Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

Hi,

I have been using Qimage for some time and quite pleased with my prints.
I started reading through the topics on this forum and I am now puzzled about the settings I am using in ACR as I open my CR2 (RAW) images in Photoshop.
The settings I currently use in ACR are:

Adobe RGB(1988);16 bit;3744 by 5616 (21.0 mp);300ppi

My concern (and maybe I shouldn't have a concern since my prints are great) is the appropiate ppi setting to use in ACR - from reading on this forum, it seems I am interpolating once to 300 ppi in ACR and then to 600 ppi in Qimage. Is my understanding correct? If so what setting would be the most appropiate to use in ACR?

Thanks,
Art

Hi Art,
The ppi setting in ACR is merely a tagged value and in some sense meaningless. In real terms, an image file cannot have PPI, pixels per inch, because there are no "inches", just pixels. Prints have ppi but 300ppi is not necessarily the most appropriate value.
So, there is no need to be concerned about that tagged value, just use the image as converted, at it's full pixel size with no re-sizing in PS.
Qimage is interpolating to 600ppi because that's the "native" resolution of your printer (a Canon or HP with that value) and you get great prints because Qimage does that with very advanced interpolation algorithms and print smart sharpening.
Did you see Mike's latest article on smart printing here?  http://ddisoftware.com/tech/articles/march-2010-smart-photo-printing/
A timely reminder of why Qimage gives you great prints  ;)
Terry.

 :) Terry M,

Thanks for your response. I guess it's simply a case of, "If it ain't broke - why are you worried about 'fixing' it"

I am just going to return to making my great prints with Qimage and not worry about it.

Thanks,
Art

If I may be so bold, Art, I would even suggest that you try out Qimage Studio for your Raw image rendering.
See the side by side tests.
http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage/quality/raw.htm

Also  http://ddisoftware.com/tech/articles/march-2010-smart-photo-printing/

Between those two, you should at least try out the abilities of Qimage to process your RAW images.
Fred

Thanks Fred,
I will give it a try this coming week.

I am really quite happy with my work flow (Adobe LR 85% of time Adobe PS-CS4 the other 15%.
My workflow will also incorporate NIK software into each of the above and then when print day arrives I have always used (98%) Qimage with LR or CS the other 2%.

I was just concerned (re my original post) that I might not be using the 'most appropriate' settings in ACR and as I replied - It's not broken so I am still a happy camper and appreciate the quick responses and advice.

Thanks,
Art

++
With all good humor, you can still be happy with your work flow, but just a try, a test using Qimage might make you even happier.
You can always go back to "happy".
Fred

I just had a similar discussion in another thread, but this one clarified that I was doing right all along. I also use ACR for my raw files, but set 600 ppi, which is the native resolution of my HP printer.  I know that ppi is essentially meaningless until you actually print, but I sometimes still print through Photoshop and having this setting in place saves me a step.

I also learned now that Qimage takes my 16 bit Tiffs and interpolates them down to 8 bit, again saving me a step.