Luminous Landscape Forum
Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: dunesurfer on January 29, 2012, 06:11:28 am
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Wonder if some HP users can help me.Mods,also,if this is posted in the wrong section,,please tell me.
Die to some internal studio problems(financial,after two big clients scaled down),i need to allocate my HP Z3200 ps to another workstation.
Detail of this workstation,and yes,we did upgrade to WIN 7,but seeing that some older equiptment runs without snags,we went back to XP.
All service packs installed.
We do have PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 10,installed,and that is well within the person who work on this PC,to handle that workload.
This workstation does mostly work form OVER THE COUNTER customers.Most work,is saved in JEPGS,or tiff files.Most has need edited,and the customers just order prints.The other option,will be to load up CS 5,but then,it needs again financial input,which at this stage,is sort of a problem,untill we can get other clients in.
In short,basicly straight forward stuff.
Whats our best option if we allocate this printer to this workstation.Load it up,with its native pcl driver,or install the post script driver,which also have the HP PRO PHOTO RIP in it.This rip makes specially colour management very straight forward.I tried to read up on PS ELEMNETS 10 capability for printers,but time is against me,and i need to make this decisions,away from home.
Hence my posting.
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Buy Qimage Ultimate which runs on any Windows machine and use the HP PCL3 driver + HP OEM profiles for the moment with Qimage color management on and the driver's CM off. That $ 90 investment will pay off in a week. It will import RAW files too. Later on you can create custom HP profiles with HP's Z3200 Color Central in the Printer Utility. And get used to the endless range of Qimage Ultimate features. For editing if Elements is usable enough, use that till you can switch to either Lightroom or Photoshop CS5 depending on your customer's needs or get familiar with Qimage's image editing which I use occasionaly but do not know well enough, I use it mainly for printing and CS5 for the edits.
www.ddisoftware.com
met vriendelijke groeten, Ernst
Shareware now:
Dinkla Gallery Canvas Wrap Actions for Photoshop
http://www.pigment-print.com/dinklacanvaswraps/six-canvas-wrap-actions.htm
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Thnxs for that.I did have a look at Qimage before,and will definetly give it some thought.
Time is against me now.
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+1 for Qimage. There's a hell of a learning curve, but I can't imagine printing without it now.
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If you have HPPU then use it.
I've been using expensive rips for printing since 1991 and when I got the 3200PS I was amazed what it came with.
I use HPPU exclusively for this printer and while it doesn't offer the bells and whistles of a good rip it does the job.
This printer is not industrial but it is IMHO the best darn deal out there!
Good luck.
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Thnxs for that advice.If you read my posting carefull,you would see that i,m actually talking about it.I know its there,just do not know,if ELEMENTS 10 will see it.Can elemenst handle post script as the full PS package.?
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I'm printing with 64 bit Windows 7 Pro, Ps Cs5, and the HP driver as well as Q-Image and all are working normally. The rip time is very slow for Q-Image, but other than that it is a great value for the money.
john
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If you have HPPU then use it.
I've been using expensive rips for printing since 1991 and when I got the 3200PS I was amazed what it came with.
I use HPPU exclusively for this printer and while it doesn't offer the bells and whistles of a good rip it does the job.
This printer is not industrial but it is IMHO the best darn deal out there!
Good luck.
Sorry, is that the PS3 driver or an independent HP application that accepts PS/EPS/PDF files? I did a search on HPPU but nada information.
If that is the driver then dunesurfer could use one of the Adobe Acrobat versions to print files through the PS3 driver.
On the other hand I see he mentions Tiffs and Jpegs the customers drop on the counter, using postscript interpreters makes things more complicated for files like that and Elements could even do that though Qimage Ultimate is way better then considering CM.
met vriendelijke groeten, Ernst
Try: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wide_Inkjet_Printers/
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1) Why does Elements have to see it? You're not printing from it if you are using HPPU. You're just using Elements to check and prepare files if needed.
2) I don't use Elements, I use PS Cs3.
What kind of postscript?
If PDF then try opening a file and see if all elements (raster and vector) are displayed correctly.
If an ID document has not been correctly flattened it should show up when you rasterize it in PS.
(If it looks correct is PS look to your left and right and if nobody's looking save the rasterized file as a JPEG and send it off to the printer thru HPPU and you'll be done.)
Just checking but are you really familiar with HPPU?
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Ernst,
HPPU = HP Printer Utility.
It is more than a dumbed down rip that has everything needed to print (and then some).
The interface looks like this:
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I know what it looks like.My problem is that will ELEMENST 10,let me use the post script driver,where in the case of the software supplied with the Z3200PS is where the HP PRINTER PRO UTILITY IS ACTUALLY.Its definetly not part of the PCL driver.
Or am i missing something.
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The workflow I'm suggesting is one where you won't have to spend any money now.
1)Use elements (or whatever) to edit and/or nest a bunch of photos. Save the file. Close elements.
2)Open HPPU and use that to print the file.
HPPU is a stand-alone application designed to streamline your workflow.
All that other stuff about drivers in Photoshop is a bucket of hurt that I don't care for in day to day production.
Once again... have you actually used HPPU to print?
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Lenr,
Thats why i actually posted here.I KNOW about hp pro print,but havent work with it,as i only use the PCL driver now.I wanted to know,if it download automaticly with the post script driver,hence my thinking of hooking the printer up with the work station that has got elements 10 already on.
So,to sum up what i wants to know.
1.Do elements 10 support the post script driver of the z3200ps
2.Is HP PRO PRINT(scaled down rip),part of the post script driver on the z3200ps,or is it stand alone.Seems i can only find,the drivers,and not HP PRO PRINT,on the disk that came with the printer.(I bought it new)
3.If stand alone,does it work on windows also,and also with the pcl driver.
I,m thankfull for the advice so far.But i need to be 100% sure,what i,m doing now,as its vital for the better of my busines to make the right decisions now.(Tough times):-(
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HP Utility, now I get it.
I never used that for printing. It is almost a command line RIP but limited in features and slow in refreshing its windows here, all is done while communicating with the printer. Has the "CMYK" profiling included and the four image color spaces so is basically the PS3 driver with driver color management on. From time to time I get there when Qimage log does not tell me enough on a job done like the actual paper choice or ink use. Never expected someone ever would use that but maybe I can find something in it that is unique.
met vriendelijke groeten, Ernst
Try: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wide_Inkjet_Printers/
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I didn't even know you could print from the HPPU. :o
I'm on a Mac and almost always print from LR3 - and am happy with the results, but every time I read praise for Qimage, I do wonder what I'm missing.
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Lenr,
Thats why i actually posted here.I KNOW about hp pro print,but havent work with it,as i only use the PCL driver now.I wanted to know,if it download automaticly with the post script driver,hence my thinking of hooking the printer up with the work station that has got elements 10 already on.
I have never heard of HP Pro Print, sorry.
So,to sum up what i wants to know.
1.Do elements 10 support the post script driver of the z3200ps
I don't know but you should be able to look up the "System Requirements" of your hardware and software all by yourself.
2.Is HP PRO PRINT(scaled down rip),part of the post script driver on the z3200ps,or is it stand alone.Seems i can only find,the drivers,and not HP PRO PRINT,on the disk that came with the printer.(I bought it new)
Once again, I now nothing about HP Pro Print.
3.If stand alone,does it work on windows also,and also with the pcl driver.
If you go here:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=3737565&prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=3737540&swLang=8&taskId=135&swEnvOID=4062
...and install the software I circled in the attachment you will have the HP Utility (formally HP Print Utility).
You will have to learn how to use it but it's really straight forward. Most of the time all I do is turn off GE and set the color space. To begin just add a smallish file and print it on your cheapest paper at the default.
I,m thankfull for the advice so far.But i need to be 100% sure,what i,m doing now,as its vital for the better of my busines to make the right decisions now.(Tough times):-(
What business are you in?
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Ernst, Eric,
I got the 3200 last year when they were on sale.
I stumbled across the HPPU while reading about the printer.
It manages all aspects of the printer, inks, job costs, media presets and more as well as printing.
It's a very good rip (albeit without much of a gui) but it can't be beat for the price.
Rather that spending almost a grand to upgrade my rip so it would support the 3200 (and not offer all the other functions) I just kept using HPPU and I alike it a lot.
OK I nest in PS... big deal.
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Thnxs for the info.HP PRO PRINT was what it was called way back.Since then,as i understand it,was built into the supplied software,known as the hp print print ultility.Thats what i could figure out.Way back,with CS 2,you downloaded it seperate,then installed it.Then with CS3,it was part of the package,when you install a HP printer.
I run a photostudio.Had way back a large format EPSON,sold it,and boguth the Z3200 for making large digital negatives for platinum printing.Due to some problems,i,m forced to generate extra income from it,hence the service to the public.
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LENR,
Just curious.Waht platform do you use,and do you have also the post script version of the Z3200,namely the Z3200PS.
Giel
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Ernst,
Don't look for unique:)
On a daily basis operation is really straight forward and reliable with all print controls and condition of the calibration, inks and heads. (except paper loading/unloading) right at the desktop.
If you can try it without comparing it to your rip you might find it to be a nice solution for this printer (not a 24/7 production machine)
Cheers
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Dunesurfer,
I use windows 2000 (to run a Mimaki and Summa) and MAC OS 9, 10.5, 10.6 and 11.968
The 3200 is a PS and I use a Mac with 10.5.8 to control it.
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Compared to the Wasatch SoftRip 6.2 that I also have but never use it is not bad but has way less features. If I recall it correctly the PS3 driver it builds on is not really a CMYK-device system but more disguised as. It still expects RGB colorspaces in the files. Too often you see Postscript related files have total CMYK or several CMYK elements in them with offset gamut profiles assigned. Most of my work is with RGB Tiffs and JPEGs (properly profiled) which the PCL3 driver does excellent and Qimage gives me nesting and much more. That is what I recommend to my customers. When I get a PDF with CMYK or a mix I should use the Wasatch for a correct flow but there are too many cons in that RIP too so I load the PDF in Photoshop CS5 and get it converted to the RGB-device printer profile right away there, using different renderings + soft proof + gamut warning so it fits the printer gamut best. Then I print the Tiff without any CM on in Qimage and the PCL3 driver. It is not the right route but one that gives me some visual feedback on the colors in the conversion.
met vriendelijke groeten, Ernst
Try: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wide_Inkjet_Printers/
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Thnxs for all who contributed so far.I,m learning.:-))
Ernst,i take it,you use PHOTOSHOP.
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"Ernst,i take it,you use PHOTOSHOP." ??? whats the meaning of that sentence? what has PS or Elements to do with you printing?? NOTHING!..
to come back to that thread and be a little more precise: there are two printer drivers possible PCL and PS. single or next to each other.
If you want to use the PCL the computer has to do the rendering. like with every other inkjet driver. you can print from PS from Elements or from ANY application as the aplication renders the data. Qimage for example.. Ernst is THE hp guru.. and Qimage is def. the best!.. rendering intends, nestings and so on.
If you want to use the PS driver.. you can do the same as above with PCL.. AND MORE!.. but first if you want to use the PS driver for above (printing from aplication like Qimage) there are no advantages but disadvantages. its a lot slower and its very confusiong to find the right page setups.
now to the AND more.. the printer beeing a PS printer with this driver is what HP refers to as a RIP.
to actually take advantage of the PS driver like stated above you use the print utility (HPPU and Ernst .. i liked that ;-))
or as i do.. you just type the IP adress of your printer in the browser.. same.
then you can just send a file to the printer (jpg, tiff, some more .. and PDF!!!) you can also have nesting active! then the printer just places the pictures on the roll as what is best!.. you can select a colorprofile for each file you send and a rendering intend (s and aRGB) and some CMYK profiles..
The printer just sends.. and is free then!!! (to be considered using XP) BUT the printer takes a long time to then render the data.. the results are AMAZING tho!
this might not be noticable easily.. but it is the only way that the printer renders 16bit TIFFs.. in PCL.. the computer scales down and sends 8bit.. here you send the 16bit TIFF and the printers colortables render it..
i use it actually quite often for some large format work PLUS.. if i do a limited edition for an artist i can have it saved in the printer!!!.. then whenever he needs it again.. i dont even have to start the printer but look it up on the panel, say print, and it STARTs. bumm!
the color is dead on .. as with Qimage or anything else using the same profiles.
what ernst refers to is true. if you send CMYK data the printer is suposed to transfer it to RGB to then split up again.. not the best in theorie.. BUT
the hp engineers did an AWESOME job.
i spent the last years in learning how to profile RIPs. i worked with EFI, wasatch, colortuner, colorgate and ONYX... and it too years and material to figure out what is goind on an to get good results.
i only did ONE large RGB profile with APS for my proofing paper.. and when i send a fogra27 (supported) PDF including a mediawedge to the printer.. and measure the wedge it even gets FOGRA aproved.. dE 2,5 on average.. not the best.. but approved for FREE, and without any work!!! awesome
meaning.. you cant use this for proofing.. but i have some clients that want pdfs printed on glossy film for presentation.. i just use this build in RIP.. its so easy and so accurate.
they have a pantone color in there pdf?.. no prob.. the Z does that, too.. sometimes more precise then EFI..
BUT.. you have to understand everything. it took me years.. and now i am convinced that HP lost the battle agains epson and canon not because of their brilliant masterpiece (already years ago!!!) but because they have the poorest support ever!!.. they sell that RIP and NO one could answer all those questions that i had to find out myself!..
and dunesurfer.. if you still think its about you using PS or elements.. read over ::) ;)
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That reminds me to Minolta that years ago pioneer wireless flash control and put in the manul sentence: you can control your flash in wireless mode.
How?? You need to figure out by yourself ???
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haha.. yes!.. me like dad... :'( ;D :'(
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Monster,
THANXS for coming on here.I fully agree.I neve rhad the problems i have now,with my older EPSON..
As you might have read right at the beginning of this thread.I am in SITUATION WHERE I NEED TO MAKE DRASTIC DECISIONS.But the information is limited.And if i ha dmore time,well,no problem,as i would have take it step by step,and do the leanring curve as you also stated,YOU HAD TO FIND OUT YOURSELF,WHAT WORKS AND NOT.
I,m not on your level yet,hence my STUPID QUESTIONS.:-))
Ok,if i sum it up.Does,nt matter if i use ELEMENTS TEN or what.Main point is,use the POST SCRIPT DRIVER,where the rip is built in.Do the editing,or framing in elements,export into the rip,(ps driver) and end of story.
Is there any snags in setting the printer up in elemnts,or should i just follow standard setup procedure.
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like ernst said.. and i agreed. there are many great functions in Qimage as a print program, sharpening for example. BUT.. if you dont want to learn anything new and are familiar with elements.. you got it all right there!
open your clients pix in elements.. make sure they are either in sRGB or adobeRGB.. corect them. levels.. what ever.. frame them.. leave a boarder.. IMPORTANT here.. what u see is what you get.. you cant place the print on the paper.. so if you want a white margin left or right.. you have to set up the pic in elements with those boarders.as you imagine!
i do that, too.. pretty simple.. and gives you the advantage, that f.e you can set within the printer!! nesting on.. and corner marks on!.. and then i have printed books where each sheet is 18x11 inches.. the pic is 16x9.. so i open the pic in elements.. (16x9) say canvas size 18x11 .. do my levels.. then you have to save them as TIFFs (lzw) is ok. including s or aRGB profile) .. dpi doesnt matter.. BUT the size has to be the richt size.. thats what it will come out.
then u open the HP PU.. printer center.. go to send .. it will pop up in the browser.. you choose your file.. state if you want to save it in the printer.. quality adjustments can be made.. in my above case i choose rotate 90°.. because then the printer will nest two 11" sheets next to each other AND will print the cut marks around the SHEET!!.. and not around the pic!.. something i wasnt able to do with qimage.. so VERY neat for me.. to print those books..
you choose which profile is embedded... and the rendering intend.. preferrably perceptual.. send it off.. there you go!.
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Hi,thanxs for that info.
Will ask more,or if i ran in aproblem,will post screen shots,and i really would then appreciate it,if you can give some guidance.
Giel