Digital BW, The Print

Here's a bit of a mini-FAQ in an attempt to answer some of the ImagePrint
questions arising on the DigitalBW list lately.  If anyone cares to tackle
some of the larger questions (such as installation or proofing issues), I'd
be happy to start compiling it into a comprehensive FAQ and host it in the
Files section of the ImagePrint group.

--Tom

-----

Is there a demo available?

Rumor has it that there once was a demo CD, but it did not work properly so
ColorByte decided to discontinue it.  There has been no word from ColorByte
as to whether the demo will be fixed and offered again at a later date.

-----

How does IP deal with metamerism on the 2200,7600,9600?

Using the "gray" profiles for B&W printing, apparently IP does not use the
yellow ink.  A close examination of a very light gray printed patch reveals
the only inks in use are Black, LtBlack, LtCyan, and LtMagenta.  This
results in a neutral gray print that exhibits no noticable metamerism under
various lighting conditions.  By adjusting the quantity of LtCyan and
LtMagenta, IP offers the ability to tone your B&W prints using a tool called
the TintPicker.

For color printing, ColorByte provides four profiles for each paper type:
Daylight (EDAY), Tungsten (ETUNG), and two Flourescent profiles (ECWF,
ECWF2).  You print with the profile appropriate for your target viewing
light.  This doesn't eliminate metamerism, but does allow you to create very
color-accurate prints for a specific display environment.

-----

How can I test my prints for metamerism?

Here is how I test my Epson 2200 prints.  The same or similar method may
work for you.  Metamerism is easiest to notice when looking at a grayscale
image.
1. Create a grayscale ramp or step-wedge in Photoshop and print it possibly
along with some grayscale images.
2. Allow the print to dry.
3. Find a room filled with flourescent lighting that has a window that
allows daylight in.
4. Turn the print back and forth between the window light and the
flourescent light.  If you see a shift in tones between the different light
sources, this is metamerism.  For example, my 2200 prints using the Epson
driver shift from green in the daylight to magenta under the flourescent
lights.

-----

Is ImagePrint hard to use?

Yes, initially.  There are some quirks in the user interface that make it a
bit difficult to learn, but once you get past these, it becomes quite
usable.

-----

Are the ImagePrint profiles any good?

They are excellent.

-----

Where can I get more information?

Try Colorbyte's web page http://www.colorbytesoftware.com/
or call them at (813) 963-0241.

Try the ImagePrint yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ImagePrint/

-----------------------------------

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Thomas Fors" 
<tom@f...> wrote:
> . . . larger questions (such as installation or proofing issues)
> I'd be happy to start compiling it into a comprehensive FAQ and
> host it in the Files section of the ImagePrint group.

Oh, please do!  I'm a 2200 owner and a newbie to digital printing.  
The ImagePrint RIP seems like the right driver for my needs, but I 
must admit I'm daunted by the horror stories I've read of 
installation (Windows XP) and its poor interface (on the same 
platform; I understand the Mac UI is better).  

A step by step guide--both for installation and use--would ease my 
fears toward making this purchase; if only Colorbyte would supply one!

Thanks for your efforts.

Dan

> Oh, please do!  I'm a 2200 owner and a newbie to digital printing.  
> The ImagePrint RIP seems like the right driver for my needs, but I 
> must admit I'm daunted by the horror stories I've read of 
> installation ...

Yes, the supposed difficulty of coming up to speed, along with the
steep $500 price-tag, makes me think it's better to wait and see
what sort of ink-set MIS comes up with, supposedly very soon.

John

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "johngeyles 
<jge@c...>" <jge@c...> wrote:
> Yes, the supposed difficulty of coming up to speed, along with the
> steep $500 price-tag, makes me think it's better to wait and see
> what sort of ink-set MIS comes up with, supposedly very soon.

For b&w printing, this is probably true.  Even a refurbed 3000 and 
piezo system sounds like a better deal.  

But I'm hoping (perhaps foolishly) to print both color and b&w from 
my 2200--more due to space limitations than money.  For dual-purpose 
printing, at this time IP5 seems the only "viable" option, depending 
on the results of the new Epson RIP (which so far don't sound 
promising).

Viable in quotation marks because a RIP that is nearly impossible to 
install and use isn't exactly viable. ;)

Dan

Let me just add my vote strongly in favor of an ImagePrint FAQ.  Been 
using it for about 3 weeks now and to say it's difficult would be an 
understatement.

on 2/19/03 12:30 PM, Dan Honemann <dan_honemann@...> at
dan_honemann@... wrote:

> For dual-purpose 
> printing, at this time IP5 seems the only "viable" option, depending
> on the results of the new Epson RIP (which so far don't sound
> promising).
> 
> Viable in quotation marks because a RIP that is nearly impossible to
> install and use isn't exactly viable. ;)

I've been following some of your posts on this subject. When you're refering
to the horror stories, are you guys on a Mac or PC and if Mac which OS?
Thanks.

Sue

Sue Tallon Photography
2836 10th street
Berkeley, CA 94710

Phone (510) 548-8001
Fax   (510) 644-0219




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

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Sue Tallon 
<suetallon@b...> wrote:
> When you're refering to the horror stories, are you guys on 
> a Mac or PC and if Mac which OS?

Sue,

I have yet to buy ImagePrint; I'm referring to posts here and 
elsewhere that have related great difficulty in getting IP5 up and 
running on Windows-based PC's.  I believe the interface on the Mac is 
better; but I'll let those who have actually used the product chime 
in here.  You might also want to try a search on ImagePrint in this 
forum.

Finally, my understanding is that the IP5 RIP yields better results 
on the wide body ultrachrome printers (7600/9600) than the 2200.  But 
I'd also love to hear feedback on this from those who have seen 
prints from both.

Cheers,
Dan

IP5
Win XP Pro
No problems...beautiful prints.
Love it. Love the support
S.

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Honemann <dan_honemann@...>
[mailto:dan_honemann@...] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 6:23 PM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] Re: ImagePrint Mini-FAQ

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Sue Tallon 
<suetallon@b...> wrote:
> When you're refering to the horror stories, are you guys on 
> a Mac or PC and if Mac which OS?

Sue,

I have yet to buy ImagePrint; I'm referring to posts here and 
elsewhere that have related great difficulty in getting IP5 up and 
running on Windows-based PC's.  I believe the interface on the Mac is 
better; but I'll let those who have actually used the product chime 
in here.  You might also want to try a search on ImagePrint in this 
forum.

Finally, my understanding is that the IP5 RIP yields better results 
on the wide body ultrachrome printers (7600/9600) than the 2200.  But 
I'd also love to hear feedback on this from those who have seen 
prints from both.

Cheers,
Dan



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I (and my students) have been using IP (4 and 5).
While it's not "elegantly simple," it is not any more difficult than PS.
What, exactly, are the main problems? I'm in for a mini FAQ. When
students work with software, you find most problem areas pretty quickly.
Want to see REALLY inelegant software? Look at Imacon's Flexcolor. This
came with our Imacon 848 (an $18,000 scanner.) It makes IP look like
Freecel1.

-----Original Message-----
From: chipcarterdc <chipcarterdc@...>
[mailto:chipcarterdc@...] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 4:36 PM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] Re: ImagePrint Mini-FAQ

Let me just add my vote strongly in favor of an ImagePrint FAQ.  Been 
using it for about 3 weeks now and to say it's difficult would be an 
understatement.  


Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, Bookmarks, Polls and
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>Want to see REALLY inelegant software? Look at Imacon's Flexcolor. This
came with our Imacon 848 (an $18,000 scanner.) It makes IP look like
Freecel1.

 

 

Shire,

 

What scanning software do you compare to FlexColor ?

I found FlexColor to work very well without any problems and with easy
interface (not a zillions of combinations) compare to other scanning
software’s.

It does all the things you need. (well for me anyway)

 

Regards

Soren



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

Soren:
I agree that the Imacon software is excellent. My point was that it does
not have the "elegant" interface that some list members are looking for
with IP5. As long as the software is stable and does what it needs to
do, I don't really care that it doesn't lead me by the hand. My students
(community college) had no trouble with either Flexcolor or IP 4 and IP5
with about a 10 minute lesson.
S.

-----Original Message-----
From: Sören Lindqvist [mailto:soren.lindqvist@...] 
Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2003 3:02 AM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: SV: [Digital BW] Re: ImagePrint Mini-FAQ (FlexColor)

>Want to see REALLY inelegant software? Look at Imacon's Flexcolor. This
came with our Imacon 848 (an $18,000 scanner.) It makes IP look like
Freecel1.

 

 

Shire,

 

What scanning software do you compare to FlexColor ?

I found FlexColor to work very well without any problems and with easy
interface (not a zillions of combinations) compare to other scanning
software’s.

It does all the things you need. (well for me anyway)

 

Regards

Soren



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


Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, Bookmarks, Polls and
other resources as they are often being updated. The page is at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint

If you wish to receive no emails or just a daily digest, or you wish to
unsubscribe, please edit your Membership preferences by visiting this
same page.

Please follow these basic guidelines:
- Include your full name with your message.
- Include the address of your website, if you have one.
- As threads develop, trim off excess portions of earlier messages to
keep them short.
- As the topic of a thread changes remember to change the subject
header.
- Good manners are required at all time. No personal attacks or
&;amp;amp;quot;flames."
- Complete your Yahoo profile.
- Before posting a question, search the message archives and the various
resources on the homepage. 


 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/