Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, André 
Vallejo <avs@p...> wrote:
> Let me see if I follow this: You're saying that printing quads 
with
> Gimp-Print under Linux or an emulator can provide as much 
control and good
> prints as with ImagePrint? And maybe neutral prints from color 
inksets? Is
> it so? A bit confused here...
> André

Well I don't run Linux so I can't provide Linux binaries, I run
Mac OS X 10.2.3 and the binaries run on that.  The bit of
source code I wrote should be fairly easy to port to Linux
so a Linux solution is not at all out of the question.  In fact I
have a friend with Linux so I'll investigate.

The main goal is to provide a completely grayscale
workflow and capability to control multiple gray inks and
optional toner inks.   ImagePrint does more in terms of a
layout tool but you have to use a supported ink set.  

For me the flexibility of using anybody's inks is important
and of course the fact that gimp-print is free is great.  I
don't need all the bells & whistles that IP has.  For those
using any of the MIS quadtone inks or the Piezo inks,
using PS plugins or RGB workflows, I think this method
should be easier and as good or better.   The one price
you have to pay at least so far is working your own curves.

As far as neutral prints from color inks, calibration is certainly
going to be an issue.  But I suspect metamerism problems
are likely to be a problem -- and that's an ink issue more
than software.

One last caveat is that with the new 2200 and x600
printers there are some B&W printing options that my
code cannot do at least now.  So far I don't have separate
control of the light-black ink so IP may have the edge there.

Hope that helps.
Roy