Konica Minolta micropress release 6 User Manual
3
The MicroPress RIP Features
Feature
Definition
LanguageLevel 3
functionality
functionality
Provides the PostScript® LanguageLevel 3 functionality defined in the 3010 extension to
the PostScript Language Reference Manual and subsequent errata; supports
LanguageLevel 3 operators and offers additional features to improve workflow and color
functionality.
the PostScript Language Reference Manual and subsequent errata; supports
LanguageLevel 3 operators and offers additional features to improve workflow and color
functionality.
N-color
“N” represents the number of process color separations (CMYK corresponds to N=4, RGB
to N=3, and monochrome to N=1). N-color means MicroPress can process separations
where N=2 (duotones) or greater than 4 (N-color); also supports HiFi color.
to N=3, and monochrome to N=1). N-color means MicroPress can process separations
where N=2 (duotones) or greater than 4 (N-color); also supports HiFi color.
Patterns and Smooth
Shades
Shades
Implements several new patterns that vastly improve the quality of PostScript-language fill,
shade, and gradient output at the output device’s resolution. The RIP extends this feature
by allowing replacement of existing vignettes in PostScript-language and PDF jobs.
shade, and gradient output at the output device’s resolution. The RIP extends this feature
by allowing replacement of existing vignettes in PostScript-language and PDF jobs.
Images
Supports type 3 and 4 image dictionaries, which allow an application to produce masks
using multiple images in a more efficient fashion. This eliminates the need for a detailed
PostScript-language clipping path. This feature is best suited to lower-resolution output
devices and workflows. The RIP also allows images to be stored as tiles, breaking an
image into more efficient segments and greatly improving the performance of image
processing at all resolutions.
using multiple images in a more efficient fashion. This eliminates the need for a detailed
PostScript-language clipping path. This feature is best suited to lower-resolution output
devices and workflows. The RIP also allows images to be stored as tiles, breaking an
image into more efficient segments and greatly improving the performance of image
processing at all resolutions.
Type16 halftones
Supports type 16 halftones (more than 256 shades of gray).
Idiom recognition
Uses idiom recognition to detect PostScript-language procedures. This operator’s many
uses include detecting level 2 code in a PostScript-language file and replacing it with
LanguageLevel 3 code.
uses include detecting level 2 code in a PostScript-language file and replacing it with
LanguageLevel 3 code.
Type 32 fonts
Recognizes and supports Type 32 fonts.
Color, screening, and Roam
functionality
functionality
Contains several new capabilities relating to color, screening, and roam (available to end-
users from the interface where appropriate).
users from the interface where appropriate).
Spot color screening and
calibration
calibration
Ability to calibrate and screen both spot and process colors, which greatly simplifies
management of spot colors.
management of spot colors.
SoftProof
Allows users to proof print jobs on screen before printing. If the viewing monitor is
calibrated, SoftProof will approximate the color appearance of the job on paper.
calibrated, SoftProof will approximate the color appearance of the job on paper.
Memory management
Superior functioning does not hold memory exclusively but uses it only as required (unlike
previous versions or MicroPress RIP). Thus it is possible to specify a large amount of
reserve memory to be available for short-term use in time-critical operations.
previous versions or MicroPress RIP). Thus it is possible to specify a large amount of
reserve memory to be available for short-term use in time-critical operations.
Extra Gray Levels
Proprietary technology increases the number of usable gray levels when printing to halftone
devices (i.e., Monochrome, BiLevel, and QuadLevel printers) so you can use higher screen
frequencies without significant contouring or loss of gradient transitions. With extra gray
levels, 400 and 600 dpi printers can use line screens previously only with 1200-2400 dpi
devices.
devices (i.e., Monochrome, BiLevel, and QuadLevel printers) so you can use higher screen
frequencies without significant contouring or loss of gradient transitions. With extra gray
levels, 400 and 600 dpi printers can use line screens previously only with 1200-2400 dpi
devices.
Harlequin Precision
Screening
Screening
Uses Harlequin Precision Screening (HPS) for high-quality output without moiré patterning.
HPS runs at speeds comparable to those resulting from traditional lower-quality rational
tangent screening. HPS automatically overrides poor job settings (especially useful for print
bureaus, which often receive PostScript-language code not set up for high quality
screening).
HPS runs at speeds comparable to those resulting from traditional lower-quality rational
tangent screening. HPS automatically overrides poor job settings (especially useful for print
bureaus, which often receive PostScript-language code not set up for high quality
screening).
Graphics formats
Produces output in halftone, 8-bit grayscale, 8- and 10-bit run-length encoded (RLE), and
color contone (continuous tone) in CMYK and RGB formats. Hence the RIP can drive a
printers with varying capabilities.
color contone (continuous tone) in CMYK and RGB formats. Hence the RIP can drive a
printers with varying capabilities.
TIFF Output
Includes a TIFF output device (i.e., disk files) for previewing jobs before printing (SoftProof)
or rendering for use in other applications.
or rendering for use in other applications.
Complex jobs
Interprets arbitrarily complex jobs (unlike most high-resolution RIPs) through a unique
feature called partial page buffering. Jobs too large for existing memory are interpreted as
smaller portions and placed in a partial page buffer, which frees memory to handle the next
part.
feature called partial page buffering. Jobs too large for existing memory are interpreted as
smaller portions and placed in a partial page buffer, which frees memory to handle the next
part.
Fonts and font handling
Comes with 35 standard PostScript-language fonts and several additional fonts. You can
download PostScript fonts into the RIP and proof, list, or remove them. To print text, you
must install a selection of fonts in the RIP before interpreting an image.
download PostScript fonts into the RIP and proof, list, or remove them. To print text, you
must install a selection of fonts in the RIP before interpreting an image.