Company Overview

Since the company's inception in 1976 as Imapro Inc., Imapro Corporation products have played a major role in the development of the PC-based business and presentation graphics market. In February of 1986, Matrix Instruments Inc. (now known as Miles, Agfa Division), a leading manufacturer of film recorders, acquired Imapro Inc. and its technology. Imapro Corporation was formed when the company's original major shareholders regrouped its staff and facilities, retaining the rights to distribute Matrix film recorders.

Imapro's headquarters, including research and engineering facilities, are located in Ottawa, Canada, with manufacturing facilities located in Charlottetown, Canada. In addition, Imapro UK, located in Hertfordshire, England, provides sales and service support throughout Europe together with Imapro's recently established sales and service centre located in Karlsruhe, Germany. A wholly-owned subsidiary, Imapro Japan, sells Imapro products directly in Japan and has consulted with Canon, Fuji, and other leading Japanese firms.

Imapro's leading products include high-resolution professional color scanners, film recorders, photographic systems, and pre-press systems. Imapro's mandate to ensure superior customer support and satisfaction has enabled the company to maintain a high standard of quality and reliability of all Imapro products.

Imapro's research team continues to provide innovative engineering to sustain product leadership.

ACHIEVEMENTS Imapro's recordof achievements is a result of continued commitment to improve, enhance, and create technologically advanced and reliable products.

1979 FIRST DIGITAL COLOR FILM RECORDING SYSTEM In 1979, Imapro developed the Color Image Recorder (CIR), the first high-resolution digital color film recording system. Previous film recording technology required mainframe computers and complex, limited-accuracy electron beam recorders. Made for the Canadian government, the CIR recorded full-color digital images from the LANDSAT earth-resource sensing satellite on photographic film using lasers for the first accurate color film exposure and registration. The CIR recorded 4096x4096 pixels at 24 bits of color/pixel, with a registration of one part per million.

1981 FIRST LOW-COST, HIGH-RESOLUTION FILM RECORDERS Previous commercially-available film recorders (i. e... Genigraphics and Dicomed) were minicomputer-based and priced at over $250, 000, limiting them to service bureaus and large corporations. An outgrowth of the CIR, Imapro's 35mm film recorders made high-resolution (4K, 24 bits/pixel) film recorders affordable for the first time. In 1982, Imapro licensed manufacturing rights for these products to Matrix Instruments Inc., who marketed them worldwide as the highly successful Matrix QCR and PCR film recorders. These state-of-the-art devices launched the in-house film recorder industry and played a key role in the growth of the business and presentation graphics markets. They are the highest-precision office film recorders available for use with the PC-based family and are widely used by business decision-makers at virtually every Fortune 500 company.

1983 FIRST VECTOR-TO-RASTER-PROCESSOR FOR THE PC Vector-based presentation graphics packages began to appear in the early 1980s, bringing high-resolution, anti-aliased (jaggies-free) graphics to the PC. The Imapro QVP, a card for the PC XT, converted these vectors to run-length-encoded (compressed) raster image that allowed Matrix film recorders to create color slides and prints from these software packages. Now marketed by Matrix as the MVP board, this card is widely used with Zenographics' Mirage software and over 30 other vector-based presentation graphics software packages.

1983 FIRST VECTOR PRESENTATION GRAPHICS LANGUAGE To interface with vector-based software, Imapro developed SCODL (Scan Conversion Object Description Language), which has become a de facto industry standard for communicating between vector-based software packages and film recorders. SCODL was based on the NAPLS videotex system.

1987 12 MHz VECTOR-TO-RASTER PROCESSOR BOARD FOR THE PC Imapro introduced the M68000-based MVP+ board, a faster version of the MVP board. The MVP+ offered 1024K of memory, and mapping of Targa and Vista board imagery to the 4K resolution of Matrix film recorders, thermal printers and EGA monitor support.

1987 FIRST PHOTOGRAPHIC-RESOLUTION COLOR SCANNERS The desktop presentation market had been severely hampered by the limitations of low-cost color scanners. Using remote-sensing image processing techniques, Imapro increased the effective output resolution of a color scanner to fill in detailed pixel data. The result was a photographic-quality, bit-mapped color image with variable-resolution of up to 3000 dpi effective output resolution (depending on original image area) that could be scanned in less than five minutes. This technology effectively converted a low-cost color desktop scanner into a powerful, digital photographic camera for the first time.

1987 FIRST INTEGRATED PRESENTATION GRAPHICS SYSTEM As an outgrowth of its pioneering developments in color film recording technology, Imapro announced its Photographics 3000 system, the first system to integrate color presentation graphics, color photography, video and text. Imapro marketed this system to value-added resellers as a complete 286/386 PC presentation graphics system, which included a variety of graphics software, an enhanced color scanner. film recorder and optional color printers.

1988 FIRST PC ON-LINE INTERFACE TO SCITEX WORKSTATION Imapro's Separator System was the first PC-based on-line interface to Scitex workstations, for lower cost design, photo retouching, and page make-up for brochures, advertising and flyers.

1989 PROTOTYPE PREPRESS SYSTEM Imapro demonstrated its prepress system, reducing the cost of producing color catalogues, brochures and flyers. The Imapro Page Production System is a system offour PC workstations, each of which handles a part of the color process. The Scan Workstation scans images in high resolution;

the Author Workstation allows for page layout; the Composer Workstation enhances and composes images; Folio provides quick access color page store and; the Output Workstation produces color or black and white proofs, and CMYK film. This is the first system to allow users to efficiently go from design to film output on one operation system.

1990 SCSI WORKSTATION LINK PRODUCED FOR PREPRESS PRODUCTIONS Imapro performed live demonstrations at Dusseldorf, West Germany in October during DRUPA 1990 using its Page Production Solution. This technologically advanced system showcased a new feature, the SCSI Link, a fast networking solution connecting the PC workstations and replacing the method of exchanging files by Exabyte videotape. The SCSI Link along with accelerated RGB-CMYK conversion software provides an efficient method to produce full-page color separations.

1990 INTRODUCTION OF THE IMAPRO QCR-ZI 8K FILM RECORDER Unveiled at the 1990 Photokina show in October at Cologne, West Germany, Imapro announced the new QCR-Zi film recorder capable of outputting image graphics files created on PC-compatible and Macintosh computers at either 4K or the advanced 8K addressable resolution. Six months later, a 35mm version of the QCR-Zi. the QCR-3548 was released.

1990 FIRST PHOTOGRAPHICS 8K SYSTEM Imapro presented the newest version of the Photographics System at Photokina in Cologne, Germany in October. This enhanced PC or MAC compatible high resolution photographics system highlighted improved quality and processing speed. The Photographics 8K system specializes in scanning, color adjusting, cropping, retouching, restoring and composing images at up to 8K resolution. In addition, the system integrates and processes Imapro's Postscript compatible RIP.

1990 FIRST 'TRUE' 1200 DPI SCANNER As part of its commitment to the ongoing development of flatbed scanners for the professional market, the company introduced the QCS-1260 scanner. This innovative scanner, the first of its kind, scans 600 dpi over the entire 11 'x17' flatbed area and, by mechanically moving the optics within the scanner, scans a 'true' 1200 dpi resolution over half of the width ('.8'x17'). This unique feature, along with the optical feedback that is provided to ensure constant color fidelity, ensures that a CCD flatbed scanner is a viable option to traditional, more expensive, drum scanning.

1991 MVP+/20 VECTOR-TO-RASTER PROCESSOR BOARD Introduced at the National Computer Graphics Association trade show in Chicago, in April, the MVP+/20 is fully compatible with the MVP+. Imapro's newest vector-to-raster processor is the fastest image rasterizer on the market. The improved GPIB performance feature increases the number of images exposed per hour and produces more than 16 million colors.

1991 QCS-2400 SCANNER Presented at the IFRA trade show in England, the QCS-2400 professional scanner improves on the QCS-1260 by introducing interpolated scanning at up to 1200 dpi over 5.8x17'. All features of the QCS-1260 remain in the new QCS-2400. This professional scanner has the increased inflexibility to scan 2.25, 4x5, and 5x7' transparencies and reflective originals at up to 2400 ppi and the unique optical feedback feature ensures consistent color fidelity.

1993 QCS-3200 SCANNER Announced in June, the QCS-3200 professional scanner scans in a single pass at up to 3200 ppd. The QCS-3200 features all of the QCS-2400's enhanced capabilities plus the unique optical feedback system allowing automatic variation in calibration and superior negative and flesh tone scanning performance.

1993 THE FIRST VARIABLE MEDIA RANGE OF PRODUCTS BASED ON WINDOWS SOFTWARE The Spring of 1993 saw the introduction of a complete new range of variable media products, the first available based around Microsoft Windows software. Incorporating the new scanner station, WinScan, utilizing the QCS-3200 scanner. Retouching is provided by WinComp with output for film separations on WinSetter or digital film on Winimage.

1994 THE QCR-16K AND QCR-32K FILM RECORDERS Unveiled at the 1994 Photokina show in September at Cologne, West Germany, Imapro introduced the QCR-16k and QCR-32k film recorders. Capable of producing image graphic files created on PC, Mac and Unix computers at 16k and 32k addressable resolutions, the QCR-16k and QCR-32k feature a new ergonomicfloor design, a built in hard disk and a premium CRT. The unique combination module is available with both models and supports film sizes from 35mm up to 8x10' in either negative or positive film type.

Company Information

Additional Details

Legal Name: Imapro 2000 Inc.

Number of Employees: 75

Contacts

Products

• Digital Scanner
• Imaging Equipment, Digital, Photographic
• Photographics Sk Solution

  Main Features of the Photographics Sk Solution

  Scanning:... of transparencies (positive or negative), reflectives or lineart is done with 3200 ppi color flatbed scanner, using our professional software that allows you to adjust tonal curves;

  control 1/4, mid and 3/4 tone highlights and shadows; set white and black points; and, work in RGB or CMY.

  Colorkey Masking:... is a proprietary software program that reads specified HLS levels to allow you to colorkey mask to a finely detailed area, ie: it can separate hair strands. You can append an unlimited number of transparent and opaque colorkey masks to produce the final colorkey mask for an image. These masks can also be accessed in the layout program, where it is possible to select nine different colorkey masks for an image.

  Unsharp Masking:... allows you to sharpen your images with an unlimited selection of kernel sizes. Two different kernel shapes are also available for different photo applications. Also included is a de-screening feature that virtually eliminates the screen lines that can appear from scanning printed material.

  Retouching:... is accomplished with the use of a professional-level paint package.

  Layout:... of images is done with our Imagine software. Imagine is a powerful, easy-to-use program that features: - the ability to layout and size both colorkey masks and close-crop masks and see them as they will be produced on film. - fast compositional design using low-res images of the original image- a mask program that lets you produce a close-crop mask using a variety of shapes - the unique ability to allow raster and object-oriented images to be merged together, and displayed and worked on at the same time without any misregistration of information - the ability to layout and size multiple crops of one image.

  Compose:... is the final step before outputting your image. This is where the low-res images used in Imagine are replaced with the hi-res images and rasterized for output to the film recorder.

  Output:... is where you select Your output device, film type, camera module and resolution.

  Output Calibration Tools:... is a utility program that allows you to color calibrate your system to different types of film, and to the different kinds of chemistry used to process film.

• Qcr-32k Film Recorder

  QCR-32k Film Recorder:

  Capture the future with the new QCR-32k film recorder. The innovative QCR-32k has been engineered to combine state-of-the art photographic technology with traditional ACR quality. Take your images beyond 16k and expereince true color imaging up to 32k addressability.

  The revolutionary new QCR-32k film recorder includes many exciting features to meet the specialized needs of professional photo labs or service bureaus.

• Qcr-zi Film Recorder

  Main Features of the QCR-Zi Film Recorder

  Photographic Quality Digital 4x5's:... the QCR-Zi produces 4x5 film that is comparable in optical quality to film conventionally exposed using a quality 4x5 camera.

  100% Digital:... the QCR-Zi images by actually stopping at each pixel point across the CRT face and exposing the film before moving on to the next pixel point. This makes the QCR-Zi a true digital film recorder. Most film recorders are part digital, part analog, as they scan continuously across the CRT tube and expose each pixel point as they pass it, which results in 'soft' images.

  Low Digital:... Dmin is a measure of how bright a white can be produced on film. The smaller the number the more transparent the film will be and the brighter the white will appear. The QCR-Zi produces a.21 D at 8K resolution. Kodak obtains.1 8D as a rough spec for the best white it can produce on 6105 and 6117 film. Most film recorders produce a DMin of.24 to.35.

  Image Rotation:... because the QCR-Zi is 100% digital and can scan either horizontally or vertically, it can rotate an image 90 degrees 'on the fly' within the camera. This means that where other film recorders require the image to be rotated within a software program (which can take a long time for an 8K, 1 50MB file!), the QCR-Zi can accept a portrait image as is and simply scan the film vertically to accommodate it.

  2 Point Calibration:... the QCR-Zi calibrates by measuring the intensity at both the 1.0D step andat 2.0D. The 1.0D step is what Kodak calls the speed of the film (speed step), which is a measure of the average exposure of the film. The 2.0D step (color step) measures the color saturation of the film. A 2 point calibration system allows the QCR-Zi to produce brilliant, saturated colors. Most film recorders use a 1 point (speed step) calibration which produces images that are visibly less saturated than the QCR-Zi. i.

• Qcs-3200 Scanner

  Main Features of the QCS-3200 Scanner

  Optical Feedback is a process where, at the beginning of each scan the red, green, and blue lamps individually calibrate. The R, G, or B lamp: 1 ) turns on and calibrates to the density level specified in the driver software; 2) all of the lamps are quickly turned on for a brightness calibration; and 3) all of the lamps are quickly turned off for a dark calibration. All of this information is processed and sent to a photodiode that monitors every single scan line throughout the scan pass and corrects for any variations that may occur. such as the lamps heating up and causing a color shift within the scan.

  12-Bit Tone Control:... improves flesh tones. When 8-bit tone adjustments are made by paint programs, the data becomes discontinuous. Full 12-bit tone control curves can be loaded into the scanner producing smoother data.

  Base Density Control:... allows the user to control each of the red, green and blue lamps separately and correct for color casts, and optimize shadow and highlight detail which is extremely important for negative scanning.

  12-Bit Dark Correction:.. is hardware in the scanner, that prevents white streaks in dark areas and highlights, or dark streaks in dark areas and shadows.

  Streaking Control:... is part of the 12-bit dark correction hardware fix and also corrects for the 'fixed pattern noise' that is inherent in every CCD.

  Switchable Optics For 'True' 1600 ppi:... is achieved by mechanically moving the optics in the scanner. The resolution is increased from 600 ppi to 1600 ppi by reducing the input width from 12' to 4.88'. There is no zoom lens or any interpolation software used.

  1600 and 3200 ppi Scanning:... is done within the scanner by interpolating data in one direction only (width) to allow scanning at 1200 ppi over 12'x17' and 3200 over 4.88-x17'. The scanner is physically capable of scanning at 3200 ppi lengthwise. By interpolating only in one direction and only by a factor of two, more accurate data is achieved.

  Optimized Negative Scanning:... is performed in the scanner. The negatives have all of the picture information compressed in a 1.1D range of density. Furthermore, a color mask is superimposed onto the information which cause the cyan and yellow layers to separate by up to 1.0D. The scanner compensates for these variations and produces superior results whilst scanning negatives.

• Recorders, Film, Photographic
• Scanners, Colour, Resolution, Photographic
• Software

  Cymbolic Sciences International

  Product: Software

  CSI film recorders are compatible with the Graphic Industry's most popular workstations thanks to the FireWare film recorder application software. Since 1993 FireWare has enabled end-users to drive their CSI film recorders directly from Macintosh Quadra, Power Macintosh, Silicon Graphics, Sun Microsystems, and 486/Pentium PCs.

• The Minipro Solution

  The Minipro Solution:

  Stand out from the competition with Digital Imaging from Imapro Corporation.

  The Minipro solution allows you to offer more services by giving your lab an affordable, easy to use, turnkey digital imaging system using industry standard software. You can retouch, compose, add text and graphics to photographs and create greeting cards, sports cards and special effects.

  The Minipro solution allows you to increase sales by offering more services to your present customers, and lets you attract new customers. The Minipro solution complements your present minilab system by producing photographic quality negative film that can be processed and printed with your existing equipment. The new services will make you stand out from the competition when your customers see what you are offering.

  The Minipro solution includes a Windows based imaging workstation capable of handling PostScript or pixel based files in either Mac or DOS formats. The Minipro solution also includes a 1200ppi line film recorder capable of handling positive or negative 35mm film. As the needs of your customers change, the Minipro solution can be easily upgraded within the range of Imapro products, and can be networked with other PCs or Macs.

  The bottom line:

  The Minipro solution is a high quality solution that is comparative with your current minilab equipment. The Minipro solution is cost effective, allowing quick payback.

  Contact an Imapro representative nearest you or call:

  613-738-3000 (ext. 284)

• The Qcr-16k Film Recorder

  The QCR-16k Film Recorder

  Capture the future with the new QCR-16k film recorder. The innovative QCR-16k has been engineered to combine state-of-the-art photographic technology with traditional QCR quality. Take your images beyond 8k and experience true color imaging up to 16k addressability.

  The revolutionary new QCR-16k film recorder includes many exciting features to meet the specialized needs of professional photo labs or service bureaus.

NAICS Categories

• 333310 Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing

Additional Information