Certainly the most accessible method to convert from the Photo CD YCC space directly to CMYK is the Kodak CMS Open Plug-in which ships with Adobe Photoshop software. This plug-in does not make a direct CMYK conversion as supplied, but the purchase of additional software makes the conversion possible.

Kodak's CMS group in Billerica, Mass., sells a variety of Precision Transforms,software modules that finetune the CMS plug-in to convert to CMYK for a variety of needs. The Starter Pack ($49) includes a generic CMYK profile set that makes basic conversions, and does them in a reasonable period of time. The plug-in itself, which is posted on popular electronic bulletin boards (you'll find it in either the Kodak or Adobe areas on these bulletin boards), has been updated to be native Power PC compatible for the Power Macintosh line of computers. This native code version runs almost four times faster than the original version, and will make the CMYK conversions dramatically faster.

Kodak also offers CMYK profiles for a variety of color printers and graphic arts proofing systems. These profiles, and other CMS software are available from your Photo CD provider, or directly from the CMS division of Kodak, at 800 75-COLOR.

Another CMYK conversion option is a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop software from Human Software of Saratoga, California. The CD-Q Plug-in ($ 129) is a native Power PC product for Mat Macintosh that not only converts to four color format, but can also crop, rotate, flip, and color correct on-the-fly. Add to these features the ability to do true unsharp masking in the process and you have a versatile piece of software. Human Software also offers a batch capable version of CD-Q which sells for $199.00.

Stand-alone products that make the CMYK conversion include Kodak Access Plus Software combined with the already mentioned CMS Precision Transforms Starter Pack. This easy-to-use application is available for both Macintosh and Windows.v, is very inexpensive, and works reasonably fast. Its features include batch processing and the ability to crop, rotate and flip on import. Included in the package with Aaccess. Plus.s is another product called Player software, which will play Photo CD Portfolio and Portfolio 11 discs intended for television viewing. With a sound system plugged into the computer's CD-ROM drive, sound is also available.

For high-end users, Purup Photolmpress is photo-impressive. This stand-alone Power PC native product allows the user to crop, rotate, flip, unsharp mask, color correct in several different color spaces, and batch process images. Its claim to fame is its speed; its ability to convert to CMYK in lightning speed makes the product untouched in the field of Photo CD-compatible products. Throughput of over 40 megabytes of finished CMYK files per minute defines the speed. The product also includes a feature for color management called Color Circuits. By proofing a supplied color file, and measuring its colors with an appropriate calorimeter, a custom Color Circuit is generated that will control the conversion of color from Photo CD images.

Photolmpress has the ability to edit the YCC color neutral point, edit to CMYK specifications, and independently color adjust the four channels. It will save in CMYK or RGB, and in TIFF, ENS, CD, Scitex CT and Purup CD formats.

BinuCD, from Binuscan Software, is another batch-capable product. Based on the Kodak Aaccess. . Plus.s software, Binuscan has enhanced and expanded the program to allow accelerated conversion to CMYK, RGB and monochrome. It also has an impressive automatic color adjustment feature that can make bright, pleasing color separations from a selection of images, regardless of their original quality.

Apple Computer's PhotoFlash software is an inexpensive alternative to a high-end photo manipulation program. It opens and modifies RGB images, and can accept any plug-in software that works with Adobe Photoshop software. By using the available plug-ins from Kodak, Human Software and others, PhotoFlash can open Photo CD in the formats supported by those products. Once an image is opened in Photoshop.sh, it can be retouched, color corrected, and saved in a variety of formats including PICT, TIFF, and ENS.

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