX XTreme?
A: SecureX XTreme (or SXXT for short) is a new XTensions Module for QuarkXPress 4, 5, and 6 for both Mac and Windows platforms. SXXT requires FormsX - it does nothing all by itself.
SXXT enables you to create the highest quality voids and sec
Q: I'm only interested in SecureX. Do I have to also buy FormsX?
A: Yes. SecureX is an option to FormsX, which uses a substantial part of the underlying FormsX architecture. This is analogous to walking into a new car dealership and asking if you can just buy the new fancy DVD navigation system without buying the car
Q: I'm a forms distributor. Do I need to buy SecureX to set up voids in jobs?
A: No! FormsX alone allows the forms distributor to set up the precise placement of the voids in documents, allowing for precise control. The forms distributor can then simply send their Quark files to any manufacturer who owns a license of SecureX for
Q: Why should I use SecureX rather than manually ‘duping’ negatives?
A: Several very important reasons. (1) Control. With SecureX, you have full control over the densities of the background and the hidden text within the pattern or screen. This allows you to calibrate your jobs to your specific presses, plates, stock and
Q: Why can I see the hidden text when I print to my laser printer, but it’s missing when I print to my imagesetter?
A: All software RIP’s are preset to override screen frequency and angle information within a file before imaging. The reason for this is that for 99% of users, having the Rip decide what's best for screening information makes life easier. Not so w
Q: Do I have to know in advance what screening values to use in SecureX?
A: No. SecureX will give you default values (depending on the technology type) which should work well. These are the suggested values from the technology creators. You of course have the opportunity to tweak the values should you desire to do so.
Q: When I use my own pantograph tile or custom logo in a pantograph, why do I keep getting postscript errors when I try to print?
A: The usual cause of the postscript error is a ‘limitcheck’ error, which simply means a memory error. In the case of using your own pantograph, make sure that the file is as small as possible. The file should be cropped down to a small tile
Q: I have an Agfa imaging system. What is the ‘Agfa RIP Limitation’ option in the General tab of FormsX Preferences?
A: Older Macintosh-based Agfa SelectSet Rip’s contain a bug that causes flat security screens to print correctly to film, but pantograph security screens are missing the ‘voids’. The ‘Agfa Rip Limitation’ is an internal wor
Q: What's up with the different technologies? Do I need a manufacturing license?
A: All of the different "void" technologies have been patented. The patterns are not patented, but rather the exact way that ink goes down on paper to create a halftone (or screen). Depending on the technology, this might be round dots
Q: Is there an easy way to select all lines on my document?
A: Yes. Double click the XSelect tool, check only the Lines option, click OK then click and drag over a your document to select the lines. Only the lines will be selected and all other objects will be ignored. To change all of the line weights simultane
Q: Why are FormsX box frames, rule boxes, pantographs and borders missing when I print my file to an HP LaserJet printer?
A: Certain FormsX specific design features require Adobe Postscript Level 2 compatibility to correctly output when printing. Older HP printers are not Adobe Postscript Level 2 compatible, rather they use their own emulated PostScript technology. As a wo
Q: How do I include FormsX manufacturing items when generating PDF files?
A: In the QuarkXPress print dialog, under the FormsX tab, check the option ‘Print manufacturing items’, then print to file (Mac: save as file - Windows: print to file). Then manually distill the file in Acrobat Distiller.
Q: Do I have to use fractional units with FormsX?
A: Absolutely not. If you prefer to work with inches, feel free to do so. A nice feature of QuarkXPress is that decimal conversion is not required. For example, if you need to enter the coordinate 1 3/16”, you do not need to enter 1.1875. Simply e
Q: When using Box Creation Mode, the newly creating boxes contain unwanted text or fills. Why is this?
A: This happens when a box is selected when entering Box Creation Mode (BCM). When starting BCM mode with a box selected, FormsX will make clones of the starting box, differing only in size and location. Make sure that nothing is selected before accessi
Q: Is there an easy way to apply text attributes when creating boxes in Box Creation Mode?
A: Start by creating the first text box, including the desired frame weight and position. Then set the correct font, size, color, text inset, etc., type in desired text and highlight it. With box selected, return to Box Creation Mode again and enter in
Q: I’ve switched to a new computer and now FormsX will not load (or now it loads in “Reader Mode”)
A: This is possibly because the required drivers for the dongle were not installed. To rectify this problem, run the installer program from the FormsX installation CD. Instead of running an Easy/Default install, change to Custom install and select only
Q: How do I snap to half Grid increments?
A: On the Preferences tab of Gridmaker, simply check the ‘Half Grid’ option.