Datacolor User to User Support Group.

I promised more than one person, on one or another of these lists (can't 
quite manage to keep my lists straight...) that I'd post the official description 
of PrintFIX PRO 2.0 when that was possible. Here it is. Yes, this is a bit 
marketing oriented, but its the materials that will be the basis for most of what 
gets published at Photokina, so you might as well see the original, accurate, 
version; as it may be watered down by the time it gets released elsewhere. 
I'll try to field any questions, but time is getting tight before leaving for 
Cologne.

PrintFIX PRO 2.0 Features and Functions
Gallery Quality Prints in Color, Neutral Black and White, and Tinted B&W

• New Highlight and Shadow Detail Sliders allow easy user control of Punch 
and Detail in Shadows, and in Highlights. Especially useful for reducing clogged 
shadows with Matte and Fine Art papers.

• New Gray Axis Algorithm offers user selection of Absolute Grays or Paper 
Relative Grays. This allows more effective and pleasing grays on a range of 
media, for a range of uses.

• New Extended Grays Target allows users to add precision gray and near gray 
data to profiles, enhancing quality of Tinted and Black and White output. This 
produces exacting, high detail, gray control and unprecedented neutrality. 

• New Curves Import Function allows users to import .acv format grayscale or 
RGB curves sets. This feature users to finetune B&W Tinting curves in their 
Image Editor; then once finalized to apply these adjustments to the profile, 
rather than to each individual image. 

• New Curves Import Function will also allow visual editing of PrintFIX PRO 
profiles in Image Editors, with live preview of the effect the adjustments will 
have using any RGB sample image.

• New Advanced Presets will allow users to easily select prebuilt or custom 
sets of Advanced Profiles Settings to produce profiles with specific 
combinations of Highlight Tint, Shadow Tint, Highlight Detail, Shadow Detail and 
Neutrality settings. Provided presets include a range of Sepia, Platinum, Cool, Warm, 
and Cross-Tint selections.

• New Profile Softproof Capabilities within the PrintFIX PRO Print Preview 
window, allowing users to see the effect of their profile and profile settings 
even before they make a test print. This reduces paper and ink consumption, 
while speeding the profile tuning process.

• New Multiple Test Image options: PDI Color Test Image, ColorVision B&W Test 
Image, or User Selected Test image. Now users can switch easily from the 
standard test images, to their own preferred test image to check their profile 
against standard color, standard black and white, and personal images.

• Compatible with   the Canon’s new 16-bit export module. Canon’s B&W 
printing mode is only accessible from the 8 bit driver; PrintFIX PRO 2.0’s workflow 
is fully compatible with the advanced 16 bit export module for this printer, 
producing high-bit color, neutral B&W or tinted B&W prints, complete with 
softproof showing the tonality of each profile as it is selected in the export 
window.

• New Flexible Linearization Template, allowing users to measure and export 
Linearization Ramps in a wide range of configurations. RIP users can easily 
measure and export data for linearization of most any RIP.

• Special QuadToneRIP® measurement and formatting features for easy use with 
QTR and its utilities. QTR has never been easier to custom profile!


C. David Tobie
Product Technology Manager
ColorVision Business Unit
Datacolor Inc.
CDTobie@...
www.colorvision.com

So when can we get our hands on it?

Randy Laskody

--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, CDTobie@... wrote:
>
> I promised more than one person, on one or another of these lists
(can't 
> quite manage to keep my lists straight...) that I'd post the
official description 
> of PrintFIX PRO 2.0 when that was possible. Here it is. Yes, this is
a bit 
> marketing oriented, but its the materials that will be the basis for
most of what 
> gets published at Photokina, so you might as well see the original,
accurate, 
> version; as it may be watered down by the time it gets released
elsewhere. 
> I'll try to field any questions, but time is getting tight before
leaving for 
> Cologne.
> 
> PrintFIX PRO 2.0 Features and Functions
> Gallery Quality Prints in Color, Neutral Black and White, and Tinted B&W
> 
> • New Highlight and Shadow Detail Sliders allow easy user control
of Punch 
> and Detail in Shadows, and in Highlights. Especially useful for
reducing clogged 
> shadows with Matte and Fine Art papers.
> 
> • New Gray Axis Algorithm offers user selection of Absolute Grays
or Paper 
> Relative Grays. This allows more effective and pleasing grays on a
range of 
> media, for a range of uses.
> 
> • New Extended Grays Target allows users to add precision gray and
near gray 
> data to profiles, enhancing quality of Tinted and Black and White
output. This 
> produces exacting, high detail, gray control and unprecedented
neutrality. 
> 
> • New Curves Import Function allows users to import .acv format
grayscale or 
> RGB curves sets. This feature users to finetune B&W Tinting curves
in their 
> Image Editor; then once finalized to apply these adjustments to the
profile, 
> rather than to each individual image. 
> 
> • New Curves Import Function will also allow visual editing of
PrintFIX PRO 
> profiles in Image Editors, with live preview of the effect the
adjustments will 
> have using any RGB sample image.
> 
> • New Advanced Presets will allow users to easily select prebuilt
or custom 
> sets of Advanced Profiles Settings to produce profiles with specific 
> combinations of Highlight Tint, Shadow Tint, Highlight Detail,
Shadow Detail and 
> Neutrality settings. Provided presets include a range of Sepia,
Platinum, Cool, Warm, 
> and Cross-Tint selections.
> 
> • New Profile Softproof Capabilities within the PrintFIX PRO Print
Preview 
> window, allowing users to see the effect of their profile and
profile settings 
> even before they make a test print. This reduces paper and ink
consumption, 
> while speeding the profile tuning process.
> 
> • New Multiple Test Image options: PDI Color Test Image,
ColorVision B&W Test 
> Image, or User Selected Test image. Now users can switch easily from
the 
> standard test images, to their own preferred test image to check
their profile 
> against standard color, standard black and white, and personal images.
> 
> • Compatible with   the Canon’s new 16-bit export module.
Canon’s B&W 
> printing mode is only accessible from the 8 bit driver; PrintFIX PRO
2.0’s workflow 
> is fully compatible with the advanced 16 bit export module for this
printer, 
> producing high-bit color, neutral B&W or tinted B&W prints, complete
with 
> softproof showing the tonality of each profile as it is selected in
the export 
> window.
> 
> • New Flexible Linearization Template, allowing users to measure
and export 
> Linearization Ramps in a wide range of configurations. RIP users can
easily 
> measure and export data for linearization of most any RIP.
> 
> • Special QuadToneRIP® measurement and formatting features for
easy use with 

> QTR and its utilities. QTR has never been easier to custom profile!
> 
> 
> C. David Tobie
> Product Technology Manager
> ColorVision Business Unit
> Datacolor Inc.
> CDTobie@...
> www.colorvision.com
>

hi guys.

i am having a frustrating problem with the patch reading process.

what is happening is that, yesterday, i printed out a 225 patch target 
and did a reading of it and all was okay... except that after i printed 
the target i waited for awhile for it to dry then i went back to the 
computer and clicked 'next' to advance the software to the patch 
reading stage only to find that all the dialogues were grayed out. 
suddenly i am not able to do any reading. finally i just shut PrintFIX 
down and relaunched and just proceeded to click 'next' until i came to 
the same patch reading window and this time all the dialogues were 
normal. i just went ahead and did the reading.

now today i decided to do a larger patch reading and printed out a 729 
target. i proceeded through the dialogues, printed the target got to 
the reading window and there it was again with all the dialogues grayed 
out, except for the 'Select an existing measurement...' option was 
highlighted. i couldn't figure out how to continue.

is there something i'm not figuring out?

i need a hand with this

thanks, ghi!

>hi guys.
>
>i am having a frustrating problem with the patch reading process.
>
>what is happening is that, yesterday, i printed out a 225 patch target
>and did a reading of it and all was okay... except that after i printed
>the target i waited for awhile for it to dry then i went back to the
>computer and clicked 'next' to advance the software to the patch
>reading stage only to find that all the dialogues were grayed out.
>suddenly i am not able to do any reading. finally i just shut PrintFIX
>down and relaunched and just proceeded to click 'next' until i came to
>the same patch reading window and this time all the dialogues were
>normal. i just went ahead and did the reading.
>
>now today i decided to do a larger patch reading and printed out a 729
>target. i proceeded through the dialogues, printed the target got to
>the reading window and there it was again with all the dialogues grayed
>out, except for the 'Select an existing measurement...' option was
>highlighted. i couldn't figure out how to continue.
>
>is there something i'm not figuring out?

Ghi:

(Short answer: have the spectro plugged in before you launch PFP, most likely:
see below). PFP isn't seeing the spectro.

>i need a hand with this
>
>thanks, ghi!


If you launch PFP, and you the patch reading controls are dimmed: that
means that it's not "seeing" your spectro. (Can't see the spectro means:
can't read any patches). It won't see the spectro if:

- The spectro isn't plugged in.

- The spectro is plugged in, you're running Windows, and Windows hasn't
properly hooked in the spectro's USB driver. (May need to restart, or to
manually install the driver using the Device Manager). Mac OSX users don't
have to worry about this; it just works.

- The spectro is plugged in, but the USB port is dead

- The spectro is plugged in to a working USB port, but it doesn't supply
enough power for the spectro to work

- The spectro is plugged into a good USB port that has enough power, BUT:
you didn't plug the spectro in this port until AFTER you launched PFP.

In the latter case (most likely!), to make PFP see the spectro, you either
have to:

- Quit and relaunch. (This is what you did, and everything worked after that,
so I think this was the situation, and your solution).

- Without quitting, you can just go into Preferences, use the popup in the
upper left corner to select the spectro (the serial number, etc will then
show up), get out of Preferences and you're all set.

Hope that helps! Let me know if this doesn't solve it for you.

(Also: what version of PFP are you running?)


Best regards,


-- 
David Miller
Senior Software Developer, Digital Color Solutions
ColorVision

>

thanks Dave!

yes i got it working. seems i need to have the reader plugged in BEFORE 
i launch PFP...

well i have to say the 729 patch reading is a serious task :P. i'm 
hoping another beer will help make it easier (and a higher table and i 
guess i should cut down the size of the paper also, it's like 2 x 4 
ft.)

are you hanging out at ur laptop or something? you replied super fast 
and it's late too (9:05 pm in Vancouver!)

anyway thanks for the help. much appreciated :)

g-

>  Ghi:
>
>  (Short answer: have the spectro plugged in before you launch PFP, 
> most likely:
>  see below). PFP isn't seeing the spectro.
>
>  >i need a hand with this
>  >
>  >thanks, ghi!
>
>  If you launch PFP, and you the patch reading controls are dimmed: that
>  means that it's not "seeing" your spectro. (Can't see the spectro 
> means:
>  can't read any patches). It won't see the spectro if:
>
>  - The spectro isn't plugged in.
>
>  - The spectro is plugged in, you're running Windows, and Windows 
> hasn't
>  properly hooked in the spectro's USB driver. (May need to restart, or 
> to
>  manually install the driver using the Device Manager). Mac OSX users 
> don't
>  have to worry about this; it just works.
>
>  - The spectro is plugged in, but the USB port is dead
>
>  - The spectro is plugged in to a working USB port, but it doesn't 
> supply
>  enough power for the spectro to work
>
>  - The spectro is plugged into a good USB port that has enough power, 
> BUT:
>  you didn't plug the spectro in this port until AFTER you launched PFP.
>
>  In the latter case (most likely!), to make PFP see the spectro, you 
> either
>  have to:
>
>  - Quit and relaunch. (This is what you did, and everything worked 
> after that,
>  so I think this was the situation, and your solution).
>
>  - Without quitting, you can just go into Preferences, use the popup 
> in the
>  upper left corner to select the spectro (the serial number, etc will 
> then
>  show up), get out of Preferences and you're all set.
>
>  Hope that helps! Let me know if this doesn't solve it for you.
>
>  (Also: what version of PFP are you running?)
>
>  Best regards,
>
>  --
>  David Miller
>  Senior Software Developer, Digital Color Solutions
>  ColorVision
>  
>

>thanks Dave!
>
>yes i got it working. seems i need to have the reader plugged in BEFORE i launch PFP...
>
>well i have to say the 729 patch reading is a serious task :P. i'm hoping another beer will help make it easier

That's what everyone says...:-)

You could do it in thirds, and take a break between them. That's usually
what I do, although I mostly read 225 patch targets for testing.

Doing it that way, you can tell yourself that it's just like reading 3 of
the 225 patch targets; and since reading one of those is fairly easy,
suddenly the 729 patch target won't seem as hard.

>(and a higher table and i guess i should cut down the size of the paper also, it's like 2 x 4 ft.)

Sounds like you printed out the large, 1-sheet 729 patch target? That's
definitely the easier one to read.

If you scale it so that it's printed out Super-B sized or so, that's a
reasonable compromise; you don't have to cover as much ground that way.

>are you hanging out at ur laptop or something? you replied super fast and it's late too (9:05 pm in Vancouver!)

12:30 am here, but I'm not done for the night yet. Lots of late nights go
into PFP development, as many beta testers will know from the date/time
stamps that show up in the various application builds and support files..:-)
And even the release application, and installers, now that I'm looking
at them.

>anyway thanks for the help. much appreciated :)
>

You're welcome!


Best regards,

-- 
David Miller
Senior Software Developer, Digital Color Solutions
ColorVision

I have another question regarding monitor calibration.

when i first calibrated my monitor i found that the adjustment for the 
brightness didn't do anything to the target. nothing changed while i 
moved the brightness from 1% to 100%, the 4 squares remained jet black. 
i decided to just set the brightness to 100% and carried on and it 
produced a, what seemed to be good profile, though i do notice that in 
some cases the mid tones of some images tended to lack definition.

  deciding today that i'd update my monitor profile i  proceeded to do 
things differently and keep the brightness at 30% and continued on to 
the profiling with a rather nasty result.  i read in the help file that 
if this occurred it is best to default to the factory brightness 
setting which in this case is 30% for the La Cie electron 22 blue 4. it 
appears that the profile is compensating for the darkness of the 
settings and is tending to make darker blacks more gray with gray field 
midtones.

does anyone know or have experience with what the optimum brightness 
percentage is for the La Cie electron blue monitor?

thanks
ghi-

On 24-Sep-06, at 5:50 AM, CDTobie@... wrote:

> The first question would have to be: which LaCie Blue? CRT, or LCD? 
> Most LCDs have a control labeled "brightness" that is actually 
> backlight, which is a rather different function... The LaCie Blue CRTs 
> profiled excellently with Spyder2; I don't believe I've worked with 
> the LCD Blues, but one reviewer for a major photo magazine has just 
> done testing and finds that the Spyder2 profiles the latest LaCie Blue 
> significantly better than the higher priced LaCie calibrator.

thanks for the reply :)

the La Cie Electron Blues are CRTs. the problem i am having is that the 
target provided by the Spyder software for the brightness setting 
remains totally black whether i set the monitor brightness to 1% or 
100%. there is no gray differentiation in the squares at any point. in 
the Spyder Help files it is indicated that this can be a problem and it 
is best to default to the factory settings for the brightness, in this 
case the resetting of the brightness defaults to 30%. i continued on 
with the calibrations, adjusting the RGB sliders and so forth, to the 
completed profile. the result was that all dark gray areas and shadows 
were converted to flat mid gray tones. for instance the software 
preview window of the before and after view of the completed profile 
showed that the new profile was not producing blacks very well. shadows 
are washed out gray fields. the same was for the drop shadows on the 
OsX interface windows and text, just neutral shadows and lousy 
feathering.

i decided to recalibrate the monitor again but this time i set the 
brightness up to the 100% point instead of the default 30%. the result 
is a nice bright profile with good blacks, sharp black drop shadows 
with smooth feathering. but although it looks nice i don't know if this 
is the optimum brightness setting for proper color values and gray 
scale.

i was just wondering if anyone had experience with the Spyder Software 
and La Cie CRTs and find out how they resolved this.

ghi