Using the Hydraton Printer with a Third-Party RIP

This article explains how to use the Mutoh Hydraton printer with any third-party RIP software (e.g. ONYX or others) by utilizing VerteLith for printer communication.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Overview
• For Windows Systems
• For macOS and Linux Systems
• Result

Overview

To use the Mutoh Hydraton with any third-party RIP software (e.g. ONYX or others), VerteLith must also be installed on the same network. VerteLith provides the required printer communication components and driver interface for the Hydraton.

No printer registration or configuration is required inside VerteLith.

Important: VerteLith must be fully installed and initialized before adding the Hydraton printer in the third-party RIP.

For Windows Systems

If the third-party RIP is installed on Windows, follow these steps carefully:

1. Install VerteLith
   → Install latest version of VerteLith on the same workstation where the third-party RIP will be used or is being used.
   → Run the VerteLithFirewallSettings from the Windows Start Menu and make sure all boxes are checked.
   → No printer setup or registration is required in VerteLith.
   → Important: VerteLith must be fully installed and initialized before adding the Hydraton printer in the third-party RIP.
   
   

2. Install the Third-Party RIP (If already installed, skip step)
   → Install your preferred RIP software (e.g. ONYX) on the same workstation.

3. Configure the Printer in the RIP
   → Add and configure the Hydraton printer in the RIP software.
   → Printing should now work correctly through the VerteLith communication driver.

For macOS and Linux Systems

If the third-party RIP is running on macOS or Linux, a Windows workstation is required to handle printer communication.

1. Prepare a Windows Workstation
   → Set up a dedicated Windows PC or VM on the same network.
   → Install latest version of VerteLith, which automatically installs Mutoh Status Monitor.

2. Add the Printer(s) in Mutoh Status Monitor
   → Launch Mutoh Status Monitor and add all Hydraton printers that will be used.

3. Add Printers to Mutoh Print Server (MPS)
   → Add each printer in MPS. See section 14.3 in the Mutoh Status Manual for instructions.
   → Assign a unique port number per printer. By default, ports 9100–9104 are used.

4. No Configuration in VerteLith Required
   → VerteLith only provides the communication layer; no additional setup inside VerteLith is needed.
   → Important: VerteLith and Mutoh Status Monitor must be installed and operational before adding the printers to the third-party RIP on macOS or Linux.

5. Configure the Printer in the Third-Party RIP
   → On macOS or Linux, add the printer(s) in the RIP software.
   → Use the IP address of the Windows workstation as the printer IP and the corresponding port number set in MPS.

Result

Once configured, the third-party RIP will communicate through the Windows-based VerteLith and Mutoh Status Monitor setup, allowing reliable printing to the Hydraton from Windows, macOS, or Linux environments.