Overview
The Print Bar Groups tab defines groups of print bars that share the same print settings.
A print bar group is useful when several print bars use the same resolution, bits per pixel, drop size, and side assignment. Instead of configuring these values separately on each print bar, the shared settings are defined once on the print bar group.
For example, if a printer has one set of print bars that runs at 600 x 600 dpi and another set that runs at 1200 x 1200 dpi, create two print bar groups and assign the relevant print bars to each group.
In Smart Print Controller, a RIP Server can be assigned to print bars from a single print bar group. It is not possible to assign print bars from different print bar groups to the same RIP Server.
Note: When an existing .sdc file is opened, the Print Bar Groups tab is read-only. To change print bar group settings, create a new configuration or open a device template (.sdt) and save it as a new .sdc file.
Print Bar Groups
The list on the left shows the print bar groups in the configuration.
Use + to add a new print bar group.
Use - to remove the selected print bar group.
At least one print bar group must always exist. A print bar group can only be removed if no print bars are currently assigned to it.
Select a print bar group to view and edit its settings.
The Assigned to field shows the print bars that currently use the selected group. Print bars are assigned to a group from the Print Bars tab.
Side
Use the Side control to define whether the selected print bar group applies to side A or side B.
For a simplex device, print bar groups should be assigned to side A.
For a duplex device, the configuration must include print bars for both side A and side B. If a duplex device only has print bars on one side, Smart Device Configurator displays a warning.
Resolutions
Use Resolutions to define the resolutions supported by the selected print bar group.
Click + to add a resolution.
Click - to remove the selected resolution.
At least one resolution must remain in the list. If the active resolution is removed, Smart Device Configurator selects another available resolution automatically.
Applications that display resolution options may use the order shown in this list. Drag and drop the entries to change the order.
Supported Bits Per Pixel
Use Supported Bits Per Pixel to select the active bits per pixel value for the selected print bar group.
Available values are:
-
1
-
2
-
4
-
8
The selected value determines the valid range for drop sizes. Higher bits per pixel values allow more drop sizes.
Maximum Supported Drop Size
Use Maximum Supported Drop Size to define the highest drop size supported by the selected print bar group.
Smart Device Configurator uses this value to generate the supported drop sizes for the group. For example, if the maximum supported drop size is set to 3, the supported drop sizes are 1, 2, and 3.
The maximum supported drop size must be valid for the selected bits per pixel value:
-
1 bit per pixel supports drop size 1
-
2 bits per pixel supports drop sizes up to 3
-
4 bits per pixel supports drop sizes up to 15
-
8 bits per pixel supports drop sizes up to 15
If the drop size is too high for the selected bits per pixel value, Smart Device Configurator displays a warning and the configuration cannot be saved until the settings are corrected.