RipManager 7.

2
User Manual
AG50601 Rev.2
 Copyright Information

©February, 2007 ECRM Imaging Systems. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be copied or in any other way repro-
duced, nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, without the prior writ-
ten permission of ECRM Imaging Systems.

The information in this manual is subject to change without notice.

ECRM Imaging Systems assumes no responsibility or liability for any
errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this book.

WorkMates, RIPMate, DotMate, DPX, InRIP OPI Manager, RIPMan-

ager, DotManager, ImposeMate, PDFMate, CIPMate, RIPSpool and
ProofMate are trademarks of ECRM Imaging Systems. Other manufac-
turers’ trademarks are used in an editorial fashion, with no intention of
infringement.

ECRM Imaging Systems

554 Clark Road
Tewksbury, Massachusetts 01876
Tel: (US) (+1) 978-851-0207
Fax: (US) (+1) 978-851-7016
Web: www.ecrm.com

Tel: (UK) (+44) 1923-218255

Fax:(UK) (+44) 1923-218256

Tel: (HongKong) (+852) 2-564-8989

Fax: (HongKong) (+852) 2-564-8821

The imagesetters mentioned in this manual have been tested and found
to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated
in a commercial environment.
The equipment is supplied with a shielded cable. It must be oper-
ated with a shielded cable in order to meet FCC Class A emission lim-
its.
The equipment generates and can radiate radio frequency energy and,
if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of
the equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interfer-
ence, in which case the user will be required to correct the interference
at his or her own expense.

RipManager version: 7.2

2 RipManager 7.2 User Manual

 CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 • INSTALLING RIPMANAGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

CHAPTER 2 • USING RIPMANAGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Starting RipManager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
The RipManager window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
RipManager Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
The RipManager menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
The WorkMate menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
The DotMate (or DPX System/DPX Lite) menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
The Help menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
The Setup Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
The RipManager Setup tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
The Spool Setup Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Imagesetter Setup tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Media Management Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
The Media Management window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
The Edit Cassette window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
The Edit Media window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

CHAPTER 3 • MEDIA MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Why manage your media? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Overview of RipMate’s capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
What you need to do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Media-handling strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Setting up the media-monitoring system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Defining media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Defining an input cassette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Loading Media into the DPX System/DPX Lite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

RipManager 7.2 User Manual, AG50601 Rev. 2 3

Contents

4 RipManager 7.2 User Manual, AG50601 Rev. 2

 Chapter 1
Installing RipManager
1

RIPManager is delivered on the ECRM WorkMates CD.

RIPManager is automatically installed with the RIP if a RIPManager-compatible

recorder is selected as the output device.

For details, see ECRM WorkMates Getting Started Guide, AG 12333.

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Chapter 1 • Installing RipManager

6 RipManager 7.2 User Manual, AG50601 Rev. 2

 Chapter 2
2 Using RipManager

RipManager must always start up before RipMate (or other RIP software). It has its
own window, which displays information about the RIP, and which contains several
menus for controlling DotMate or DPX System/DPX Lite imagesetters and managing
media. It also provides easy access to several other programs that are used to control
the online processor (if your DotMate has one) and to communicate with the Dot-
Mate or DPX System/DPX Lite imagesetter.

The following sections explain menus and settings in RipManager:

• “Starting RipManager” on page 8

• “The RipManager window” on page 8

• “RipManager Menus” on page 9

• “The Setup Window” on page 12

• “Media Management Windows” on page 21.

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Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
Starting RipManager

Starting RipManager

RipManager is added to the RipMate program group after installation. You open Rip-
Manager (See: The RipManager window) either from the program group: press Start
> Programs > "RIP version" > RipManager or you create a shortcut of RipManager
and move it to the desktop.

The RipManager window

When RipManager is running, the log window is always available. It contains the
menu entries described in the next section, and also shows a list of events monitored
and created by RipManager. You can use this information when troubleshooting, to
see if your jobs are being processed correctly by RipManager.

Figure 2.1 The RipManager window

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 Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
RipManager Menus

RipManager Menus

The menus in RipManager are explained as follows:

• “The RipManager menu” on page 9

• “The WorkMate menu” on page 9

• “The DotMate (or DPX System/DPX Lite) menu” on page 10

• “The Help menu” on page 11.

The RipManager menu

The RipManager menu includes entries that control RipManager itself and the way it
communicates with other programs and your DotMate or DPX System imagesetter.
Each menu command is described below.

Clear Done List

RipManager maintains a list of all jobs successfully output by the RIP. Use the
Clear Done List entry to reset the list.

Setup
Opens the Setup window, which enables you to modify some of the settings you
made when installing RipMate and controls some of the details about how Rip-
Mate works with your imagesetter. See “The Setup Window” on page 12 for
more information about the Setup window.

Exit
This menu entry quits the RipManager application.

The WorkMate menu

This menu enables you to start and stop the RipMate application (or WorkMate
Admin) from inside RipManager. It also provides information about what RipMate is
doing.

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Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
RipManager Menus

Start Up RipMate
If RipMate is not running, this command starts it. The RipMate application (or
WorkMate Admin) is automatically started right after you start running RipMan-
ager. However, there are times when you will need to quit RipMate while you are
working with RipManager (see below).

Shut Down RipMate

If RipMate (or WorkMate Admin) program is running, this command quits it.
You need to do this before using most of the commands in the DotMate menu
and before working with cassette or media definitions.

About Ripping Job

Shows information about the job currently being processed by RipMate.

About Outputting Page

Shows information about the page currently being printed by the imagesetter.

The DotMate (or DPX System/DPX Lite) menu

The actual name of this menu will change according to the model of DotMate or
DPX System/DPX Lite you are using. It provides control over preferences for your
imagesetter and media management. It also enables you to start other programs that
support your imagesetter or to download new firmware.

Preferences
Sets preferences that affect the way your imagesetter functions. These are differ-
ent for each version of DotMate or DPX System/DPX Lite. See your DotMate or
DPX System/DPX Lite manual for details.
This menu command is not available when RipMate is running. To set the imag-
esetter preferences, first shut down RipMate by selecting Shut Down RipMate
from the RipMate menu.

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 Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
RipManager Menus

Media Management
Opens the Media Management window. Use this window to keep track of your
media cassettes, including what type of media is loaded and how much media is
left.
Note that some media management options are not available when RipMate is
running. To define new media and edit cassettes, first shut down RipMate by
selecting Shut Down RipMate from the RipMate menu.

Start DotMonitor
Runs the DotMonitor program that was installed together with the rest of the
RipMate application files. This program provides feedback on the status of the
DotMate, and allows you to perform some basic functions, such as loading or
unloading media or moving a particular set of rollers in the built-in processor (if
your imagesetter has one). Most of the functions found in DotMonitor can also
be carried out from the display panel (again, if your imagesetter has one). See
your DotMate or DPX System/DPX Lite operator’s manual for more details.

Start Processor Service

Runs the Processor Service program that was installed together with the rest of
the RipMate application files. Use this program to configure, maintain and moni-
tor your imagesetter’s built-in media processor, if it has one. See your DotMate
or DPX System/DPX Lite operator’s manual for more details.

The Help menu

Select this entry to see the version number and date of last revision for your copy or
RipManager.

Online Help is not available in the current release of the software.

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Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
The Setup Window

The Setup Window

The Setup window enables you to modify some of the settings you made when
installing RipMate and controls some of the details about how RipMate works with
your imagesetter. To open it, choose Setup from the RipManager menu.

The RipManager Setup tab

The RipManager tab enables RipManager to locate RipMate.

Figure 2.2 The Setup RipManager tab

The RipManager tab includes the following items:

RipMate Directory field

RipManager needs to be able to find RipMate on your hard disk, so that it can
send instructions and launch RipMate when it needs to. If you move RipMate to a
new folder, you must enter the new path in the RipMate directory field by either
typing it directly or using the Browse button to find it.

Automatic Startup of RipMate check box

RipManager must run before RipMate. This enables RipManager to establish
communication with the imagesetter and to control the media management fea-
tures. Therefore, when you want to start running RipMate, you must begin by run-

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 Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
The Setup Window

ning RipManager. For convenience, RipManager can start RipMate automatically

thereafter. To activate this feature, mark the Automatic Startup of RipMate check
box.

Proofer Only check box

Disables the imagesetter-only features of RipMate so that you can use it simply to
drive a proof printer. If you are using RipMate only to drive a proof printer (possi-
bly using the ProofMate option), then you should mark this checkbox to prevent
RipMate from generating an error message when it does not find an imagesetter
attached to your computer.

Measurement Units drop-down list

Use this drop-down list to choose the system of measurements used by RipMan-
ager. You can choose Metric or Imperial.

The Spool Setup Tab

This tab controls where RipSpool stores incoming files until they can be processed by
RipMate. It also controls where RipMate will look to find incoming jobs. The set-
tings in this window are only relevant if you are using the Extended Workflow
option.

Figure 2.3 The Spool Setup tab

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Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
The Setup Window

Usually there will only be one RipSpool folder (as shown in Figure 2.4), but if you
are using external software components, the external components may work by tak-

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 Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
The Setup Window

ing files stored in the RipSpool folder, processing them, and then saving them in a
third folder, where RipMate will pick them up for output (as shown in Figure 2.5).
Figure 2.4 Standard, RipMate-only RipSpool folder usage

Network Print job comes in from the network.

The job arrives at a RipSpool virtual printer

RipSpool
Printer

RipSpool renames the job and saves it as a

Network PostScript file in the Network Spool Folder
Spool Folder
RipMate monitors the spool folder and rips
whatever comes in.

RipMate
The job is printed

Imagesetters

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Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
The Setup Window

Figure 2.5 RipSpool folders with third-party pre-processing

Print job comes in from the network.

Network

The job arrives at a RipSpool virtual printer

RipSpool
Printer
RipSpool renames the job and saves it as a
Network PostScript file in the Network Spool Folder
Spool Folder
A third-party program monitors the spool
folder and opens it when something comes in.
Third-party
Program The third-party program saves the modified
print job (with the same name) in another
spool folder

RipMate
Spool Folder
RipMate monitors the spool folder and rips
whatever comes in.

RipMate
The job is printed

Imagesetters

The Spool tab includes the following items:

Network Spool Folder field

This is the folder in which RipSpool will store incoming jobs. RipSpool assigns
each job a new name, which identifies both the job and the page setup used for

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 Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
The Setup Window

that job. RipMate will scan this folder and begin to rip the a job as soon as it
appears there.
This folder was configured during RipMate installation. To change the folder
used, either edit the field directly or use the Browse button to find and select an
existing folder.

RipMate Spool Folder field

As mentioned above, this field defines the folder in which RipMate will look for
incoming PostScript jobs after the jobs are processed by a third-party program.
If you do use a third-party product to operate on PostScript files saved by
RipSpool, you must be sure that the RipSpool-generated file name is not changed,
or else RipMate will not know which page setup to use.
To change the folder used, either edit the field directly or use the Browse button to
find and select and existing folder.

Printer Driver drop-down list

This list shows all of the PPD files currently installed on the RIP PC. Choose the
PPD that is named for your DotMate imagesetter. This value is set during Rip-
Mate installation. If you change your model of DotMate, you might need to
change this value.

Imagesetter Setup tab

This tab controls how RipMate communicates with the imagesetter and how RipMate
should react to problems in the print jobs.

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Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
The Setup Window

Figure 2.6 The Imagesetter Setup tab

The Imagesetter setup tab includes the following items:

Smart cassette check box

This check box applies only to imagesetters that have more than one input cas-
sette (like the DotMate 5000). If this check box is marked, RipMate will divert
incoming jobs to the second cassette in the event that the requested cassette has a
problem (e.g., out of media or wrong media) and the other cassette contains the
correct media specified in the page setup for that job.
If this check box is unmarked, the job will be treated as defined by the Stop on
page errors and Stop on media out check box settings (see below).

Stop on page errors check box

This check box determines how RipMate will react to a page that contains errors,
such as incorrect margins or corruption. If this check box is marked, all further
output will be disabled from RipMate until it is explicitly re-enabled via the check
box in the RipMate Output Controller/Monitor window.
If this check box is unmarked, all pages with errors will be moved to the Held
Queue in the RipMate Output Controller/Monitor window. Other jobs will con-
tinue to print.

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 Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
The Setup Window

Stop on media out check box

This check box applies only to imagesetters that have more than one input cas-
sette (like the DotMate 5000). It controls what RipMate will do if one of the cas-
settes runs out of media.
If this check box is marked, all further output will be disabled from RipMate until
the cassette is refilled and output it is explicitly reenabled via the check box in the
RipMate Output Controller/Monitor window.
If this check box is unmarked, RipMate will move all jobs requesting output to
the empty cassette into the Held Queue. However, if the Smart Cassette check box
is marked, RipMate will output to the other cassette, provided it contains the cor-
rect media. Jobs requesting the other cassette will be processed as usual.

Disable Direct SCSI check box

RipMate takes advantage of the Windows support of direct SCSI communication.
However, not all SCSI adapters are capable of this. All SCSI adapters recom-
mended by ECRM provide direct SCSI support.
If you are using another kind of SCSI adapter, you may need to mark this check
box to prevent RipMate from trying to use direct SCSI communication. Check
your SCSI adapter documentation to find out if this is necessary.
Note that performance will be noticeably decreased if you mark this check box, so
do this only if you must.

Maximum Data Rate field

The first time you run RipMate, this field will be set to zero. RipMate will then
test your system to find out how fast data can be sent to the imagesetter. If you are
having frequent problems with pages caught ups, you may need to set this field
back to zero so that RipMate can recalculate a reasonable rate. Otherwise, you
should never change the value of this field.

Safety Factor field

The safety factor forces RipMate to assume communication will be slightly
slower than the value found for Maximum Data Rate. A safety factor of 5%

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Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
The Setup Window

should be sufficient, but if recalculating the Maximum Data Rate, as suggested

above, does not help reduce page caught ups, try to raise this value slightly.

Stop on printer caught ups check box

When the RIP is unable to provide the imagesetter with data at the correct speed
(due, for example, to excessive loads on the processor or network), the output will
be interrupted. In this case, the imagesetter must stop output.
This check box determines what RipMate will do in the event of a caught up.
If this check box is marked, and the Retry on printer caught ups check box is
unmarked, RipMate will disable all further output each time a caught up occurs.
Output will remain disabled until it is re-enabled in RipMate’s Output Controller/
Monitor window.
If this check box is marked, and the Retry on printer caught ups check box is also
marked, RipMate will try to resend the page at half speed. If it catches up again,
RipMate will try at one quarter speed. If it catches yet again, RipMate will disable
all further output.
If this check box is unmarked, and the Retry on printer caught ups check box is
unmarked, RipMate will move the job into the Held Queue. Other jobs will be
printed as usual.
If this check box is unmarked, and the Retry on printer caught ups check box is
marked, RipMate will retry at the two slower speeds, but it output is still not pos-
sible, the job will be moved into the Held Queue. Other jobs will be printed as
usual.

Retry on printer caught ups check box

This check box controls weather or not RipMate will try to output at a slower
speed if a caught up occurs at the usual speed. See the description for Stop on
printer caught ups, above, for more information.

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 Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
Media Management Windows

Media Management Windows

Use the various media management windows to keep track of your media cassettes,
including what type of media is loaded and how much media is left. To access the
media management settings, select Media Management from the DotMate (or DPX
System/DPX Lite) menu. The settings available in each of the media management
dialogs are explained briefly below.

• “The Media Management window” on page 21

• “The Edit Cassette window” on page 23

• “The Edit Media window” on page 25.

For more information, see Chapter 3 • Media Management.

Note that some media management options are not available when RipMate is run-
ning. To define new media and edit cassettes, first shut down RipMate by selecting
Shut Down RipMate from the RipMate menu.

The Media Management window

When you select Media Management from the RipMate menu, the Media Manage-
ment window appears.

Figure 2.7 The Media Management window.

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Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
Media Management Windows

Note: The Media Management window varies depending on the imagesetter model in
question. For example, DPX System and DPX Lite models do not feature a take up
cassette and DPX Lite employs only one media magazine.

The Media Management window includes the following controls and displays:

Upper and Lower trays

DPX System/DPX Lite and most DotMates have only one input tray, so the
lower tray will appear grayed out. If you are using a DotMate 5000, the lower
tray will be available.
All displays and controls are identical for both trays.

Cassette drop-down list

Normally, this menu is inactive, and simply shows the name of the currently
loaded cassette definition. When no cassette is loaded (as when you change cas-
settes), this drop-down list enables you to select any of your cassette definitions.
See “Defining an input cassette” on page 34 for more information.

Length
Shows how much film is left in the currently loaded cassette. You are able to edit
this value at any time. RipManager will also update the value by subtracting the
length of each job printed.

Width
Displays the width of the medial in the currently loaded cassette. The width is
contained as part of the media definition for the current cassette. See “Defining
media” on page 31 for more information.

Take-up Cassette
Shows the length of media currently contained in the take-up cassette (if your
imagesetter has one.)

Eject button
Feeds the required length of media into the take-up cassette, cuts the media and
ejects the cassette. (Only for imagesetters that use a take-up cassette.)

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Media Management Windows

Edit Cassette
Opens the Edit Cassettes dialog. This button is only active when RipMate is not
running. See “The Edit Cassette window” on page 23 for more information.

Unload (Load) button

If a cassette is currently loaded, this button unloads it. If a cassette is currently
inserted in the imagesetter, but not loaded, this button will load the media.

Form Feed
Opens a dialog in which you can specify how much film to feed through the
imagesetter. This is useful, for example, if the currently loaded length of media
has been exposed as a result of someone opening the imagesetter.

The Edit Cassette window

The Edit Cassette window appears when you click on the Edit Cassette button in the
Media Management window. Note that this button is only active when RipMate is
not running.

Figure 2.8 The Edit Cassettes window

The Edit Cassette window includes the following controls and displays:

Cassette definition list

The large area in the center of the window shows a list of all of the currently
available cassette definitions. It lists the cassette’s name and the length and type

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Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
Media Management Windows

of media contained in the cassette. All cassettes listed here are available in the
Cassette drop-down list in the Media Management window.

Name
Enables you to enter or edit the name of a cassette definition. To edit an existing
definition, first select the target cassette by clicking on a name in the cassette
definition list. To create a new definition, click on one of the blank entries from
the list.

Media drop-down list

Displays a list of currently defined medias. Select the correct type loaded in the
cassette you are defining.

Media Length
Enables you to type the length of the media loaded in the currently selected cas-
sette.

Media Length Warnings

Enables you to define when RipMate will issue a warning informing you when it
is time to change the media. As jobs are exposed, RipMate calculates the amount
of media used. The warnings Info: Media Low and Warning: Media Low will
appear in RipMate main window when the specified lengths of media are calcu-
lated to remain the cassette.

Copy to file
Saves the current set of cassette definitions.

Copy from file

Loads a previously saved set of cassette definitions.

Edit Media
Opens the Edit Media window, see below.

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 Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
Media Management Windows

Other settings
Depending on the type of imagesetter you are using, the Edit Cassette window
may have additional settings to support special features for your imagesetter. See
your imagesetter documentation for details.

The Edit Media window

The Edit Media window appears when you click on the Edit Media button in
the Edit Cassette window

Figure 2.9 The Edit Media window

Media definition list

The large area in the center of the window shows a list of all of the currently
available media definitions. It lists each media’s name and width. All media
listed here are available in the Media drop-down list in the Edit Cassette window.

Name
Enables you to enter or edit the name of a media definition. To edit an existing
definition, first select the target media by clicking on a name in the media defini-
tion list. To create a new definition, click on one of the blank entries from the
list.

Width
Enables you to define the width of the currently selected media.

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Chapter 2 • Using RipManager
Media Management Windows

Type
Enables you to select the type (e.g., film or paper) of the currently selected
media.

Thickness
Enables you to define the thickness of the currently selected media.

Copy to file
Saves the current set of media definitions.

Copy from file

Loads a previously saved set of media definitions.

Other settings
Depending on the type of imagesetter you are using, the Edit Media window may
have additional controls, such as online processor settings, to support special fea-
tures for your imagesetter. See your imagesetter documentation for details.

26 RipManager 7.2 User Manual, AG50601 Rev. 2

 Chapter 3
3Media Management

The following sections describe how RipMate, via the RipManager program, pro-
vides ways of monitoring and managing the use of media in a range of output
devices. It also describes how you can configure these ways to suit your operation.

• “Why manage your media?” on page 27

• “Media-handling strategies” on page 30

• “Setting up the media-monitoring system” on page 30.

Why manage your media?

In a typical printing environment, you might have access to a number of different

imagesetters, each of which takes one of several feed cassettes, or drum recorders,
each of which holds a roll of continuous media (or is sheet-fed.) You may use several

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Chapter 3 • Media Management
Why manage your media?

feed cassettes on one imagesetter, or share one between several imagesetters. You
may even do both.

Figure 3.1 shows a possible printing environment. This environment can produce
several operational needs.

Suppose that you want to produce output from RipMate on a particular output device,
using one of the cassettes available to you. Which cassette should you use? You
would not want to use one that is low on media, in case it runs out before the job is
printed.

At the same time, you want to make the most economical use of media. If a cassette
contains just the right amount of the correct media for a job, it makes sense to use it
instead of another one.

The output (take-up) cassette is also worth monitoring. You may want to process all
of a job together and need to know how much more media the output cassette can
accept.

Online processor Take-up bin

Multiple feed cas- Imagesetters Take-up cassette

settes for media

Figure 3.1 Using multiple output devices and cassettes

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 Chapter 3 • Media Management
Why manage your media?

Continue with:

• “Overview of RipMate’s capabilities” on page 29

• “What you need to do” on page 29.

Overview of RipMate’s capabilities

RipMate media management in the RipManager offers a range of features to meet
these needs.

• RipMate can manage up to sixteen feed cassettes at once, using as many suitable
output devices as are connected.

• For each cassette (or roll-fed device) RipMate can monitor the media remaining,
display the amount of media for the particular cassette in use, and issue automatic
warnings when this amount is low.

• RipMate keeps track of the type of media contained in each cassette. If your
imagesetter includes a processor, this information is important to make sure the
media is developed correctly.

• RipMate links the cassettes defined in RipManager with page setups in order to
ensure exposure on the correct media.

What you need to do

You need to perform a small amount of setting up for each cassette or media source
before starting to use media management. This includes:
• Specifying when automatic warnings should occur.

• Naming cassettes and specifying their initial contents and properties.

• Identifying each media type you use and specifying its properties.

• Developing specifications.

You perform each of these tasks using the Edit Cassettes dialog, which is available in
the RipManager program.

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Chapter 3 • Media Management
Media-handling strategies

After this initial setting up, all you have to do is tell RipMate when you change some-
thing that affects its records of media use:
• Identify which cassette is in use in a page setup.
You do this from inside RipMate in the page setup dialog, which includes a Cas-
sette list box.
• Enter how much media you have put in a cassette when you refill it, and edit the
value when you perform a manual operation that affects the amount of media.
You do this in the Media Management dialog in the RipManager program.

Media-handling strategies

When you create a new page setup, you must assign a cassette to that page setup.

We recommend that you use one of the following strategies when creating cassette
names, depending on the number of cassettes you use:

• Use a dedicated physical cassette for each media type. Each time you change the
cassette, you must be sure to identify the new cassette to RipMate.

• Use a single physical cassette, but create a virtual cassette definition for each
media type you use often. The virtual cassette exists only as a definition in Rip-
Mate. Each time you change the media in your physical cassette, choose the
appropriate virtual cassette, which describes the type of media loaded. The cas-
sette definitions are available from drop-down list boxes, so it takes only a second
to change the setup when you change media.

Setting up the media-monitoring system

When you start monitoring media, you must tell RipMate how much media is in each
cassette. Thereafter, RipMate maintains a record of how much media remains, and
will warn you when any cassette is running low.

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 Chapter 3 • Media Management
Setting up the media-monitoring system

RipMate monitors the feed cassette that provides the media rather than the output
device used. This is because any one output device may take several different feed
cassettes. For instance, you may have an imagesetter that can produce output on
either film or polyester, and you may keep two cassettes — one loaded with film and
one loaded with polyester.

Before processing any jobs, you need to tell RipMate about the cassettes you are
using and give details of the media currently in each cassette. You do this in the Rip-
Manager program, as described in the next two sub-sections:

• “Defining media” on page 31

• “Defining an input cassette” on page 34.

Defining media
RipMate maintains a list of each type of media you use in your shop. It stores the
media’s name, type, width, thickness, and processing requirements (for DotMate
imagesetters with an integrated processor). The first time you begin to use a new type
of media with your imagesetter, you must enter this information to be sure that your
media will be handled and processed correctly.

Use the procedure below each time you need to define a new type of media.

1 • Select Shut Down RipMate from the RipMate menu.

It is not possible to define new cassettes or media types while RipMate is run-
ning.

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Chapter 3 • Media Management
Setting up the media-monitoring system

2 • Select Media Management from RipManager’s DotMate (or DPX System/DPX

Lite) menu.
The Media Management window opens.

Figure 3.2 The Media Management window

3 • Click Edit Cassettes to open the Edit Cassettes window.

The Edit Cassettes window appears.

Figure 3.3 The Edit Cassettes window

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 Chapter 3 • Media Management
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4 • Without selecting a cassette, click on Edit Media to open the Edit Media win-
dow.
The Edit Media window opens.

Figure 3.4 The Edit Media window

5 • Highlight an unused line in the media list by clicking on it.

6 • In the Name field, type in the desired name.

Use a name that uniquely identifies the media brand you are defining. (The
name you define here will be added to the selections in the Media drop-down
list in the Edit Cassette dialog.)

7 • In the Width field, enter the physical media width.

For more information on media width, see your DotMate manuals.

8 • In the Type drop-down list, select the media type.

This identifies the type of media material held in the selected cassette. It will
quickly tell you whether, for instance, the cassette holds paper or film. The field
is purely for your own convenience — you can change it to anything you like.

9 • Enter the media thickness in the Thickness field.

Values for all of these parameters are usually included with the media you have
purchased. Please refer to the media packaging or documentation for the correct
values or ask your supplier.

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Chapter 3 • Media Management
Setting up the media-monitoring system

10 • Fill in other required fields for your imagesetter.

For some types of imagesetters, there will be other settings in this window (for
example, online processor settings). Refer to your imagesetter documentation
for advice about how to fill in the required values.

11 • Click OK in the Edit Media, Edit Cassette, and Media Management windows.
The new media will now be available in the Media drop-down list in the Edit
Cassette dialog.

12 • If you are finished working with the media and cassette definitions, select Start
Up RipMate from the RipMate menu.

Defining an input cassette

Use the procedure below each time you need to define a new input cassette. For addi-
tional information about using the Edit Cassette window, see also “The Edit Cassette
window” on page 23.

1 • Go to the RipManager window.

RipManager is a separate program that must run simultaneously with RipMate.
Its window may be visible on your screen, or it may be minimized.

2 • Select Shut Down RipMate from the RipMate menu.

It is not possible to define new cassettes while RipMate is running.

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 Chapter 3 • Media Management
Setting up the media-monitoring system

3 • Select Media Management from RipManager’s DotMate (or DPX System/DPX

Lite) menu.
The Media Management window appears.

Figure 3.5 The Media Management window

4 • Click Edit Cassettes to open the Edit Cassettes window.

The Edit Cassettes window appears.

Figure 3.6 The Edit Cassettes window

5 • Click on an unused line in the cassette list to highlight it.

To change the definition of a cassette that is already in the list, click on the tar-
get cassette name.

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Chapter 3 • Media Management
Setting up the media-monitoring system

6 • In the Name field at the bottom of the window, type a name for the cassette.
• If you have many cassettes, make sure that each cassette is labelled.
• If you are using only a few cassettes, or a single cassette, in which you
may have one of several different types of media, enter the media type as
the name. Create a new virtual cassette definition for each type of media
that you are likely to have in the physical cassette.

7 • Choose the media that you will use in the new cassette from the Media drop-
down list.
If the correct media does not appear in the list, you must define it in the Edit
Media dialog using the procedure given in “Defining media” on page 31.

8 • Enter the correct length in the Media Length field.

See the packaging or documentation for your media to find the correct length.

9 • Set the Media Low Warnings as desired.

As jobs are exposed, RipMate calculates the amount of media used. Two differ-
ent warnings (Info: Media Low and Warning: Media Low) will appear in Rip-
Mate main window when the specified lengths of media are calculated to
remain in the cassette.

10 • Click OK in the Edit Cassette, and Media Management windows.

The new cassette is now available in the Media Management window.

11 • If you are finished working with the media and cassette definitions, select Start
Up RipMate from the RipMate menu.

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 Chapter 3 • Media Management
Setting up the media-monitoring system

Loading Media into the DPX System/DPX Lite

Follow this procedure when loading media into the DPX System or DPX Lite.

1 • Measure the width of the material. Note that the landscape width equals the
height of the plate.

2 • Determine the thickness of the material. If the job has a close register, 8 mil
(0.2 mm) polyester should be used, and if the job has no register, 4 mil (0.1
mm) polyester should be used.

3 • Define the material for use with RipMate.

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Chapter 3 • Media Management
Setting up the media-monitoring system

CASSETTE SETUP

Loosen the flanges by removing the pins and adjust the flanges as indicated in Figure
3.7 and Figure 3.8.
Figure 3.7 Portrait cassette setup

Portrait cassette setup

420 mm cassette/460 mm cassette

Note: In portrait press setup it is

very important to adjust the
flanges so that the line marked
“Center of drum” is in the middle
of the material width.

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 Chapter 3 • Media Management
Setting up the media-monitoring system

Figure 3.8 Landscape cassette setup

Landscape cassette setup

Note: To make sure that the punch depth on the plate in a landscape press setup is 9 mm(3/
8”), it is very important to adjust the flanges close to the gear.

420 mm cassette 460 mm cassette

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Chapter 3 • Media Management
Setting up the media-monitoring system

MATERIAL SETUP

1 • Close the RipMate application.

2 • Start RipManager.

3 • Choose Media Management from the DPX System or DPX Lite menu.
The Media Management dialog box appears.

Figure 3.9 The Media Management dialog box

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 Chapter 3 • Media Management
Setting up the media-monitoring system

4 • Click the Edit Cassettes button

The Edit Cassettes dialog box appears.

Figure 3.10 The Edit Cassettes dialog box

Note: If the Edit Cassettes button is inactive, then you probably did not quit
RipMate before opening the Media Management dialog box.

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Chapter 3 • Media Management
Setting up the media-monitoring system

5 • Click the Edit Media button to display the Edit Media dialog box.
The Edit Media dialog box appears.

Figure 3.11 The Edit Media dialog box

6 • Choose a new position in the media list to define a new material, or choose an
existing line to overwrite a media setup. Then enter the values required for the
relevant parameters:
Name: The name of the material. Any name can be chosen.
Width: The width of the material in mm.
Type: The type of material (only the option “polyester plate” is available).
Thickness: The thickness of the material in µm (8 mill material 200 µm and 4
mill material 100 µm).
Activator Time: Specifies the time (in seconds) the material is to be in the acti-
vator.
Dryer Temperature: The temperature of the dryer air in degrees Celsius (°C).
Transport Vacuum: The vacuum level in the drum during material transport.
The default value is 4 (0–25).
Exposure Vacuum: The vacuum level in the drum while the material is being
exposed. The default value is 20 (0–25).

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 Chapter 3 • Media Management
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7 • Click OK after you have entered all of the values in the Edit Media dialog box.
The Edit Cassettes dialog box appears.

Figure 3.12 The Edit Cassettes dialog box

8 • Enter values for the following parameters in the Edit Cassettes dialog box:
Name: The name of the cassette. Any name can be chosen.
Media: The type of material in the cassette. Choose from the list of predefined
material types in the pull-down menu.
Media Length: The amount of material available on the roll, measured in
meters.
Media Low Warnings: The amount of material left on the roll when a warning
is to be given. The warning will be displayed on the RIP, indicating
“low media”.
Media Position: Select "Center" for portrait press setup, or "Side" for landscape
press setup.

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Chapter 3 • Media Management
Setting up the media-monitoring system

9 • Click OK when you have finished entering all the values in the Edit Cassettes
dialog box.
The Media Management dialog box now reappears.

Figure 3.13 The Media Management dialog box

10 • Select the cassette to be loaded in the desired magazine 1 or 2. If the cassette is

already loaded, unload it first.

11 • Click OK when ready.

12 • Select Start Up RipMate in the RipMate menu.

The new material has now been defined and is ready to be mounted on the cassette
and loaded.

44 RipManager 7.2 User Manual, AG50601 Rev.2

 Index

RipManager 7.2 User Manual, AG50601 Rev. 2 45

Index

C Medial Management dialog 32

Cassette Manager 31 monitoring media 30
cassettes
changing 29 N
media management 29 network spool folder 16
setting up monitoring 31
caught ups 20
P
D Preferences 10
printer caught ups 20
data rate 19 Printer Driver 17
defining an input cassette 34 Processor Service 11
direct SCSI 19 Proofer Only 13
DotMonitor 11
DPX System/DPX Lite
cassette setup 38 Q
loading media 37 quitting
material setup 40 RipMate 10
drum recorders 27

R
E RipManager
Edit Cassettes dialog 23, 32, 35, 41, 42, 43 menus 9
Edit Media dialog 25, 33 setup 9
eject take-up cassette 22 using 7
errors, stopping for 18 RipMate
quitting 10
I starting up 10, 12
RipMate directory 12
input cassette, defining 34 RMSpool
Installing folder 14
RipManager 5

S
M safety factor 19
Measurement Units 13 smart cassette 18
media spool folder 16
monitoring 30 starting up
type 33 RipMate 10, 12
Media handling strategies 30
media length warnings 24
media management T
DPX System/DPX Lite 37 take-up cassette 22
introduction 27
Media Management dialog 21, 35
media out 19 U
media, defining 31 upper and lower input trays 22

46 RipManager 7.2 User Manual, AG50601 Rev. 2

 Index

V
virtual cassette 30

RipManager 7.2 User Manual, AG50601 Rev. 2 47