Using Photo CD in the graphic arts
Part of the strength of Photo CD is its multi-resolution Image Pac file.
The ability to choose one of the many image resolutions and open a photo
for print reproduction makes the medium a very useful tool.
Using Photo CD in print is a potentially powerful and cost-effective method
for simplifying graphic arts production workflows. With the relatively low
cost of Photo CD scans, and the high quality of those scans, Photo CD represents
an excellent alternative to more costly scanning options. As graphic artists
understand the potential and become familiar with the processes for Photo
CD use in print, the medium becomes more useful, and can reduce production
bottlenecks.
While the low cost of Photo CD scans is attractive it represents only one
reason to use Photo CD. A more compelling reason is improved workflows With
a digital image scanned on a Photo CD system it is possible to reduce the
steps in prepress production Graphic arts projects can be completed in less
times and with more control over image quality than with other sources of
digital and conventional color images
There are a variety of techniques for getting a Photo CD image from the
disc and turning it into a reproducible image for prints All of these techniques
are relatively simple and most result in an image that is pleasing and effective
in print The quality of the reproduction can be enhanced by the correct
use of computer programs and Photo CD image conversion software
One can open a Photo CD image in a number of color spaces making the options
even more varied The process begins with Photo CD to RGB (red, green ,blue)
with a subsequent conversion to the four printing colors - cyan, magenta,
yellow, black (CMYK).
This method is probably the most common method for working with Photo CD
discs though perhaps not the bests Adobe Photoshop software allows access
to Photo CD images in RGB by using the Open command The software that accomplishes
this task is a Kodak product called CMS Photo CD that is located in the
Plug-in folder of the Photoshop program This same software allows images
to be opened in the more obscure CIELAB color space
Extra-cost options for Adobe Photoshop software include a list of plug-in
products from Kodak, as well as other suppliers that open Photo CD images
in RGB, monochrome and CMYK colors These plugging answer the demands of
users for more flexibility and control in the application of Photo CD in
their works
Choosing the software and the method for moving from Photo CD to the computer
and ultimately to the printed page is a complex path one with many options
Let's examine the options and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses:
Deciding which color space to use requires you to consider a number of choices
and decide which is best for your production requirements There are benefits
to working in RGB, CIELAB and CMYK color spaces and benefits to working
in monochrome when the need is strictly black-and-white works To determine
the best paths it is necessary to examine the options
