Early OS X versions of FlightCheck had some problems, but if you haven’t looked at version 6.01, you should check it out. As with any program, there will still be a few bugs and glitches-but no showstoppers (see the known-issues list under the Updater page). (Note: Acrobat 8 and Illustrator CS3 weren’t listed as supported applications, but both of them ran through FlightCheck without major problems.) The online Help needs to be improved and the PDF manual is out of date. I wish they’d update their support of FrameMaker (stopped at version 6), which is currently at version 7, with 8 on the way, and for newer Microsoft Office files. Users have to switch between native file Ground Control settings and PDF settings-it should be automatic-although this can be automated with the Auto Preflight Detection preferences. In my tests, it did a very good job at finding problems.Ī few things could be improved or updated, however. There have been a few scattered reports of FlightCheck flagging items that weren’t actual errors but I think it’s more an issue of overly aggressive Ground Control settings or not having the latest update. Available options for inspection are too extensive to cover here but a 14-day demo with documentation is available for download. In fact, you could even ask the printer to supply a copy of his or her settings (which can be password-protected). You can customize settings, called Ground Controls, for native files and PDFs, and share them with other users. Plus, it can run the user through the native files to problem areas, fix the file(s), and then collect the job, with all linked graphics and fonts. Where FlightCheck shines is that it can support multiple native applications (including QuarkXPress 7, InDesign CS3, and some Microsoft Office files) and PDF files. It could be as simple as checking to see if a CMYK-only job has any spot colors, or if images have enough resolution for proper output. Preflight takes its name from the aviation industry and is a checklist of inspection points that must meet certain criteria. With design and production continually being pushed into new, less-experienced hands, the need for preflight increases every day. FlightCheck has been around for many years and most prepress workers, if they haven’t used it, are at least familiar with it.
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