Separated Multi-File Images (1 Bit)
Separated images (one channel per file) are always multi-file formats. Generally, these images are 1-bit TIFFs, but they can also be 8-bit TIFFs (still only one channel per file). This means that the final image is set up in separate input files. Each file has exactly one color channel. These files need to be merged according to the appropriate pattern for this file type to generate the output image.
The following table gives an overview on possible combinations for different input images. With a description file, a pattern recognition is not required (— in Merge Files column).
| Image type | Filters | Merge Files |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bit TIFF (.tif) | TIFF | Generic 1-bit, Subfolder as Image, FUJIFILM CelebraNT, or custom pattern recognition |
| 1-bit TIFF (.tif, .tifs) with Sep (.sep) description file | GMG RipServer .sep | — |
| 1-bit TIFF Barco/Esko LEN (.len, .tif) | Barco LEN | Barco Flex RIP |
| 1-bit Presstek | Presstek |
Merging 1-bit TIFFs by using a description (sep) file
1-bit TIFF images can be defined by a description file that exactly specifies which separations will be merged to a single image. A description file is basically a text file that lists the exact file names of all separations. The sep file is automatically generated together with the corresponding 1-Bit TIFFs by the RIP.
To use a sep file, you need to select GMG RipServer sep in the File Format Filter list of the workflow (see preceding table). Otherwise, the sep file would be ignored and the 1-bit TIFFs would be processed as separate images. Under Color Depth Filter, you need to select 1-bit. Otherwise, the workflow would not recognize 1-bit images at all.
You can select the sep file when creating a manual job or adding an image to a job. All 1-bit TIFFs that are configured in the sep file are automatically loaded into GMG ColorProof.
Merging 1-bit TIFFs by pattern recognition
If there is no such description file, you need to set up a pattern recognition (see "Pattern Recognitions") that defines which files will be combined to the printed image and which file holds the information for which color channel. For example, the pattern recognition Generic 1-bit describes separation files with the naming convention "<file name>_<color channel>", for example "_black.tif" for the black channel.
If multiple workflows are linked to the same hotfolder, the top workflow in the list that uses a 1-bit TIFF file filter will process the image, regardless of whether this workflow has a suitable pattern recognition or not. This could lead to printing separations as separate images. Therefore, take care that the Filters and Merge Files settings of all your workflows do not result in ambiguities or conflicts.