Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage-u

v2011.132    05/17/11

Priority: Low

v2011.132 includes a new function to tally paper/ink usage from saved jobs and corrects some UI bugs in the raw refine dialog.  See the help text on the new feature here.

Mike

That's a good idea Mike. Thanks.

Would it be possible/worth it for the user to be able to enter a $ per unit printed area value in the preferences so that the cost of a job is automatically calculated?

Peter
  

I don't see why not: sounds like a good idea.  What I wanted to do is put this out there so I could get comments like this so thanks!  I know it's a simple calculation but I'm trying to get ideas about how people will use the feature so I can keep improving it.

Mike

Hi Mike,
I used to put the job log into a spreadsheet to monitor ink usage etc. but that was when it was a single file job log (I think).
It's a bit a fiddle to do that now with multiple files for jobs.
Following on from the suggestion to enter a money value, how about  the ability to export a particular query to a csv file for record keeping purposes and include the query criteria. Commercial users could then more easily produce a costing spread sheet.
Terry

Mike,
One more: how about eliminating any print to file jobs as they do not use ink.
Terry.

Mike,

The area of paper printed on would also be good.

The will enable monitoring and analysis of both ink and paper use.

Peter

On second thoughts, that is probably impracticable; The user just needs to specify a file name for the exported csv file.
Terry

Nice if there is no ink use log available in the driver.

Ink use based on printed area can be quite off on actual ink use though. Not only wasted ink in cleaning cycles etc and carts declared empty that are not empty but there are huge differences in ink coverage per media preset (matte, gloss, plain, driver settings etc) and on image content. Not to mention the use of gloss enhancer in for example the R1900. On the wider format models (from several manufacturers) the driver usually gives ink use in picoliter per print job that is actually measured on droplets squirted.

So be careful in estimations or rather add 100% to what you computed :-)

met vriendelijke groeten, Ernst

New: Spectral plots of +250 inkjet papers:

http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm

You can't assume that: many times when you print to file, they are meant to be printed from another plugin or printed elsewhere so they may use ink... just not directly.  Plus, you can eliminate those with a search.  Example: if I want to track usage of my Epson R1900, I can type "Photo R1900" in the search box and as Fred says "VIOLA"... none of the print-to-file jobs are included.

Mike

True, but the feature is not designed to track ink use by the picoliter.  It tracks media usage which is how most people charge for prints.  I've never ordered a 24x36 print, for example, and had someone say "Let's see, this job used 36 picoliters of magenta, 12 picoliters of yellow, etc. etc.... that comes to  $$$.  ;)  I can see how it would be useful to track printable area to know the approximate paper usage but even that has its ups and downs.  If I order a 25x25 print and you have to print it on a 44 inch roll because it won't fit on the 24 incher, do you charge for a 44x25 inch print because you don't feel like trimming the 19 inches and then saving that strip for a smaller job later?  Really... I'm asking because I want to know.  I don't typically print sizes that waste a lot of paper but I can see it happening.

I've seen a few people do this and they generally just charge by the size.  They wouldn't charge more, for example, for a print with more color compared to a print with a very light (almost white) background because they figure the darker one uses more ink.

Mike

Hi Mike,
That is just one search term.
But if I  then wanted to search for, say, a particular file or folder printed on a specific printer, I couldn't do it at present. Exporting to a csv would allow further analysis in a spread-sheet. Alternatively, the use of logical operators in the search would also give the answer. I suppose it depends on how good most Pro Photographers are in using spread-sheets and how you want to go in developing this aspect of QU.
I'm being a bit of a devil's advocate here but hopefully it will spark other comments and ideas for this feature, which, I would have thought, is a great idea for those making a living by printing photographs.
Terry

Mike,

I see in the thread that people like to bind ink usage or even $ to the printed area reported. So be careful etc was at the end of my message. I have seen all kinds of ink estimations per square foot floating on the web and they varied from 50-300% of what I experienced in practice. With the Epson 9000s we got good estimations by measuring the weight of carts over a year and the number of matte art paper rolls used in that period. Roughly 15 ML a square meter, 1.4 ML a square foot. That number has dropped for the HP Z models I use now (less cleaning waste) but with gloss enhancer used on gloss papers a similar figure is what I count from the ink use log.

Normally I use a price per printed square meter per medium type as quoted on my website. Wasted paper, wasted ink included. Included possible reusable paper waste (wider than 22 cm) set at 50% of normal paper price. A few small size prints per order are expensive and I have no urge to make precise calculations then. Price drops per square meter up to 20 square meter. Usually an order from 10 square meter up gets a more refined cost estimation where nesting of the prints on the roll is more thoroughly checked, image content considered and any post print activities like a lot of cutting is calculated too. Then a proof print can tell something about actual ink use on the production run. Of course that number gets a % on top to keep a safe margin.

So yes, it normally goes per square meter/foot but if you like to have the bigger orders you have to have a more precise calculation for the shop and the customer. I am not in photography, I print for other people so quite often it is a matter of paper and ink I deliver and get a price for. That does not mean I am not interested in print quality but quality usually does not change the ink amount laid down.

The possible feature mentioned on print size related tone/color/contrast adaptions .... any thoughts about it?


met vriendelijke groeten, Ernst

Try: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wide_Inkjet_Printers/

You can do it: click on the "Printed To" column to sort by that.  Then mark your range to be on only the printer you are interested in.  Then use your search term.  The next version that should be released later today will always do a secondary sort by date so you could even sort by printer, then pick only a certain date range for that printer... and then use a search term.  Should do it all.

Mike

Thanks Mike.
Terry

I have upgraded to .132 from .130 - When I open Automated job file and select a job and right click all I get is a choice to rename or delete. I noticed that all of the jobs I have are .130 or earlier, does this make a difference. Do I have to do something like reopen all jobs and then save someway in .132? Any thoughts?
Thanks,

Mike

Mike,
Just verify that you actually have installed 2011.132, top left corner of the Qimage Ultimate main screen.
It works for me showing three items on the right click menu, Rename, Delete and Paper/Ink analysis.
It works on RECALL JOB as well as FILE, OPEN AUTO JOB.
It even shows up with Paper ink grayed out but there when I right click on any saved print setup etc.

Double check the version you are running.

Fred

You are so right. I thought I had .132 downloaded but it was only the notice to download. Downloaded .133 and it works fine. Thanks,

Mike