I spoke to our local vendor and it seems the newer version of ImagePrint uses their own setup/system to handle postscript files since ColorByte didn't license the postscript engine from Adobe. Can anyone else verify this?[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
You are correct. ColorByte produces ICC printer profiles to be used by IP (ImagePrint). They are available for both the Mac and Windows platform. You can browse them [a href=\"http://www.colorbytesoftware.com/downloads.htm]here.[/url] They provide printer profiles for all printers supported by the ImagePrint RIP. They are also optimized for specific viewing conditions (i.e., tungsten, fluorescent, daylight light sources).
You can also make your own printer profiles and use them with IP. There has been much discussion about the quality of ColorByte's profiles
here, and the general consensus is that they are as good as can be made, but may respond to certain saturated colors differently than home-brewed profiles. It comes down to a matter of opinion.
The downside to using only ColorByte's profiles is that they make them for specific papers. If the paper you like is not offered in their free library, then you either make your own or pay them to make one. As paper sources continue to proliferate, they tend to stay behind the curve, not always offering the latest paper profile for a specific printer.
IP runs over USB or ethenet equally well. I use ethernet and find it's very flexible in my workflow. ColorByte prices the program based on the machine and how many machines you have. The cost to support an Epson 3800 is much less than the cost to support a 9800. RIP'ing to two printers cost more than to one. IP is not cheap. No RIP is, though. If you are interested in the program, contact ColorByte directly for a quote. A reseller will simply add up the cost for each printer without regard for the possibility of a quantity discount.
No, I don't work for ColorByte Software. I bought it when it was the only RIP available for OS X that ran over ethernet.
Regarding Postscript functionality, what they make provides excellent results. I typically produce .ps files from InDesign or Illustrator and IP handles them flawlessly. It also prints high-rez PDF files, embedded with ICC profiles, very well. The PostScript option adds to the cost of the basic RIP.
The stongsuit to IP is its ability to print B&W images beautifully. It can also provide "split tone" images where, for example, shadow values of an image print warm and highlight values print cool. It also takes into account any inkset color bias when printing B&W so that there is no unwanted tint in the print.
ColorByte employs the use of dongles with all their software. This means you plug in the dongle to a single computer and print from only that machine -- all files must be sent to it for RIP'ing -- which are then sent to the chosen printer. I use an old Mac G4 tower dedicated to printing and it runs without a hitch.
IP uses "hot folder" (or "watched folder") technology, which would be required in your printing environment. All files to be printed are copied to this hot folder, which resides on the RIP computer, and when certain conditions are met (e.g., time, number of files, etc.) IP goes to work and prints the file(s). The printing conditions and layout specifications are set up in "AutoPrint", an accessory program that comes with IP.
ColorByte has never been good at User Manuals, and IP is no different. The activity on the
Yahoo!Groups forum is constantly active as people search for answers. It is monitored by ColorByte tech support but they don't respond unless minsinformation is posted.
I hope this helps.
