Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
handy. Perhaps no RGB file exists to allow a new CMYK conversion to
be made. Being able to view that CMYK document as it would appear
going to a different CMYK device allows us to see if it is possible to edit
or reconvert the data and get acceptable results.
When should you use the soft-proof feature? At some point in the
editing process, the document will appear acceptable to you in the
RGB working space. All the major tone and color corrections are com-
plete. At this point, you may wish to see how the document will appear
if output on your Epson printer. You would set up a soft proof for the
Epson printer and then preview on-screen changes based on the behav-
ior of that Epson printer. The document is still in the original RGB
working space; it is only previewing, as it will appear when printed on
the Epson described by the ICC profile. You may wish to continue to edit
the document so it appears on-screen, as you prefer, based on the soft
proof for the Epson. Before altering the document based on a single
output device, it is a good idea to make a copy of the document (use the
Image-Duplicate
command). Then edit this document in the RGB working
space while it is soft-proofed to the printer. The colors in the document
are being edited to produce acceptable output to that one Epson printer
and therefore it is a good idea to do this on a copy of the original RGB
document.
Using Adjustment layers can also be useful for creating multiple cor-
rections per image for each output device. Make a series of adjustment
layers based upon a specific output device. Perhaps save these in a layer
set with a name that indicates which output device the corrections were
based upon. When that layer set is active, the corrections are loaded and
can be used to edit the data for a specific color appearance. A single file
can contain multiple layer sets all based upon multiple output devices
that needed some editing based on the soft proof. The downside is a much
larger file. Be sure that the correct layer or layer set for the intended
output device is active when viewing and eventually converting to a
print/output space.
By keeping the file in the well-behaved and likely larger gamut
working space yet editing based upon what is shown in the soft proof,
the best data is available for editing prior to conversion to the print/
output space. Once the document is converted to the print/output space
using the same ICC profile used in the soft proof, the appearance on-
screen will not change. However the values in the file will change and
the document is ready for output.
See Chapter 9, Tutorial #8: “The Photoshop Soft Proof.”
Proof Setup and Soft Proofing
It is important to understand a few critical caveats and guidelines with
respect to soft-proofing. First, the accuracy of any soft proof depends on
accurate ICC profiles for both the display and for the output device. If
