Does someone have actual experience using ImageMagick as a CMYK conversion tool? I can do the conversion easily, but it is quite complicated to evaluate how good the conversion from RGB is. I can compare with Photoshop's CMYK conversion, but to really see if it's working, I would need a real offset print, which is too much for testing.

Is there anyone who works in Linux and uses ImageMagick or some other open source tools for CMYK conversion? Experiences? Tips for evaluating?

(For clarification, I need RGB conversion, any Pantone etc. workaround solution is not possible... )

Hi, I don´t know how to do that in ImageMagick.
But with Gmic you can use this command: " -cmyk2rgb"

Hi, gjg, you probably mean -rgb2cmyk, no? However, because that doesn't take ICC profile, I guess it's just a way to make G'MIC compatible to CMYK type files, not to make print work. There's a big difference, unfortunately. But like would be a lot easier, if there wasn't. I personally blame Adobe for this.

I CAN make CMYK conversions. But I don't want to be restricted to Photoshop. If there is good enough open source solution, preferably with a Linux native code, I would be very interested. I know there has been several attempts for this, but no-one seems to know if the quality is good enough already.

Hm. Just loaded Separate+ (GIMP CMYK conversion plugin) and I think I have had worse results with it earlier. It could be that my Linux package management has upgraded it...

Any opinion on Separate+ currently?

C'mon people, there *has* to be some of you who make prints, because there are *so* many talented artists here!

Not for some time, either for IM or separate+ or anything else. The best way is still to start and finish in CMYK, which generally means PS. Now blessed with an extremely talented, conscientious, local printer who can produce posters, cards etc, far better than I can



That is the problem, monitor need to be calibrated, even then soft proofing is variable at best, there is no substitute for a print. Best advice Get a proof print before ordering 1000 copies



I can only point to a couple of possibilities.
CMYKtool http://www.blackfiveimaging.co.uk/ You will have to compile it yourself, but that is not difficult.
looks like this http://i.imgur.com/TkxsLHZ.jpg

Krita, look in your linux repo. My version in PClinuxOS (KDE 4.13.3 Krita 2.8.6) is a bit flaky when it comes to large images but usually works

looks like this. http://i.imgur.com/yxli08F.jpg

Then there is Scribus, which I do not use so I cannot comment.


@ gjg The really basic syntax for IM is



edit:

The only prints I get these days tend to be photographic panoramas,
RGB 300 ppi, so can be larg-ish. Laser printing on photographic paper, no need to convert to CMYK

Hi rich2005, thanks for the info! Now I have 4 options (Gimp+Separate+, ImageMagick, Krita and CMYKTool, which I just compiled). I agree, proof print is a good idea, but if I have a good process before that phase, I can save a lot of work. I'm skeptical about soft proofing, but of course I'll use it too (Separate+ has nice option for that and I guess PDF reader + calibrated monitor is another way). Scribus will be used for layout and PDF making.

Anyway, any quality-related information would be valuable. This kind of experience is very rare and I'm sure that it will benefit many here. Internet gallery publication is nice, but prints (magazine images, posters, you name it) are still the way to go if you want earn some money. Greedy, I know, but I want eat and even feed my family.

I wish you all the best on your endevours, hopefully someone will offer the advice you want.

In the meantime

http://www.creativebloq.com/design/ques ... ter-111138