pyToneRIP 1.0.0.224 Beta

pyToneRIP 1.0.0.224 Beta

This update brings the work completed since the public 219 beta. The main changes are experimental 16-bit processing, lower memory demands for large pages, and buffered USB printing.

• Experimental 16-bit processing: the new checkbox in Printer Preferences enables higher-precision tone, curve, resampling, and dithering calculations across supported models. Windows print jobs use a dedicated high-precision XPS renderer instead of the usual 8-bit converter. An 8-bit source, or an application that has already reduced its precision, cannot regain missing tones by enabling this option. Leave it off for the established 8-bit path when comparing results.
• Large-format printing: page preparation, resolution conversion, and raster processing now work with bounded strips and row caches instead of allocating an entire image at printer resolution. This reduces peak memory and temporary-file demands on A1/A0 and larger jobs. Windows input rasterization can still create a full source TIFF in 8-bit mode; sufficient free disk space is still required.
• USB delivery: a bounded buffer and a separate sender allow the RIP to prepare data while USB writes are in progress. Initial buffering helps absorb short processing pauses; it cannot guarantee continuous head movement if rendering or the connection is too slow. Cancellation and transfer diagnostics have also been improved.
• Dithering and page completion: corrected the paired-channel error-diffusion calculations and improved handling of blank areas and the page tail. These changes address uneven paired-ink output and unnecessary processing delays near the end of a page.
• Resampling controls: choose the resolution-conversion method even when RIP Layout is disabled and the source application controls placement. Added Mitchell resampling and explanations beside the resampling and dithering selectors in all 27 interface languages. The job log identifies the selected resampling method.
• Clearer progress: streaming logs distinguish raster preparation from sending data. While output is still being generated, the byte total is shown as unknown rather than presenting a misleading fixed total.
• Printer settings: improved handling of Windows PrintTickets and legacy application settings. This does not claim to resolve every Paint/Sumatra default-setting issue or the reported P900 configuration failure on one tester's system.
• Drying controls: added a drying-delay setting for supported XP-750/XP-960 modes. Availability depends on the selected model; physical results need to be checked with the actual paper and ink.
• Installation and support: removed the redundant Start menu shortcut and expanded technical diagnostics for Windows printer configuration failures. Support archives are created locally and are not automatically uploaded; review them before sharing.
• Package size: omitted the optional AVIF and JPEG XL modules from imagecodecs. TIFF with JPEG XL compression is no longer supported by the RIP input decoder. Standard TIFF compression and the 16-bit path remain available.

This is a prerelease. Automated and native rendering tests have passed, but physical output, paper handling, and print quality have not been verified on every supported printer. The reported P900 case with only eight paper-size entries remains under investigation.

Installation

Download pyToneRIP-Setup-1.0.0.224-Beta.exe and run it on Windows 11 x64, build 26100 or later. If you normally uninstall the previous beta first, continue with that procedure; keep copies of your QUAD profiles and important settings.

The setup EXE is not Authenticode signed, so Windows may show a publisher or SmartScreen warning. The included MSIX is signed with the project's development certificate, whose public certificate is imported during installation.

Installer size: 73821554 bytes
SHA-256: dfa60090734a28f9feeea9c6355eb457b48641ce84fbe395c35c9dfcc160e2bf