Tektronix Phaser 300X, Phaser 450, Phaser 480X, PhaserMatch User Manual

User Manual Release Note

PhaserMatch

™

Copyright © Tektronix, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. Unpublished rights reserved under the copyright laws of the United States. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission of Tektronix, Inc.

November 1996 Part Number 070-9270-82

User Manual Release Note

New features and updates

Installing the PhaserMatch application

Refer to the following table to locate the instructions in this release note for installing and using your printer with the PhaserMatch application.

Other features

■

Hints and tips for using Calibration Curves

See page 10 in this release note for information on using the curve editing feature.

■

Using the Send Proﬁle command

This command has improved performance over the description in the

PhaserMatch User Manual . See page 12 in this release note for

details.

■

Printing a densitometry test print

See page 13 in this release note for information on making a test print on your target printing device.

■

Printing with custom proﬁles

See page 13 in this release note for instructions on printing custom proﬁles you created in the PhaserMatch application.

Printer Macintosh

installation instructions

Windows installation instructions

Using the PhaserMatch application

Phaser 480X

page 2 page 3 page 8

Phaser 450

page 2 page 3 page 8 and page 9

Phaser 300X

page 2 page 3 page 8

Phaser 600

page 2 page 7 page 8

PhaserMatch

Installing the PhaserMatch application: Macintosh

Phaser 480X, Phaser 450, Phaser 300X, and Phaser 600 printers

The PhaserMatch application for Macintosh is compatible with Apple Macintosh II computers, or later, including PowerPCs.

Refer to the instructions in your printer’s

manuals for installation

instructions.

■

Phaser 480X printers

The installer program for the PhaserMatch application is on the printer’s CD-ROM. Refer to the

PhaserMatch User Manual for more

information.

■

Phaser 450 printers

The installer program for the PhaserMatch application is on the printer’s CD-ROM. Refer to the

Phaser 450 Drivers and Utilities

Printing Reference

manual for more information.

■

Phaser 300X printers

The installer program for the PhaserMatch application is on the printer’s CD-ROM for the extended features option. Refer to the

Phaser 300X Drivers and Utilities Printing Reference manual for more

information.

■

Phaser 600 printers

The installer program on the printer’s CD-ROM installs the PhaserMatch application. Refer to the

Phaser 600 Color Printer

User Manual

for more information.

The ﬁles created by the PhaserMatch application are stored in the following locations:

■

PhaserMatch folder inside a PhaserTools folder created by the

installer application.

■

PhaserMatch folder in the Preferences folder, in the Extensions

folder, inside the

System Folder on your hard disk.

User Manual Release Note

Installing the PhaserMatch application: Windows

Phaser 480X, Phaser 450, and Phaser 300X printers

Use the following instructions to install PhaserMatch for Windows for these printers:

■

Phaser 480X printers

■

Phaser 300X printers

■

Phaser 450 printers

Note

If you have an older version of the PhaserMatch application installed on your computer, you should delete its icon from the existing Phaser Tools Group, then delete the Phaser Tools Group. Any saved calibrations or proﬁles will be available for use in the new version of PhaserMatch in the new PhaserTools Group after installation.

Start Windows.

Insert the appropriate printer’s CD-ROM into your computer’s CD-ROM drive.

From the File Manager , select the drive the CD-ROM is in, followed by the

PHSRMTCH directory.

Locate the SETUP.EXE ﬁle; double-click the ﬁle to start the installer.

At the Start Installation dialog box, click Yes to install now.

PhaserMatch

In the Select Installation Drive dialog box, select the drive to install the software to, then click

In the Setup dialog box, select the directory to install the software in. Use the default

C:\PHSRMTCH , or type a new path name.

Then click

User Manual Release Note

In the Icon Installation dialog box, click one of the buttons to determine the group where you want the PhaserMatch application to reside. You can change your mind and return to this dialog box.

■

Click the Use Existing Group button to use an existing group. The Installer looks for an existing

PhaserTool s group. Select a group

from the list, then click

. Or, click Go Back to return to the

Icon Installation dialog box.

■

Click the Create New Group button to use either the default

PhaserTools group name or type a new group name.

Then click

. Or, click Go Back to return to the Icon Installation

dialog box.

PhaserMatch

At the Installation Complete message, click Yes to exit the installation program

and open a README document about this

procedure; click

to exit the installation program.

The

PhaserMatch application is available in the group you

speciﬁed.

The ﬁles created by the PhaserMatch application are stored in the following locations:

■

Windows 95: PhaserMatch ﬁles are stored in the

WIN95/PHSRMTCH directory.

■

Windows 3.1: PhaserMatch ﬁles are stored in the

WINDOWS/PHSRMTCH directory.

User Manual Release Note

Installing the PhaserMatch application: Windows

Phaser 600 printers

Use the following instructions to install PhaserMatch for Windows for Phaser 600 printers.

The PhaserMatch application for Windows is compatible with Windows 3.1 and Windows 95.

The installer program on the Phaser 600 printer’s CD-ROM installs the PhaserMatch application. Refer to the instructions in the

Phaser 600 Color

Printer User Manual

for installation instructions.

The ﬁles created by the PhaserMatch application are stored in the following locations:

■

Windows 95: PhaserMatch ﬁles are stored in the

WIN95/PHSRMTCH directory.

■

Windows 3.1: PhaserMatch ﬁles are stored in the

WINDOWS/PHSRMTCH directory.

PhaserMatch

Using the PhaserMatch application

Using PhaserMatch calibration options

You can use the calibration options in the PhaserMatch application with the following printers:

■

Phaser 480X

■

Phaser 450

Refer to Chapter 3, “Calibrating the Printer,” in the

PhaserMatch User Manual

for instructions. Substitute your printer’s name where ever the manual refers to a Phaser 480X printer.

Using PhaserMatch custom proﬁles

You can use the custom proﬁle options in the PhaserMatch application with the following printers:

■

Phaser 480X

■

Phaser 450

■

Phaser 300X

■

Phaser 600

Refer to Chapter 4, “Editing Proﬁles,” in the

PhaserMatch User Manual for

instructions. Substitute your printer’s name where ever the manual refers to a Phaser 480X printer. For instructions on printing with custom proﬁles from printer drivers, refer to your printer’s manuals.

Special notes for Phaser 300X and Phaser 600 printers

The Paper Color command in the Proﬁle menu is not available (grayed-out) for Phaser 300X and Phaser 600 printers; all other

Proﬁle menu commands

are available.

All of the calibration commands in the

File menu and in the Calibrate menu

are grayed-out. Also, in the User Mode dialog box, available under Preferences in the File menu, the calibration options are grayed out.

User Manual Release Note

Special notes for Phaser 450 printers

The PhaserMatch application offers different features depending on the version of the printer you have.

■ Phaser 450: standard version of the printer

With the standard version of the printer, you can use only the calibration options with the PhaserMatch application.

Refer to Chapter 3, “Calibrating the Printer,” in the PhaserMatch User Manual for instructions on calibrating the printer to adjust the gray balance and gray linearity values in the printer for individual transfer rolls to ensure consistency in your printed images.

■ Phaser 450: Extended Features option

Note

If you upgraded your Phaser 450 printer to the Extended Features option, you need to reinstall the PhaserMatch application from the printer’s CD-ROM for Extended Features.

With the printer’s Extended Features option, you can use both the calibration and the proﬁle options with the PhaserMatch application.

Chapter 4, “Editing Proﬁles,” in the PhaserMatch User Manual for instructions on creating custom proﬁles to improve color matching between the printer and another output device, such as a speciﬁc printing press.

PhaserMatch

Hints and tips for using Calibration Curves

Note

The Calibration Curves command is available with the PhaserMatch application for Phaser 480X and Phaser 450 printers only.

Modifying Calibration Curves is an expert feature. For most users, the Easy Calibration mode is sufﬁcient and easier to use.

The Calibration Curves feature is not a proﬁle editor. Use the options in the Proﬁle menu to adjust the printer’s colors to match a speciﬁc printing press.

Use the Calibration Curves feature to perform a more complete calibration on the printer than available with the Easy Calibration mode, to produce a neutral gray and linear gray.

For best results, adjust Calibration Curves in the following order:

Adjust the CMYK curves together to set the overall tone reproduction level.

Adjust the strongest individual color to adjust for a color cast in a neutral gray.

Make ﬁne adjustments to other colors as needed.

Things to keep in mind:

■ When you ﬁrst open the Calibration Curves dialog box, there are

no visible control points on the curves. Once a point has been added or set on a curve, it appears as a small black dot.

■ You can add or set points on a curve by clicking on the curve or by

adjusting the value in an edit box.

■ The curves and the numbers in the edit boxes represent the same

values. You can adjust either the curves or the numbers; changing one changes the other.

User Manual Release Note

■ To change the position of a point along a curve, delete an existing

point and add a new one.

■ Macintosh: Select the point so it turns black, then press the

Delete key.

■ Windows: Click on the point with the right mouse button.

■ It is possible to select any point on a curve at 5 percent intervals: 5,

10, 15, and so on. Not all percentages are visible in the edit boxes, but all percentages are adjustable on the curves.

■ There are limits to the amount of change available at any given

control point. A point is not allowed to be higher than the next highest point, or lower than the next lowest point. For example, if a curve has control points at 5, 25, and 50 percent, you cannot drag the 25 percent point higher than the 50 percent point, or lower than the 5 percent point.

■ When editing CMY or CMYK, several curves are being adjusted at

the same time. It is best to change them all by the same amount so the individual curves all have the same control points (or that all curves have no control points).

If you have made adjustments to individual curves, and then need to adjust all of the curves together, ﬁrst click OK to save the adjustments on the individual curves. Then, reopen the Calibration Curves dialog box and select CMY or CMYK to adjust all curves together.

PhaserMatch

Using the Send Proﬁle command

Note

The Send Proﬁle command is available only in the Expert Calibration user mode. This command is available for

all supported printers.

Use the Send Proﬁle dialog box to send a proﬁle to the printer to change the printer’s default color proﬁle.

For Phaser 480X, Phaser 450, and Phaser 300X printers: Make sure DIP Switches 8 and 9 on the printer’s rear panel are in the up position. (This step is not necessary for Phaser 600 printers.)

Select Send Proﬁle from the File menu.

From the list, select the proﬁle you want sent to the printer.

Click OK to send the selected proﬁle to the printer.

When a standard proﬁle, such as SWOP Press or Commercial Press, is sent to the printer, it remains in the printer’s memory as the printer’s default color proﬁle until it is replaced with another standard proﬁle. The standard proﬁle remains in the printer’s memory even if the printer is turned off.

However, a user-modiﬁed proﬁle remains in the printer’s memory as the printer’s default color proﬁle only while the printer is turned on. If the printer is turned off, then on again, the default proﬁle in the printer is the standard or “based-on” proﬁle that was used for the user-modiﬁed proﬁle; the user-modiﬁed information is lost. For example, if a user-modiﬁed proﬁle that started with Commercial Press as the “based-on” proﬁle, is sent to the printer, only the Commercial Press information is left in the printer’s memory after the printer is turned off. Your original user-modiﬁed proﬁle is still intact and available for use, but it must be sent to the printer again.

This downloading procedure does not affect a proﬁle you may be editing in PhaserMatch.

User Manual Release Note

Printing a densitometry test print

Densitometry Test EPS (Macintosh) and TESTPRNT.EPS (PC) are EPS ﬁles for use in making a test print on the target output device, such as a printing press. The ﬁles are located with the PhaserMatch software on your printer’s CD-ROM.

To use the test prints, import the EPS ﬁle into an application that can make prints on your target output device.

Refer to the PhaserMatch User Manual for instructions on making densitometry measurements and using the Densitometry dialog box.

Printing with custom proﬁles

Custom proﬁles you create in the PhaserMatch application are available in the Color Corrections list in the printer drivers shipped with your printer. However, to use these proﬁles, PhaserMatch software cannot be running. Quit the PhaserMatch application before opening a driver to print with a custom proﬁle.

User Manual

PhaserMatch

™

First printing June 1995 070-9270-00

1995 by Tektronix, Inc., Wilsonville, Oregon. Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission of Tektronix, Inc.

This instrument, in whole or in part, may be protected by one or more U.S. or foreign patents or patent applications. Information provided upon request from Tektronix, Inc., P.O. Box 1000, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-1000.

If acquired subject to FAR or DFARS, the following shall apply:

■

Unpublished — rights reserved under the copyright laws of the United States.

■

Restricted Rights Legend — Use, duplication or disclosure by the government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software at DFARS

252.227-7013, or in subparagraph (c) (2) of the Commercial Computer Software – Restricted Rights clause at FAR 52.227-19, as applicable. Tektronix, Inc., P.O. Box 1000, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-1000.

Tektronix

and Phaser

are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc. TekColor™ and PhaserMatch™ are

trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.

Adobe™, PostScript™ are trademarks of Adobe Systems, Incorporated which may be registered in certain jurisdictions.

Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

The printer contains an implementation of the LZW algorithm licensed under U.S. Patent 4,558,302.

Portions copyright Sequel Imaging, 1995.

Other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of the companies with which they are associated.

User Manual

iii

Contents

1 Introduction to PhaserMatch™

Calibration 1-1 Profiles 1-2 Learning to use PhaserMatch 1-3

Tutorial on Phaser 480X CD-ROM 1-3

2 Getting Started

PhaserMatch for the Macintosh 2-1

Locating the software 2-1 System requirements 2-1 Installing the software 2-2 Starting the application 2-3 Using the application 2-4

PhaserMatch for Windows 2-5

Locating the software 2-5 System requirements 2-5 Installing the software 2-6 Starting the application 2-7

Using the application 2-8 Selecting a user mode 2-9 PhaserMatch at a glance 2-11

PhaserMatch

3 Calibrating the Printer

Overview 3-1

When to use PhaserMatch 3-1

How to use PhaserMatch 3-2 Setting Gray Balance values 3-3 Setting Gray Linearity values 3-10 Adjusting calibration curves 3-15

How values are displayed 3-16

Adjusting the curve settings 3-18 Controlling calibration files 3-21

Loading existing calibration settings 3-21

Saving calibration settings 3-22

Sending calibration settings to the printer 3-23

Deleting existing calibration settings 3-24

Exporting calibration settings 3-25

Importing calibration settings 3-26

Selecting calibration preferences 3-27

User Manual

4 Editing Profiles

Overview 4-1

Deciding which Profile menu command to use 4-2 Adjusting for Dot Gain 4-4 Editing profile curves 4-8 Making densitometry measurements 4-12 Specifying paper or background color 4-15 Using edited profiles 4-22 Controlling profiles 4-23

Loading existing profiles 4-23

Saving a profile 4-24

Sending a profile to the printer 4-25

Deleting existing profiles 4-26

Exporting profile settings 4-27

Importing profile settings 4-28

Selecting profile preferences 4-29

PhaserMatch

5 Technical Notes

If you get an error when making a test print 5-1 If some users cannot use the CD-ROM 5-2 Software files 5-3 Values for IT8.7-3 Basic Color Target test pattern 5-4 Values for IT8.7-3 Color Standard Chart test pattern 5-7

Index

User Manual

1-1

Chapter

Introduction to PhaserMatch

™

PhaserMatch™ is an application for Macintosh and Windows users that provides a simple visual approach to calibrating the printer and editing color proﬁles. PhaserMatch provides an Easy Calibration user mode for step-by-step calibration requiring no training or special measurement equipment. An Expert Calibration user mode is designed for the most demanding users who need to consistently and accurately predict and control colors.

Calibration

Calibration is the process of compensating for certain color printing factors to ensure consistency in printing. Using the different test prints available in PhaserMatch, you can make adjustments to compensate for variations between printers and for variations in ink levels in different transfer rolls. The PhaserMatch Calibration commands have the following features:

■

Allow consistency across printers and transfer rolls without expensive measurement equipment.

■

Eliminate color casts in neutral grays.

■

Modify a printer’s calibration table to improve color matching. Edit a calibration table or use a curve editing window with a graphic display.

■

Save and load, import and export, calibration settings for different transfer rolls or transfer roll types.

■

The calibration commands are available for the Phaser 480X, Phaser 480, and Phaser 440 dye sublimation color printers.

Introduction to PhaserMatch™

1-2

PhaserMatch

Proﬁles

Note

The Proﬁle feature is available only for the Phaser 480X dye sublimation color printer.

A proﬁle is a TekColor color correction that attempts to match the printer’s output to a speciﬁc reference, such as a printing press. Editing proﬁles is an

advanced feature used to modify standard TekColor proﬁles (SWOP Press,

SNAP Press, Commercial Press, and Euroscale Press) to improve color matching. For prooﬁng pre-press work, you can create and use custom proﬁles to improve the color matching to a speciﬁc printing press. The PhaserMatch Proﬁle commands have the following features:

■

Modify proﬁles using a simple table, a curve editing window, or a detailed table of measured data.

■

Adjust the dot gain of printing press proﬁles to more closely match the dot gain of individual printing presses.

■

Adjust the background paper color of printing press proﬁles to reﬂect the color of the actual paper (white or off-white) used for printing.

■

Adjust color density and color reproduction curves to simulate the color output of a target printing press.

■

Save and load, import and export, custom proﬁles for different paper background colors or for the dot gain expected on a particular printing press.

■

Custom proﬁles can be easily selected in Tektronix drivers for Macintosh and Windows users.

Note

For best results, you should always calibrate a printer before creating a custom proﬁle.

Introduction to PhaserMatch™

User Manual

1-3

Learning to use PhaserMatch

Tutorial on Phaser 480X CD-ROM

The Phaser 480X CD-ROM includes an on-line tutorial for using PhaserMatch. This interactive program uses a simple visual approach to lead you through the application’s features.

Insert the Phaser 480X CD-ROM into your computer’s CD-ROM drive.

Open the PhaserMatch folder.

Double-click the PhaserMatch tutorial’s icon to start the program.

Introduction to PhaserMatch™

1-4

PhaserMatch

User Manual

2-1

Chapter

Getting Started

PhaserMatch for the Macintosh

Locating the software

The PhaserMatch software can be used with Phaser 480X, Phaser 480, and Phaser 440 printers. The software is available in the following locations:

■

On the Phaser 480X CD-ROM. (Part number: 063-2448-00)

■

On the PhaserMatch for Macintosh diskette. (Part number: 063-2266-00)

System requirements

Note

To use PhaserMatch, you must have the Tektronix driver for your printer installed on your hard disk. Refer to the drivers and utilities manual for your printer to install the driver.

PhaserMatch for the Macintosh requires the following hardware and software:

■

An Apple Macintosh II computer (or later).

■

At least 0.5 Mbyte of available RAM.

■

System Software version 7.0 or later.

■

Works best with monitors having 256 or more colors.

■

Optional: CD-ROM drive.

Getting Started

2-2

PhaserMatch

Installing the software

To install PhaserMatch on a Macintosh, follow these steps:

CD-ROM:

Insert the Phaser 480X CD-ROM into your computer’s CD-ROM drive.

Open the PhaserMatch folder.

Floppy diskette: Insert the PhaserMatch for Macintosh diskette into

your computer’s disk drive.

Double-click the PhaserMatch Installer icon.

At the introduction screen, click anywhere in the window, or press any key, to continue.

Note

Help text is visible in the lower part of the installer window. Move the mouse around the window to see explanations of the different sections.

Click on the Recommended icon in the left side of the window and drag it to the disk in the right side of the window where you want the software installed.

At the installation complete dialog box, click Quit .

Locate the PhaserMatch application in the Phaser Tools folder on your Macintosh hard disk.

Getting Started

User Manual

2-3

Starting the application

Note

PhaserMatch works only with the following Tektronix Phaser dye sublimation color printers: Phaser 480X, Phaser 480, and Phaser 440.

To start PhaserMatch on a Macintosh, follow these steps:

Open the Chooser and select the appropriate driver and printer. For example, select the

Phaser 480X driver and your Phaser 480X

printer. Then close the

Chooser .

If you do not have the appropriate driver installed for your printer, refer to the drivers and utilities manual that came with your printer for driver installation instructions.

Locate the PhaserMatch application in the Phaser Tools folder on your Macintosh hard disk.

Double-click the PhaserMatch icon to start the application; a menu bar appears at the top of the screen listing the

File , Calibrator ,

Proﬁle , and Help menus.

■ If the currently selected printer is not a Phaser 480X, a Phaser 480,

or a Phaser 440, a message appears instructing you to select one of these printers in the Chooser.

■ PhaserMatch checks the selected printer for information on the

installed transfer roll; this information is required by the application. If the printer is busy with other jobs, PhaserMatch waits for them to ﬁnish before connecting. If you don’t want to wait, click the Cancel button in the status dialog box to quit the application. You can try again later when the printer isn’t busy.

Getting Started

2-4

PhaserMatch

Using the application

Calibration and Proﬁles

Refer to Chapter 2, “Calibrating the Printer,” and Chapter 3, “Editing Proﬁles” for step-by-step instructions on using PhaserMatch.

Help text in PhaserMatch

Help text in the PhaserMatch application is arranged as a list of topics that are always available for selection whenever the Help dialog box is opened.

Help text is available in the following places in the PhaserMatch application:

■ From the Help button available in most dialog boxes.

■ From the question mark icon in the right of the menu bar.

Open the Help dialog box in one of the ways described above.

Click on a topic in the left column to see an explanation in the right column.

Getting Started

User Manual

2-5

PhaserMatch for Windows

Locating the software

The PhaserMatch software can be used with Phaser 480X, Phaser 480, and Phaser 440 printers. The software is available in the following locations:

■ On the Phaser 480X CD-ROM. (Part number: 063-2448-00)

■ On the PhaserMatch for Windows diskette.

(Part number: 063-2266-00)

System requirements

Note

To use PhaserMatch, you must have the Tektronix driver for Windows 3.1 installed for a Phaser 480X, a Phaser 480, or a Phaser 440 printer. Refer to the drivers and utilities manual for your printer to install the driver.

PhaserMatch for Windows requires the following hardware and software:

■ An IBM or compatible PC, with a 386, or higher, processor.

■ One ﬂoppy-disk drive (3.5-inch drive with 1.44-Mbyte capacity).

■ A hard disk with at least 0.5 Mbyte of available RAM.

■ MS-DOS 5.0 operating system, or higher.

■ Windows version 3.1, or higher.

■ Optional: CD-ROM drive.

For best results, use the following:

■ Super VGA monitor with 800 x 600 dpi or higher resolution.

■ A monitor with 256 or more colors.

Getting Started

2-6

PhaserMatch

Installing the software

To install PhaserMatch on a PC with Windows 3.1, follow these steps:

CD-ROM:

Insert the Phaser 480X CD-ROM into your computer’s CD-ROM drive.

Open the PHSRMTCH directory.

Floppy diskette: Insert the PhaserMatch for Windows diskette into your computer’s disk drive.

Start Windows.

Use the File/Run command in the Program Manager to start SETUP.EXE from the CD-ROM or diskette.

Or, double-click SETUP.EXE in the File Manager.

In the PhaserMatch Setup dialog box, make the following selections:

Select the location on your hard drive where you want the PhaserMatch ﬁles saved. Use the default path C:\PHSRMTCH listed in the edit box, or type in the path you want, or click Change Directory to locate the path you want.

Click Continue.

A message appears asking if you want to read the phsrmtch.wri ﬁle. Click Ye s or No.

At the installation complete dialog box, click OK.

Locate the PhaserMatch application in the Phaser Tools group.

+ 76 hidden pages

Tektronix Phaser 300X, Phaser 450, Phaser 480X, PhaserMatch User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual