Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

What are the settings for Interp and Sharpen on the Job Properties tab? Interp defaults to Hybrid and Sharpen defaults to 5. Is there a simple explanation why you would choose any particular setting for these tems?

Hi Brendan,
You can see the full set of of settings in the Edit-Preferences-Printing Options menu. Click the Help button there for more information, especially on the Print Sharpening feature. 5 is the default but tune to your preference. Once set it should not need further adjustment.
Click into the Interpolation drop down box and click F1 for full Help details, scroll down the Help page that appears for more info on Smart Sharpening and how to set it.
Hybrid and Hybrid SE are the latest and most advance of all the interpolation methods; I think most users would choose one of those for best results.
Please come back if you have any more questions but hopefully the Help will tell you all that you need.
Terry

Thank you Terry. I didn't know how to find the help info.

I still have a few questions.

1. I know what interpolation is. I'm just not sure what it means in this context. Is the interpolation we're talking about the process by which the resolution of your image is adjusted to match the resolution the printer is set to print at?

2. I know what sharpening is too. I never use it on my images in Photoshop. However, I'm not sure what sharpening means here. My understanding of sharpening is adding outlining to areas in a picture to help them stand out. I don't want to add any "artifacts" to the pictures I am printing. I need faithful reproductions of what I am printing. What does this sharpening do?

Yes, that is spot on. Mike did an article related to this here: http://ddisoftware.com/tech/articles/march-2010-smart-photo-printing/


"adding outlines" is not quite correct, USM (un-sharp mask) is about modifying contrast across boundaries. see here: http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/unsharp-mask.htm
If you see artefacts, halos and outlines at normal viewing distances, then there is too much sharpening.
Most digital images are sharpened to some extent:  Jpegs out of camera, even if the menu allows you to turn it down. Raw images will usually have some sharpening applied during conversion otherwise the image would be very soft and most conversion processes allow you to adjust that along with noise reduction. QU has excellent control for this and once set for a camera, will usually not need any more adjustment.
The final print sharpening is a form of USM but is "smart" in that it's adjusted according to the print being made; as the Help says factors such as size & resolution are taken into account,  and normally be set (and left) so your print looks the same as the image on screen with respect to sharpness.
I would say sharpening of digital images is all part of "the illusion" to trick your eyes & brain into making an image look like real life

Smart print sharpening actually helps you to achieve this just as colour management help to get the print colour the same as on screen.

Terry

Thanks again Terry. You are a pleasure to talk to.

I think I will have to play with the sharpening, but I don't think it will be an issue.

If you are interested in seeing what I do you can check out our website: http://www.buschiart.com

My wife is an artist and I do her prints. I didn't do her earlier prints, but I've done everything since I started. I never intended to do prints for anyone else, but now that's almost exclusively what I do. If you look at some of the links on our site, you'll see a few of the other artists who I do prints for. I do a site that has many artists on it. I don't do the prints for all of them.

I'm curious what your thoughts are about photographing artwork for reproduction. I scan everything and have had trouble recently with my scanner. I cannot find a current model that I am comfortable with to replace it. The 1640xl I've been using has served me well. I have scanned original paintings that were taller than I am with it.

I know I will be getting Qimage. Right now I am just checking it out. It is a wonderful program on its own, when you take into account the price it is in a class all by itself. I currently use ImagePrint with my 7600, but if I get a newer 7900 or 9900, I will no longer use ImagePrint.

I'm hoping to use Qimage for that. I might also use Mirage. Regardless of what I use for the fine art prints, I will be getting Qimage. I have also been telling others about it.

Thanks again.

Brendan,

I tried to access your web site:  http://www.bischiart.com


No luck.  A message stated that it couldn't be located.

Would love to view your work.

Best,

Vlady

Hi Vladi,
try http://buschiart.com

Best wishes,

Ray

Ray,

Thanks, it worked like a charm.  Didn't think of dropping the www.

Vlady

Thanks Ray. I guess I was typing too fast.

http://www.buschiart.com

I had trouble with today's crossword puzzle too.

I thought I would throw this comment in...
You mentioned zero artifacts 
Qimage has a special interpolation algorithm for images and prints that cannot tolerate any artifacts.
When printing your shots of paintings simply select Hybrid SE as your choice of interpolation.


Fred

Thanks Fred. I will be trying all this tonight.