Computers and Software > Separation Programs

Seperations Studio Software

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Fluid:

--- Quote from: Frog on December 04, 2011, 11:23:54 AM ---My understanding on all separation software, is that none of them are fully automated, and all require some user tweaking to optimize results.

--- End quote ---

You are absolutely correct.  I have found that most of the sep software will yield a decent separation from  a click of the button yet nothing that will separate you a part from your competition.  Having a good understanding of all separation methods, Spot, Simulated, Index as well as true 4 color process will make these programs worth while. My self, I have been using Fast Films, Now T Seps (i believe) since it was first introduced. I use the prog for a starting point yet on average spend at minimum, 1-2 hours tweaking the seps.  Sometimes I cant even get a good starting point and just do them myself the old school way.   Saving an hour or so on a separation job means mroe money in the pocket and the opportunity to get on to the next job.

If you already have a sep program, why purchase another one.  Get down and dirt and learn it.  I know it sometimes seems like it could take forever, yet once you learn it, you will be spending more time designing and printing rather than separating which mean more money.

ravenmark:
I have not used this version but I did use all of the versions before it all the way back to it being just a PS add on with great results. I always used Photoshop version 5.5, after running the seps, for adjustments though with channels set to selection. Channels previewed that way in PS 5.5 was a ton more accurate (on how spots actually print) than later versions where they now look washed out. After Adobe changed the way channels previewed on a comp screen Freehand came out with viewrite, the predecessor to this version, for the correct previewing of spot colors. It is pretty much what you see is what you get on the shirt if you use their color set & print order. Not many peeps still have a version of PS 5.5 or earlier laying around and if you do it does not seem to run on windows 7 anymore. That being said Seperations Studio may be a plus if you are a real visual type person. From what I see this version also has a lot of bells and whistles previous versions did not for straight up simulated seps. If you are using something else though with great results it is quite the chunk of change for the addition of the awesome preview feature. If you do not have a sep program i do believe it is top notch compared to the other options out there. If you are low on USB ports it does require a dongle. Dane Clements of Great Dane Graphics is a long time user of it and has a ton of great tutorials out there.

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