Ron Jones writes: >> Whilst I am aware that Photoshop can convert rgb files to cmyk, I would be interested in finding out if there are any alternative software programmes <<
Many Mac users forget/do not know about their powerful ColorSync AppleScript drag n drop utilities - even Photoshop Elements (sans the hidden power tools) or other non CMYK users can convert to CMYK outside of PSE. ICC seps have become more common today, with non ICC and or closed loop systems falling from favour in many quarters - although this does not mean that these systems do a worse job, by any means. For screen print it is more common to find special separation gear, such as: http://www.fastfilms.com/ >> or working methods which give more accurate results. By accurate I mean a conversion that gets as close as possible to the original rgb file. I'm Mac-based using Photoshop 7. << Ron, I take it that you are not asking to defy the laws of physics, yes there are some other options that may do better than Photoshop or other ICC software. For example, some drum and high end flatbed scanners have proprietary closed loop on the fly CMYK separation systems that are better than using the RGB and ICC options available. Perhaps with better profiles the results may have been better, as ICC profiles do offer some advantages over older methods - and depending on the profile generation package one can get very different results (in perceptual renders). I once had a deep discussion on this list with a user who used a third party separation/sharpening software package that seemed very impressive in it's results on sharpening, not sure on separation, due to email loss at my end I cant find who that was or the name of the high end product (it was a UK photographer who worked closely with a prepress shop I think :) Dan Margulis can help you milk the most out of CMYK, reading up on the many free online sources before his published work may help too - his books are aimed at the more advanced user. http://www.ledet.com/margulis/ I have a small page at my website which demonstrates some of the issues which you raise - gamut issues and ways of dealing with the issue, perhaps it may help: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~binaryfx/PPT_gamut.html P.S. Even though I will be kicked out of the prepress guild for telling you this - here goes: It does not really matter how one separates - it's the separation that counts! Regards, Stephen Marsh. =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
