Apogee X - the good, the bad and the ugly. Your thoughts?

[matmac]

We are currently looking at moving to an Apogee X workflow. Currently we run AGFA pdf rips but imposing / preflighting is done at a desktop level (with PREPS and Pitstop).

The features I'm looking to gain from APX 3.5 are:
- improved (automated) workflow
- better colour managed proofing
- faster processing times (this is pretty much a given, as it requires new hardware boxes running dual/quad processors).

Apogee X users:
What is the BEST feature(s) of APX and what is the WORST?

Please note version of APX, and any experience with earlier AGFA workflows.

Thanks in Advance

[Tunder_Lala]

We made this upgrade 4 months ago. From Apogee pdf rip to ApogeeX 3.5 Commercial.
We've bought a full upgrade package. We've checked the Fuji workflow price, but it is not comparable, because You get upgrade (Trade-in) price from Agfa. When You get the new ApogeeX system, You'll have 2 or three months transition period, which means You can use the old rip and the ApogeeX, too.
The workflow, I think, easy to learn, but at first look seems much complicated, than old pdf rips. If You have many jobs at same time, it is worth to buy a satellite render license.

[matmac]

Aside from the workflow being "easy to learn". Are there things you really like about the workflow?
Are there any gotchas?

Do you use PREPS as the imposition engine? and if so, did you purchase the "Template Manager" option?

Our upgrade path specs for both a Primary box and a satelite renderer.

[sydproblemsolver]

If you want to make your life easy purchase the Preps template manager!!!

[Tunder_Lala]

I agree with Sydproblemsolver.

[matmac]

A couple of negative comments from another APX (2.5) user:

1. Trapping sometimes fails on a page out of a selected job without error.
(Ie. some of the job traps / some doesn't - and it doesn't let you know !!)

2. System is NOT R.O.O.M (Rip Once / Output Many) as the proofing is done PRIOR to the ripping to 1-bit tiff data.

3. SQL capabilities are limited. The system can only handle a limited number of jobs at a time. When the SQL database fails / loses it's head - you're in a world of hurt and at the mercy of the techs.

4. Client performance is slow - but best on Windows.

Anyone care to confirm / deny these comments.

[Tunder_Lala]

I've never used APX 2.5, I started with APX 3.5. I've never been problems with trapping, until now. System is not Rip Once, and I think it isn't a must. The Rip have to make different files for soft proof, Sherpa, 1-bit Tiff, etc. But the renderer is always the same. With the SQL database I have never been any problems. The server made backup every night and make database maintenance also. We are using the client on Macs (G4 - G5 with OSX 10.4) without any problem (Don't know is there any Unibin client for Intel Macs). Also using on windows XP, 2000 without any probs.

[pandpinc]

Love the RIP, but hate Agfas ethics.

We purchased 2.0, had two five or six thousand dollar add-ons that didn't work (step & repeat & digital step & repeat). Finally got step & repeat working with a free upgrade to 2.5, but still dont have digital step & repeat working. When we followed up on it several times they said the home office was working on it and now finally they told us that we could upgrade to 3.0 for an insane amount. Which is supposed to fix it, I shouldn't have to spend more money to fix something that should have worked in the first place. They also didnt return our phone calls when we asked for a refund on the digital step & repeat.

Word to the wise, make sure EVERYTHING is working correctly before paying for it.

[David P]

Had ApogeX from the begginging, when ever there had been a problem with a previous version it had been resolved in the upgrade. As a workflow system Apoge is superd with a lot of quirky features that allow you access to your job at most stages. The only downer is the proofing, we struggled for ages to get a acceptable match from the proofers to the press. In the end we went with a 3rd party contract proofing system and used the 37L calibration on the proofing and the press (ORIS). The proofs are 10x better and they colour correction is simple and effective to use.

[hopkinsprinting]

Hi MatMac,

See my comments in this thread:

Apogee: to X or not to X?

Cheers,
Jon Morgan
Hopkins Printing