DotSpy 4.5

User Manual

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Table Of Contents

1. Introduction

2. DotSpy Menu

2.1 Preferences ............................................. 62.1.1 Save Preferences .............................................62.1.2 License ............................................................62.1.3 Units ................................................................7

2.1.4 Display ............................................................. 92.1.5 Save .............................................................. 12

2.2 Quit DotSpy ........................................... 12

3. File Menu

3.1 Open File ............................................... 14

3.2 Open Job Folder .................................... 14

3.3 Notes ..................................................... 14

3.4 Load Guides .......................................... 15

3.5 Save Guides .......................................... 16

3.6 Save Selection ....................................... 16

3.7 Save Selection Merged .......................... 16

3.8 Save Link File ......................................... 16

3.9 Save for Dry Offset ................................. 16

3.10 Close ................................................... 17

3.11 Close All ............................................... 17

4. Edit Menu

4.1 Select All ................................................ 18

4.2 Select Rectangle .................................... 184.2.1 outside the selection ......................................184.2.2 on one of the lines of the selection ................. 184.2.3 inside the selection ......................................... 18

4.3 Select Size ............................................. 19

4.4 Copy Selection ....................................... 19

4.5 Show Small Dots .................................... 19

5. View Menu

5.1 Undo View ............................................. 20

5.2 Fit in Window ......................................... 20

5.3 Actual Size ............................................. 20

5.4 Actual Pixels .......................................... 20

5.5 Zoom In ................................................. 20

5.6 Zoom Out .............................................. 21

5.7 Repaint .................................................. 21

5.8 Pan ........................................................ 21

DotSpy 4.5 User ManualTable of Contents T

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5.9 Zoom Rectangle .................................... 21

5.10 Distance .............................................. 22

5.11 2 Point Distance ................................... 23

5.12 Guides ................................................. 23

5.13 Densitometer ....................................... 23

5.14 Raster Analyser .................................... 24

5.15 Bar Code Analyser ............................... 24

5.16 Toggle Antialias .................................... 27

5.17 Keep windows in sync ......................... 27

5.18 Show/hide toolbar ................................ 27

5.19 Show Info ............................................. 28

5.20 Show Separations ................................ 295.20.1 All / Single Separation .................................. 295.20.2 Opaque ........................................................ 295.20.3 Show Differences Only ................................. 295.20.4 Defining / redefining inks .............................. 295.20.5 Change Separation Order ............................ 31

5.21 Show Separations Extended ................ 31

5.22 Show Navigation window ..................... 32

5.23 Calculate Ink Coverage ........................ 32

5.24 Show Seamless ................................... 32

6. Window Menu

6.1 Minimize ................................................ 34

6.2 Bring all to front ..................................... 34

6.3 Cycle through windows .......................... 34

6.4 Merge windows ..................................... 34

6.5 Separate windows ................................. 34

6.6 RectoVerso windows ............................. 35

6.7 Tile Vertical / horizontal / panes / stack .. 35

6.8 Windows ................................................ 35

Chapter 1. Introduction

DotSpy is an additional application to preview and measurescreened one-bit TIFF files, FlexRIP LEN files, and eight-bit TIFFfiles.

DotSpy can run based on a server license (EskoArtwork Server Li-cense Manager), or based on a license coming along with NexusServer. If no license was found, the preference dialog will open uponstarting DotSpy Server License, allowing to define where DotSpycan find the EskoArtwork License Server or Nexus Server. AfterSetting the preferences, the application will save the settings andquit. When restarting DotSpy Server License, the license as definedin the preferences can be used.

DotSpy can be used to open one or more one-bit TIFF files, FlexRipLEN files, or eight-bit single separation images. DotSpy 4.5 canopen most composite images too.If a folder is opened, all files in the folder will be merged, allowing toview all separations of a job.

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Chapter 2. DotSpy Menu

2.1. Preferences

In the DotSpy menu, the preferences can be opened.

When starting DotSpy Server License and no license can be detect-ed, the License dialog will open upon startup in order to define thelicense (see below). The Preferences can also be opened using itsshortcut: q - , (comma)

2.1.1 Save Preferences When clicking the Save Preferences button, the preferences will besaved in the /Users/(username)/Library/Preferences/ folder, in a filenamed “DotSpy Preferences”.

2.1.2 License • License ServerNext to License Server you can define where DotSpy should finda license to run from. When set to "Nexus", DotSpy will search fora site license on the Nexus Server address defined below. Whenset to "EskoArtwork License Server", DotSpy will look for a li-cense on the EskoArtwork License Server on the address definedbelow. More information on the EskoArtwork License Server isavailable in the EskoArtwork Server License Manager User Man-ual.

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DotSpy 4.0 User ManualDotSpy Menu 2

2.1.3 Units

• DimensionsThe Dimensions allow to define what unit will be used to show di-mensions in the selection size and measure dialogs. The defaultis Pixel.

• LineaturesThe Lineatures allow to define what unit will be used to show Lin-eatures in the Separation window. Possibilities are lines/inch andlines/cm.

• AnglesWhen screening is measured, normally an angle between 0 and90º is shown. However when line screens or elliptical screens aredetected, an angle can be shown in a 0 - 180º range, or in a -90º-- +90º range, according to the setting of the Angles preferences.

• DirectionThis defines the Direction used for angles : counter clockwise(CCW) or clockwise (CW)

• Zero AtThis defines the zero point for angles: north (up), east (right),south (down) or west (left).

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• DensitiesDensities allow to define whether densities should be represent-ed in percentages (0...100%) or in system values (0...255)

• Density AreaUsing the Density Area, the area to be measured with the Densi-tometer can be defined. The default is an area of 8 by 8 pixels.Other possibilities are 4 x 4, 2 x 2 or 1 dot measurement.

• DensityIf Density is set to “as in file”, DotSpy will use the polarity (negativeor positive, black or white) from the file to calculate densities, andwill NOT take the positive / negative preview setting into account.If Density is set to “As on display”, the polarity of the preview onscreen is used.

• Ink CoverageThe Ink Coverage allows to find if ink coverage should be repre-sented in % (of the total surface), in square mm or in square inch.Note that the Ink Coverage is calculated using the polarity of thefile. A positive or negative preview on the screen does NOT influ-ence the Ink Coverage.

• Info UnitsThis allows to define if info from the file itself should be shown inthe units defined in the file (As in File) or defined in the preferences(As in Preferences).

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DotSpy 4.0 User ManualDotSpy Menu 2

2.1.4 Display

• Monitor SizeBy setting the size of the Monitor, the Actual Size function willwork correctly.

• Grid SizeThe Grid defines a grid shown in light grey lines. If the Grid dis-tance is too small, or the zoom too low, the grey lines of the gridwill not be shown. If Grid size is set to 0 pixels, no grid will beshown. Default is a 1 pixel grid.

• Sort SeparationsThe Sort Separations option allows to prepare the Tiffs for use inDry Offset. At least 2 separations are needed.If Sort Separation is set to “For Dry Offset”, DotSpy will order theseparation on lightness, upon merging the separations for a com-posite preview.The first separation, on top in the separation window, will be thedarkest, the lightest will be at the bottom.

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This order is important when outputting to Dry Offset (see 3.9.Save for Dry Offset on page 16). The order of separations canstill be changed manually by the user.The sorting is done based on a gray value calculated for everyseparation color.

• MirroredDefines the mirroring of the current docu-ment. Possibilities are no (leave unchanged),flip vertical, flip horizontal or flip both ( result-ing in an unmirrored file placed upside down). Mirroring can alsobe defined by the Flip buttons in the toolbar. By clicking the Save Preferences button, the current settings aredefined to be used when starting the application. This can beuseful e.g. when all images are created mirrored, so the imageswill be mirrored again when opening in DotSpy.

• RotatedDefines the rotation of the current document.Possibilities are no (leave unchanged), clockwise,or counter clockwise. The rotation can also bedefined by the Rotate buttons in the toolbar. By clicking the Save Preferences button, the current settings aredefined to be used when starting the application. This can beuseful e.g. when all images are created rotated, so the images willbe rotated again when opening in DotSpy.

• InvertedAllows to invert the current document. This can alsobe defined by the Invert buttons in the toolbar. By clicking the Save Preferences button, the currentsettings are defined to be used when starting the application.This can be useful e.g. when all images are created negative, sothe images will be inverted when opening in DotSpy.

• ColoredUsing this option, you can define if you want to see thefile in black & white (as it would appear on film) or inthe actual color (as it would appear on press). Thissetting can also be defined by the Color buttons in the toolbar.

• Anti-AliasWith the Anti-aliased toggle, you can swap back and forth be-tween bitmap and grayscale mode. If bitmap mode is active (seebelow on the left), all pixels from a one-bit TIFF are shown onscreen as 0% or 100%, without any grays in between. If the An-tialiasing is on (see below at the right), the one-bit TIFF will be an-

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DotSpy 4.0 User ManualDotSpy Menu 2

tialiased to screen resolution, offering a smoother view.

The toggle can be switched by selecting the function in the menu,or by its shortcutShortcut: q - T, Toggle Anti-aliased

• SeparationsThe choice can be made between the normal or the wide dialog.The wide dialog contains angle, lines/inch and measure densityinformation.

• Show Name ofThe Show Name of setting defines where DotSpy retrieves thenames for the separations. If set to File, DotSpy will always showthe complete filename. If set to Separation, DotSpy will read the name for the separationfrom the color tag. If the TIFFs don’t have a color tag, DotSpy willtry to derive the separation name from the filename (e.g.Jobname621_cyan.TIFF will result in separation “Cyan” in theseparation window).

• Dim VersoIf a R/V view is shown (see later), this option can be used to de-termine if the Verso side should be shown dimmed or at full den-sity.

• Minimum DotThe Minimum Dot size (defined in pixels) is used when applying“Show Small Dots”. See 4.5. Show Small Dots on page 19 formore information on this function.Note that you can only change the preference if the separation di-alog is closed !

• ThresholdThe Threshold option can be used when analyzing eight-bit TIFFswith 3D screening parameters. These TIFFs, created by OdystarRIP, not only define the size of the dots, but also their depth(hence 3D screening). If Threshold is switched on, the eight-bitTIFFs are previewed in black&white instead of grey. All values

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above (or below, depending on the polarity of the preview) thethreshold are shown as white, All values below (or above) areshown as black.

2.1.5 Save

• CompressionThis allows to set the Compression used when saving. The de-fault is CCITT3. Other possibilities are CCITT4, LZW, Flate, Pack-bits and “As Input File”. This last means that the samecompression method as in the original file will be used.

• Preview ResolutionThis allows to set the Preview Resolution (in dpi) used when sav-ing a selection (See below).

2.2. Quit DotSpy

The Quit function quits the DotSpy application. This can also be ac-tivated by its shortcut : q - x - Q

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DotSpy 4.0 User ManualDotSpy Menu 2

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Chapter 3. File Menu

3.1. Open File

Clicking the Open File allows to open a single separation file. Thebrowse window allows to navigate to the file you want to open. Dot-Spy can open and show one-bit screened TIFF files or FlexRip LENfiles, and grayscale eight-bit images. Also 3D-screened eight-bitTIFFs from Odystar RIP are supported.DotSpy can open several files at once. Just use Shift to add files tothe selection. Every selected one-bit TIFF or FlexRip LEN file willopen in a separate window.Shortcut : q - O : open file

3.2. Open Job Folder

Clicking the Open Job Folder allows to open a folder containingone-bit TIFF files or FlexRip LEN files. The browse window allows tonavigate to the folder you want to open. All one-bit TIFF files foundin the folder will be merged in a single window.

This can be used e.g. to select a job folder from Nexus, merging allseparations into one single window. The TIFF files are aligned ontheir top left corner.Shortcut : q - z - O : open Job Folder

3.3. Notes

The Notes... submenu provides functions to place notes on an job.These notes can then be saved in a separate file.

If a note file is saved in the same folder where the original Tiff file is,the notes file will be opened automatically when the Tiff file isopened. Therefore, the name of the notes file should be the nameof the original file, with “.not” attached to it.

• Note FileThe note file is a small file that can be sent back to the productionsite to pass the remarks. The icon of a note file is identical to anArtPro icon, but has a small note on it.

• Edit• activate Edit by the Note tool in the toolbar.

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• clicking in the job window will create a note• clicking in a note will select the note and allow you to edit it.

• ClearClear deletes the active note.

• Clear AllClear All deletes all the notes.

• HideHide hides the active note.

• Show AllShow All shows all hidden notes.

• Open...Open allows you to open a note file. The note file is positionedwith its top left corner to the top left corner of the job size. If youhave changed the job size, the positioning of the notes may notbe correct.So it is important to keep the job size of the ArtPro file unmodified,once you have created a note file on it.

• Save...Save allows you to save the note file. The dialog box that appearsallows you to give a name to the note file and decide where thecomputer should store it.

• Save As Text...Using the Save As Text function saves all notes from the job inone single text file.

3.4. Load Guides

The Load Guides function allows to load a Guides file saved earlier,using the “Save Guides” function. The reference point will be placedon the top left corner of the job, even if there is already a Ruler. Ifthe saved Guides file contains a Ruler, an existing ruler will changeto a set of guides.

For more on Guides, see 5.12. Guides on page 23.

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3.5. Save Guides

The Save Guides function allows to save the defined Guides into aGuides file. This Guides file can then be loaded using the LoadGuides function. The center of the Ruler (or if there is no Ruler thetopleft corner of the job) is used as reference point. For more onGuides, see 5.12. Guides on page 23.

3.6. Save Selection

The Save Selection function allows to create a new file of the selec-tion, and only of the first visible separation. When using the SaveSelection, a browse window allows to define the name and locationfor the file to be created.Shortcut : q - S : Save Selection

3.7. Save Selection Merged

The Save Selection Merged function allows to create a new file ofthe selection, merging all visible separations into one file. When us-ing the Save Selection Merged, a browse dialog allows to definename and location for the file.Shortcut : q - x - z - S : Save Selection Merged

3.8. Save Link File

Creates an EPS link file referencing to the open image files. ThisEPS Link file can be used in a Nexus Workflow.Shortcut : q - x - S : Save Link File

3.9. Save for Dry Offset

Save for Dry Offset allows to prepare the TIFFs for use in Dry Offset.All active separations from the separation list will be saved as Tifffiles, using the compression as defined in the preferences.

For use in Dry Offset, the overlapping parts of the dots will be re-moved from the darkest separation. If you look at the Compositepreview of the resulting one-bit TIFFs, no overlapping dots will showanymore. The reason for this is that Dry Offset uses a rather thick

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layer of opaque inks. This Save for Dry Offset option should be usedin combination with “Sort Separations”. See Sort Separations onpage 9 for more information.

Save for Dry Offset can also be combined with a selection. Only theselected area will be modified for Dry Offset. This allows you to se-lect the region to convert whilst keeping a border which can stillcontain registration marks, additional information, etc.

3.10. Close

This function closes the active job window.Shortcut : q - W : Close job

3.11. Close All

This function closes all open job windows.Shortcut : q - z - W : Close all jobs

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Chapter 4. Edit Menu

4.1. Select All

Sets the selection in the active job window to the complete job. Theselection is represented by a set of blue lines.

Shortcut : q - A : Select All

4.2. Select Rectangle

Allows to draw a selection rectangle manually in the job window.The function can be activated in the edit menu, by its shortcut q -B or by its toolbar button. The selection is represented by a set ofblue lines. The measure tool works magnetic to the blue selectionlines.

How the Select Rectangle tool reacts, depends on where you drag

4.2.1 outside the selection

When clicking outside the selection, the cursor changes to the Se-lect Rectangle cursor. By clicking and dragging, you define two cor-ners for the selection rectangle

4.2.2 on one of the lines of the selection

When clicking on one of the lines of the selection, the cursor chang-es to a double sided arrow. By clicking and dragging, you can movethat selected side of the selection rectangle, or, when clicking on acorner, you can change that corner. In the latter case, the cursor willbe a diagonal double sided arrow. The lines that will be changed arecolored red.

4.2.3 inside the selection

When clicking inside the selection, the cursor changes to the MoveRectangle cursor. By clicking and dragging, you can move the Se-lection rectangle.

Shortcut : q - B : Select Rectangle

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DotSpy 4.5 User ManualEdit Menu 4

4.3. Select Size

Allows to enter the dimensionsof the Selection numerically. Byclicking the Select Size func-tion, the dialog will open. Enter-ing values without units aretaken in the units defined in thePreference dialog. Values entered with a different unit will be recal-culated and shown in the unit defined in the preferences.

Shortcut : q - z - B : Select Rectangle

4.4. Copy Selection

Copies the selection onto the Clipboard. This selection will be sim-ilar to the view at the moment of copying.

Shortcut : q - C : Copy Selection

4.5. Show Small Dots

Show Small Dots is an option that allows to detect dots smaller thana defined value. Every cluster of pixels containing fewer pixels thanthe entered minimum dot will get a red rectangle around them. Thiscan be used to detect small dots that might get lost in plate copy-ing.

The minimum dot size is defined in the preferences. See MinimumDot on page 11.

The minimum dot is defined in pixels and can only be changed if nojobs are open.

Show Dots can be switched on and off in the Edit menu, or usingits shortcut, q - D

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Chapter 5. View Menu

5.1. Undo View

Undo View cancels the last View change. This could be zoom in orout, or a pan. Changes made in Show Separations are not changedwith Undo view. A 2nd undo will undo the 1st, so it can be used e.g.to switch between a zoom and a total view. It can be activated inthe menu or by its shortcut.

Shortcut: q - M : Undo View

5.2. Fit in Window

Fit in Window displays the job as big as possible in the active win-dow. The function can be activated in the menu or by its shortcut :q - F, Fit in window

5.3. Actual Size

Actual Size will show the job at 100% zoom. How accurate the sizeis, depends of course of the settings of your screen. It is not recom-mended to measure distances on your screen, as these might notbe completely correct.

5.4. Actual Pixels

Actual Pixels will show the job at a zoom factor so that 1 image pixelmatches 1 screen pixel. This can be activated in the menu or by itsshortcutShortcut: q - 1, Actual Pixels

5.5. Zoom In

Zoom In enlarges the job display. Each time it’s applied, the job isdisplayed twice as large as before. In DotSpy you can zoom in toapprox 4mio %. It can be activated by choosing Zoom In in the Viewmenu or by its shortcut.

Shortcut: q - =, Zoom in

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5.6. Zoom Out

Zoom Out reduces the document view. Each time you click, thedocument is displayed at half the size factor of the previous view.Zoom Out can be activated by the function in the View menu or byits shortcut.

Shortcut: q - -, Zoom out

5.7. Repaint

Repaint forces the computer to repaint (= refresh) your complete jobwindow.

5.8. Pan

With the Pan function the ArtPro document can be moved aroundin the active window. Pan can be used in two ways:

• by clicking a point and dragging it in the direction and over the dis-tance that the document should move in the window.

• just by clicking, whereby the point you click on will move to thecenter of the window. This can be used to scroll through the docu-ment.

The Pan function can be activated in the View menu, by its toolbaricon (= hand) or by the OPTION key.

5.9. Zoom Rectangle

Zoom Rectangle enlarges or reduces the indicated part of the job inthe window.

The Zoom rectangle to enlarge can be activated:

• by the menu function

• by its toolbar icon (= the magnifying glass)

• by pressing the CONTROL key

It can be used in two ways: first just by clicking in the window,whereby the point you clicked is kept at the same place in the win-dow. The job is displayed twice as large. Second by clicking anddragging a rectangle around the part you want to zoom in on. The

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job is displayed as large as possible with the dragged rectangle atthe center of the window.The Zoom rectangle to reduce can be activated:

• by the menu function in combination with the OPTION (=ALT) key

• by the toolbar icon (= magnifying glass) in combination with theOPTION (=ALT) key

• by the CONTROL button and the OPTION key.

It will reduce the job view, whereby the point you clicked is kept atthe same place. The job is displayed at half size.When dragging instead of clicking, the function will react as Zoomrectangle to enlarge, zooming in on the dragged area.

5.10. Distance

The Measure function allows you to measure thedistance and angle between two points (bydragging) or checking coordinates (by clicking).it can be activated in the View Menu, or by click-ing its toolbar icon.

After selecting the function, click and drag fromone point to another.

Underneath the second cursor position, a pink rectangleis shown, showing 4 values : the angle, the total distance(D), the Vertical distance (Dv) and the Horizontal distance(Dh). The values are shown in the unit defined in the pref-erences dialog.

This can be used to measure lineatures : select lines/inch or lines/cm in the preferences, and measure from one dot to another. Thedistance value as shown in the measured values is the lineature.By holding the Shift key, the measuring angle is constrained to mul-tiples of 15 degrees. When clicking i.o. dragging, the values shownwill be the coordinates of the selected point.

If the vertical or horizontal distance is 0 (i.e. measuring exactly ver-tical or horizontal), the position will be shown i.o. distance. This willbe represented by a V or a H instead of dv or dh.

Hor.

Angle

Vert. Distance

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5.11. 2 Point Distance

The 2 Point Distance works the same as the Distance tool. The dif-ference is that the distance to be measured is defined by 2 clicks.The first click defines the start point, the second defines the secondpoint. Click and drag allows to move the point before setting it.

Shortcut: q - 2, Two Point Distance

5.12. Guides

The Guides function allows to place and move a ruler and guides.By clicking in the job, a set of guides (vertical and horizontal) will becreated.

The first created guide vertical and horizontal will become the ruler: it will have a scaling, and it will determin the origin of the job. Thezero point for the scaling will be in the intersection of both rulers.

If e.g. the vertical ruler is defined, but the horizontal isn’t (it has beenremoved), clicking in the job will create a vertical guide, and a hori-zontal ruler. If there is no (vertical and/or horizontal) ruler, the originwill be at the top and/or left corner of the job.

To move one ruler or guide, click and drag using the Guides tool.To move a vertical and horizontal ruler or guide together, click anddrag the intersection. To remove a ruler or guide, move over it usingthe Guides tool, so that it highlights, and hit the backspace key.

Guides can be saved and loaded using Load Guides and SaveGuides. See 3.4. Load Guides on page 15 and 3.5. Save Guideson page 16.

5.13. Densitometer

The Measure function allows you to measure the density in the job.

After selecting the function, click and drag the area youwant to measure. Underneath the cursor, two values areshown : the number of actual pixels in the area, and theink coverage percentage for that area. The Values per separationare shown in the Show Separation Extended window (see later).

If the function is clicked i.o. dragged, the densitometer size definedin the preferences will be used.

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5.14. Raster Analyser

The Raster Analyser tool analyses the screen of the visible separa-tions, based on the place where the function is applied. Whenclicked, a rectangular zoom area will be shown. All visible separa-tions will be analyzed one by one. The screening angle is shown bymeans of two red lines. Above this preview, a dialog is opened in-dicating the measured screening angle and ruling. The best resultsare achieved by clicking in a mid-tone area. Keep in mind that, de-pending on the place that is analyzed, the angle may be slightly dif-ferent.

The dialog opened showing the angle and ruling, is a modal dialog,meaning all other functions in the application are unavailable untilyou hit the OK button. The information is also shown in the extend-ed view of the separation window.

By holding down the shift key, a + is added in the cursor, and themeasuring square will be twice as big. This can be useful to have amore accurate result on screens with a low ruling, but it will take alonger time to calculate.

5.15. Bar Code Analyser

The Bar Code Analyser can measure barcodes. It will measure thecode, the magnification and the bar with reduction.

Keep in mind that slight deviations between the originally appliedvalues (e.g. bar width reduction entered in the DTP application) andthe values measured in DotSpy can occur. The higher the resolutionof the file, the more accurate the reading result will be. Bar width re-duction values are normally very small, so these are not always rec-ognized.

Reading a bar code is done by dragging a rectangleover a bar code. The reading direction is indicated bya center line, and is determined by the width/heightratio of the dragged rectangle.

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This means you can also drag a “line” over the bar code, the readingdirection will be correct.

If a bar code was recognized, it will be shown in a modular dialog,containing the Bar code type, the code, and (if applicable) the mag-nification (if different than 100%) and bar width reduction. Keep inmind that bar code generating applications are not always using thesame size for 100% magnification, as for some barcodes, the 100%size is not defined in the barcode specifications.

In some cases, there is more than one possible recognition for thebar code, e.g. an ISBN bar code will also be recognized as a EANcode, since the ISBN is based the EAN standards.

If multiple results are found, the dialog will show “...”, and clickingthe OK button will open the next possible result.

Underneath you find an overview of the bar codes that are support-ed.

• APBRecognized as a “Belgian Pharma”.

• CodabarRecognized as a “Traditional Codabar” or a “Codabar”.

• CIP 39 & Code 39Recognized as a “3 of 9” bar code.

• EAN 8 / 13Recognized as a “EAN-8” resp. “EAN-13” bar code.

• JAN 8 / 13Recognized as a “EAN-8” and “JAN-8” bar code (resp. EAN-13and JAN-13).

• PlesseyRecognized as a “MSI-Mod 10”.

• PZNRecognized as a “3 of 9” bar code.

• UPC-ARecognized as a “UPC-A” and as “EAN-13”.

• UPC-ERecognized as a “UPC-E” bar code.

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• MSIRecognized as a “MSI-Mod 10”.

• MSI Mod 11Recognized as a “MSI-Mod 11” and sometimes also as “MSI-Mod 10”.

• Code 32Recognized as a “3 of 9” bar code.The code will differ from the human readable number underneaththe bar code. This is caused by the fact that Code 32 is derivedfrom code 39, but uses an encoding on the code.

• Code 128Recognized as a “Code 128”.

• EAN 128Recognized as a “EAN 128” and as “Code 128”. In case it is rec-ognized as a Code 128, the bar code number is preceeded by“%FNC1”.

• Int. 2 of 5Recognized as a “2 of 5”.

• ITF-14Recognized as a “ITF14” and as “2 of 5”. When measuring anITF-14, the black bearer bars around the bar code do NOT needto be scanned.

• ITF-16Recognized as a “2 of 5”.

• ISBNRecognized as “ISBN-EAN”, “ISBN” and “EAN-13” bar code.

• ISSNRecognized as a “ISSN” and “EAN-13” bar code.

• EAN13 - CouponRecognized as “EAN13 Coupon”.

• UCPA - CouponRecognized as “UCPA Coupon”.

• Marks & SpencerRecognized as a “EAN-8” and “MS 7” bar code.

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5.16. Toggle Antialias

The Anti Alias function (see Anti-Alias on page 10) can be switchedon or off in the View menu, in the Preferences or with its shortcut

Shortcut: q - T, Toggle Antialias

5.17. Keep windows in sync

Keep windows in sync is a function allowing to compare jobs in dif-ferent windows. The idea is to keep both windows at the same scal-ing and panning position. A zoom or pan function done in onewindow will apply the same zoom or pan to all other open windows.

• Example :* open the cyan, magenta and black separation of a job, using theOpen File command, and selecting all three files* Tile windows, e.g. with the Tile Vertical in the Windows menu* switch the Keep Windows in Sync toggle on* change zoom in one of the windows. You will notice the zoomchanging in the other windows as well, allowing to navigatethrough all 3 windows at the same time, with the same zoom andpan

The toggle can be switched on in the View menu, or with its shortcutShortcut: q - K, Keep windows in sync

5.18. Show/hide toolbar

The Show/Hide toolbar function shows or hides the toolbar, con-taining all frequently used functions and buttons. When another application is selected in the Finder, the toolbarslides up a bit, so only the bottom part remains visible. This makesit easy to reactivate DotSpy, simply by clicking somewhere in theToolbar

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5.19. Show Info

The Show Info function opens adialog, containing some info onthe open job.

• SizeThe Print size of the job. If the“Info Units” in preferences isset to “As in File”, the unit as defined in the opened file will beused. If set to “As in Preferences”, the general Dimensions Unitswill be used.See also 2.1.3 Units on page 7.

• ImageThe pixel dimension of the job. The first value is the height, thesecond is the width.

• ResolutionThe Resolution of the one-bit TIFF or FlexRip LEN file, shown inthe unit as defined in the file.

• BitmapThe Bitmap size: the uncompressed size of the image.

• FileThe actual size of the file, taking in account the compression. Theused compression method is shown between brackets (in the ex-ample : PackBits).

• MemoryThe amount of memory used for the file.

• SoftwareThe software that created the image.

• DescriptionThe Description field from the Tiff file. This can be defined e.g inNexus.

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DotSpy 4.5 User ManualView Menu 5

5.20. Show Separations

the Show Separation dialog allows tohide or show some or all separationson the screen. The dialog can beopened by selecting it in the Viewmenu, by using its shortcut q - x -Y or by its toolbar button.

5.20.1 All / Single Separation

By default, all separations are shown. By switching the All checkboxon, all separations will be selected. By switching the All checkboxoff, all separations except the first will be switched off. Regardlessof the setting of this checkbox, separations can be switched on andoff individually.

If only one separation is switched on, the setting of the Single Sep-aration checkbox is taken into account : if the Single Separationcheckbox is on, and a single separation is activated, activating an-other separation will deactivate the first. This makes it very easy tosee all separations one by one. In order to view some of the sepa-rations, either select all and deselect the separations you do notwant to show, or deselect All, switch off the Single Separation andselect the separations you want to see.

5.20.2 Opaque If an ink used in the file is an opaque ink (such as gold, silver, ...)switching the Opaque checkbox next to it will adjust the preview toshow the actual result. When opaque inks are involved, moving theseparation up or down in the list changes the print order, which willbe reflected in the preview.

5.20.3 Show Differences Only

Show Differences Only will only show the exclusion of all shownseparation. This means only the pixels not on top of other pixels willshow. This can be very handy to compare separations. In order todo so, the files need to be opened in the same window. For twoseparations coming from different jobs to be compared, you canput them in a folder, and then open this folder using the Open JobFolder command.

5.20.4 Defining / redefining inks

When opening one or more one-bit TIFF files, DotSpy needs to findthe color representation for the opened one-bit TIFFs. There are 3ways where DotSpy can get the color information

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• Special TagIf the one-bit Tiff was created including Special Tags (see AllowSpecial Tags in the Nexus Manager, Assemble Separation activ-ity), this tags will contain color information that can be used byDotSpy to show separations in the correct colors.

• Ink BookIf the Special Tag is not available, DotSpy will search for the inkinformation in the ink book. If an inkbook is placed in the prefer-ences folder, this inkbook will be used to look up inks. If there isno ink book found in the preferences, DotSpy will use the 6 builtin colors (CMYK, Orange and Green)

• (re)define inks in Show Separations

In the Show Separations dialog, double-clicking on one of thecolor squares (in front of the separation names), opens the inkbook dialog, in which an ink book can be selected, and an ink canbe defined or redefinedClicking on a color will immediately apply it to the active separa-tion in the Separations dialog.The Ink Book is an ASCII file, which e.g. can be found in the Art-Pro application folder. A personalized ink book can also easily becreated with a spreadsheet. The standard ink books, provided byArtwork Systems, are Pantone licensed.

The ink book starts with a standard header. In the header, thenumber of pantone colors defined in the ink book is defined un-der # Colors. The height indicates the number of rows this list will

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DotSpy 4.5 User ManualView Menu 5

be displayed in when selecting this ink book in ArtPro. In the colorlist, the first column contains the ink name, next the defaultscreen angle, the next column contains either a 0 or a 1, definingif the ink should be transparent or opaque by default. The last col-umns are the CMYK (Color on Proofer) and RGB (Color on dis-play) representations of this ink.You could for example add a few text lines in your ink book forgold: Gold 45 1 38 59 73 7 145 97 61

5.20.5 Change Separation Order

Changing the order of the separations can be done by clicking aseparation name (not the color square), and dragging it to the de-sired location. This can be used to manually adjust the separationorder, e.g. for Dry Offset. For more on Dry Offset, see 3.9. Save forDry Offset on page 16 and Sort Separations on page 9

5.21. Show Separations Extended

The Extended Show Separation Menu is available if the option isswitched on in the Preferences., or by clicking the Extend button(the green button in the dialog top line, next to the minimize button)

The Extended part of the Show Separations dialog shows Angleand Lines/Inch for every separation as last measured by the RasterAnalyser tool, and the Densities per separation and Total percent-age as last measured by the Densitometer tool.

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5.22. Show Navigation window

The navigation window is used to definethe preview of the file. Use the sliding barat the bottom to zoom in or out of thedocument. The value at the right showsthe zoom factor and can also be filled inmanually. A small preview of the job isshown above. The red rectangle repre-sents the area of the job being previewed. Click inside and move itto scroll through the job. There is a button for Full Picture, i.e. Fit inWindow (q - F), Fit Selection, Actual size and Actual Pixels (q - 1).

5.23. Calculate Ink Coverage

The Calculate Ink Coverage calculates the ink coverage for all inks,in the units defined in the Preferences : in % of the total surface, insquare mm or in square inch.

Note that the Ink Coverage is calculated using the polarity of the file.A positive or negative preview on the screen does NOT influencethe Ink Coverage.

The Print button opens a regular Mac OS printing dialog, allowingto print the Ink Coverage data, or save it as a PDF.

5.24. Show Seamless

For checking Tiffs or FlexRip LEN files built to create seamless cyl-inders, the seamless fit can be shown. With the three buttons youcan choose between no seamless fit, vertical and horizontal. By

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DotSpy 4.5 User ManualView Menu 5

clicking vertical or horizontal, the job is shown twice, either in verti-cal or horizontal direction, with a red line where the fitting will ap-pear.

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Chapter 6. Window Menu

6.1. Minimize

Minimizes the active window. This is the same as clicking the mini-mize button in the upper left of the window.

6.2. Bring all to front

Will make all minimized windows visible again.

6.3. Cycle through windows

With the Cycle through windows function, you can activate one win-dow after another, in the order they were opened. Cycle throughwindows can be applied in the Window menu, or by its shortcut.Shortcut : q - x - > : cycle through windows

6.4. Merge windows

Will Merge all open windows of the same type as the topmost win-dow, into one combined window. The images are aligned in theirupper left corner. If the topmost window is e.g. a one-bit file, allopen one-bit images will be merged.Shortcut : q - z - M : merge windows

6.5. Separate windows

Opens a separate window for every visible separation, and tilesthese windows.

Shortcut : q - z - R : separate windows

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DotSpy 4.5 User ManualWindow Menu 6

6.6. RectoVerso windows

This function can only be used when two windows are open. TheTopmost window will be merged with a horizontally mirrored versionof the other window. This can be used to check RectoVerso files.If in the Preferences, the option Dim Verso is on, the mirrored file willbe shown at 50% intensity.

If both windows do not have the exact samedimensions, a dialog will open to define thealignment of both files.

6.7. Tile Vertical / horizontal / panes / stack

The Tile Views options defines how the multiplewindows will be displayed. Four standard dis-play options for multiple windows are available :

•Vertical: displays all the windows equally sizedand vertically.

•Horizontal: displays all the windows equallysized and horizontally.

•Panes: all the open windows are pane-wise divided over the fullscreen. This function can also be used if only one file is open. In thatcase, the job window will be changed to match the screen size. Thisview is the only one with a shortcutShortcut: q - z - F, Tile Views, Panes

•Stack: all the open windows are piled up one on top of another sothat only the topmost one is completely visible.

6.8. Windows

The Windows dialog allows you to activate the required window. Allthe windows that are open will appear in the list (see also above un-der New View). Click on one to make it active.

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Index

Numerics

3D screening 11

A

Actual Pixels 20

Actual Size 20

Angles 7

Anti-Alias 10

Toggle 27

B

Bar Code Analyser 24

C

Close 17

Close All 17

Colored 10

Compression 12

Copy Selection 19

D

Densitometer 23

Density 8

Density Area 8

Dim Verso 11

Display 9

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Distance 22

Dry Offset 9, 16, 31

F

Fitfit in window 20

G

Grid 9

Guides 23

Save & Load 15

I

Info 28

Info Units 8

Ink Coverage 8, 32

Inverted 10

L

License Server 6

Link File 16

LoadGuides 15

DotSpy 4.5 User ManualIndex I

M

Measure2 Point Distance 23Distance 22

Minimum Dot 11

Mirror 10

Monitor Size 9

N

Notes 14

O

Open 14

Job Folder 14notes 15

P

Pan 21

Preferences 6

Previewnavigation window 32Preview Resolution 12repaint 21

Q

Quit 12

R

Raster Analyser 24

Recto/VersoDim Verso 11

ResolutionPreview 12

Rotated 10

S

SaveGuides 16Notes 15notes 15Preferences 6Save for Dry Offset 16Save Link File 16Selection 16Selection Merged 16

Screening 7

Raster Analyser 24

Seamless 32

SelectAll 18Rectangle 18Size 19

SelectionCopy 19Save 16Save Selection Merged 16

Separations 11

Order 31Show Name of 11Show Separations 29Sort 9

ShowInfo 28Seamless 32Separations 29Show Name of separations 11Show Small Dots 11

Show Small Dots 19

Sort Separations 9

System values 8

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T

Threshold 11

Toolbar 27

U

Units 7

V

ViewActual Pixels 20Pan 21Windows 34Windows in sync 27

W

Window 35

fit in window 20

Z

ZoomIn & Out 20Rectangle 21

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