Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

[rmackenzie]

We've just had a used Quickmaster-DI installed. Its come with the basic Harlequin RIP. Unfortunately because its a used press we've had no help/documentation for the RIP side of things. Everything on-line seems to be about the Highwater replacement RIP (been told we need to upgrade to it, but I can't see it happening anytime soon) .

Basically I'm ripping jobs OK. Just a few problems with positioining. Having to offset jobs by 7-10mm on the desktop before sending in order to get them to centre OK for print and turns. Surely must be some way of setting this on the RIP?

Also can't work out how to set up printing over TCP/IP for printing from XP, its only set up for AppleTalk but having to use a Hot Folder for XP.

Any pointers to manuals etc online would be gratefully appreciated.


Thanks.

 

[SlaveToTheMan]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

"Having to offset jobs by 7-10mm on the desktop before sending in order
to get them to centre OK for print and turns. Surely must be some way
of setting this on the RIP?"

Nope, it's a been a few years since I had the "pleasure" of working on that setup, but never did a find a way around that. There were a few QMDI users back at PPF, ont sure they made the transition over here though. You could look through the Archives for answers perhaps.

 

[Cory Smith]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

It's been a while since we sold our DI, so memory is a bit rusty.
what is your document size you are sending to the DI? if I recall correctly it automatically starts your image at the end of gripper, not sheet edge. So the 7-10MM is that gripper margin.

our standard sheet size was 12.5X 18 1/8, our document was 12 1/2 X17 3/4 (sheet size minus the 3/8 gripper)

 

[chasd]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

We have always used a Quark template with crop marks that make it so jobs back up properly. Yes, those marks aren't in the center of the document. We copy and paste the actual contents to the template. We generate most of the content, so we don't have a bunch of worries about messing with incoming files.

Watch out, the RIP we have is so old many newer applications output PostScript or PDF that won't RIP.


Chasd.

 

[martinb]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

>>"Having to offset jobs by 7-10mm on the desktop before sending in order
>>to get them to centre OK for print and turns. Surely must be some way
>>of setting this on the RIP?"

>Nope, it's a been a few years since I had the "pleasure" of working
on that setup, but never did a find a way around that. There were a
few QMDI >users back at PPF, ont sure they made the transition over
here though. You could look through the Archives for answers perhaps.

I think you're referring to whether or not negative margins in the
RIP page setup are acted on?

There were one or two RIP revisions that unfortunately ignored
negative margins, but that was fixed a very long time ago.

Thanks

Martin Bailey

 

[rmackenzie]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

Thanks for the pointers everyone. Sounds like I'll just have to live with the workarounds.
Thanks.

 

[chasd]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

> {quote:title=martinb wrote:}{quote}
>
> There were one or two RIP revisions that unfortunately ignored
> negative margins, but that was fixed a very long time ago.

Our RIP runs on a 233 MHz DEC Alpha on top of Windows NT 3.51.
Is that old enough ?

If it works . . .


Chasd.

 

[rbailleu]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

we had a xitron for our herkules we added a qmdi plugin and that solved all our issues
I could not use the original rip that came with the di. everything crashed. spend the money and be happy. also heidelberg will install and train you on a new metadimension for $12,000

 

[Eric Nelsen]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

RE: Your comment - "Also can't work out how to set up printing over TCP/IP for printing from XP"

What you want are socket inputs in the rip and standard TCP/IP ports in the Windows Printer setup.
Here is a link to some step-by-step instructions.

http://www.xitron.com/Support/Doco/Navigator/Tech Bulletins/TB04-02.pdf

Eric Nelsen

 

[Heidelberg QMDI]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

The maximum *_imageable_* area for the QMDI 46-4 is 450mm by 330mm (approx. 17.75" x 12.99"). The *_maximum sheet size_* the press can handle is 460mm X 340mm (Approx. 18.11" X 13.375"). Heidelberg recommends setting up your document to 17.75" X 12.99". Under this scenario, we have allowed for the 10mm gripper and everything that is on the pasteboard of your document will print. This includes cut and fold marks and colorbars, they must also fit on the pasteboard. For a work and tumble you would have to minus 20mm (10mm on each side) for gripper. In the case of a work and tumble you would take 460mm - 20mm = 440mm (17.3228"). You would then find the center of the page (220mm) and work from the center out. You can call Heidelberg at 1-800-437-7388, take prompts 2 then 2 to request phone assistance. We also have work and tumble templates available that I can email you. To answer your question regarding XP printing, you can setup spool folders at the rip. The rip software CD contains a PDF file for the Harlequin RIP Manual. I don't know if you bought the press from Heidelberg or I'm assuming that it was purchased from a third party vendor. Most third party vendors do not offer prepress rip training to their customers which leaves them at a disadvantage. Companies that take this route often struggle needlessly for months wasting time and money. Heidelberg recommends having a QMDI Product specialist to come on site and train in the use of your software to get you up to speed and to insure your printing the best quality of your press. Their are other issues as well such as, calibrating for dot gain that need to take place. Heidelberg also offers Delta and MetaDimensions rip software if you should want to upgrade to a true Adobe rip.

Edited by: Tim Dettman on Oct 1, 2007 2:58 PM

 

[dejvee]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

Hi,
I can send you a PDF manual for Harlequin Rip 4.5. We are now moving to Meta Dimension 6.5 as we had a lot of problems with new files that our customers sends us (PDF files created with InDesign and exported to PDF). Otherwise it is a good and stable RIP.

Please send me an e-mail, so I can send you a PDF.

Kind regards,
David

 

[copiesinaflash]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

David
I saw that on your post that you were upgrading your 4.5 qmdi rip. would you be interested in selling your old rip? thanks jeff

 

[BayStar]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

We have been having increased issues with crashing the Harlequin RIP. We currently use CS2 to create and pre-press files, but will be upgrading to CS3. (current RIP is Harlequin Group plc 1998. RIP version 4.5 Revision 1d) Will the MetaDimension 6.5 handle ps and pdf issues? Are there any available used? We currently get around problems by making pdfs into high res tiffs, but of course that shifts color and quality. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dov Isaacs]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.


Note that the Heidelberg MetaDimension 6.5 has the +Adobe PDF Print Engine+ as one of its standard RIP options. This is a native PDF RIP that handles live transparency and color management natively (no stink'in PostScript intermediaries). Initial feedback from customers is excellent.



- Dov

 

[Eric Nelsen]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

Like wise the current version of any harlequin RIP processes PDF and transparency natively without any intermediary postscript transforms. In fact, the previous 5 or 6 versions of Harlequin have been doing so. Harlequin has been doing native PDF for years.
Upgrading to a version 7 Harlequin RIP will get you natively processing current version PDFs. No problems with CS2 or CS3.
I don't have an axe to grind here so by all means choose Metadimensions over the DI harlequin if you prefer to for other reasons. However, comparing an ancient Harlequin to a new PDF Print Engine isn't very meaningful.
I recommend comparing the cost to upgrade your existing RIP against the cost of Metadimensions.

 

[John W]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

Ah but Eric, my HqRip 5.3r4 does not work without a hickup or two with pdf.

We experience unusual things because of its age. Indesign for example was not even written when this version was first sold. It takes an upgrade to 5.5 to solve the simple problem of file name as job stem instead of CIDInit for all separations for all jobs!

Placed pdfs in Qxp 4, 5, 6, 7 often come out with strange results or will not print to page buffers or tifs at all depending on the actual pdf no matter if its pdfx/1a, pdf 1.3, 1.4, 1.5.
But then again, many placed pdfs rip just fine as you say even when coming out of postscript.
I believe it's how the pdfs are made, whether they come from postscript, direct to pdf or from a high end such as Esko and Backstage (a current pdf problem). With or without transparency. I even have B&W separated pdfs that print as multi-page black plates sent at different angles (via ps) where some local blends within the job will be replaced with a 50% tint. IMO, it is the recipe that is sent that causes this; sort of like three languages of which the HqRip understands two only. If I skip the HqRip, and go either through Distiller or direct from Qxp, the jobs are fine.

I want to continue with a separated workflow. Upgrading my rip version would be a good idea but only so far since I suspect the latest versions are designed for a composite workflows. Can you verify that for me? Is it in fact possible to upgrade only incrementally? I bet NOT.

Thanks,
John

 

[marktonk]

Re: Help with Heidelberg Quickmaster DI RIP.

Keep in mind MetaDimension also provides Irrational Screening. We have had many DI's upgrade from Harlequin to Delta or Meta with IS Screening. The feedback has been "we hardly get a moire and have better detail." Nothing against Harlequin Screening, it is on par with our HQS (Linotype-Hell Supercell Screening) but IS screening stands alone, one of the best AM Screening systems out. This all hails back to Dr. Hell, the inventor of Electronic Dot Generation. Here is a link on Heidelberg Screening, see Introduction to Screening Technology [Introduction to Screening|http://www.heidelberg.com/www/html/...e/expert_guides/sheet_optimizer_tutorial_pdf]
In addition, here is a link to some more on IS, named Prinect AM and newer screening of Prinect Stochastic and Hybrid [http://www.heidelberg.com/www/html/en/content/articles/prinect/screening?contentid=269208]


Regards,

Mark Tonkovich
Heidelberg USA
Product Manager, CtP & Proofing

 

[pleven_print]

Hi,
I can send you a PDF manual for Harlequin Rip 4.5. We are now moving to Meta Dimension 6.5 as we had a lot of problems with new files that our customers sends us (PDF files created with InDesign and exported to PDF). Otherwise it is a good and stable RIP.

Please send me an e-mail, so I can send you a PDF.

Kind regards,
David

Could you send me PDF manual for Harlequin Rip 4.5?
Thank you

 

[pleven_print]

Hi,
I can send you a PDF manual for Harlequin Rip 4.5. We are now moving to Meta Dimension 6.5 as we had a lot of problems with new files that our customers sends us (PDF files created with InDesign and exported to PDF). Otherwise it is a good and stable RIP.

Please send me an e-mail, so I can send you a PDF.

Kind regards,
David

My e-mail is: [email protected]

 

[prepressing]

The Harlequin RIP v.4.5 manual along with newer Harlequin manuals are available online at RTI Harlequin RIP Technical Support - RTI Harlequin RIP Software Support PPD Download Tutorials

There are different versions of the DI plugin within the Harlequin RIP and depending on the type of plugin you are using, that may also determine how you can position a job within the RIP. As mentioned by another user you can almost always make adjustments by creating a template in your design application and then drop each job into the template before printing.