Claro Premedia

Elpical Claro Premedia is the image processing server publishing, printing, and online communication companies rely on for fast processing of high volumes of images while achieving cost reduction and improving quality.

Via Claro Individual Image Analysis it individually analyzes each image for a range of specific parameters... then enhances the image for highest-quality results… even images inside a PDF! Via hot folders, it realizes automatic image manipulation tasks (intelligent ICC based Device and DeviceLink conversions). The Elpical Claro Inspector for Photoshop® allows side-by-side viewing of original and processed image versions. Via XML, it seamlessly integrates into existing workflows.

Claro Individual Image Analysis
Automatic image enhancement is a real challenge. What is good for one image is not good for the other. A straightforward hot folder solution, simply applying one set of filters and algorithms to every image in a hot folder, will simply not do the job. Although it seems contradictory, automatic image enhancement needs an individual approach.
With its Claro Individual Image Analysis, Claro analyses every individual image thoroughly, looking for such parameters as:

• sharpness
• brightness
• contrast
• color balance
• natural greens
• skin tones
• Exif information
• … and more.

This extensive individual analysis is fundamental to our image enhancement technology. It is due to this fundamental approach that we achieve consistent high-quality results even when the origin and quality of the original images vary significantly.
Claro utilizes superior enhancement techniques: for example, the sharpening algorithms. The sharpening that will be applied to a given image varies in amount and threshold, depending on the sharpness and  (reduced) noise levels in the original image, a sophisticated anti-halo filter is applied to reduce the undesirable side effects of sharpening.
Another example are images taken in bright sunlight that always have high contrast levels. Ideally, details should be preserved and enhanced both in the bright as well as in the dark areas of the image, without effecting overall brightness of the image. This is now possible with the Claro™ local contrast-enhancement algorithm. Individual image analysis ensures that this technique is only applied to images that require it.

General Claro Individual Image Analysis for automated image enhancement based on each image’s specific requirements

• Consistent image enhancements across a wide range of image types (TIFF, JPEG, DCS-RAW, Photoshop EPS, BMP, etc.)
• File output support for TIFF, JPEG, EPS, PSD (including original layers, compatibility layer and processed layer)
• Multi-platform availability
• Up to 4 parallel image-processing threads for maximum performance and multi-processor capability
• XML job file support for easy integration into existing workflows
• High level memory management
• User friendly help application and password protection
• Web based user interface for easy remote server control

Image manipulation Images inside PDF files can be enhanced, resampled and color converted

• ICC based color conversions and profile assignment & embedding
• CMYK-to-CMYK conversions without conversion to LAB
• Save Ink (limit total area coverage
• Device link profile generation, based on source and destination profile
• DeviceLink channels for CMYK to CMYK conversion
• Influence rendering intent based on out-of-gamut percentage
• Resampling and resizing of images
• Add processing data in the XMP data of the processed file

Image optimization

• Local contrast enhancement of image details with respect for overall image brightness
• Superior control over and dynamic optimization of sharpness, brightness, saturation, noise, black point/white point, and color balance

Workflow

• Runs as a background server process
• Easy XML based integration into existing workflows
• Elpical Claro Inspector for Photoshop®. Integration for optimum side-by-side control of specific images (Mac & PC)
• Create unlimited number of hot folder based workflows (channels)
• Professional backup of original and/or processed files
• Routing channels based on IPTC data (Route to a Claro channel, a folder, ftp destination and/or email address)
• Support for Photoshop CS2-CS4 on MacOSX and PC
• Embed processing information into XMP
• Direct browsing to system profile folder (i.e. ColorSync folder on Mac)

• Provide consistently high-quality image enhancements across varied individual images
• Save massive amounts of time on producing image-specific enhancements
• Process with confidence, knowing Claro Premedia will only enhance images where needed and even perform batch image enhancement inside PDF files
• in control of your workflow with Elpical Claro Inspector that route images to Adobe® Photoshop® for side-by-side comparisons.
• Seamless integration with leading workflow solutions like CCI, K4, SWITCH, WoodWing, EIDOS Media, InDesign, Protec, and more.