Some major new highlights to Snow Leopard are:

Full 64 Bit:   Currently only 4 GB of RAM can be accessed by an application running on Mac OSX 10.5.   This can cause some pretty big limitation to print drivers, graphics programs, and especialy picture and Image Layout programs like ImageNest.   OSX 10.6 opens a whole new world for ImageNest and we have been programming towards this goal for the past two years.  On OSX 10.6 ImageNest will be able to access up to 16 billion gigabytes or memory,   yes,  16 billion gigabytes !   Going from 4 gigabytes to 16 billion will make ImageNest easily capable of processing layouts that are hundreds of gigatyes in size.   64 bit effectively removes any limits to graphics processing.

Automatic updates for printer drivers:  Snow leopard has printer driver update support built in.  Printers are automatically detected when they are plugged in and the latest driver is automatically downloaded.  The update system will continually check for any updates and always keep your print driver up to date.

In honor of Fathers day and to give everyone a much needed economic break–The Chicago Steak Company has put together an Exclusive Fathers day special that will let your Dad know how much you care without breaking the bank.

The Package is called the  Fathers day steak special includes something for everyone.  Don’t know what Steak is your fathers favorite?  It probably won’t matter because the Fathers day Griller package includes the most popular cuts of steak along with Burgers, Pork Chops, and Chicken.  Unless  your father is a vegetarian he is certain to love it.

Included in the Fathers Day Griller Steak Special:

2 (8oz) Rib Eyes
2 (8oz) Top Sirloins
4 (8oz) Flat Iron Steaks
4 (8oz) Gourmet Burgers
4 (8oz) Boneless Pork Chops
4 (6oz) Rotisserie Chicken Breasts
That is nearly 10 lbs of meat for only 69.99 !   That will surely make Dad happy

To puchase go to the Fathers Day Steak Specials Page

1:   Select a canned page size that is specified as “banner.   If you are making a custom page size you can choose “Banner” in step 2.  A new dialog will be available in this situation.

Step 2:  When printer with ImageNest double check the print dialog to make sure all the settings are correct.  If you created a custom page size you will have an additional dialog next to the phrase “Page Setup”  In this dialog make sure that you choose “Roll Paper - Banner”.  Only this setting will allow you to automatically remove any white area.

Step 3:  Roll Paper Settings:   The “Print Settings” tab can be pulled down to revel the “Roll paper settings”  Make sure the box labled “Save Roll Paper” is checked.  You also have options for cutting but “normal is recomended.

Once all the settings have been made they can easily be saved as a pre-set and used again.   This method of printing greatly enhances the funtionality of the ImageNest Software RIP

They did a great job in putting ImageNest through its paces with 6 different workflows and three different machines.   Workflows and printers used in the evaluation include:

Epson 7880 (24″) using the Epson driver (colour)
Epson 7880 (24″) using the Epson driver (ABW)
Hewlett Packard z3200ps (24″) using the HP driver
Epson 9600 (44″) using the Epson driver
Epson 9600 (44″) using QuadToneRIP
Epson 1160 A3+ printer with 3rd party inks

You can read the results of the test at NorthLight Images Website

As further reviews on the ImageNest Software RIP are done we will post links in our news section.

DNG Printing is the workflow of the future and with ImageNest your will not only be able to print the JPG files but will also be able to save paper with our Image Layout and Photo Layout features.

Integrated Page Setup: Version 1.2 also now has the printer and page setup integrated directly into the layout controls so switching printer and paper sizes can be done without going to the menu or any sub-dialogs.  This makes switching printer and papers sizes easier and also always displays your current size so you never have to go to a sub-dialog to see it.

Printing of Embedded JPG files inside DNG files: DNG files contain 2 major imaging components.   The Camera RAW data (which is the original data that a camera recorded)  and a JPG file that contains a bitmap image of all the corrections that have been made to the Camera RAW file. ImageNest is the ONLY RIP on the market that will extract the JPG files and print them.  This is a major leap forward in making a full DNG workflow into a reality.

Batch Size Files on Import: Now ImageNest customers can easily batch size files on import.  ImageNest has the ability to take an unlimited number of files and re-size them automatically before they are sent to our nested layout.  Think of the amount of time that could save !  Grab 20 Files, make them all 5 by 7,  Grab another 20 make them all 4 by 5.   Options for Fit to Size or Fit to Fill allow users to specify how to deal with any difference in aspect ratio.  You won’t find this feature in any other software RIP.

Batch Fit to Size: When importing files you can automatically fit them to a specified size.  When using the “Fit to Size” files will automatically have their aspect ratio maintained and if they do not fit into the specified selection made in the “Fit to Size” dialog they will be scaled to as close to the selected size as possible while maintaining aspect ratio.  The file will not be cropped in any way.

Example:  Original Image  8 by 10
Fit to Size 5 by 7
Final Size 5 by 6.5 (since an 8 by 10 picture can not be perfectly fit into 5 by 7)

Batch Fit to Fill: When importing files a user can “fit to fill” “Images to a specific size. When “fit to fill” is used a files aspect ratio may not be in correct proportion to the specified size. When not in perfect proportion a file can be cropped at the edges. The user than has the option to move the picture within the outlines of the “Fill” box to line it up any way they wish. The amount cropped is small and the user always has control over what part of the images is cut off.

Example: Original Image 8 by 10
Fit to Fill 5 by 7’
FInal size: 5.6 by 7 image centered in a 5 by 7 box. Image can be moved within the box to choose what parts will be cropped off when added to the layout.

These new features to our Software RIP are 100% free to all users.

ICC profiles are all based on CIE Lab color.  CIE lab is a measurement of color based on human perception.  If a color does not exist in CIE lab, technically it does not exist.  Think of the old philosophical argument, If a tree falls in the woods and no one can hear it does the sound exist?  The same is true for color, If a color can not be seen with the human eye it is not within the CIE lab space, and to humans, does not exist.
Now, just because a human eye can perceive a color can it be reproduced?  Unfortunately the answer is no.   CIE Lab is composed of three parts, Lightness, A axis chromatic, and B axis chromatics.  For the Lightness component, pure black is represented by 0 L and pure white is represented as 100 L.   Here is where it gets interesting.   O L and 100 L are colors that cannot be reproduced on earth.  The only place where 0 L conceptually can exist is inside of a black hole.  But, even though they do not exist on earth, theoretically, they can be perceived by humans so they do exist in CIE lab.

Okay, that is the technical part and should outline the problem,  Photographers are working in Color Spaces that contain colors that do not exist.  So before you get started printing know that there are certain things that are not possible.  That being said, there certainly is a way to optimize how dark of a black you can achieve.   The same is true for white point.  Your paper color is your white point.
1:  If your only goal is black then dye inks produce prints with a better black point.  Unfortunately dye inks are made from vegetables and not only fade quickly but also change color appearance dramatically.  Pigmented inks are the preferred choice for anyone who needs a lasting print and most new inkjet printers are pigment based.

2:  Photo Papers produce a much better black point than fine art papers.  They hold more ink and since the blackest black you can get is a combination of CMYK generally the more ink a paper can hold the blacker black you can get.

3. Printer models all have different formulations of CMYK inksets and some can get blacker than others.  It of course depends on the paper used but some printers get to a better black point than others.  Test out a few at your local dealer before purchasing one.

4:  Papers with optical brighteners usually have a darker black point and a whiter white point.  Some photographers dislike papers with optical brighteners as the brightener may yellow with age.  Keep in mind though,  it is generally a very long time (at least 20 years) before this can happen even on cheaper papers.  The dirty little secret in the industry is that almost all papers have some type of optical brightener applied.  Paper is made from wood and cotton, neither of which is bright white.  If a paper is white, chances are that it has optical brighteners and if you haven’t noticed problems by know you probably won’t.

These tips should help you get the most out of your photogrhy in conjuctions with our Software RIP

Below is a rock solid method to properly color manage on Mac OSX regardless of what application you are using or what Mac OS you are using. In this method if you application has an option for PRINTER MANAGES COLOR, that is what setting you should use. If your application does not have an option, that is what is happening by default so you do not need to do anything (Apple Preview would be a good example of this).

Step one: Open the ColorSync Utility. It can be found in applications/utilities (of course it is a lot easier just to spotlight it)

Step two: Select the Devices icon at the top of the window and then expand the profile view for the printer you wish to configure ICC Profiles for

Software RIP ImageNest

Step Three: Select the paper that you wish to assign a custom profile for. Some manufacturers use abbreviations for their paper types. In this example Pro38 PLPP is selected. This is an abbreviation for Epson Stylus Pro 3800 Premium Luster Photo Paper. Remember, profiles are always made for a specific printer and paper combination

Step 4: On the right side you will see the Current Profile. Click on the Down arrow and you will be able to change this profile to whatever custom profile you wish.

Mac RIP

Step 5: Navigate to the folder that contains the profile you wish to use. Generally, when you create a custom profile it is saved to the ColorSync folder but it can be in any folder you wish.

OSX RIP

Step 6: Now your default profile for the Epson 3800 has been changed so every time you choose Premium Luster Photo Paper the custom profile that you set will be used.  In addition to being able to use your custom ICC profile with ImageNest Printing Software

New Features:

Batch Image Sizing on Import: YES,  you will finally be able to automatically size your images to your desired output size with just a single click !  We will have pre-sets for all the standard sizes and you will also be able to customize the pre-sets to any sizes you want.   This give you the ability to make picture packages very, very quickly and efficiently.   Creating a picture package with 4×5’s, 8×10’s, 5×7’s, and any other size from a single or multiple image will be a few short clicks.

Fit to Fill and Fit to Size Import Features: When sizing a file, if your image is not in the same aspect ratio as your desired size you will be able to “Fit to Fill” which will fit your image in your desired aspect ratio and you will be able to position the image to crop out the edges.   The “Fit to size” feature will fit your image inside the size you have desired.  If the aspect ratios are different it will shrink one size to fit so no amount of your image will be cropped out but it will not be the exact size you specified.  You will always have the choice to manually crop or crop to size.

Integrated Page Setup: For those who filled out our survey thanks !  We made these changes based directly on your feedback.  The page setup and all the layout controls are now in a panel that is always visible and available to users.  This should make things more straight forward.  We where shocked when we kept getting requests for features that we already had.  We had them,  they where just not up front in the interface where they are easily accessable.  Now they are !

Improved Image Memory Handling: Problems with very large file sizes (300 megs or more) where seen in version 1.1 so we went back to the drawing board and re-tooled our image handling.  Huge files should no longer be a problem

Improved Nesting: We are always striving to improve the efficiency of our nesting.  It was long and hard but we have improved our nesting efficiency again.  If that doesn’t sound impressive consider this,  we where already more efficient than every single one of our competitors.  Now you will be able to save even more paper, and in this economy, greater savings will pay off bigtime and make you much more competitive.

There is more !   and of course this update will be free to all !

We are also looking into improved DNG Printing for version 1.2