InkRIP — hotfolder & output types (software-only)

InkRIP-only. Concepts from AM-stored English hotfolder help (InkRIP-Hotfolder-Help-English.pdf prefer V7.2.14.0 / 2026-03-25) + Job Manager / RIP-control training. No first physical printer named.

Hotfolder — what it is

A hotfolder is a watched folder: when enabled, dropping supported images into that folder automatically starts RIP/print according to that hotfolder’s saved parameters. Useful for repeat shop jobs without opening every file on the canvas.

Entry (English help): Tools → Hot Folder.

Create / configure (help flow)

Create → open Hot Folder parameter settings.
Select the printer (InkRIP printer driver) this hotfolder uses.
Choose Solution (curve / colour scheme to use).
Send Type:
- TCP/IP — enter printer IP + port (network path to control / printer).
- File — generate a PRN file into a chosen output folder; optional save of BMP alongside.
Pick the folder path to watch; optional auto-delete source files after processing.
Optional orientation: horizontal / vertical mirror; rotation 0° / 90° / 180° / 270°; then OK.

Enable / manage

Tick the hotfolder row → Confirm to enable (Confirm saves; window X closes without saving).
Modify / Delete / Clear all / Select all / Invert selection as needed.
Spot colour settings on a hotfolder exist but need activation features — do not put serials/dongle codes in this tree.

Hotfolder notes (from help — learn these)

Rule	Why it matters
Enable the hotfolder before dropping files	Files already sitting there may not process.
Canvas size must exceed image dimensions	Otherwise error.
No print-confirmation UI options	Hotfolder skips normal/absolute-coordinate confirmation choices.
Spot colour OK; footnotes / borders / layout extras not	Hotfolder is not full layout Job Manager.
Optional clear images on software close	Excludes subfolders.

Prefer current V7 English hotfolder PDF over older 2024-05-20 leftover when reading manuals (T:\V\sources\manuals\inkrip\InkRIP-Hotfolder-Help-English.pdf).

Output types — RIP result

After RIP, the printer must read the converted file. Training frames two layers:

InkRIP (RIP) — design/import → Job Manager → RIP.
Control software — loads the ripped file and drives the machine (leave it running so InkRIP can communicate).

`.prn` (print / RIP file)

Common ripped print file output when Send Type = File or when Job Manager saves to a path.
Job Manager Output column shows the path when ripping to file (convenient for flash-drive / manual load into control software).
AM YouTube dump titles mention saving ripped .prn (S-INKRIP) — treat as confirmation that .prn is a normal shop convention, not a VinylCut format.

Other related outputs

Kind	Notes
Direct / TCP-IP send	Hotfolder or Job Manager path to printer IP:port — no intermediate file if configured that way.
BMP (optional with File send)	Hotfolder File mode can also save BMP — preview/debug; not the primary printer language.
Control-software queue	After `.prn` (or live send), control software prints; InkRIP Job Manager status/progress still useful for RIP-side tracking.

Exact preferred practice folder for .prn on Monitor-PC is still an Eric question (software/config — not hardware model).

Software-only drills

Open Tools → Hot Folder; read Create fields without enabling live print.
Mentally map File → .prn folder vs TCP/IP → IP:port.
In Job Manager detail columns, find where Output path would appear after a file RIP.
Do not enable hotfolder on a production path until Eric confirms watch folder + printer target.

Updated: 2026-09-05 (SAST).