Wednesday, 16 October 2024
InkQuest is one of Astute Graphics' earliest plugins. Originally part of the Phantasm Publisher collection of functions in 2009, it was subsequently split out into its own product before Astute Graphics' transition to SaaS.
In many ways, it was an outlier in the Astute Graphics plugin feature set, focusing purely on specialist pre-press operations such as ink coverage, ink channel swapping and the like, whereas all other functions concentrate on the creative workflow.
For the past year, Astute Graphics has been monitoring use and user feedback relating to InkQuest and has concluded that its unusual fit within the overall SaaS focus is reflected in the minimal usage figures. Coupled with deep technical issues the latest releases of Adobe Illustrator is presenting to InkQuest's maintenance requirements, it has been decided that this plugin is now end-of-life.
The most recent release, v2.8.2, allows the plugin to be installed in Illustrator 2020 through to 2025 via the Astute Manager. However, Astute Graphics can not assure of its functionality in Illustrator 2025 and users are advised that use of it in Illustrator 2025 is at their own risk. Whereas, we are not noticing any unusual stability issues, internal testing has found rendering issues in some circumstances on some systems.
With the Astute Graphics plugin service expanding extensively and continuously since its introduction in 2019, with new plugins and numerous new tools and functions, we will continue to invest in the creative workflow elements of the plugins, documentation — including AG Docs — and a high level of support.
Astute Graphics intends to remove the InkQuest plugin from the Astute Manager in the near future, at which point it will be made freely available as a manually-installed and unmanaged plugin for the pre-press community.