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It appears that Xeikon has dropped its free PPML Viewer—this free download has now been removed from their Web site. I'm not sure why Xeikon has decided to discontinue this tool, as they still support PPML v2.1 in their X-800 controller.
As many VDP users appreciate, viewer tools are very useful for troubleshooting and catching any issues before VI files are ripped and printed. Xerox offers FreeFlow VI Explorer (for soft-proofing VIPP projects) and Creo POD offers VI Toolbox (which includes a VI Viewer for soft-proofing VPS files). However, while PODi developed the PPML specification, they rely on other vendors to offer PPML related products and services. Let’s hope that another vendor develops such a tool (or acquires the source code from Xeikon) to offer a viewer solution for PPML users.
Posted on Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 8:57 AM | TrackBack: http://www.veedeepee.com/cgi-bin/mt-tb.cgi/114
I understand the PPML viewer is still available. Xeikon have recently re-designed their website and the software download feature isn't working just yet so the link isn't part of the download section.
Posted by John Roberds on Friday, 4 April 2008 at 5:25 AM
That's a relief to hear. Let's hope they make it available again soon.
Posted by Eliot Harper on Friday, 4 April 2008 at 6:29 AM
I've been watching Xeikon's Web site makeover and I'm pleased to see that the PPML Viewer is once again available at www.xeikon.com/download/ppml-viewer. It's important to note that this utility is not yet Vista compatible (according to the release notes). It only runs on Windows 2000 (Pro + Server), Windows XP (Home + Pro) and Windows 2003 Server. As the majority of new computers now ship with Vista installed, this may be an issue for some PPML users...
Posted by Eliot Harper on Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 5:07 PM
Eliot, PODi also provides a viewer which is the reference implementation for test and certification of PPML/GA output. CheckPPML (the PODi viewer) is a virtual PPML consumer that provides error-checking in addition to viewing (as PDF).
CheckPPML can be freely downloaded at http://ppml.podi.org
You will also find a listing of PPML Certified products (producing & consuming), as well as PPML use cases. Enjoy. . .
Posted by Jim Mekis on Thursday, 23 October 2008 at 10:37 AM