Re: Benefits to profiling scanner?
Re: Benefits to profiling scanner?
- Subject: Re: Benefits to profiling scanner?
- From: Don Hutcheson <email@hidden>
- Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 09:27:21 -0400
Sara,
If you want to match the original copy - either transparency or print - as
closely as possible on the first try, then the answer is a definite YES.
ScanXact was a good software fifteen years ago but its 'Monitor Match' soft
proofing is way behind the capabilities of today's ICC-based soft proofing.
Also, the ICG's shadow detail was always poor, in spite of their misleading
claim of "4.0" D-max sensitivity.
The good news is that ICG is about to release a new software version that is
not only compatible with ICC profiles, but which also enormously improves
the basic shadow detail of the scanner in RGB mode. This makes it the best
drum scanner available today, however you will barely use any of the
features in ScanXact. Instead I advise the following workflow;
1. Scan everything in "Raw RGB" with no edits at all and no USM
2. Open the raw RGB image in Photoshop 6 and 'Assign' the appropriate
scanner profile (which you will have to make yourself as part of setting up
the system).
3. Convert to some "working RGB", preferably DonRGB which you can get free
from my website (www.hutchcolor.com) - click on 'Free Stuff' and then
'Profiles'.
4. Preview the RGB image through your output CMYK profile with Paper White
simulation. This requires you to have created a Custom Proof Setup when
setting up the system.
5. Optimize the image with adjustment layers till it looks good or till you
see the correct CMYK percentages (visible even though you are still in RGB).
6. Save the layered RGB file with embedded DonRGB profile.
7. Convert to CMYK using 'Perceptual' intent and checking the 'Flatten' box
so all the visible adjustment layers are applied.
8. Apply USM to the CMYK file, save it as TIFF and send it to Quark (or
whatever.)
If you want to learn this workflow in more detail I suggest you come to the
GATF Color Management Conference in Phoenix December 2nd - 4th where I will
be teaching and demonstrating it live. You'll also learn a lot more about
color management, both from other experienced experts and other users. Go to
www.gatf.org for details.
Meanwhile by all means contact ICG and order the software upgrade that
allows full-range shadow detail in RGB scans - I don't know what they call
it.
I hope this helps,
Don
*************************************
Don Hutcheson
Hutcheson Consulting
(Color Management Solutions)
Phone: (908) 689 7403
Mobile: (908) 500 0341
email@hidden
*************************************
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Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 22:02:11 -0700 (PDT)
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Subject: colorsync-users digest, Vol 2 #533 - 6 msgs
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Benefits to profiling scanner?