ColorBurst users switching to Overdrive
Hello All, The CMYK RIP product from ColorBurst seems to be at the end of its life, at least the Mac version of XProof anyway. All the signs seem to indicate this: The company says it will not be updated to a 64-bit version, will never support new hardware like the i1Pro 2. They have removed the user-to-user support postings from their website, and have sent out emails offering existing users an incentive to crossgrade to their RGB RIP, Overdrive. I have been a satisfied user of XProof for years, both for proofing and for my own art, "presentation prints" if you will, and have installed & supported XProof at other companies as well. Maybe I will move to Overdrive, but I wanted to ask here on this list first. Especially if anyone has made the jump from XProof, I would love to hear about your experience. A few questions that come to mind: Is (RGB) Overdrive as capable for proofing (for offset repro) as (CMYK) XProof? 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? 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? 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. 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
Hi All Been wondering about the same thing my self. Sent an email regarding a problem with the colorburst RIP ver 3 PPD and surprised to see the form having been removed. For me the service and support of their software through the forum was a big added value to their product. if responders can reply to this forum i'd appreciate it. Regards Peter Miles
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 _______________________________________________
participants (3)
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John Lund
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Louis Servedio-Morales
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Peter Miles