Digital BW, The Print

on 8/9/01 4:39 PM, Paul Roark wrote:

> I played with 16 bit and found no advantage in printing.  I always scan at
> maximum depth and/or make multiple scans with different curves applied in
> the scanner software, but for the final image, 8 bit/channel seems to be
> enough.  (Truth is, it's hard to achieve even 256 true steps in a final file
> after all the manipulations.)

Paul,

Yeah, I'm still experimenting with how far to take the file in 16-bit. I've
taken it all the way to applying your curves in 16-bit and printing at
16-bit, and letting PS convert it to 8-bit on-the-fly to the printer.

However, when I use 8-bit, and stack a lot of adjustment layers and layer
masks as is my wont, I notice it is imperative to have your curve set at the
top of the stack (I thought just above the background layer could work to,
but no). Do you agree, and have you noticed any difference between sitting
it at the top of the stack vs flattening a copy and having your curve set be
the only layer?

Any other little tips, or things to look out for?

Thanks,
Todd