OpenQuad 0.1.0 beta 3 (test release)

Beta: work in progress. Third test release of OpenQuad. It fixes scanning from the Mac app and makes printer calibration much easier to follow.

What's fixed

• Scanning from the app failed with "can't reach the scanner … The Internet connection appears to be offline" (or timed out). Since macOS 15, apps must ask before using the local network, and OpenQuad didn't. The app now asks: the first time you scan, macOS shows "Allow OpenQuad to find devices on local networks?". Choose Allow.
• If you chose Don't Allow earlier, turn OpenQuad on in System Settings ▸ Privacy & Security ▸ Local Network, then quit and reopen OpenQuad. The error message now says this too.
• Includes beta 2's fix for Epson scanners (an open scan job that blocked every later scan with "HTTP 503").

Checked on macOS 26 with an Epson ET-2900: once allowed, the app scans a full page.

Easier printer calibration

• Rounds, step by step. Calibrate This Printer works in rounds of Print › Scan › Result. A card always says what to do now, in plain words, and highlights the button for it. For example: "grey balance is good; now even out the tone".
• Round history. A table shows each round's colour cast and tone against the goals, so you can see progress.
• Charts explained. Each chart says what it shows. The faint "uncorrected" lines are the printer's own cast on every page, for comparison.
• Continue a Previous Run picks up a calibration where you stopped.
• Better windows. The wizards open in their own windows that you can move and resize. The log sits in a drawer at the side that you can show or hide.

Install the Mac app

1. Download OpenQuad-0.1.0b3.zip below and unzip it. Replace any earlier copy in Applications.
2. The beta isn't notarized by Apple yet. The first time, double-click it, then go to System Settings ▸ Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway. Or run xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/OpenQuad.app.
3. Allow local network access when you first scan (see above).

Needs macOS 14 or later, on Apple silicon or Intel. Your saved calibrations and settings carry over.

Known limitations

• Not notarized yet. Because the app isn't signed with a Developer ID, macOS may ask for local network access again after you install a new version.
• Tested on a Canon PIXMA MG3600 (printing, scanning, full calibration) and an Epson ET-2900 (scanning; its calibration is in progress).
• Process calibration hasn't been run on real carbon tissue yet.
• The QuadToneRIP-style raw-ink path isn't built.

Feedback

Please use the beta feedback form. Thank you for testing!

SHA-256 of OpenQuad-0.1.0b3.zip: 7975a42f89d6a66a67c8904ca0a861da561c4745bd64aff35ea0133ab15cd84c

OpenQuad 0.1.0 beta 2 (test release)

Beta: work in progress. Second test release of OpenQuad. It fixes scanning on Epson printers.

What's fixed

• Scanning on Epson printers (found on an ET-2900). Calibration scans failed with "scanner refused the job (HTTP 503): b''". The Epson answers a scan job with a secure (https) address that the app couldn't use, so the scan never downloaded and the job stayed open on the scanner, blocking every later scan. OpenQuad now keeps to the scanner address it connected to. Checked on a real ET-2900: it scans a full Letter page in about 20 seconds and measures it correctly.
• A clearer message when a scanner stays busy: "the scanner is busy: a scan job is still open on it… Wait a minute and try again, or turn the printer off and on."

If an Epson still refuses after updating, a job from an earlier failed attempt may still be open on it: turn the printer off and on once.

Install the Mac app

1. Download OpenQuad-0.1.0b2.zip below and unzip it. Replace any earlier copy in Applications.
2. The beta isn't notarized by Apple yet. The first time, double-click it, then go to System Settings ▸ Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway. Or run xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/OpenQuad.app.

Needs macOS 14 or later, on Apple silicon or Intel. Your saved calibrations and settings carry over.

Known limitations

• Not notarized yet.
• Tested on a Canon PIXMA MG3600 (printing, scanning, full calibration) and an Epson ET-2900 (scanning; its calibration is in progress).
• Process calibration hasn't been run on real carbon tissue yet.
• The QuadToneRIP-style raw-ink path isn't built.

Feedback

Please use the beta feedback form. Thank you for testing!

SHA-256 of OpenQuad-0.1.0b2.zip: 9a2af999bd33856db1e455da4eab5de6af7f400fe1b6f92f2df6e8ca7c1a61fc

OpenQuad 0.1.0 beta 1 (test release)

Beta: work in progress. This is the first test release of OpenQuad, for people willing to try it and report what they find. It works on the hardware it was developed with (a Canon PIXMA MG3600 and its built-in scanner) but hasn't been tried widely yet.

Install the Mac app

1. Download OpenQuad-0.1.0b1.zip below and unzip it.
2. Move OpenQuad.app to Applications.
3. The beta isn't notarized by Apple yet, so macOS refuses it the first time. Double-click it once, then go to System Settings ▸ Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway. Or run xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/OpenQuad.app.

Needs macOS 14 or later, on Apple silicon or Intel. A How to Use OpenQuad guide opens on first launch.

What's in it

• Print a photo: neutral or duotone toning, calibration, page and size, live preview. Prints through the macOS print panel at exact size, or straight to a CUPS printer.
• Printer calibration wizard: print a comparison page, scan it over the network (eSCL/AirScan) or read a scan file, then fix colour casts and even out tone. Calibrations are saved per printer and picked automatically.
• Digital negatives for carbon transfer: UV-blocking ink colours, safe edge with an orientation mark, mirror. Includes the blocking test and process calibration (ChartThrob-style charts).
• Python tools: command line and desktop app (pip install git+https://github.com/akendrick/openquad@v0.1.0-beta.1, Python 3.12+), sharing files and settings with the Mac app.

Known limitations

• Not notarized yet (see the install steps).
• Tested only on a Canon PIXMA MG3600 (Letter, plain paper) and its scanner.
• Process calibration hasn't been run on real carbon tissue yet. The blocking test has been run on real prints.
• The QuadToneRIP-style raw-ink path isn't built.

Feedback

Please use the beta feedback form: say which Mac, macOS version, printer and paper you used. Thank you for testing!

SHA-256 of OpenQuad-0.1.0b1.zip: be9335317cbc5d7680780c97c31281131a7edd8d1311f5aa1b65d9dc8bdb3b7d