Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., dave@t... wrote:
> Is there any benefit to using the Piezo software?

There's a loaded question! The answers will be subjective. The
workflow with it is very straightforward, you stay in 
grayscale without dealing with separation curves. It does all that
for you, and does it extremely well.

> I am using MIS 
> FS inks and wondered if the Piezo is a rip system. If so is it any 
> different than using another rip?

It is a custom four channel export module that accepts only
proprietory profiles. The profiles contain separation info for 
different papers. It resembles a RIP in that it controls each ink
precisely, but you have no access to that process other than 
selecting different profiles. I'd put money on it being a customized
version of the old R9 plugin, which if you're very 
resourcefull you can still find... for about $1000.

>  How does it compare to using a 
> rgb or cmyk seperation method?
> 
In terms of quality of image, with it's inks, I think it's almost
impossible to beat. I say that as someone who isn't currently 
using it. You have to like the tint of the inks though, this new MIS
ink may work well with it, more user reports would be 
good. Even if they match the individual ink densities, I've found
drastic dot gain differences between Piezo and MIS inks. The 
profiles are built with dot gain accounted for. In terms of workflow
there is nothing easier. I've been learning quads inside 
and out obsessively with every available ink and method for quite a
while now, and it with it's profiles is one amazing 
accomplishment.
If you like warmish prints, aren't interested in getting sidetracked
with learning workflows, and just need to start 
producing prints I think it's the way to go.
If you don't like the way the prints look, or enjoy playing around
with this stuff, there are certainly many things being 
explored here.

> If so... can you purchase it without inks? Everthing I have seen 
> has sets including inks for more money.

Don't know.
I'm sure there are differing opinions here.
Tyler