Mirage is a RIP, but not sure if it uses its own driver or not, as some RIPs don't.
Well if you are unsure about that, there is little left for the distinction RIP or no RIP between QU and Mirage. It is usually the only thing left to separate RIPs from print software relying on OEM printer drivers.
The Dinax.com pages do not mention the word RIP for Mirage. Like with several RIP manufacturers it could rely on printer manufacturer's alike algorithms for that last step in the printer datastream. The reason: about 12 years ago the OEM drivers showed better image quality by improved droplet placement algorithms than the RIPs of that period did. So the RIP manufacturers bought the same algorithms to integrate in their RIPs. There are companies selling that kind of algorithms. Apart from special print jobs by special printers on special media, all less likely used by photographers, I do not see image quality differences between RIPs and OEM printer drivers for the photo printers we discuss here. Way more important are the apps/tools used before the printer drivers start to act.
Whether other features of Mirage qualify it as a RIP: 16 bit pipeline, CMYK + Lab image support? Qimage Ultimate uses 16 bit steps in some parts of its computation but Mike is not convinced that there is an improvement when 16 bit printer driver data lands in the printer. For Photographers the CMYK output has no advantage. Lab might but I'm not familiar with that, intrigued though.
Where it really counts are first of all: reliable colour management (preferably not as a black box but easy to set and transparent in what it does). Then excellent resampling, print sharpening and anti-aliasing algorithms. Followed by: images nesting (so media economy, easy cutting, etc) , good job control and job recall, template and job settings saves, border features, canvas shrink compensation, canvas border features, cutting mark choices, proof printing features and another 100 features that may be handy. A lot of what is available in QU I never use but I still have a wish list for other features. Mike tends to listen. If Mirage has that all as well and as good it may be called a RIP in my book, whatever that means today.
Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst Dinkla
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SOLI AIR
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