Quick Start Guide: ImageNest RIP Version 2.0

Step 1. Set your preferences: There are several different preferences that the user can set. Choose which preferences work best for your workflow. The preferences dialog can be found in the Apple file menu (The Top menu bar) under ImageNest/Preferences.

• Ruler Units: Select the type of units of measurement. All major units of measurement are supported.

• Default Source Profiles: The selections in this dialog only take effect if your image does not have an embedded profile. RGB, CMYK, and Gray images all must be in a ColorSpace to be printed properly. If an image is opened in ImageNest without a embedded profile ImageNest must assign one. The selection you make in the “Default Source Profiles” dialog will be used as the assigned profile.

• Use embedded ICC Profiles (if Present): This should always be checked. Embedded profiles should always be respected. There are some specialty workflows in which a user may wish to turn off the “use embedded ICC profile” button but most users should always keep this button checked. 		filters


Step 2. Set your layout preferences:

• Image Selection Option: The Image Selection options allow users two very different ways of moving images. The "Arrow" option allows for images to be moved in the layout. The "hand" option is only used when "Fit to Fill" was selected to size a file. It will allow users to move an image within its bounding box. When an image was sized with "Fit to Fill" and the "Hand" option is active the outline of an images bounding box will turn green.

• Printer: Choose the printer you wish to print to. Any printer that you have installed will be available

• Page Size: Select the page size that you wish to use. Any default page sizes that where installed by your printer will be available as well as any custom sizes you may have created. If using Roll paper make sure you have roll selected and read the instructions below on Paper Style.

• Color Handling : On OSX 10.5 or below “Printer Manages Color” is the only option. On 10.6 or higher there is an option for ImageNest to perform all color management before sending a job to the printer.

• Printer Profile: On OSX 10.5 or below this option is not available but custom profiles can be applied in your print driver. Instructions on how to are below.

• Nesting Method: Best Fit is generally the best selection. It will fit images in the layout as efficiently as possible and will save the most paper.

• Nest Spacing: This control allows a user to space in between image in the layout.

• Cut Marks: Cut marks can be applied to your images to help line them up with your cutter and to add whitespace as a border to your images. You can choose three styles of cut marks and the horizontal and vertical offset the cut marks will have from your images. The spacing dialog allows a user to specify how far cut marks are offset from images. - (negative) numbers will place the cut marks inside an image. + (positive) numbers will place them outside an image. The fill color dialog will fill in the blank area with a color of your choosing. 		selection


Step 3. Add Images to Layout for Printing:


imagenest Add Images Icon: To add images to the layout click the add images icon that is in the top left section of the toolbar and will bring up the dialog seen on the right.

• Selecting Images: The add images dialog is a standard Mac dialog that will allow you to navigate to any folder or device to select images. Multiple images can be selected by using the shift key and clicking on any image you wish to add to the layout.

dialog • Auto-sizing Images: Choose the size you want your images to be. The "Original Size" setting will leave them untouched. You can create your own custom preset sizes by selecting the "Customize" option in the auto sizing pull down menu.

• Resize Images: When you resize an image you have a choice of “Resize to Fit” or “Resize to Fill”

• Resize To Fit: When using the “Resize to Fit” files will automatically have their aspect ratio maintained and if they do not fit into the specified selection made in the “Fit 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)


Resize To Fill: When "Resize 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. Use the “Hand” tool in the “Image Selection Options” dialog to move an image inside of its box.

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.



Step 4. Print Driver Configuration:

Setting up an Epson print driver

Setting up a HP print driver

Setting up a Canon print driver