Prepressforums.com

paris · #1 (**permalink**) 10-26-2005, 09:26 AM

I'm going to be learning Preps as part of my job function. I'm one of those people that likes to read the manuals and watch the videos before starting a lesson plan. Somebody in-house will be teaching me, but I want a head start.
Any suggestions on where to begin? We're currently on Preps 4.2, but have the newest version in a box ready to be installed.

pix3lphr3ak · #2 (**permalink**) 10-26-2005, 11:08 AM

Read the manual like you said. I have 3 PDF's for version 4.2 you can have entitled "learning_preps_4-2.pdf" "EN_Preps_4-2_User_Guide.pdf" and "Custom_Pg_and_Punches.pdf" I got these off the Creo site before Kodak swallowed it and digested it. If you want them PM or e-mail me.

There is very little difference between Preps4 and 5. The main 2 differences are Ver. 5 runs on OSX and Ver. 5 has smartmarks (auto generated marks). A Creo/Kodak tech showed me preps 5.x or 6 at Print05, it's simply a recode of 5 to run better with no obvious innovations. We still use 4.2 i'm pushing for Signastation and a workflow instead of upgrading Preps.

Another operator helped me get my feet wet in Preps4 and then set me free. If the shop has already templated out most of the formats the presses will be running (which they should have if theyre still using 4) you will have little or no trouble with learning it and will most likely rarely if ever have to generate a new template.

Let me know if you want those PDF's.

RICKSELF · #3 (**permalink**) 10-26-2005, 01:19 PM

I was really hoping for more from Preps 5, in particular a fix to having to go back and forth with the turning colors and seps on and off, but it certainly does run faster under OSX. As long as you know how to build templates, you've got it made. Good Luck!

pix3lphr3ak · #4 (**permalink**) 10-26-2005, 03:18 PM

Yeah Rick I agree. I asked the Creo/Kodak guy "is that it?" and he just kinda shrugged and said yeah. I was way more impressed with Signastation and the Prinect Workflow in the Heidelberg booth. Screen's impositioning program (can't think of the name) was also very nice, but it only runs on Windows. Agfa still reccomends preps and I asked why they hadn't made theyre own client like every one of their competitors and I kind of got a deer in the headlights look from the sales rep and the tech doing demos goes why wouldnt you want to run preps?

paris · #5 (**permalink**) 10-26-2005, 04:49 PM

rickself, I have now clue how to build a template. That's why I'm here. I know we have masters, but we create new templates every day. We do a variety of work, and sometimes run jobs together. Sometimes we change the press we're running the jobs on at the last minute. I don't mind that. I want to learn how to make them from scratch.
pix, thanx for your offer. I'll drop you a pm.