Digital BW, The Print

Mike:
What\ufffds exactly the purpose of this software? Any relation to things like the
ColorVision/Spider combo to calibrate? I just order my first set of CFS and
MIS Inks(to use use with an Epson 980,4 inks) and will be struggling with
"making things look alike" for the next
few weeks I guess... Just finished reading the great Dan Margulis book,and
I'm so overwhelmed with information that I could use some clarification!(8-)
Is it expensive?

Other point: I ordered the variable mix inks,to print on EAM. How these inks
compare to this new,full spectrum inks everybody is talking about?


[ ],Andr\ufffd

> 5. Enter Colorbyte Software. I purchased the ImagePrint 4 RIP. The
> first version I received would up with a bug or two, but the
> developer sent me a newer version that fixed the problem I was
> having. I am using this RIP with the MIS FS inks. The densities of
> the MIS FS inks are for all intents and purposes identical to Piezo
> inks. I have been running the MIS FS inks for the better part of 6
> months. My heads, dampers and waste ink station look as clean as the
> day they were replaced. The MIS FS inks have not clogged my machine.
> I have had to do the ocassional cleaning cycle, but that is it. This
> is a big advantage for me. Sometimes I print all weekend and then do
> not print for days.
>
> PART 2 to follow
> Enter the MIS FS Neutral Inks.
>
> Mike

On 3/9/02 9:10 AM, "André Vallejo" <avs@...> wrote:

> Mike:
> What´s exactly the purpose of this software? Any relation to things like the
> ColorVision/Spider combo to calibrate?

NO, the colorvision/spider is used to calibrate your monitor.  The
Imageprint RIP is an alternative to the Epson driver.  See:

http://www.colorbyte.com/

As I far as I understand, Imageprint will give you better image placement
control than either PiezoBW or the epson drivers and the ability to use
anyone's color or quad inks with a given printer.  They apparently have many
profiles already for different inks and papers...these are free.  In
addition they have told several people that they are willing to profile
BW/paper combinations for free.  I have no idea whether they will actually
do this.  Anyone have any experience here?

Robert

Andr\ufffd,

>What's exactly the purpose of this software? ...

A RIP gives better control of the inks and can do things the Photoshop image
adjustment curves cannot do.  Independent control of all ink positions --
most notably the black ink -- is a big advantage.

Frankly, I see the Photoshop curves as a great way to get started.  If one
is really into printing, then the advantages of a good RIP probably make it
worth paying for.

> I ordered the variable mix inks, to print on EAM. How these inks
>compare to this new, full spectrum inks everybody is talking about?

The MIS Full Spectrum (FS) quads are compatible with the Piezo driver.
There is a large base of users that like the Piezo system, but would like
alternative inks.  There are also Photoshop curves that allow quad printers
(not hextone printers) to use the FS inks without the Piezo driver.

The standard FS inkset is like Piezo ink, but less warm.  The new FS-Neutral
is hair cool, but not as cool as the vm-nc curves.  It comes close to the
lightly-toned-selenium silver-print tone.  (It will also warm less than
other quads.)

The VM-Sepia uses the FS-N inks in its gray ink positions.  You might note
the large post I made about the tones I was able to get with my 3000 using
the VM-Sepia inkset.  Going from a selenium-toned silver-print tone to a
sepia print with a single inkset is range that might appeal to a lot of
people.

The basic MIS VM curves work OK with the vm-sepia inkset, but I'm finding
that fine tuning will help a lot.  Given my current overload of work,
however, users should not expect me to do that fine tuning for printers I
don't have.

In short, those who are not familiar with Photoshop adjustment curves might
want to stick to the standard MIS VM inkset (or go with MIS FS inks and the
Piezo driver or available curves for quadtone printers).  I expect MIS will
only sell the VM-Sepia in bulk and may not put it on it's website.  MIS is,
understandably, concerned about the proliferation of inks and the confusion
it will cause in the market.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com

Andre,

The software controls the printer and placement of inks by channelizing it. It also controls the printers dither to reduce or eliminate dots and banding.


Regards,

Michael J. Kravit
Architect/Photographer
Boca Raton, Florida
www.kravit.net

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: André Vallejo 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Saturday, March 09, 2002 12:10 PM
  Subject: [Digital BW] ImagePrint 4 RIP to Mike


  Mike:
  What´s exactly the purpose of this software? Any relation to things like the
  ColorVision/Spider combo to calibrate? I just order my first set of CFS and
  MIS Inks(to use use with an Epson 980,4 inks) and will be struggling with
  "making things look alike" for the next
  few weeks I guess... Just finished reading the great Dan Margulis book,and
  I'm so overwhelmed with information that I could use some clarification!(8-)
  Is it expensive?

  Other point: I ordered the variable mix inks,to print on EAM. How these inks
  compare to this new,full spectrum inks everybody is talking about?


  [ ],André





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 3/9/2002 2:45:02 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
paul.roark@... writes:


> A RIP gives better control of the inks and can do things the Photoshop image
> adjustment curves cannot do.  Independent control of all ink positions --
> most notably the black ink -- is a big advantage.
> 

How does one know that a particular ink position needs to be adjusted? Is a 
RIP something a photographer printing only his / her own work would 
appreciate and  use effectively?
I think the Colorbyte people might do well to explain things to average 
photogs as to why their product would be beneficial.
But the product should not be much more complex to use than the Cone Piezo 
RIP.
Thanks for any replies.
George J Kunze


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

George,

The ImagePrint 4 RIP is just as easy to use as the Piezo RIP or easier. In fact, they provide templates so you can print a number of the same or different images on one page. This is something that the Piezo software does not have.

As far as controlling the inks. The Colorbyte ImagePrint 4 RIP does all this for you automatically. They profile the different inks, papers and printers and all you do is select your paper, ink and printer. You can center your image, move it around and if you so inclined adjust the ink channels individually to obtain differing results. They provide visual curves so you can see the affect that the adjustments have made.

The software is very simple. Their brochure and website explains everything that their product does. In fact, the product is available in various flavors. You can purchase it with Postscript support if you wish or without. You can but if for one printer or with a license for many. Pricing ranges from $499 to over $2,000.

The bottom line is that they are targeting a market where flexibility is the key. They want you to be able to use any ink you want, any paper you want, and their software will be the common ground or bridge so to speak. 

Regards,

Michael J. Kravit
Architect/Photographer
Boca Raton, Florida
www.kravit.net

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: toomagenta@... 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Saturday, March 09, 2002 7:14 PM
  Subject: Re: [Digital BW] ImagePrint 4 RIP to Mike


  In a message dated 3/9/2002 2:45:02 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
  paul.roark@... writes:


  > A RIP gives better control of the inks and can do things the Photoshop image
  > adjustment curves cannot do.  Independent control of all ink positions --
  > most notably the black ink -- is a big advantage.
  > 

  How does one know that a particular ink position needs to be adjusted? Is a 
  RIP something a photographer printing only his / her own work would 
  appreciate and  use effectively?
  I think the Colorbyte people might do well to explain things to average 
  photogs as to why their product would be beneficial.
  But the product should not be much more complex to use than the Cone Piezo 
  RIP.
  Thanks for any replies.
  George J Kunze


  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 3/9/2002 7:39:52 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
michael.kravit@... writes:


> The bottom line is that they are targeting a market where flexibility is the 
> key. They want you to be able to use any ink you want, any paper you want, 
> and their software will be the common ground or bridge so to speak. 
> 
> 

Michael,
Thank you for taking the time to explain it. The system seems like a must for 
anyone  
who takes their printing seriously.
Have you printed any quads, and if so, are they on par with the quality of 
Piezo prints when scrutinized with a loupe etc.?
Thanks again for your trouble. I suspect the next step is to call Colorbyte 
directly.
George J Kunze


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

George,

I print a lot of images using the MIS FS Quads on my 7000. The dither of the ImagePrint 4 is a bit different than the Piezo driver, but nothing that you can discern without at least a 4x loupe.

Regards,

Michael J. Kravit
Architect/Photographer
Boca Raton, Florida
www.kravit.net

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: toomagenta@... 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Saturday, March 09, 2002 8:41 PM
  Subject: Re: [Digital BW] ImagePrint 4 RIP to Mike


  Michael,
  Thank you for taking the time to explain it. The system seems like a must for 
  anyone  
  who takes their printing seriously.
  Have you printed any quads, and if so, are they on par with the quality of 
  Piezo prints when scrutinized with a loupe etc.?
  Thanks again for your trouble. I suspect the next step is to call Colorbyte 
  directly.
  George J Kunze





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 3/9/2002 10:47:13 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
michael.kravit@... writes:


>  print a lot of images using the MIS FS Quads on my 7000. The dither of the 
> ImagePrint 4 is a bit different than the Piezo driver, but nothing that you 
> can discern without at least a 4x loupe.
> 
> 

Thank you Michael. I've just ordered the demo on line.
George J Kunze


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]