Digital Dictionary

What is PDF?

Adobe Acrobat & PDF Basics

PDF JDF Glossary

PDF Workflows

Agfa Delano tutorial

Do You have a question regarding JDF? The editors of The JDF Bulletin Invite readers to send their JDF related questions to:

AsktheExperts@cip4.org.

Acrobat 7 & JDF how to use setup a JDF file using Acrobat 7's JDF creator

PDF (Portable Document Format)

PDF is a file format that has captured all the elements of a printed document as an electronic image that you can view, navigate, print, or forward to someone else. PDF files are created using Adobe Acrobat, Acrobat Capture, or similar products. To view and use the files, you need the free Acrobat Reader, which you can easily download. Once you've downloaded the Reader, it will start automatically whenever you want to look at a PDF file. Adobe's decade-old invention to save time at the printing-press has spawned the only plausible alternative to an actual paper document since the invention of the printing-press.

What strengths do PDF files have on the Internet?

PDF files have many of the same characteristics as HTML documents. PDF files can be viewed within Netscape and Internet Explorer windows. These files can then be saved for offline use or printed. PDF files can be byte served over the Web to faster access larger amount of information. This process is similar to the process of streaming video files so you don't have to download the full file before you can use/view it. After grabbing the first part of data, page-on-demand continues to download the rest of the file.What this means is that a user could read the first page and then jump immediately to the seventh page without having to wait.
A combination of HTML and PDF format enables publishers to serve content to their users in its most useful format based on the demands of content versus technology. PDF files need no translation, compression, or filtering on most popular Web servers. Full-text search capabilities are available for PDF files. PDF takes document security to the next level. Creators of PDF files can prevent the copying of text, graphics, making changes and printing a document. Developers can create their own software to read, create or modify PDF files without special permission or licensing. Documents created in generally any program that can print, can create a PDF document. PDF files seal the gap that many developers find when they become frustrated creating content for the Web. "I want it to look just like this! Why can't it look just like as if I make it in Word, Pagemaker, or (add program name here)? I know how to do it there!" All this without being a HTML, Java or CGI guru.

what JDF is…but do you know what JDF isn’t?
“Buying JDF” - it’s not a product!
JDF isn’t a process automation system: It’s a ‘set of rules’ that DEFINE a process.
JDF doesn’t standardize production -everyone’s workflow is (still) different.
of the game…not the game itself! within the (knowledge) value chain
The ability to bring innovative solutions to the market faster
JDF is now, not tomorrow

Note that although the lines between the Customer and the MIS boxes carry the JDF icons, the JDF is actually the payload inside a Printtalk transaction, see [JDF] 4.1.2
1.2.2 JDF flow via MIS versus direct between Devices
In most cases the initial JDF ticket is created and submitted by the MIS. In each step of production Devices generate information that is required by subsequent Processes. This applies, for example, to Cutting and Folding information generated by Pre-Press systems, but also to Preview information generated by Pre-Press that is required by Printing Processes.
This information can flow in two ways: 1) From the generating Device back to the MIS, from where it is transmitted to the receiving Device; or 2) Direct from the generating Device to the receiving Device. The lines between the various production managers in the diagram above shows this direct Device to Device interaction.

JDF System Users' FAQ

1. What does "JDF Certified" mean?
If a product is "JDF Certified" it means that it writes or/and reads JDF and JMF as established in one of several "Interoperability Conformance Specifications" published by CIP4. These "ICS" documents establish the basic requirements for systems that manage or consume JDF. Certification means that a product has proven that it meets requirements for basic interoperability.
2. Who certifies that products are JDF compliant?
PIA/GATF has a long-term contract with CIP4 to conduct certification testing. If there is sufficient demand, additional laboratories in Europe and Asia may be added to the program, but for now PIA/GATF is the single global certifying body for JDF systems and software.
3. How do I know if a product is "JDF Certified"?
Products that are certified by PIA/GATF will be issued a JDF Certified logo that will have a unique certification number. You can look up the details of that product's certification history with that unique number at www.cip4.org.
4. Does JDF Certification guarantee that a product is interoperable?
JDF Certification does guarantee a basic level of interoperability, but optional and advanced feature support for JDF may be supported by some products and not others; hence, when integrating two JDF Certified systems, some setup and testing will still be needed, but the two systems will share common denominator.
5. Are products that are JDF Certified "Plug n' Play"?
Professional graphic arts systems may never be "Plug n' Play" in the sense of simple consumer electronics. Quite simply, there are so many possible variations of workflow and production techniques that it may not be cost efficient for everything to be "Plug n' Play;" hence, CIP4 is focusing on establishing interoperability between systems from different vendors - a common systems language for the graphic arts.
6. Will certified products work with uncertified products?
Certified and uncertified products may certainly work together, but you may find that it takes more time and effort to establish interoperability with uncertified systems.
7. How should I use JDF Certification to my advantage?
For printers, prepress services and other graphic arts companies, JDF Certification is meant to be an aid for your systems evaluation and purchasing programs. If you don't require JDF Certification, you should at least make it clear to prospective vendors that it is your buying preference. Buying JDF Certified systems and software should save you time and money when installing new equipment.

 

Since its introduction to the public during DRUPA 2000 the Job Definition Format (JDF) has become one of today's most important standards for our industry. As one result CIP4 has grown quickly in the last couple of years and today more than a fifth of CIP4´s membership is made up by pioneering users, i.e. printers, prepress services or finishing companies - just like you.
In order to involve our users in the ongoing development of JDF more actively, and to learn from them, CIP4 has established dedicated user forums in several languages and is partnering with PrintPlanet.com to adopt the former Eproduction@PrintPlanet.com forum as the English language JDF user forum. There are already over 3,400 members of the forum and by participating you will have the opportunity to discuss all sorts of workflow issues with kindred spirits. From time to time you will also receive special information issued by the CIP4 management that is of particular interest to users.
Both CIP4 members and nonmembers must register to participate in this form by following the link to the PrintPlanet.com registration page above. If you encounter JDF terminology that you are unfamiliar with, there is an up-to-date Glossary of JDF terminology that can be found at http://www.cip4.org/overview/glossary.html. Join the Cip4 user forum

What is JMF? The Role of the Job Messaging Format

So far we've talked about JDF MIS, or workflow systems, and devices on the floor. The MIS or workflow system acts as the JDF agent. It may communicate with and command a controller. The controller is an important concept in JDF. A controller for a device on the floor may be embedded, a separate physical device, or actually in control of more than one device. We have even seen a couple of "departmental" controllers enter the market that deal with all the devices in a department (e.g., postpress).

The language used to communicate between JDF agents and controllers is the Job Messaging Format (JMF). JMF is part of the JDF specification. JMF also is built in XML and is part of the JDF schema. JMF allows a controller to communicate to a JDF MIS or workflow system information, such as events (start, stop, error), status (available, offline, stalled, etc.), results (count, waste, etc.), and other details, such as who is the current operator.

A controller may also "register" with a JDF MIS or workflow system letting it know it is available. Where a controller controls multiple devices, it can provide registration information for the devices it supports. Note: This is information like make and model and is not a substitute for device capabilities as described above.

An MIS or workflow system may use JMF to command devices on the shop floor and may even be able to change the order of jobs in the queue. You may have noticed the heavy use of the word "may." In the JMF session you'll learn more about the options in JMF and the various levels of support a controller may provide for JMF. JMF messages may also be unidirectional (the MIS system provides the commands, but the controller does not respond) or bidirectional. Determining what JMF options will be required of your process automation strategy is an important part of creating an effective JDF equipment buying policy.
JMF can also be used by one controller to provide commands to another controller. This is an important feature for supporting combined process and pipelining as described above.