Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
GretagMacbeth's iQueue
You may recall I suggested conducting all color conversions using Pho-
toshop; however, that is simply impractical for some users. When the job
calls for sending hundreds or even thousands of images a day to an output
device that doesn't support direct access to ICC profiles, the prospect of
conducting conversions over and over again using the
Convert to Profile
command can produce a huge bottleneck in the pipeline. The answer is
to use some automated, fast batch processor, and here iQueue can be a
life saver. My only beef with iQueue at this time is that it hasn't been
updated for Mac OS X yet, so it means running in Classic (a PC version
is also available). Nonetheless, this product has a number of features for
handling many processes on both raster and vector data files once a user
sets up one or more queues (batch processing routines).
Although this process is robust, it's also somewhat complicated, espe-
cially when the goal is to take files and process them through multiple
queues. However, once done, almost anyone can batch process very
complex operations using iQueue. The main interface seen in the center
of Fig. 8-24 is where one or more queues are arranged and the status of
the queues is presented to the user. The idea is to create a series of “hot
folders” that are ready at a user's beck and call to simply drop files into,
after which iQueue will process the data as requested and send the
processed files into other folders, which themselves can be hot folders for
other queues.
The Queue setup shows the various processing options. iQueue is
available in several versions, the main differences being whether it can
process PostScript and PDF or just Raster files. Seen in Fig. 8-24 is iQueue
140, the top of the line version and, as you can see, PostScript and PDF
support is available in the processing options window. The processing
options (called ICC options) seen in Fig. 8-25 provide a number of tabbed
windows for configuring how iQueue handles untagged documents,
output profile processing, and device links. One pane, called Source Pro-
files, is where a user tells iQueue what to assume when it receives
untagged documents for vector and bitmap graphics in various color
spaces. This is much like setting a working space in Photoshop's color set-
tings so an assumption can be made about the color space of untagged
documents for subsequent processing. Naturally if all the documents
were tagged with an embedded profile, this entire window would be
unnecessary.
The Destination Profiles pane is where I can specify what output
profile to use for conversions with this queue. Note that Simulation
Profile allows the usages of a profile for cross-rendering, allowing me to
conduct a three-way conversion. Device Link profiles can be used as well
in iQueue. By clicking the Abstract Profile and picking a Device Link,
iQueue can conduct CMYK-to-CMYK conversions with control over
black generation, such as the
Preserve Black
option, set in the Other Set-
