Welcome to CalderaRIP! The integrated workflow solution designed to help digital printing professionals optimize their production by using a single RIP software to manage all their printers and cutters.

In this article, we will introduce you to the main interface and the key modules of CalderaRIP, outlining their functions and benefits to help you navigate the software effectively during your initial use.

Prerequisites

• A valid and up-to-date license that includes the printer driver(s) to be used.
  • Click here to learn how to get or renew a demo license.
  • Click here to learn how to activate your license.
• Have CalderaRIP already installed. Need help with this? Click here.
• Have the printer driver(s) installed. Need help with this? Click here.

General interface and settings

Upon opening CalderaRIP, you will notice that the main interface features two primary components: the ImageBar and the ApplicationBar.

ImageBar

Consists of the following features: Thumbnail Previews: View images with thumbnail previews that include information icons for quick identification of file details, such as file type, source of the file, and its status. Tabs: You can create, modify, or delete up to 100 tabs by right-clicking, allowing for organized image management. Filter Function: Utilize a text field for real-time filtering of data, making it easy to find specific images. Right-Click Menus: Access quick image management options via right-click menus.

Visit the dedicated section for more details.

ApplicationBar

Consists of the following menus and quick acceses:

• Application menus: The "File", "Modules", "Configuration", and "Help" menus are at the top-left of the ApplicationBar. Another "Applications" menu can also be opened by right-clicking on the ApplicationBar.

    Info

  Depending on your software version, you may see the Application menus as follows:

  From V17 onwards

  

  Before V17

  

• Main tab. Composed of the following modules:

  Info FileMan TrashCan Workflow

  EasyMedia Compose Tiling+ One or more print/cut modules

• Settings tab. Composed of the following modules:
  • ServerAdmin
  • Config: Software configuration module with options that allow you to customize the icons that appear in the ApplicationBar, as well as global settings (language, software skin color, default unit of measurement, etc.)
  • Spooler

Visit the dedicated section for more details.

Handle your files

FileMan

The FileMan (FileManager) module is a tool for importing and exporting image files to and from the ImageBar.

• Folder Navigation: Navigate to the folders containing your images using the eight available icons.
• Preview Parameters: It is recommended to keep the preview parameters at their default settings.
• Contextual Information: Contextual information is provided to help you learn more about FileMan.

• Supported Formats: The module supports various image formats, allowing users to import and convert files as needed:

  PDF (Adobe PDF Print Engine) PostScript level 3 EPS PSB

  HPGL TIFF JPEG Popular raster formats (BMP, PNG, etc.)

Visit the dedicated section for more details.

Info

The Info module displays essential file information, including:

• Dimensions
• Image Size (MB)
• Type (CMYK/RGB)
• File Path (highlighted in red if the file is no longer available)
• Embedded ICC Information (if applicable)
• Embedded Images (if applicable)
• Spot Colors (if applicable)
• Cut Contours (if applicable)

Visit the dedicated section for more details.

Display

The Display or Preview module allows you to:

• Open the Module: Double-click the image icon or single-click the file name to access the Display module.
• Zoom and Inspect: Zoom in on the image to examine the image planes.
  
• Verify Color Values: Use the module for verifying color values and measuring distances.
• Crop Images: Crop images using rectangular, elliptical, polygonal curves, or the magic wand tool.

Visit the dedicated section for more details.

TrashCan

When deleting images from the ImageBar, they go to the Trashcan module. You can manage the images in the Trashcan module using the following buttons:

• Previous and Next: Navigate through the deleted images for individual previews.
• Restore: Restores the selected image to the preview box.
• Delete: Permanently deletes the selected image from the preview box.
• Delete All: Permanently removes all images from the Trashcan.
• Quit: Closes the Trashcan window.

Build your print layout

CalderaRIP allows you to create specific print layouts for each of your projects. Please refer to the information dedicated to each of these modules for more details.

• Compose module: This module includes tools that might be very useful for you to control "composed” files, prepare your printing jobs, as well as to add last-minute elements to your Direct-To-Print compositions.
• Tiling module: Tiling can be used in many diverse cases such as printing posters meant to be posted on 4x3 meters advertisement panels, preparing pictures to be put on panels for a stand (in the case of an exhibition), bus wrapping, and many more.
• Step & Repeat: The Step&Repeat options allow you to print several copies of one image while optimizing their placement on the media.

Print your job

To use your printer with CalderaRIP, it is essential to install the appropriate printer driver (see the prerequisites). The driver acts as a communication bridge between the software and your printer, ensuring accurate processing of print jobs.

CalderaRIP drivers are categorized based on different licensing options. To determine your printer's category, refer to the list of Supported Devices. 

Your license must include the specific manufacturer's name and model assigned in your Caldera account; otherwise, you will encounter a "No Key" error message when attempting to use the printer driver.

Print Module

The Print Module main window is divided into 5 sections (click on each one of them to go to the dedicated article): 

• File Info
• Print Settings and Print Actions:
  • Print: RIP and Print the file simultaneously
  • RIP: Perform the RIP and store it in the Spooler only, to print it later
  • RIP then Print: RIP the entire file first, and then send it to Print
  • Nest: Nest all files with matching parameters in the Spooler, for manual release or automatic processing using Nest-O-Matic settings
• Print Presets (also known as "QuickConfigs" or "QuickPrints"):
  
  • These allow you to save and manage print settings
  • When you select a previously saved print preset, the selections for print parameters (resolution, media, mode…), page setup parameters (crop marks, cut parameters, job adjustment), and color management (rendering output and input, simulation profile, InkPerformer settings…), will automatically be generated, so there is no need for manual settings
  • Print presets can be applied via the Image Bar, FileMan or HotFolders
• Icons (to modules)
• (Other) Actions

Considerations

• The Resolution, Media, Mode, and Quality settings are directly related to color management and profiling, processes that are carried out in the EasyMedia module before starting to print with a new device or a new media. You may also be interested in reading:
  • EasyMedia (Quickstart article)
  • Color Management (Dedicated section)
  • What do the colors in the Print Module fields mean?
• About Pages: The field will only appear when loading a multipage document.
• About Loading: Page formats are managed in the ServerAdmin module. For quick and/or automatic media loading options in CalderaRIP, please refer to the EasySelect section.
• The Keep Ripped file checkbox will only be available when using the "Print" and "Rip then Print" actions.
• If you select an unavailable setting or a wrong combination of settings, a warning will appear when you hit the Print button.

Visit the dedicated section for more details.

Page Setup

One of the key modules in the print module is “Page Setup” (the first icon in the row). Clicking on “Page Setup” opens a window that allows you to adjust the image's scale and position, add crop marks, manage cut lines, and more.

• Global parameters and Preview:
  • There are some icons located on the left, that allow you to apply global parameters to your image.
  • Next to those icons, there is the Preview. This is where you see your image placed on the media. The printable area is shown in white and the margins are displayed in green. Under standard conditions, the Preview will also show all printed copies when using Step&Repeat.
• Main tab
• Marks tab
• S&R tab (Step & Repeat)

• Cutting tab

    Info

  The Cutting tab is intended for users of VisualCut and GrandCut. Both are optional cutting modules that may or may not be included in your package. More info.

• Colors tab (for color corrections)
• Spot Inks tabs (for color separation of White, Varnish, and other special inks)

Printer settings

The wrench icon () opens a window with options tailored for your connected printer, including features like rewind after print, among others.

• Printer tab: Contains options specific to your printer model
• Media tab: Provides options and parameters related to the selected media type for your printer model.
• Horizontal/Vertical Compensation:  Offers RIP adjustments to account for any shrinkage or stretching during the printing or finishing process
• Comments tab: An open field for adding profile-specific comments that can originate from or be sent to the EasyMedia module
• Status tab: Displays ink levels, media width, firmware information, and more, when supported by the printer
• Inks tab:  If applicable, allows for ink reordering functionality

Manage your job

Spooler

The Spooler module is dedicated to managing jobs that have been submitted to CalderaRIP. The interface is divided into five main parts:

• Printers

• Job Queues or Lists:

    Tips & tricks

  Double-clicking the job will reopen the printer driver with the same settings as the original print.

  • Running jobs (top): Lists jobs that are ripping or printing, jobs that are pending and/or are nested, and jobs that are blocked. These jobs may be waiting to be released or are pending until a condition has been met
  • Completed Jobs (middle): Lists completed jobs and ripped jobs that have not been printed
  • Errored jobs (bottom): Lists jobs that haven’t been completed due to an error or have been aborted
• Job Information
• Job Actions
• Global Settings

Visit the dedicated section for more details.

Go further

Now that you have grasped the basics, feel free to explore the following sections dedicated to more advanced technical topics whenever you feel ready:

• Client-Server Architecture
• Automation and combined use of modules
• Color Management
• Cut Management
• Cost Management