Details:
Summary:
UGRA has developed a new test wedge in order to control the rendering of digital generated text and binary-coded images. The new control wedge is a software product stored on a floppy disk. The actual version is written in PostScript but other languages are possible. The line width and halftone dots of the new wedge are not programmed with fixed dimensions; they represent multiples of the dot size of the output system being tested. This allows the testing of each output device according to its recording density. If the control wedge was defined in terms of a fixed line width and dot size the chosen dimensions would either be far to coarse for high resolution systems or far too fine low resolution systems. In the present version both 300 and 3000 dpi laser imagesetters can be tested with the same element. The line width and halftone dots of the new wedge are not programmed with fixed dimensions; they represent multiples of the dot size of the output system being tested. This allows the testing of each output device according to its recording density. If the control wedge was defined in terms of a fixed line width and dot size the chosen dimensions would either be far to coarse for high resolution systems or far too fine low resolution systems. In the present version both 300 and 3000 dpi laser imagesetters can be tested with the same element. The new wedge includes elements already present in conventional test wedges, i.e. vertical and horizontal line elements, dots in Positive and Negative polarity, resolution elements and halftone patches. The new device allows interrogation of certain system parameters. Recording density, the maim parameter, is determined in dpi and the dot size is calculated in microns. Moreover the RIP time is calculated and printed in msec. No particular values have been specified in the case of the screen ruling and halftone dot shape but the default values defined in the system are interrogated. If for example, a digital printer is not programmed to print conventional halftone dots, the control element will render the continuous tones as defined by the output system itself. Other features including a Star target has been included In order to implement this element into practice cooperation between UGRA and FOGRA has been agreed to.