Digital BW, The Print

> Could you say a bit more about how to use "Create ICC" to print (I
> assume with U2 inks) or point me to a source on the web?

Where I'm headed with my workflows is embedding the RGB curves inside ICCs,
using advanced versions of Roy Harrington's Create ICC program.  I'm not
sure he has publicly released any versions that have this feature now, and
I'm also not sure the program is where he wants it for public release.  So,
I've held off talking about it.  However, since I'm working with several
people off list to see how certain features of the approach work, the cat is
out of the bag.  From what I have seen so far with the versions of Create
ICC Roy has provided to me, I can say with some degree of certainty that it
works very well.

Currently, the system works similar to how we currently linearize with the
Create ICC program.  However, in addition to dragging the text file to the
Create ICC program, you also drag and drop a small 16 bit raw color file
that has had the curve applied to it.  That is how the curves information is
inputted.  The program currently accepts reverse slopes on curves, but not
flat spots.  So far I've been able to re-write the curves to get around this
limitation.  Even with my old 7500, I was able to start the darker gray ink
curves at the white point and have a low enough slope on them that the dots
did not show visibly at all in the highlights.  

So, again, this is a work in progress, but it's currently far enough along
that I feel confident it's where I'm headed.  As with most recent inksets,
the ones I'm working on will default to a near neutral print with no
controls, then the Color Controls can add some flexibility, and after that
ICCs with curves embedded take the inkset to its full potential.  Of course,
a rip is still there for the power users.

Some of the advantages to this workflow that I think are significant are
that it allows user linearization, even with just a flatbed scanner (and the
Create ICC program, of course), it allows Photoshop Elements users access to
the inksets, it prints directly from a grayscale file, it uses the Epson
driver, and it matches the print to the monitor (assuming at least the Adobe
Gamma routine has been used).

Needless to say, as the systems become more developed and implemented, I'll
have workflow descriptions and ICCs posted, and Roy will have the necessary
programs, etc. posted.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com