Hybrid Software Helix has released Mako Core 9, a software development kit designed to accelerate PDF processing in packaging prepress workflows.
The release targets rasterisation and PDF file creation, two stages in preparing and outputting packaging artwork. Its Apex GPU-native renderer accelerates rasterisation by up to 30 times compared with CPU-based processing. The new Apex PDF Output component uses an optimised, multithreaded CPU architecture to write complex PDF files up to ten times faster in representative workflows.
Hybrid Software said these improvements enable developers to build applications that preview, inspect, transform and output demanding print files quickly. In packaging production environments handling complex graphics or variable data, this can support shorter processing times, higher server and press throughput, more responsive applications and predictable performance under heavy workloads.
Apex PDF Output remains CPU-based and requires no GPU hardware. It complements the Apex renderer, which performs rasterisation on GPU hardware, allowing each task to use a different processing architecture.
“Performance matters wherever complex documents have to be processed quickly and reliably, particularly in high-volume and variable data environments,” said David Stevenson, product manager for Mako Core. “With Mako Core 9, we’ve focused on removing significant processing bottlenecks while retaining the flexibility and development environment our customers already know.”
Mako Core provides one SDK for applications operating across multiple page-description languages. Its intelligent Document Object Model enables access to fonts, images, vector graphics, layers, metadata and colour information for inspecting, editing, converting, optimising, rendering and outputting files. The software supports PDF 2.0 and ISO standards including PDF/X, used in print production.