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T-Rex · #1 (**permalink**) 02-03-2004, 03:11 PM

I am only using Photoshop 6.0, and 7.0 some. What are the capabilities of newer RIPs (or upgraded ones!) to handle spot color channels in a Photoshop file?

Do they all require DCS 2.0? Or do some recognize them in TIFF now? Does the new CS allow for these to work in live PSD files inside Illustrator or InDesign, then to Acrobat 6?

Also, do any newer printers allow for printing DCS 2.0 files out from QuarkXPress, let's say, to a decent composite (not just the lo res proxy)?

Thanks for answers!

cari · #2 (**permalink**) 02-03-2004, 03:26 PM

Photoshop CS - spot channels to InDesign CS: now has native .psd support (i.e. retain transparency, spot information and place photoshop file into IDcs). Composite preview and print should be OK from InDesign.

DCurry · #3 (**permalink**) 02-03-2004, 05:06 PM

I've got two PostScript Level 3 RIPs - Creo PS/M 7 and Brisque 4. Both are able to accept DCS 2.0 files. Haven't tried it with a PSD with spot channels placed in ID, but my curiosity will get the better of me and I'll test it when I get a chance.

cari · #4 (**permalink**) 02-04-2004, 03:08 PM

Let us know what the outcome is -after testing- D.

Thanks.

Will be nice to have verified that output works fine...

DCurry · #5 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 07:52 AM

Testing is complete:

I created a CMYK photoshop image, put some layers in, drop shadow effects, an adjustment layer and a spot channel. Saved as PSD and placed into InDesign CS. Wrote postscript and ripped it on both RIPs, where the spot channel was unceremoniously converted to process. Everything else held correctly (I was a little doubtful about the adjustment layer, but it held.)

Flattened and resaved as DCS 2.0, and it worked like a charm.

Lammy · #6 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Rex

I am only using Photoshop 6.0, and 7.0 some. What are the capabilities of newer RIPs (or upgraded ones!) to handle spot color channels in a Photoshop file?

We're running rampage 8.6 and have never had a problem since Spot chanels were introduced.

Quote:

Do they all require DCS 2.0? Or do some recognize them in TIFF now? Does the new CS allow for these to work in live PSD files inside Illustrator or InDesign, then to Acrobat 6?

I have always used DCS2.0 for spot files from PhotoShop. haven't tired it with a tif. i do however have to save the DCS with multiple files to get it to RIP. We can't rip native layered PSD files either not sure if anyone can?

Quote:

Also, do any newer printers allow for printing DCS 2.0 files out from QuarkXPress, let's say, to a decent composite (not just the lo res proxy)?Thanks for answers!

If you have a postcript printer it SHOULD print the highres plates from a DCS. We have an Epson 3000 and the little RIP it came with and have never had a problem.

cari · #7 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 03:26 PM

1) are you using Photoshop cs? (with layers + spot colour included)
2) I just tried from InDesign cs (cmyk + spot plate only)
and printed colour seps to Adobe PDF and seps worked fine.

3) then added adjustment layer repeated process = also OK
4) then added text layer + drop-shadow = also OK

i.e. Having InDesign do the separations works just fine... which is what I expected.

repeated tests to my Phaser 360 printer and all came out fine too.

DCurry · #8 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cari

1) are you using Photoshop cs? (with layers + spot colour included)
2) I just tried from InDesign cs (cmyk + spot plate only)
and printed colour seps to Adobe PDF and seps worked fine.
i.e. Having InDesign do the separations works just fine... which is what I expected.

Yes, I'm using CS across the board. I have a composite workflow, so I based my test on that. I'm sure a sep workflow works fine, but I'd rather just convert the customer's file to a DCS and maintain my current workflow.

cari · #9 (**permalink**) 02-06-2004, 03:40 PM

Interesting...
in simulating the composite workflow -- going to composite CMYK and PDF -- then flight-checking PDF, I correctly read the 5th plate. And can separate from there. That indicates a composite workflow works as well.

Has all your RIP s/w been updated, are you using latest driver versions etc.?

DCurry · #10 (**permalink**) 02-06-2004, 04:54 PM

They just announced PS/M 8, and my test was on 7, so that could have some bearing. Not sure when we're planning to upgrade -- no real reason to as of yet, and RIP software ain't cheap! Still getting fantastic throughput on 7. The Brisque is the latest. Drivers are updated.

Not saying the Postscript is wrong - as your test indicates, it is correct. Just being interpreted incorrectly by the RIP. Since that is my workflow, that's what I have to base my solutions on.