Greeting Fellow Rippers,
I just discovered that there was a Windows version of QTR a few days
ago. I have downloaded it and have been churning out test prints.
Here is my config:
OS: Windows
Printer: Epson 2200
Inks: UC with Photo Black
Paper: Epson Prem. Luster, Kirkland Pro. glossy
QTR: 2.2.1 standalone with QTRgui
Current goal: To print Neutral BW prints on a variety of papers.
Like others I often print color on this printer, as well so I am not
interested in switching to dedicated BW inks at this time.
I am currently trying to understand Curves. I have read through the
QTRgui help, but I am still pretty ignorant. Here is a list of my
current questions:
1. There are two curves used in printing. What is the difference
between the two? Is one applied to highlights and the other to
shadows, or are they just blended uniformly?
2. The "blend percentage: is described as:
"The blend percentage shows the amount of the left
hand tone curve to be used."
??? What does this mean precisely? Since there is a slider that
moves from the left to the right curve, I assume that this adjusts the
"balance" between the left curve and the right curve. Again is this
the point at which one curve takes over or is it an overall blending
across all parts of the image?
3. There appears to be only one neutral curve "UC-NoBlack-neutral".
All other curves appear to have some form of toning. I'm guessing
that this curve can be used with all papers? I have used this preset
for both the left and right curves for almost all of my printing so
far. I this the correct way to get neutral prints? Are there other
options I should investigate?
4. The curve names appear to be some kind of encoding of the ink,
paper, and tone. Is there any way to get a full decoding of the curve
name?
5. Are there any docs or webpages I should be reading to bring me up
to speed? Please don't suggest that I trudge through the thousands of
posts in DBWTP.
Thanks in advance for your help. I am excited about the possiblities
QTR offers! Once I have done a fairly thorough testing of glossy and
luster papers I will switch over to matte ink and papers for testing.
-Ross
