Dolev 800/800V/800V² - Brisque Application Issues
Exposing Files

Overview
Exposure Layouts - Dolev 800
Exposure Media
Choosing a Layout Size
The Library
Exposing

Overview

This section explains how to expose media on the Dolev 800 Laser imagesetter. The workstation sends all the file and plotting instructions to your Dolev 800 imagesetter. You can expose film on Dolev 800 with the following file types:

1. Scitex LW files.
2. Scitex CT files.
3. Scitex CT files through CreoScitex LW files.
4. Scitex Book files created from Macintosh Imposition files using the CreoScitex Imposition feature.
5. Final Layout (FLYT) files produced with Execute.

Exposure Layouts- Dolev 800

The Dolev 800 has a wide variety of exposure layouts:

    A4 x 8     210 x 297 (8)
    A 3x 4     297 x 420 (4)
    A2 x 2     420 x 594 (2)
    A1 x 1     594 x 841 (1)

    B4 x 8     250 x 353 (8)
    B3 x 4     353 x 500 (4)
    B2 x 2     500 x 707 (2)
    B1 x 1     707 x 1000 (1)

    812 mm H x 1117 mm W

You have the option to select the exposure layout or to let the software find the ideal layout option. You also have the option to expose "flats". A flat is a single separation (C,Y,M,B) of an image or images.

Exposure Media

You should be familiar with the different areas on the output media. This can be helpful in understanding how to position files. The optional gray scale appears at the top of the film. A space of 6 mm is reserved for the gray scale.

The label is at the base of the film. A space of 6 mm is reserved for the label. The label information can include the file name, the separation (CMYB), the date and time (in the format day-month-year time: 09- MAY-93 15:37), and a short remark.

Note: The amount of information you can enter is limited to the width of the file. For small files, select either no label, or a brief note. When the software reaches the limit of the label and remark area, it first reduces the size of the characters. If there is still not enough room, it removes characters from the right of the label/remark area.

Choosing a Layout Size

The Dolev 800 software calculates the ideal layout for each exposure. There is no need to choose a layout format (such as: 1 UP, 2 UP, 4 UP, or an 8 page layout) unless you need a specific layout. Dolev 800 selects whichever format best optimizes the film space. However, here are the calculations to follow when you want to select the layout:

The maximum film size that Dolev 800 handles is 812 mm H x 1117 mm W (32" x 44"). The layouts below take into account a minimum inter separation gap of 4 mm and some overhead (6 mm gray scale, 6 mm label in the file height).

The Library

Overview
Library Hierarchy

Overview

All of your work elements are organized in the Library. The information is stored on your station's hard disk.

To keep your work organized properly, place all of the Files related to one task (a magazine page for example) in hierarchical directories called Jobs and Pages. A directory is a sub-division of the Library.

Library Hierarchy

Overview
Job Directory
Page Directory

Overview

The computer disk is like an electronic filing cabinet with Jobs, Pages and files.

The cabinet contains one or several drawers - these represent the Jobs. Each drawer is labeled. The label on a drawer represents the Job name, and can be used to dedicate the job to a specific task or a specific user.

Each Job drawer can contain labeled folders - these represent the Pages. Each folder, in turn, contains items that represent the Files. They can be Continuous-tone pictures, and/or Linework pictures or Final Layout files.

Job Directory

A Job (directory) is the uppermost unit in the Library. In our filing cabinet comparison, Jobs are the labeled drawers. Each Job contains all the information related to one finished piece.

For example: A Job may be an issue of a magazine, a catalog, or a brochure. A Job may also be a directory identifying a specific user. Use this method to distinguish the work of one user from that of another.

When you use the Library, you usually begin by selecting a Job name. The system locates the appropriate drawer, opens it, and tells you what folders you have inside. The folders represent Pages.

Page Directory

A Page (directory) is the work unit directly below a Job in the hierarchy. Pages are the folders in our comparison and each Job can contain one or more Pages. Pages hold the information needed to create the actual pages within the finished piece.

For example: A Job of a 32-page catalog contains 32 Pages, each with its individual Files. When you select a Page name, the system gets the appropriate folder, opens it, and tells you what Files you have inside.

Exposing

Step One: Select the Dolev 800 Imagesetter
Reminder about selecting I/O workstation options
Step Two: Selecting a File
Step Three: Exposing Your Scitex Files
Expose - Dolev 800 Input Fields
Function Key Options

Step One: Select the Dolev 800 Imagesetter

Standard Output (without Imposition)

At this point your imagesetter is powered on. You have loaded the film and are ready to expose your images. You have the job list with the files you are to produce. You may or may not have decided on the film layout: how to optimally place the images on the film. If you do not have a preference, use the software-selected image arrangement for your film.

Go to the I/O station Main Functions menu.
Select 2. Plot/Proof.
Select 1. Raystar/Dolev from the Plotter Type menu.

Reminder about selecting I/O workstation options

I/O station soft keys are designated by parenthesis enclosing the letter F and the key number, 1-8.

For example: F1 is the first soft key on the Exposure form. The first row on your keyboard contains the F1key.

Step Two: Selecting a File

Overview
How to Undo a Selection
Source File Soft Key Options

Overview

Once you select the imagesetter, choose the specific Job, Page and file you want to expose. You list this information on the Source Files menu. Fill in the name of your Job/Page and file. When you reach each field (Job, Page, file), the list of available choices appears.

On the Source Files menu, use the arrow keys to highlight the Job. Press List <F4> to receive the list of Jobs. Select a Job. Each Job is numbered. You can enter the number on the command line and press the <Enter> key.

Select your Page and file in the same way you selected your Job.

Highlight a file and press <Enter>. Now you are ready to move into the exposure sequence.

How to Undo a Selection

You may decide to work on a file other than the one you selected. The correction is performed in two steps:

Highlight the file on the Source File menu. Press the Space Bar to erase the selected file.

Select List <F4>. Highlight the file on the Plot File list. You can also type the file name or number on the command line and press <Enter>.

To move from the Plot Files menu to the Source Files menu, select a Plot File and press <Enter>, or press Back <F7>.

Perform the same steps to undo/select a new Job/Page.

Source File Soft Key Options

Once you select a Job/Page/file, you receive the soft keys below:

Step Three: Exposing Your CreoScitex Files

Overview
LW/CT Files
CT Offset

Overview

Some of the information on the form you receive to expose images depends on the type of file you chose to expose. This is explained below.

FLYT Files    If you selected a Final Layout file, you receive the form below:

To view the Final Layout parameters, select a FLYT file. Select the Main Functions menu. Select File Mode and press Start Work <F1>. You receive the FLYT Functions menu. Select 1. Parameters. The menu contains all of the final layout parameters.

LW/CT Files

When you expose a LW or CT file, you have the option of exposing the CT through a LW:

The LW Name (or CT Name) field contains the name of the selected file.

To expose a CT through a LW, follow the directions below:

If you start work on the LW file through which you want to expose a CT, enter the CT file name in the field.

If you started work on the CT, enter the LW file name.

If you do not want to expose a CT file through a LW file, leave this field blank.

CT Offset

When you expose a CT through a LW you can also specify the point on the top left corner of the CT that lines up with the top left corner of the LW.

Expose - Dolev 800 Input Fields

General
Page (Layout) Name
Format
Cassette
Separations
Layout
Step and Repeat Using 1 Up
Flat/NewFlat
Expose Offset

General

You use this form to supply the imagesetter with exposure instructions. Fill in the form as follows:

Page (Layout) Name

The Page Name field contains the name of the FLYT file that you selected with Start Work.

Format

This field indicates the Dolev 800 Format that you want to use for the exposure. The format specifies Excurve, Dot Gain, Half Resolution, image (negative/positive, mirror) angle, mesh, and dot type, etc.

Enter one of the defined formats, or leave blank to accept the standard format.

Note:

1. You may receive the message: "File resolution does not match format resolution. Mesh will be changed." If you are exposing a LW, the exposure is based on the LW resolution, and the mesh is changed accordingly.
2. Select Plotter Formats <F5>, for a complete list of the available Formats.

Cassette

Unless you have a specific cassette that you require the system to use, the Dolev 800 selects the ideal cassette for exposing film. To override the imagesetter, you can select the cassette on this form. Just toggle the Space Bar until your choice appears in the box. Make the selection and press <Enter> to confirm your choice.

Cassette [] (S/M/L)

Separations

This field tells Dolev 800 the separations you want to expose. Enter one to four separations (any combination of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black: Ex., C or CM or CMY or CMYB).

Layout

The Layout field indicates how you want to position separations on the film. If you specify Auto (default), the system decides on optimal positioning for one to four     separations, according to the dimensions of the page. Alternatively, you can indicate one of the following placements, according to file size and type:

To select a layout, type in the selection over Auto. You do not need to erase Auto. The moment you press a key in this field, the word Auto disappears. This is not a toggle field.

Step and Repeat Using 1 Up

Use this option to expose the same separation of the same file a number of times on the same piece of film.

The feature is very handy for producing multiples of the same image. For instance, a logo, playing cards, or label. The only limitation is film size. Select 1 Up and three other fields appear:

Expose Offset: (H,W) ___
Repeat:     H ___    W ___
Gap:          H ___    W ___

Use Expose Offset to specify the starting point on the film for the file to appear. "H" represents height and "W" represents width. The offset is in addition to the preset offset set for the machine.

Enter the number of times to place the file on film in the Repeat field. Enter the gap between file exposures on film on the Gap (H,W) field. You have the option of selecting a gap of 0,0. This is useful if the file itself contains space or bleeds around the edges. It is also useful when exposing files that form a continuous pattern.

Flat/NewFlat

This option allows you to expose one separation (C,M,Y,B) of several files on the same piece of film.

Enter the starting coordinates for the first file. Dolev 800 calculates all other starting coordinates. The files are arranged in the same position on each separation.

The imagesetter calculates the optimal layout on film. You can send up to 100 flats for exposure.    

Use NewFlat to build the next group of flats. When you select NewFlat, the computer begins to calculate the next piece of film, even if space remains on the current film.

Expose Offset

Enter the offset of the file that you are exposing relative to the offset (0,0) of the film. The imagesetter calculates the position of any additional files on the layout. You can skip this field. The system supplies the value.

Function Key Options