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Under the Desktop: My CUPS Runneth Over
Mac OS X's Jaguar update takes advantage of an Open Source architecture called CUPS. For creative professionals, the scheme is essential -- not only is it the route to printing with high-performance printers, but it can also revive unsupported output devices. David Morgenstern takes the technology for a spin.
Written by David Morgenstern on October 2, 2002
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When a Gimp is a Good Thing
CUPS offers a technological base for printing. Still, for OS X, it also requires other programs or packages to actually send a file to a printer. Now available are OS X-compatible installers for Gimp-Print, a plug-in set of drivers and PPDs (see figure 3); and the ESP Ghostscript Open Source interpreter.
Figure 3: Here's the open window of the Gimp-Print installer. They've done some interesting coding to the window so that it shows their logotype. In addition to the .pkg file (the box icon), the software comes with a FAQ and a set of detailed instructions. Please read the manual this time!
Gimp-Print is another Open Source project. It was started a few years ago by a programmer named Michael Sweet who wanted to print photographic images to an inkjet printer from the Unix imaging application called GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program). Since then, a long list of programmers have joined the effort and the package now supports CUPS.
Furthermore, a number of Mac graphic and productivity applications using the Carbon programming environment (like many Adobe applications) use PostScript to print and can't print directly with the Gimp-Print drivers. What's missing is a PostScript interpreter, hence, the need to download and install the CUPS-savvy ESP Ghostscript interpreter.
Why use this combination of Open technologies instead of OS X-specific drivers? The simple answer is availability. Check out the list of supported printers for OS X. This is a fine selection, but where are the large format printers?
Now, take a peek at the Gimp-Print list of supported printers. You can see the difference -- there are many more printers, including new and old large-format printers and proofing printers.
These Gimp-Print drivers are rated, giving a short description of their status. Many are "Fully Operational," and have been tuned and tested by the authors (and the public). Others are still in testing phase. Some are "Operational," meaning they work but some features are forthcoming. For example, Epson's Stylus Photo 925 can handle 4- and 8-inch rolls of photo paper for variable-length images. Currently, the Gimp-Print driver doesn't support the paper cutter.
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