# InkRIP — UI overview (software-only)

InkRIP-only. No physical printer required to learn this page. Sources: AM softwaretraining Introduction / Job Manager mini-series transcripts + Monitor-PC install layout (7.2.14.0.4).

## What you are looking at

InkRIP is a **RIP** (Raster Image Processor): layout / colour / nest jobs, then convert them into something a printer (or its **control software**) can print. Designing inside InkRIP is optional — many shops import artwork and RIP here.

Keep this folder separate from VinylCut (vinyl design/cut is a different suite).

## Main workspace (from UI Part 1)

After launch you typically see:

| Area | Role |
|------|------|
| **Menu / main bar (top)** | File-style actions; undo/redo; some options only appear when you open the extra menu control. Training often calls this the main toolbar / menu bar. |
| **Toolbar (left)** | Draw shapes, zoom, selection; context **widgets** under it for flip / snap / modify based on the selection. |
| **Canvas (centre)** | White design area + surrounding blank space; **rulers** for scale/alignment. |
| **Project tabs + Job Manager tab (top of canvas)** | Switch between open projects and the **Job Manager** queue. |
| **Prompt area (bottom)** | Progress bars, status messages, hover hints. |
| **Cursor / zoom readout (far right of status)** | Mouse position + zoom level while measuring. |

Training: [User interface locations](https://softwaretraining.co.za/inkrip-user-interface) · Introduction index via [inkrip-basics](https://softwaretraining.co.za/inkrip-basics).

## Job Manager — why it exists

Job Manager is the **final step before printing**: it turns your design into a **print-ready** file the printer path can understand (RIP / raster image process).

Open it from the **Job Manager** tab among the project tabs.

### Basic queue controls (Part 1)

With a job selected:

| Control | Role |
|---------|------|
| **Preview (right)** | Shows which file you are about to RIP / print. |
| **Start print** | After RIP, start output when control software is ready. |
| **Stop** | Halt if something goes wrong. |
| **Delete job** | Remove a job from the queue (cleanup). |
| **Move to top / up / down / to bottom** | Reorder the waiting line (up/down = one step; top/bottom = front/back of queue). |

Training: [Job Manager basic](https://softwaretraining.co.za/inkrip-job-manager-basic) · [Job Manager index](https://softwaretraining.co.za/inkrip-job-manager).

### Detail columns (Part 2)

With a job selected, columns typically include:

| Column | Meaning (AM training) |
|--------|------------------------|
| **Task** | File / job name. |
| **Creation date** | When the job entered the queue. |
| **Printer** | Which InkRIP **printer driver** / device this job targets (multi-printer shops). |
| **Mode** | Colour / **ICC** mode applied to the job. |
| **Status** | Finished / error / in progress, etc. |
| **Progress** | RIP or print progress. |
| **Time / duration** | How long the job took (useful for costing / prediction). |
| **Output** | Where output went — e.g. path of a saved print file (`.prn`-style) when ripping to file / flash / control software. |
| **Info** | Error / log detail when troubleshooting. |

Training: [Job Manager detailed information](https://softwaretraining.co.za/inkrip-job-managers-detailes) (live slug spelling `detailes`).

## Printer / media concepts (no first machine named)

Software-only framing until Eric names a practice printer:

1. **InkRIP printer driver** — in-app driver (properties, resolutions, ink slot order, import/export `.dpf` / Printer folder). Not “Windows printer only.”
2. **Media / canvas size** — set project / canvas to the intended print size; scale down from larger masters rather than upscale blurry art.
3. **Control software** — separate programme that loads the ripped file (often `.prn`) and drives the machine; leave it running so InkRIP can talk to the printer. (AM training cites PrintEXP as a common control example — still not VinylCut.)
4. **Queues** — Job Manager is the RIP queue; control software may have its own print queue — two layers, not one.

Training: [RIP ↔ control connection](https://softwaretraining.co.za/inkrip-rip-control-connection).

## Install tree cues (Monitor-PC, learning only)

Under `C:\Users\eric\AppData\Local\AM.CO.ZA InkRIP Easy RIP Software\` (do **not** land KB here):

- Main exe: `InkRip.exe` (ARP **7.2.14.0.4**).
- Tree includes DevDriver / USB Driver / PrinterInstaller / vcredist (elevated driver leftover may still be pending — see questions-for-eric; do not re-run elevated scripts without Eric).

## Software-only drills (no printer)

1. Launch InkRIP → identify menu bar, left toolbar, canvas, prompt bar, cursor/zoom readout.
2. New / open / save a blank canvas (Introduction series Part 2 neighbour).
3. Open **Job Manager** tab → note empty vs sample columns; do not require a live machine.
4. Read Start / Stop / Delete / reorder controls conceptually.
5. Sketch the RIP → control-software → printer chain on paper (InkRIP vs control vs machine).

Updated: 2026-09-05 (SAST).