In this article, you will learn
- which prerequisites are required for this Fixup, and
- how to apply this Fixup.
1. Introduction
The Fixup Extract Colors from DeviceN is available in the Workflow. The purpose of this Fixup is to split objects that are created in DeviceN into individual objects with the corresponding color values so that they can then be edited separately.
2. General
The Fixup Extract Colors from DeviceN can be used to dissolve DeviceN constructs in a print file in order to make certain objects editable.
For example, this Fixup can be used to extract a Dieline that has been created in a DeviceN construct. Thereby, remove this Dieline during rendering, to offset the Dieline or to reduce the number of points on the Dieline.
You can find this Fixup on the tab Data Preparation of an Article, Order or Production Job by:
- entering the name of the Fixup in the area Filter,
- activating the option Color in the area Category,
- activating the option Convert in the area Action,
- activating the options Spot Color and Dieline in the area Property.
3. Description
This Fixup can be used to separate objects that are constructed in DeviceN. When resolving DeviceN constructs, the respective objects, which are provided with a DeviceN color definition, are resolved into individual objects with the corresponding Spot Color definition or the corresponding CMYK values. A text object that was created with 100% black and 100% Varnish as a DeviceN construct is thus split into two objects – a text object in 100% black and a text object in 100% Varnish.
3.1. Prerequisites and Functionality
For the Fixup to perform as intended, the following requirement must be met:
- The file contains DeviceN colors.
The Fixup Extract Colors from DeviceN consists of three individual Fixups that have been combined in one dialog. It is possible to activate selected Fixups and execute them.
Figure 1: The dialog of the Fixup Extract Colors from DeviceN
The individual Fixups are described in detail below:
3.1.1. Extract Spot Colors
This Fixup is activated by default, which is indicated by the checkbox [1]. By activating the Fixup Extract Spot Colors, only the Spot Colors from a DeviceN construct are extracted. CMYK channels in a DeviceN construct are kept.
No further options are available.
3.1.2. Extract CMYK Colors
Click the checkbox [2] to activate the Fixup Extract CMYK Colors. This Fixup separates all DeviceN constructs of objects that have been created in CMYK. Spot Colors that are in DeviceN constructs are not separated.
No further options are available.
3.1.3. Extract All Color Spaces
Click the checkbox [3] to activate the Fixup Extract Spot Colors. This Fixup separates all color separations of a DeviceN construct from objects, regardless of which color separations were used to create the construct.
No further options are available.
3.2. Before/After
To experiment with this function, refer to the sample file "Sample_DeviceN_Kontur". The red flowers and the stroke of the background are created as a DeviceN construct. The flowers consist of a pure Spot Color DeviceN construct, the stroke consists of a CMYK and Spot Color DeviceN construct.
After applying the Fixup, the file "Sample_DeviceN_Kontur_End.pdf" is created, where all DeviceN constructs have been extracted. The preview image is automatically simulated as overprinting in the Workflow. However, when viewing the file in another application that does not simulate the overprint, the color difference in the flowers is obvious.
The Spot Color "Spot black" was then converted into a Dieline. To do this, use the Fixup "Rename, convert or delete Spot Colors" Fixup. This creates the file "Sample_DeviceN_Dieline.pdf".
Figure 2: Left: Original file; Right: Edited file in which all DeviceN constructs have been extracted
Article update: Workflow 1.20.0 – 03/2025