"Harlequin (software)" is a raster image processor first released in 1990 under the name ScriptWorks running as a command-line application to render PostScript language files under Unix. It was developed by Harlequin, a software company based in Cambridge, England. History ScriptWorks was created in 1986 as the final year University project of software developer Andy Cave. The project was dedicated to building a subset of a postscript interpreter that could preview the conversion of LaTeX to PostScript so that the PhD students would use less paper on the new LaserWriter. Although only a subset was required, Cave ended up creating quite a complete implementation. In 1987, Cave joined Harlequin Limited, founding the RIP division. In the early 1990s, Harlequin was commissioned by Xenotron to develop a raster image processor to run on Macintosh computers to drive their Ultre-based image setters, exposing onto film and resin-coated paper. The Macintosh version proved successful, and Harlequin signed up a number of other Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners to sell it, including Pongrass, ECRM, Autologic, Xitron, Koronix, Purup, Graphic Enterprises and Compose. In 1992, a DOS variation of ScriptWorks was developed, and was also sold through OEM partners, before being replaced by a version running under Microsoft Windows in 1993. In 1999, Harlequin went into receivership and was bought by Global Graphics. The Harlequin Group, including all staff and assets, was renamed to Global Graphics Software Limited. The Unix-based command-line version of ScriptWorks was phased out, and a few years later ScriptWorks was renamed to Harlequin RIP. RIP variants From 2004 onwards Global Graphics expanded the reach of the Harlequin RIP by producing a number of variants for different market sectors: The Harlequin Server RIP (HSR) is designed for use in most production print segments other than pure-play digital press systems. It includes a graphical user interface (GUI) and can accept files from a wide variety of sources and export rasters to a huge number of output devices and file formats using input and output plugins. The Harlequin Host Renderer (HHR) is designed for use in digital front ends (DFEs) for digital production presses. It can be integrated very tightly with the rest of the system and can be effectively implemented in large RIP farms. HHR can also be integrated into software applications where there's a need for creation of raster representations of pages. The Harlequin Embedded SDK (EBD) is designed for use on