MonacoIT8-TargetReferenceFileCompatibility

[joevitone]

The Epson V750 Pro ships with SilverFast Studio Ai enabled for IT8 calibration as well as Monaco EZ Color. The Monaco IT8 target reference files are not recognized by SilverFast as valid data. The SilverFast IT8 calibration process runs smoothly when initiated and asks for the reference file to be loaded when software is unable to read the (SilverFast's) IT8 target barcode. Once the Monaco reference file is loaded, SilverFast indicates there is no data available. Any suggestions on how to get this target and SilverFast to play nicely together? I wouldn't think one would have to purchase SilverFast targets to get the IT8 function to work, particularly when the Monaco ships w/the scanner (though I imagine SilverFast had nothing to do with this decision likely made by Epson). If no other suggestion than to buy a SilverFast target, any way to get EZ Color profile to be respected by the IT8 function of SilverFast so that the Printer Profile module (yes, it's been purchased and should be there) becomes available. As I understand, Printer Calibration is available only after the IT8 has been used to generate an ICC profile for the scanner. Thanks much.

[LSI_Morales]

Dear Joevitone

You are absolutely right in all your assertions. Although the targets from Monaco EZ color are standard targets, the reference files are not standard compliant, it means those file can only be read and interpreted by Monaco EZ color software. This is the main reason why SilverFast can not use the files for calibration purposes.
You can acquire our targets with the barcode which will allow you to do the full automatic IT8 calibration, or you can get IT8 targets from other manufacturers, the important thing here is to make sure the reference files as well as the targets are standard compliant so they can be read by SilverFast.

Thanks for your interest

Have a nice day

[canvaschris]

I have this very same problem myself!!!

I also have the Monaco iT8 chart which has a date on it, mine is 2006-03-04 On the rear of the chart is the watermark for Kodak Endura paper.

I went to the Kodak website and found a reference file R2200604.Q60... again Silverfast didn't recognize the file extension so I changed it to .TXT just like all of Silverfast's files. I then opened the file in TextEdit (i'm on a Mac) to check it and the file opened with all the detail as found also in the Silverfast files and this one had a chart date of 2006 -April 03. This is definitely the file as there isn't one for March.

When running the calibration, after the scan and lining up the scan area it tells me it is unable to read the barcode... this is because there isn't one... and to locate the reference file. I locate the file and I get the spinning cursor but then nothing, back to the start.

You say that you can get third party charts as long as you get the reference files to go with them. Is there a work around as the Kodak reference file I have is word for word identical to Silverfasts ... except the data values which are obviously chart specific.

Thanks in advance

Chris

[nothappy]

Hi Joevitone

Thanks for describing my problem so accurately. Call me naive, but i consider that an outlay north of 450 GBP for an epson scanner should not place undue obstacles in the path of the end user. I'm disgusted with the poor communication wrt to this matter. How dare the retail oulet bundle inappropriate reference software to the consumer. I CANNOT USE the equipment THAT I PAID FOR.

Both Epson and Silverfast have been vacillating in this affair. This thread is the closest that any of us have had to a straight answer and it amounts to a customer service 'middle finger'. So thankyou Alesandro, i'd like to bid you, your team and your employers to 'have a nice day' too.

[LSI_Morales]

Dear Canvascris,
dear Nothappy,

There seems to be misunderstandings here. When Joe said:

(though I imagine SilverFast had nothing to do with this decision likely made by Epson).

To what i replied: his assertions are right (particularly the one above).

It means Epson decided to ship their scanners with targets created by another company (please understand that EZ color does not have anything to do with SilverFast).

But the problem in reality is that for every calibration targets batch (yes, IT8 targets are produced mostly in batches) there is a one very specific reference file, the reference file must be standard compliant so third party applications can use the target and the reference file to carry out a calibration.

That is not the case with the targets from Monaco, their targets are standard compliant but not their reference files (perhaps they only wanted to make sure their targets would be used only with the own application).

@ Canvaschris, targets must be printed on available photographic paper, in your case, Monaco printed their targets on Kodak paper, it does not have anything to do with the reference files for Q60 targets from Kodak, those reference files are to be used exclusively with Kodak targets made for that specific batch, you can NOT use the Kodak reference files to perform the calibration with a Monaco target.

@ Nothappy, the retailer does not have anything to do with this issue, retailers do not make the bundles, they are made by the scanner manufacturer itself. Secondly, LaserSoft Imaging (SilverFast) does not have anything to do with this matter, we did not do the bundles, we did not do the IT8 targets and we did not do the non-standard reference files + we offer you our time to explain what happened I wouldn't dare to call that other than excelent customer service (regarding the fact that you are unhappy).

As a solution (es explained to Joe), you can either buy a target which is standard compliant ( again, it must not be a LaserSoft Imaging target) with standard compliant reference files.

Or you can try making the calibration with the second suite delivered by Epson in its bundle, "EZ color" to which the reference files and the IT8 targets belong.

Thanks for your understanding