Océ Client Tools V2.1.1 Improves CAD Workflow

By Margaret S. Gurney

“Océ  Client Tools software offers the best workflow available for batch plotting DWG and other file types. AutoCAD users find that it is a big time saver and eliminates the need for check plotting.” — Peter Lawrence, Product Manager, Wide Format Printing Systems division of Océ North America

Océ North America (Trumbull, CT)  announced the immediate availability of Océ Client Tools version 2.1.1. An upgrade to the company’s Océ Client Tools, this free collection of batch file processing and printing utilities for CAD users extends capabilities to include remote printing and support for color files.

Océ Client Tools,  part of the Océ Repro Desk Server and Professional suite of applications,  enables CAD users to simplify printing and avoid costly workflow bottlenecks via batch-processing of multiple file types, digital file previewing from the desktop before printing, and local or remote job submission.

The Five Components
According to Océ’s website, the integrated download installs five components, the first of which is Océ Publisher. It allows a user to batch-convert a set of mixed file types, preview them exactly as they will be printed, and submit them locally or remotely for printing. Océ  Publisher supports DWG, DWF, TIFF, HPGL/2, PLT, CALS, VIC, LDF, JPG, BMP and PNG files. PDF and other file types are supported using third-party file converters.

To process native DWG files, the second component, Océ LDF Writer for AutoCAD is a Heidi-based print driver that allows you to convert an individual DWG file into a print-ready LDF file. It works with AutoCAD releases 2000 through 2008, which must be installed on the same PC as Océ Publisher; it is not compatible with AutoCAD LT.

Océ Repro Desk Publisher, a component of Océ Client Tools software, allows you to batch-process mixed file types and set output options for the entire sheet set.

Next, Océ LDF Writer for Windows print driver lets you create a LDF file from any Windows application and submit it locally or remotely for printing; Océ PDF Writer for Windows print driver lets you create a PDF file from any Windows application and submit it locally or remotely for printing. This driver is intended for small-format multi-page specification documents. The maximum resulting PDF size is 11 x 17 in. (The company’s website explains,  “In order to print jobs larger than 11x17 that are submitted from Océ Repro Desk Client Tools, Océ Repro Desk Professional or Océ Repro Desk Server 1.6 is required. Learn how you can configure Océ Repro Desk Server 1.6 to receive jobs from Océ Repro Desk Client Tools 2.x.”)

The last of the five components is the Océ Document Viewer, which lets you view and manipulate LDF images in a full-screen viewer. It supports LDF thumbnail viewing in Windows Explorer and, by right-clicking LDF thumbnails and selecting Océ Print from the menu, you can submit files locally or remotely for printing.

Remote Printing Capabilities
Using Océ’s new Direct Transfer technology, Océ Client Tools v. 2.1.1 software lets users submit print job orders via the web to reprographers who have implemented Océ  Repro Desk Professional software.

The company says that this HTTP print-ordering method eliminates the traditional roadblocks associated with digital print submission, including FTP configuration, firewall challenges, incompatible software, and file-size limits in e-mail.

The Océ Document Viewer in Océ Client Tools renders images extremely quickly and represents the printed output exactly, according to the company.

Reprographers can also make changes to the work order, such as delivery or media options, in real-time centrally from their shop. This could result in fewer errors and faster job turnaround time.

End-to-End Digital Workflow
For color and monochrome documents, Océ Client Tools v. 2.1.1 software now supports processing and previewing of 24-bit color file formats, including JPG, BMP, and PNG.

Using a combination of Océ Client Tools v. 2.1.1 and Océ Repro Desk Professional software,  reprographers can now streamline their color document management, according to Océ. After receiving a digital color file,  reprographers can, for example, create “printer groups” in Océ Repro Desk Professional.

These printer groups automatically route the files to the appropriate monochrome or color printer —  including the Océ TCS500 and the new Océ ColorWave 600 color printers, both of which are now supported by Océ Repro Desk Professional.

(For recent coverage by DE on the Océ ColorWave 600, and its accompanying technology, read “Océ Transforms Wide-Format Printing Industry,” July 2008).

Expanded for AutoCAD Use
DWG file processing is now supported for AutoCAD 2000-2008 software. This simplifies printing by eliminating the requirement for users to make individual plot files before submitting a print job. DWG files can be combined with other typical file formats like DWF, CALS, HPGL, and TIFF, and can be automatically batch processed for printing.

Using what the company’s calls “What You See Is What You Print” functionality, you can digitally preview exactly what will be output and make the necessary drawing changes before the job is printed, helping to reduce costly mistakes.

Peter Lawrence, the Product Manager for the Wide Format Printing Systems division of Océ North America, explains, “Océ Client Tools software offers the best workflow available for batch plotting DWG and other file types. AutoCAD users find that it is a big time saver and eliminates the need for check plotting.”

Locate & Remote Ability to Print
Reprographers benefit from their customers’ use of Océ Client Tools software as well. With the high-paced growth of decentralized printing and the volume this can take away from a centralized print strategy, reprographers can still capture the decentralized volume through the use of Océ Client Tools and Océ Repro Desk software at a client’s site, and conveniently drive remote printing to a central site using Direct Transfer.

Océ Client Tools software can be configured to submit print jobs to multiple local and remote printing destinations.

In addition, jobs that come into a reprographer’s shop via Océ Client Tools software are print-ready with no missing information, which results in fewer errors and faster job turnaround. Now users can submit color plots and specification books right along with their monochrome drawings.

“The upgraded Océ  Client Tools software maintains its simple-to-use digital job submission interface while the added features, such as remote printing capabilities and support for color files, expand the software to a larger audience of CAD users,  making Océ Client Tools software the most adept problem-solving print management solution on the market,” said Sal Sheikh, Vice President of Marketing, Wide Format Printing Systems division of Océ North America.

System Requirements
System requirements for the Océ Repro Desk Client Tools include a Pentium or compatible processor; 32MB RAM minimum, 64MB recommended; 70MB free hard disk space minimum; 64MB disk swap space minimum; 800 x 600 VGA video display minimum,  1024 x 768 recommended; and high-speed Internet connection. It calls for Windows XP, Service Pack 1a or higher; Windows 2000, Service Pack 2 or higher; and Internet Explorer 5.5 or later.

Customers interested in more information or upgrading to Océ Client Tools v.2.1.1 software can access the free software download.

Read why DE’s editors chose this as a Pick of the Week.

Look at the Flash demo from a downloadable zip file.

The Getting Started guide (pdf) requires registration to download.

Get details about the full suite of Océ Repro Desk Professional software, of which Océ Client Tools is one application.

Visit Océ North America for more information about its range of offerings.

Outside the U.S.,  consult Océ.