Do we need RIP to see an image on screen?

[mangcang]

Still struggling with RIP. I knew that RIP is used to turn the image data to bitmap data that printer can understand and lay out dot. I was wondering if RIP is involved to open an image in editing softwares or any PDF viewer on computer? (both vector and raster) Because I think monitor is pixel based, so when we open images, something should be active to make some changes.
Hope my question is not confused. Thanks

 

[BillJ]

Once jobs are ripped they are generally considered the "final" output and are not edited. They may be converted as in a tiff workflow so that they can outputted by multiple devices (proofers, ctp, ctf). Some rips give you the capability to preview the job. The preview is usually low res and not color balanced. If issues are found the job would be corrected and then ripped again.

The actual situation would also depend on what rip you are using. They all have different capabilities.

 

[prepressing]

Can you be a bit more descriptive. A RIP is definitely not used to edit files. It is used to process files. The RIP takes jobs in and processes them then previews and/or outputs them to a wide variety of formats and machines. Most RIPs do not allow you to make any type of edits within the files as that should be done in the original files. Some RIPs may allow for layout, rotation, imposition, trapping adjustments, but they usually do not edit the file (or artwork) in any way. The RIP is more of an interpreter. Hope this information helps. If you need a more descriptive answer please give more details on what it is that you are looking to do.

 

[Correct Color]

In answer to your question: No, a RIP isn't involved in opening an image in any editing software or any PDF viewers.

It gets a little confusing because both converting an image to pixels, and converting an image to dots, are often referred to as 'rasterization.'

But they are two completely different processes, and pixels and dots are most assuredly not the same thing. A pixel is the smallest unit of complete color information in a digital image, whereas a dot is the smallest unit of individual colorant in a printed image.

And the extreme shorthand description of what a RIP does is that it converts pixel information into dot information. So, as long as you're working with pixels, you have no need for a RIP.

Mike Adams
Correct Color

 

[fiatlux]

In answer to your question:[SNIP]

And that's why one color expert can be more valuable than several experts.

FL

 

[mangcang]

In answer to your question: No, a RIP isn't involved in opening an image in any editing software or any PDF viewers.

It gets a little confusing because both converting an image to pixels, and converting an image to dots, are often referred to as 'rasterization.'

But they are two completely different processes, and pixels and dots are most assuredly not the same thing. A pixel is the smallest unit of complete color information in a digital image, whereas a dot is the smallest unit of individual colorant in a printed image.

And the extreme shorthand description of what a RIP does is that it converts pixel information into dot information. So, as long as you're working with pixels, you have no need for a RIP.

Mike Adams
Correct Color

Hey, Mike Adams

I really really like your answer and that is awesome, especially the 'rasterization' and explanation of RIP. Thanks；-）
One more “noise”question. I was wondering is there any different in the image viewed by customers on their computer I send to them and the image viewed by me on my computer if we use the same editing software or PDF viewer?(no color management involved this case) Or in other words, how can we make sure we see the exact same images on both side? What factors would affect image appearance except for color management?（any distortion may happen?）Thanks again

 

[Lukas Engqvist]

Colour management is key. If you have equivalent hardware you should be able to see the same thing, but as with colour management there are many preferences a user can set.
One of the biggest problems i found is when customers proof on a non-RIP printer what is to be printed, unless in the print dialogue simulate overprint is checked, you may find they will output files where overprint is disabled – the result is white text that is tagged for overprint is visible at customer, but disappears at output. The second issue, besides colour is the treatment of thin lines. The device resolution may be such that fine lines, or patterns of fine lines, are made thicker in one device compared to another.

Colour is important and such things that can be disturbing is that a 5% grey can seem invisible on one device yet visible on another.

Analysing a specific workflow where the two environmentsw are knowns there may be many more pitfalls.

 

[michaelejahn]

Screen to screen matching - not a RIP issue...

Screen to screen matching - not a RIP issue...

I was wondering is there any different in the image viewed by customers on their computer I send to them and the image viewed by me on my computer if we use the same editing software or PDF viewer?

well, yes, they can (and most often will) be different.

I could set up 2 (two) different relatively expensive EIZO screens ...

as in, two of these;

EIZO ColorEdge CG243W

-- and even run them off the same computer displaying the same file within the same application - and before i create a profile and color manage these two monitors - they can (and often do) look different.

Companies like ICS offer solutions for remote proofing...

Getting Started : Integrated Color Solutions

(no color management involved this case)

Well, if you have no color management, why would you think two different systems would display color alike ?

Or in other words, how can we make sure we see the exact same images on both side? What factors would affect image appearance except for color management?（any distortion may happen?）Thanks again

Well, the answer is that - 1. you agree on a Print Space that you want to simulate - an example might be GRACoL - then you set up your PDF/X workflow for reliable exchange (paying attention to output profiles, so the PDF file can tell the proofing system - monitor proofing or paper proofing - what you "intent" is - then, set up your proofing systems and workflow to preserve and honor the output intent.

That is how it is done.

Not familiar with PDF/X workflows ?

GWG | PDF/X FAQ | PDF/X FAQ

want to watch a video on how to save a PDF/X file ?

Compose Color Blog: How to create PDF/X4 files from InDesign

Hope this helps.