Digital BW, The Print

Paul,

I was the one who suggested the reizing option for reducing/removing 
combing seen in work flows that incorporate curves adjustment layers. 
I have found this to be true even in global RGB (as opposed to RGB 
partitioned) curves. Visually, I find this does not produce any 
discernible effect on the final printed image.

Additonally (off-topic), I am working on using the VM inks without 
any partitioned curves. Instead I use a global RGB curve to control 
density, and use of the the following to control tone (1) using the 
magenta slider, and (2) using color adjustment layer (magenta bias). 
Both of these are doable, with #2 providing a more tone controlled 
image. I use a 1280 printer, and am finding less posterization with 
my work flow (once perfected).

Best wishes.

Shilesh

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Paul Roark" 
<paul.roark@v...> wrote:
> As noted by a couple of forum members, the image files that have had
> partitioning workflows -- specifically the VM curves -- applied to 
them can
> show "combing" in the histogram.
> 
> While I have never identified this as a source of trouble in my 
prints, I do
> try to avoid this apparent reduction of grayscale steps as much as 
possible.
> 
> One member (whose name, I apologize, I forget) noted that changing 
the size
> of the image could smooth it out.
> 
> I have just taken a look at this suggested approach to smooth-out 
image
> files.  Changing the size/pixel-count of the image does appear to 
eliminate
> the combing in the histogram.
> 
> Likewise, changing the size of the image file after the 
partitioning/VM
> curves have been applied seems to eliminate/smooth-out the combing.
> 
> My thanks to the member who shared the knowledge with us.  (I 
apologize for
> not remembering names.  Concepts I can handle -- names I can't.)
> 
> Based on this experience, my VM workflow relative to this includes: 
working
> at the scanner's native resolution as long as possible, and not 
changing the
> size of the image until after I have done all my editing, saved the 
image,
> converted to RGB, and applied the VM partitioning curves.
> 
> The very last step I now take is to change the size of the image in
> Photoshop from the scanner's native resolution to my print size at 
360 dpi.
> 
> When I check the histogram there is no combing.
> 
> I have not analyzed prints to see if I can see any difference.
> 
> Paul
> http://www.PaulRoark.com