WorkStream Overview

ZBE WorkStream is professional software that simplifies, controls and automates digital print production in the photo lab, and in the photographer's studio. WorkStream integrates the entire process of order creation and scanning, through color correction, cropping and retouching, to scheduling and printing.

WorkStream seamlessly accepts orders prepared by the lab's customers, using the WorkStream (DS) Digital Studio software.

ZBE WorkStream software is comprised of two independent, yet integrated, products, one for the lab and one for the photographer (lab customers).

WorkStream IA (Imaging Automation) manages the production process in the digital photo lab or imaging service bureau. WorkStream IA handles all aspects of order creation, management and production from order creation and scanning, through color correction, cropping and retouching, to scheduling and printing.

WorkStream DS (Digital Studio) runs in the photographer's studio. WorkStream DS is used to prepare images and orders that will be printed at the photo lab. All aspects of the order can be entered by the photographer including; image color corrections, cropping and composition, retouching and product selection. WorkStream DS automatically generates an order archive and database for your studio. Orders prepared in WorkStream transfer seamlessly to your photolab for automated production.

Both WorkStream IA & DS versions include:

• Image entry/scanning
• Product selection
• Package unit selection/imaging
• Logo application
• Composite products using text, frames, layouts, masks & backgrounds
• Order creation
• Order management
• Order history database
• ICC Color management
• Soft Proofing
• Live color, contrast, density and saturation correction
• Image re-sizing
• Cropping and Rotating
• Re-touching (via direct connection to Photoshop)

WorkStream IA also includes:

• Automatically accepts orders created with WorkStream Digital Studio (DS)
• Image rendering using Workstream RE
• Printing
• Production order tracking
• Order tracking throughout digital printing process

Image File Management

ZBE WorkStream is a fast and powerful image browser that can be used for presentations and to manage and archive image files everyday. The images are viewed as thumbnails. You can adjust to the size and quantity of the thumbnails displayed on the screen to your preference.

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Creating An Order

All aspects of the order can be entered including product selection package unit print selection, on-screen cropping rotating resizing composition, retouching and color correction.

For entering customer orders, simply select an entire folder for opening. It's fast and easy. Specify which of the images will be printed, and how, by simply selecting the "products" or packages to be produced for each of the images. Products are located in the "Products Window". There are standard prints, package prints and custom sizes.

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Custom Cropping

ZBE WorkStream software allows you to quickly and easily custom crop "on-screen" any or all of the images. By double-clicking, the image opens full-screen and can be cropped by dragging the crop box into the desired position. Double click again, and move on to the next image or, simply click the arrow button to bring up the next image in the file.

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"On-Screen Soft Proofing" Color Correction

ZBE WorkStream software also allows, "on-screen soft proofing" for the entire order. With an ICC profiled monitor what you see (on the screen) is what you will get on the finished print. Color correcting images involves viewing the image and adjusting the color, density, contrast and saturation, as needed. With WorkStream you can color correct a group of images simultaneously, by selecting the images for cropping, then float one of the images to use it as a color reference.

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Retouching

WorkStream also supports the retouching of images at the click of button. Open the image that you want to retouch, and click on the retouch button to open the image in Photoshop or whichever retouching program you use. The altered image will be transferred back to WorkStream, ready for printing.

Looking for more information? Check out the WorkStream FAQ.