Desktop Color Separations

Desktop Colour Separation (DCS) is an enhanced Encapsulated PostScript file format^[1] that was introduced by Quark, Inc.^[2] It is now primarily used for specialised graphics work particularly images that use multiple channels, eg when applying different spot colours to each part of a greyscale image.^[3]

Format

In DCS a CMYK graphic is separated into five files; a main file and four pre-separation files, one for each CMYK process colour.^[3][2] The main file contains an indication of which separation files are needed and where to find them, together with a composite image information which is used to print a composite of the image.^[2][4]

Operation

When output to a PostScript printer, the printer driver reads the information in the main file and assigns the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black files to their corresponding separation files.

References

1. ^ "File extension DCS". File-Extensions.org. http://www.file-extensions.org/dcs-file-extension-bitmap-graphics-desktop-color-separation-file. Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "OPI and DCS Desktop Color Separation Method Comparison". Adobe Systems Inc. http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/315/315865.html. Retrieved 2009-11-04. ^{[dead link]}
3. ^ ^{a b} Bear, Jacci Howard. "DCS". About.Com. http://desktoppub.about.com/od/dcsopi/g/dcs.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-03. 
4. ^ Powers, Lynn (1993-12-10). "Desktop Color Separation (DCS) General Information". Adobe Inc.. http://support.adobe.com/devsup/devsup.nsf/docs/52922.htm/$File/316726.pdf. Retrieved 2009-11-04. 

External links

• Colour Separation, PrintWiki.
• Desktop Colour Separation (DCS) General Information, Lynn Powers, Adobe Inc., 1993-12-10