Adobe and ScenicSoft to collaborate on Adobe PostScript Extreme and PDF.

SEYBOLD, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 1997--ScenicSoft Inc. today announces an agreement with Adobe Systems Inc. to collaborate on Adobe PostScript Extreme (formerly known as "SUPRA") architecture and PDF for production printing systems.

Adobe PostScript Extreme-based raster image processors (RIPs) integrate the Adobe(R) PostScript(R) language and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) standards to provide a modular and extensible architectural framework for such devices as digital printers, imagesetters and platemakers.

Recognized as the leading developer of imposition software for the pre-press and printing industry for its flagship product, Preps, ScenicSoft announces its support for Adobe PostScript Extreme, and its commitment to cooperate with Adobe on integrating Adobe PostScript Extreme with imposition and other pre-press workflow functions. The Adobe/ScenicSoft collaboration is the logical next step for advancing Adobe PostScript Extreme technology to enable more productive and reliable front-end systems, address the requirements of high-performance printing workflow systems and personalized printing.

"Digital printing is undergoing a dramatic reorganization with the introduction of the Adobe PostScript Extreme architecture and the advent of PDF in the pre-press workflow," said George Cacioppo, vice president of engineering at Adobe Systems Inc. "This architecture and Adobe PostScript 3 are designed to ride the crest of this new wave of pre-press technology, and our relationship with an industry leader of ScenicSoft's stature is a perfect match as we advance the boundaries of digital printing. The combination of ScenicSoft's imposition experience and technology coupled with Adobe PostScript technology will deliver a new standard of efficiency, functionality and reliability to the pre-press workflow."

One of Adobe PostScript Extreme's key benefits is the ability to achieve page-parallel multiprocessor RIPping using PDF as the primary file format. An architecture based on PDF enables production set-up and processing in an application and device-independent fashion. PDF files that are either sent to production from the creator/publisher or generated inside the Adobe PostScript Extreme architecture can be viewed, edited and archived regardless of the application or operating system that generated it.

According to ScenicSoft President Erik Smith, "The multi-processing Adobe PostScript Extreme architecture, based on page-independent PDF, will result in more flexible and predictable data formats and workflows. Together, they provide a foundation for automated workflows, which will help facilitate production printing systems performance to reach a new level in the future."

Adobe and ScenicSoft began working together informally on certain aspects of SUPRA and PDF last summer. ScenicSoft will be supporting PDF for existing PostScript RIP technologies and new workflow systems based on PDF, and plans to integrate Adobe PostScript Extreme with future versions of Preps.

For more information about ScenicSoft and Preps, call 206-355-6655 or visit ScenicSoft's Web site at http://www.scenicsoft.com

ScenicSoft is a privately held software company with offices in Everett, Wash. and Brussels, Belgium. Founded in 1985, ScenicSoft acquired its expertise in working with PostScript data and in electronic imposition in developing automated publishing systems. Its flagship program, Preps, is rapidly becoming the imposition software of choice for major print shops. ScenicSoft is committed to providing the highest-quality, most-complete pre-press solutions for today's advanced printing technologies.

-0- 1997 ScenicSoft Inc. Preps is a trademark of ScenicSoft Inc., Everett Wash. Adobe, PostScript, Adobe PostScript 3 and Adobe PostScript Extreme are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

CONTACT: SenicSoft

Kristi Thorndike, 206/355-6655

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