QTR-Quadtone RIP

Lou,

I haven't used the Create ICC function in some time since my screnn to print match 
without it has been very good, I'll try to answer some of your questions.  Others who use 
this function more frequently can probably give more insights.  

Comments listed next to your queries.

--- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, "Louis Dina" <lou@...> wrote:
>
> I am a bit confused on the creation and use of ICC profiles for 
> printing and proofing with QTR.  I am on a Windows machine.
> 
> If I understand it correctly, QTR uses the raw numbers in a grayscale 
> file for printing, and any profile tag is ignored.  The raw numbers 
> work with the chosen profile in QTR to determine ink loads.

IF YOU WERE TO OPEN THE 21 STEP FILE YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS IS AN UNTAGGED FILE.
> 
> Let's say I have a QTR warm profile that has a good Dmax, 
> linearization and tone.  I want to make a profile for soft proofing 
> in Photoshop, and a profile for printing, so that the soft proof 
> jives with the data QTR sends to the print so the two match.  

OUTSIDE OF SOFT PROOFING THE ICC SHOULD REMAP THE IMAGE DATA TO THE RANGE OF 
THE PAPER SINCE WHEN YOU MEASURE THE FILE YOU ARE GOING FROM DMIN-PAPER 
WHITE TO DMAX-MAX BLACK.  
> 
> 1.  Do I create an RGB profile or a grayscale profile with QTR-Create-
> ICC.exe, or do I need both?

NOT SURE WHAT YOU MEAN BY THIS QUESTION.  YOU ARE ONLY MAKING ONE PROFILE 
WHICH WILL BE USED FOR SOFT PROOF AND PRINTING.  JUST OPEN THE 21 STEP FILE, 
MEASURE THE DATA THROUGH A PROGRAM LIIKE PRINT FIX PRO 2 OR IF ON GRETAG, USE 
THE MEASURE TOOL FUNCTION.  WHEN DONE MEASURING, TAKE THE READINGS AND 
INSERT THEM INTO A TEXT FILE WHICH YOU CAN DROP INTO THE QTR CREATE ICC 
PROGRAM.  I KEEP THE QTR CREATE ICC ICON ON MY DESKTOP FOR EASY REFERENCE.  
ONCE DROPPING THE FILE INTO THIS, AN ICC WILL BE MADE AND SHOULD POP UP 
SOMEWHERE ON YOUR DESKTOP WHICH YOU CAN IMMEDIATELY INSTALL.
> 
> 2.  When editing the file in Photoshop, do I first convert from my 
> normal working space to the grayscale profile that mimics my warm 
> profile above?  I read that I use perceptual with BPC.  So, will this 
> remap the numbers so I have the correct tonal scale when printing 
> with my warm profile?

YOU DON'T NEED TO CONVERT.  JUST USE THE SOFT PROOF FUNCTION IN PHOTOSHOP 
USING PERCEPTUAL BPC.   IF YOU ARE PRINTING FROM PHOTOSHOP, YOU WILL NEED TO 
HAVE PHOTOSHOP MANAGE THE COLORS AND SELECT THE NEWLY MADE QTR ICC PROFILE 
USING PERCEPTUAL BPC.  TURN COLOR MANAGEMENT OFF IN THE PRINTER DRIVER.  IF 
PRINTING WITH QTR ON WINDOWS YOU SHOULD USE CONVERT TO PROFILE FUNCTION IN 
PHOTOSHOP BEFORE PRINTING THE FILE WITH QTR.
> 
> 3.  Do I soft proof in PS using the RGB version of the profile, so I 
> can see not only tonality, but also the color of the profile, in this 
> case warm tones? What about 'paper gray'?  Do people use that for low 
> Dmax papers and not use it for higher Dmax papers?

THE QTR ICC PROFILE WILL NOT ONLY SHOW TONALITY OF IMAGE BUT TINT AS WELL IN 
THE SOFT PROOF. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE WARM TONES IN YOUR SOFT PROOF. 
NOT SURE WHAT YOU MEAN BY PAPER GRAY.  
> 
> 4.  And will this process work with any RIP, driver, or process?

HAVE NOT USED IT OUTSIDE OF THE EPSON DRIVER AND QTR BUT WOULD ASSUME IT 
SHOULD.  I DON'T KNOW THOUGH ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE IMAGEPRINT SINCE 
IMAGEPRINT ALREADY USES ICC PROFILES TO CREATE THEIR BLACK AND WHITE.
> 
> If I have this wrong, I sure would appreciate some help in sorting it 
> out so it is very clear.  I want my screen to match my prints.  I 
> understand all this in a fully color managed workflow (eg, when 
> printing color with the Epson driver), but I am a little fuzzy when 
> it comes to QTR.

IF YOU ARE ALREADY COLOR MANAGED THIS SHOULD BE EASY FOR YOU.  JUST MAKE THE 
PROFILE AND USE IT IN YOUR SOFT PROOF.  YOU SHOULD GET PRETTY CLOSE SCREEN TO 
PRINT MATCHING.
> 
> Thanks for your help,
> 
> Lou Dina
>