Digital BW, The Print

On Monday, June 16, 2003, at 08:37 PM, Roy Harrington wrote:
>>
>> But, correct me if I'm wrong, without single channel control.  You are
>> limited to a CYMK approach?...meaning if I wanted six (or seven) 
>> different
>> inks or toners in the printer I wouldn't be able to control them
>> individually, because, for example, cyan and photo cyan channels 
>> would be
>> coupled?
>>
>> Robert
>
> Yes, the 1.1 version that I think you tried was limited to
> CMYK, but the new 2.0 version controls 4,6, or 7 inks and
> uses full 16bit curves.  I think the best thing is that I've
> got automatic partitioning that works very well -- no need
> to work on going from light grays to dark grays.  You do
> get to shape the final overall curve if you like though.
>
> I did post about it a couple of weeks ago, but you may have
> missed it.  I'm still doing little tweaks but the guts works
> just fine.
>
Thanks for the clarification, I must have missed the update.  It seems 
then that only remaining difference between the Quadtone RIP and 
IJC/OPM are then the following:

1. IJC provides expected density values (AIMS) for the profile and 
allows you to enter density values and plot these to see where you are 
at.

2. IJC allows you to linearize final profiles for an algorithmic 
solution to straightening the final profile

3. IJC provides an easy way (within the program) to generate a whole 
variety of test patterns including single channel test wedges

4. OPM provides a blender so that you can simply make two profiles...a 
cool one and a warm one and then use a slider to get anywhere in 
between, instead of using separate profiles for anything.

I'm not sure whether you have actually used IJC...so some of this may 
not make much sense.

Also, can you remind us all what printers the Quadtone RIP supports? 
and whether there are any paper size restrictions, does it support roll 
paper in the wide format printers?

Robert