Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
handle only bitmap data. If you need to output files from applications
that handle vector data, a RIP is necessary.
Some RIPs are known as
PostScript
RIPs whereas others do not handle
PostScript data. PostScript is a page description language invented and
marketed by Adobe Systems. If you are using a third-party RIP because
you want the unique pipeline advantages provided or better ink delivery
or print quality, but are going to print only bitmap files, you do not need
a PostScript RIP. This might seem confusing and in a way, calling a
non-PostScript RIP a RIP is a bit of a white lie. Only bitmap data can be
handled and no vector data is being processed; the data is already ras-
terized. Some companies prefer to call such products
Print Environments
,
and I prefer to think of these products as optional printer drivers. In some
cases, a user can purchase such products without the added PostScript
interpreter at a lower price. Photoshop can act like RIP and a fast one at
that. Photoshop can open and rasterize some vector data files like a PDF
or EPS. When opening these files, Photoshop will ask what color space
and what resolution the user wants, as seen in Fig. 6-21. Since we have
yet to define an output resolution based on pixel data, a user can request
Fig. 6-21
The Photoshop
CS Rasterize Generic
PDF dialog (top) allows a
user to specify a size,
resolution, and color space
to some vector data files,
in essence becoming a RIP.
Attempting to open an EPS
file would show a similar
dialog. The new Import
PDF dialog in Photoshop
CS2 is seen below.
