QTR-Quadtone RIP

"Clarence Walker" > 
> A couple of questions:
> 1. Should I now upgrade to the newer release of the RIP, or would I gain
> anything with the new version?

Seems like some Windows users are having a problem with the new update. I'd wait a little.

> 2. Might there be a special profile or curve that should be used with the
> Entrada?

I'm not familiar with your printer or inkset...sorry.

> 3. In the "Curves" section there is a right and left panel with "blend" in
> between. I have been using R-200-platinum in both and a blend of 50%. I'm
> not really clear on what this "blending" is for or why I might want to use
> it, but love the platinum and similar older metallic tones.

Above you are mixing the same curve so it's the same as 100% and 0%...you will not see a 
difference. Blending is for mixing two different curves to tweak color tone to users liking.
 
> 4. With the Ink limit and Gamma adjustments I have generally stayed around
> "0". Here is where I most miss previewing abilities, since I'm not really
> too sure on how much impact the sliders have per increment. Mostly I just
> eyeball the image in photoshop and if I need to kick the midtones or shadows
> "up a notch" I tend to be very conservative. Any better suggestions.

After tweaking the settings in the QTR driver save a Preset for that paper to have more 
consistent output.