FTA member Hybrid Software Helix announces Mako Core 9, the latest release of its software development kit (SDK) for print OEMs and independent software vendors, introducing major performance improvements for complex PDF processing.

Mako Core 9 accelerates two of the most time-consuming stages in demanding PDF workflows. Its Apex GPU-native renderer accelerates rasterization by up to 30 times compared with traditional CPU-based approaches, while the new Apex PDF Output technology uses an optimized, multithreaded CPU architecture to write complex PDF files up to ten times as fast in representative workflows. Together, these advances enable developers to build applications that preview, inspect, transform and output demanding print files more quickly. In production environments, this can mean shorter processing times, greater server and press throughput, more responsive applications and more predictable performance under heavy workloads.

Apex PDF Output complements the GPU-native Apex renderer by applying a different processing architecture to PDF creation. While the Apex renderer executes rasterization directly on modern GPU hardware, Apex PDF Output remains CPU-based and requires no GPU hardware, enabling Mako Core 9 to make effective use of the processing resources best suited to each task.

“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. The result is a faster, more scalable foundation for the next generation of print and document applications.”

Mako Core provides a single SDK for building print and document applications across multiple page description languages. Its intelligent Document Object Model (iDOM) gives developers access to document content including fonts, images, vector graphics, layers, metadata and color information, enabling applications to inspect, edit, convert, optimize, render and output complex documents within a consistent development environment.

Mako supports PDF 2.0 and established ISO PDF standards including PDF/X for print production, while both its CPU and GPU renderers have achieved Ghent Workgroup accreditation for professional PDF workflows.