When HyperFlex NX is enabled, dots smaller than the selected minimum dot size will be enlarged to the threshold value where possible. If enlarging dots to the threshold level will cause an image or tonal artifact, the software will enlarge dots partially, or not at all. This feature is most useful with hybrid screens such as Kodak Maxtone SX or Maxtone FX.
You can use the Dot Enlargement setting to control dot enlargement. Enable the setting by selecting the Dot Enlargement check box from the list of NX tags in the Layout Setup dialog box and then selecting a threshold size supported by the layout's resolution. The file will be checked for dots smaller than the threshold size. If any are detected, the dots will be enlarged to the threshold size, if possible.
The values that are available for selection depend on the layout's resolution:
- For 2400 dpi, the values are: No, 1x2, 2x2, 2x3, 3x3, 3x4, and 4x4
- For 4800 dpi, the values are: No, 3x3, 4x4, 5x5, 6x6, 7x7, and 8x8
The dot enlargement threshold value should be set to match the smallest dot size in the files that will be added to the layout. For example:
- If the layout will be used only for files screened with a hybrid screen such as Maxtone SX using a highlight setting of 3 x 3 pixels, set the threshold to 3 x 3 pixels.
- If the layout will be used with different screens that have different minimum dot sizes, set the dot enlargement threshold to the smallest dot size.
For example, if the layout will be used with two hybrid screens with highlight sizes of either 3 x 3 or 2 x 2 pixels, and a traditional screen in which the smallest dots have been set to two pixels, then select the 1 x 2 pixels option.
If you are not sure how to set the threshold, leave it at 1 x 1. The 1 x 1 option enables the light valve pixels without enabling dot enlargement.
Note: For 2400 x 2400 dpi input, physical dot enlargement is limited to 3 x 3 pixels, even if the threshold is set to 3 x 4 pixels or 4 x 4 pixels in the Layout Setup.
You do not need to select the Apply DigiCap NX check box to make this feature available, and the dot enlargement threshold value does not affect the placement of HyperFlex NX light valves.