QTR-Quadtone RIP

robert49brake wrote:

>Anyone know a Mac workflow for loading ACV curves from 
>photoshop into QTR ink descriptor files. 

> By following many of Paul Roark's posts it sounds like 
> there is a direct capability in the Windows version 
> and that seems to be the method he uses to create his 
> curves for things like the 3MK inksets.

> I can see, and have done, this manually by transcribing 
> points but I'm wondering if there is a shortcut I'm missing. 

Actually, I tried the *.acv to QTR curves method a few times and decided
against using it.  I could not keep track of the acv curves well enough.  I
vastly prefer either using Roy's semi-automatic partitioning method or
manually specifying the points in the point list.  The 3MK curves are all
essentially the same curve, aside from some minor changes in the end points
due to different ink loads needed for different papers.

Where I'm going now is using multiple, overlapping curves for the K6 - K8
inksets.  That is, rather than having one serial partitioning, I'll have 2
or more, perhaps totally different and independent profiles for the inks,
and then combine them with the QTR sliders.  In my initial experiments, this
seems to produce the best results.

Actually, with the 1800 system I now have with both the 3MK and Eboni-6
inksets loaded, the combining or mixing via the sliders of the super-smooth
dilute with the full strength and slightly grainy 3MK allows me to optimize
the "granularity" of the system.  While we may think that the smoothest is
always the best, I don't happen to agree, at least for many images.  Given
the reality of imperfect machines and files, I find I can often produce a
better looking print if it has a bit of grain to it.  Frankly, it hides
defects -- and at the limits and with a loupe there are always defects of
some sort -- and we've knows for years that a very sharp grain gives the
impression of sharpness that is really beyond the actual image information.
Our eyes often see that sharp grain and think the underlying image is
sharper than it really is.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com