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Ross,

I, too, am fairly new to QTR. I demoed it for several weeks and just sent Roy my 'shareware' for it since I decided its the best thing I've found thus far (affordable at least) for monoprints without metamerism.

One of the first things I learned (via the b/w maillist) was that the one curve labeled 'no black-neutral' uses no color ink--BUT--it is warm (this drove me crazy) because the 2200's black inks, particularly PK--is warm. I knew that--but I hadn't gotten my head around the fact that it was using only the black inks I guess. Anyhow--I was told that this was one NOT to use or to use in conjunction with other curves--not by itself.

Ah, forgot your first question--no, they both apply to the print--just a blend of the 2 curves. Someone on the b/w list suggested that you print a 'roundabout' of the blends--perhaps starting at 100%-10%/90%-90%/10%-100% and 10% each step. I haven't yet done that myself though *smile*.

Then--the curve on the left is the one that is represented by the number.

The coding, as I understand it is---UC--ultrachrome inks (the OEM colored inks), PK for photoblack cartridge, MK for matteblack cartridge. Then--the name of the particular paper, and warm, cool or sepia.

Another thing that is helpful--you can drag the print within the white window--if you are printing a small print--and want to place it on the page--its done there most easily.

Have you found the tutorial for the 'proofing'? Lou Dina (I believe) also wrote a quite easy to follow one for PCs:

I quote:

Here is a step by step for Windows XP Users.

First, download Roy's Lab profiles and unzip them to your desktop.
Here is the link:

http://homepage.mac.com/royharrington/FileSharing2.html

After unzipping them, copy the files to the following directory:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\color

Start photoshop and open a file, whether it be RGB or grayscale. If
you like the tonality as it exists on your calibrated monitor, then
you will want to convert the file to the Lab Grayscale profile, as
follows:

Image > Mode > Convert to Profile > Gray-Lab.icc
Be sure rendering intent is perceptual and black point compensation
is checked. Now, you file has been converted to the generic gray lab
space. If you wish, edit the file in photoshop until you get it the
way you want it. When happy, save it with the embedded profile as a
TIF, PSD or JPG file. Now you have a "master" file which you can use
to create a file for printing.

If you want to output to matte paper, do another conversion the same
as above, but use the "Gray-Matte" profile, with perceptual and BPC
checked. Save this and import it into QTR or IJC/OPM for printing.

If you wanted to send the file to glossy or semi gloss type paper,
use your master file and convert to the "Gray-Photo" profile, using
perceptual and BPC. Save and import into QTR or IJC/OPM for printing.

When printing from QTR or IJC/OPM, you will need to select the
appropriate profile for matte or glossy paper, and your other
settings as you usually do. When the print comes off the printer, it
should be a pretty close match from a tonality standpoint to what you
saw on your calibrated monitor.

Apparently, the Mac allows you to convert on the fly. With Windows
you have to save the converted file first as documented above. Hope
that clarifies it.

Lou

Unquote:

Hope the above is helpful. I'm also hoping this list develops since there seem to be quite a few of us using QTR with the 2200/2100 and there seems to be quite a bit to discover with it. I haven't, for instance, tried to create my own curves yet.

Diane
-----------
Diane B. Fields
picnic@...
photo site http://www.pbase.com/picnic

----- Original Message -----

From: Ross

To: QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2005 10:47 PM

Subject: [QuadtoneRIP] QTR Newbie

Greeting Fellow Rippers,

I just discovered that there was a Windows version of QTR a few days
ago. I have downloaded it and have been churning out test prints.
Here is my config:

OS: Windows
Printer: Epson 2200
Inks: UC with Photo Black
Paper: Epson Prem. Luster, Kirkland Pro. glossy
QTR: 2.2.1 standalone with QTRgui

Current goal: To print Neutral BW prints on a variety of papers.

Like others I often print color on this printer, as well so I am not
interested in switching to dedicated BW inks at this time.

I am currently trying to understand Curves. I have read through the
QTRgui help, but I am still pretty ignorant. Here is a list of my
current questions:

1. There are two curves used in printing. What is the difference
between the two? ; Is one applied to highlights and the other to
shadows, or are they just blended uniformly?

2. The "blend percentage: is described as:
"The blend percentage shows the amount of the left
hand tone curve to be used."

??? What does this mean precisely? Since there is a slider that
moves from the left to the right curve, I assume that this adjusts the
"balance" between the left curve and the right curve. Again is this
the point at which one curve takes over or is it an overall blending
across all parts of the image?

3. There appears to be only one neutral curve "UC-NoBlack-neutral".
All other curves appear to have some form of toning. I'm guessing
that this curve can be used with all papers? I have used this preset
for both the left and right curves for almost all of my printing so
far. I this the correct way to get neutral prints? Are there other
options I should investigate?

4. The curve names appear to be some kind of encoding of the ink,
paper, and tone. Is there any way to get a full decoding of the curve
name?

5. Are there any docs or webpages I should be reading to bring me up
to speed? Please don't suggest that I trudge through the thousands of
posts in DBWTP.

Thanks in advance for your help. I am excited about the possiblities
QTR offers! Once I have done a fairly thorough testing of glossy and
luster papers I will switch over to matte ink and papers for testing.

-Ross

QTR-Quadtone RIP

Re: [QuadtoneRIP] QTR Newbie

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