On Oct 25, 2012, at 12:35 AM, John Lund <john@jwlimages.com> wrote:
A few questions that come to mind: Is (RGB) Overdrive as capable for proofing (for offset repro) as (CMYK) XProof?
Yes. It allows you to have your printer simulate a specified device profile and include media tint via Absolute Colormetic rendering. Also, allows adding a proofing color bar of your choice with the the IDEAlliance color control wedge a built in option.
I assume Overdrive does not provide linearization capabilities like XProof - if RGB profiling must include ink limits & linearization, does this limit the quality of output achievable?
That's right, no linearization capabilities. Only RGB profile building option. Proofs pass Ugra';s proof and print certification when wedge is scanned.
I assume Overdrive uses the same Postscript interpreter (Jaws?) as XProof - pretty good for RIPing PS output, but for raster output, does Overdrive offer any advantage over simply using the Epson RGB driver for my SP7880?
Latest version of Overdrive now includes layout nesting capabilities. My guess is you can probably achieve the same proofing capabilities via Photoshop.
I also found much better success soft proofing with my custom CMYK profiles for XProof than with custom RGB profiles - not exactly sure why, I speculated that it might be related to the behind-the-scenes "extra" conversion supplied by the Epson RGB driver (to the CcMmYKk inkset), as compared to the XProof "drive the printer as a CMYK device" approach -- sorry, that's a long preamble to asking how well Overdrive RGB profiles soft proof.
No problems here softprooofing.
Feel free to respond off-list if this is too narrow a topic. I just thought this group might have some folks who can speak to my questions.
Thanks,
John Lund
JWL Images Emeryville, CA _______________________________________________