Layout controls in main interface: With version 1.2 ImageNest will now have its Mac Layout controls directly in the layout interface so they are always available to the users.  No more going to the Layout Button to configure your layout on the fly.  Everything is right in front of your eyes.

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 €œFit to Size€ files will automatically have their aspect ratio maintained and if they do not fit into the specified selection made in the €œFit 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.

One of the goals of almost every photographer is to produce a print with the darkest black point and lightest white point as possible.  I get questions about this all the time so I will try to answer with the technical facts without making this document unreadable.  Too much technical jargon makes everyone€™s head spin but on a subject such as ICC profiling it is simply impossible to lay out the facts without a fair amount of technical detail.

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