QRT?

[RalphLambrecht]

Can someone explain in a few sentences what it is and what it is for?I hear a lot about it but nknow nothing about it.What are the benefits and is it worth the extra effort over regular inkjet printin in your opinon?What is needed?I have an Epson 3880 if that matters.

 

[pschwart]

This is a common topic -- try an advanced forum search. Make sure to search for "QTR," not "QRT."

 

[Richard Boutwell]

Quad Tone Rip is an alternative printer driver than allows you to control the specific ink limits of each channel, how each channel overlaps, and the linearization of the overall grey curve. It allow you to break away from and not rely on manufacturers settings which might not provide print quality that is acceptable to more advanced printers.

It also allows you to blend up to three ink "recipes" to finely control the final print color, even allowing you to split tone in the shadows/midtone/highlights.

You need a photospectometer to easily create custom profiles, but a densitometer will work as well but will just be more labor intensive. A scanner can be used for some of the curve creation process but wont be as precise and might cause more trouble that it is worth.

I am writing a book about it, and will let you know when it is available for purchase.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Thanks Richard,Iwas hoping not having to read an entire book to get a basic understanding.

 

[Richard Boutwell]

The reason I'm writing a short book on it is that there is very little documentation on what many of the inputs in the ink descriptions actually do, and how to best overcome certain common problems (without endlessly searching message boards and often getting some pretty dubious information in the process).

 

[pschwart]

The QTR documentation is exceedingly sketchy, even for a shareware product. Those using it for making digital negatives are mostly flying solo.

 

[lenny]

The reason I'm writing a short book on it is that there is very little documentation on what many of the inputs in the ink descriptions actually do, and how to best overcome certain common problems (without endlessly searching message boards and often getting some pretty dubious information in the process).

Let me know when your book is out...

Lenny
EigerStudios