Prepressforums.com

Polly · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 11:25 AM

We just had a sample proofer, Canon W6400 placed in our prepress department. The company that is doing the install (will probably be selling us our CTP setup) has hooked the Canon up to print direct. So at this point in time, there is no RIP for this device, we are just printing from OSX right to it.

With Multi-Ad, this works fine, as well as with Acrobat. But Quark and InDesign do not like this printer. My thoughts are this: Could this be because they do not yet have a RIP set up for it? I believe it is the RIP software which dictates that it will be a Postscript device. Am I wrong?

David · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polly

We just had a sample proofer, Canon W6400 placed in our prepress department. The company that is doing the install (will probably be selling us our CTP setup) has hooked the Canon up to print direct. So at this point in time, there is no RIP for this device, we are just printing from OSX right to it.

With Multi-Ad, this works fine, as well as with Acrobat. But Quark and InDesign do not like this printer. My thoughts are this: Could this be because they do not yet have a RIP set up for it? I believe it is the RIP software which dictates that it will be a Postscript device. Am I wrong?

According to their product brochure:
"Print complex PostScript? graphic files with Canon?s PhotoPRINT? Select, a genuine Adobe? PostScript 3? RIP that includes a Pantone? color library. For professional digital image files, the imagePROGRAF W6400/W8400 include a Print Plug-in for Photoshop?. This professional software enables a raw file workflow and features support for custom ICC profiles, in both PC and MAC environments."

This seems like it is a PS level 3 RIP.
Do you have the driver installed so Quark and Indy can see it?
What OS you got on your MAC?
When you say "print direct", is it plugged into a USB port on your mac or are you going through a server?

It should work either way.

David

Polly · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 06:21 AM

We're running OS 10.3.9 and yep, I have the driver installed on each OSX machine.

By direct, I mean, we don't have a RIP set up yet with the PhotoPRINT software. So it's connected to our network via ethernet, and people select it through Appletalk or via TCP/IP (both are turned on on this printer) - the printer is installed correctly on each machine, as well.

When the tech from the company whom we are purchasing from comes in next week, he will install the Oris proofing system on a RIP and then we will be using that setup. I guess that I will find out then if it's going to work correctly. It a bummer though that the printing prefs in Quark basically disappear when selecting this printer in the print screen. I can't select paper size, or anything - just says 'defined by driver' like it's not seeing it at all.

We're just test driving this printer as we were initially looking at an Epson 7800 (allready have a 7600 running Best Color RIP). I'm not liking what I see so far though - in all fairness, I must wait for the RIP software to be installed.

David · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polly

We're running OS 10.3.9 and yep, I have the driver installed on each OSX machine.

When the tech from the company whom we are purchasing from comes in next week, he will install the Oris proofing system on a RIP and then we will be using that setup. I guess that I will find out then if it's going to work correctly. It a bummer though that the printing prefs in Quark basically disappear when selecting this printer in the print screen. I can't select paper size, or anything - just says 'defined by driver' like it's not seeing it at all.

You will need to go to the utilities/PPD manager in Quark to make sure it is looking in the right spot and has seen the driver. There should be a check mark next to it if it has found it, to show that it is loaded and activated.
When it is recognized, it should give you all the supported paper sizes you need, not just the "defined by driver" crap.

hope this helps,
David

Polly · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 07:54 AM

Geez, I've been through the PPD manager. After the Canon driver install, nothing for the Canon shows up in my ppd folder. I know where Quark looks for the PPD's........The drivers (a mess of stuff and plugins) all installed in Library>Printers>Canon.

My current drivers are in Library>Printers>PPDs>Content>Resources>en.lproj. Canon is not in here. I've tried copying the items in the folder into this spot, but there are tons of things in there. I can't find just the PPD - it's maddening.

David · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polly

Geez, I've been through the PPD manager. After the Canon driver install, nothing for the Canon shows up in my ppd folder. I know where Quark looks for the PPD's........The drivers (a mess of stuff and plugins) all installed in Library>Printers>Canon.

My current drivers are in Library>Printers>PPDs>Content>Resources>en.lproj. Canon is not in here. I've tried copying the items in the folder into this spot, but there are tons of things in there. I can't find just the PPD - it's maddening.

I got tired of hunting these things down too. I have taken to putting all the drivers I use (and for all the macs here also) into the user/home/library/printer folder. Then go to quark, ppd manager, select the folder and update and it finds em all.
But you got to remember to hit the update button.

Hope it works,
David

PS. here's a Link to canon so you can download a driver and put it where you want to

Polly · #7 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 09:05 AM

I'm out of luck here, I'm afraid. I've allready checked the Canon site. The driver provided for OSX is the one that is allready installed. It's a mess of files and not one ppd to be found in the mix. 60+ mb of junk.

Ridiculous - this is not a good selling point for this device, I must say. I'd rather stay with the Epson.

David · #8 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polly

I'm out of luck here, I'm afraid. I've allready checked the Canon site. The driver provided for OSX is the one that is allready installed. It's a mess of files and not one ppd to be found in the mix. 60+ mb of junk.

Ridiculous - this is not a good selling point for this device, I must say. I'd rather stay with the Epson.

Not that I don't believe you or anything....
but I just downloaded the same thing and you're right. There are no drivers in the "driver installer"!!!
I searched all over, open package contents and other stuff and I can't find a driver in any of it.

Like you say, not a good selling point....

good luck,
David

Polly · #9 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 11:29 AM

I know, it blows. I'm grateful that you looked, so I know I'm not just overlooking it. Quark has no clue on what to do with these files. I even put the installer disk in for the Postscript RIP installer (which appears to only be a pc installer). On that disk was a folder with PPDs in it. They didn't work either - I'm assuming they may have been for pc. Maybe I'm just missing something.

David · #10 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polly

I know, it blows. I'm grateful that you looked, so I know I'm not just overlooking it. Quark has no clue on what to do with these files. I even put the installer disk in for the Postscript RIP installer (which appears to only be a pc installer). On that disk was a folder with PPDs in it. They didn't work either - I'm assuming they may have been for pc. Maybe I'm just missing something.

you might try to give the guy a call to see if you can work this out over the phone, cause alls you need is the stinkin' driver in the right spot.
Why do they make it so hard?!

oh wait, it's friday and it's almost time to hit the road, maybe you can wait till tuesday to mess with it.

have a good en',
David