Color Management Comprehensive Technology Discussion III

6, the implementation of color management conditions and assessment

Above the level of color management principles, processes and management system in the actual process. Is that color management possible? The answer is no. The following conditions must be met before performing color management:
1.ICC Profile (ICC Profile)

2.Mac: Color Sync 2.5 or Windows: ICM2.0

3.Color space conversion engine (eg, Color Engine) Such as: Agfa, Heidelberg, Kodak and other software

4.IT8.7 standard scan original and its standard data:

(1) IT 8.7/1 (Standard Scanned Transmission Originals) and its standard data

(2) IT8.7/2 (Standard Scan Reflective Original) and its standard data

(3) IT8.7/3 (928th order - standard output electronic file) and its standard data

5. Application programs that generate ICC files, such as: ColorTune 3.01, LinoColor, Colorblind, etc. 6. Color measuring instruments, such as: Gretag-Macbeth Spectrolino & Spectroscan

7. Support image processing or typesetting software for placing ICC files, such as Adobe Photoshop or PageMaker

8. Network Processor (RIP) supporting ICC color profile

Having the above conditions does not mean that you can do a good job in color management. Just as having Heidelberg SM105 doesn't necessarily print good prints. Printed drafts can be evaluated from various aspects. However, for the evaluation of color management, there are currently no standards for measurement and quantitative indicator data. The following only proposes the advice of foreign scholars and experts for the reference of the insiders:

1. Whether the device's color profile is generated by the user

2. The color profile of the input device conforms to the ISO IT 8.7 standard, which provides a version of the type (transmission, reflection, etc.)

3. When creating the device's color profile, measure the amount of color blocks

4. The color measurement instrument is compatible with the color management system

5. The price of the management system

6. Is there an education training course after the color management system?

7. Does the management system support soft proofing or hard proofing?

7, color management practice exercises

The following uses Windows Photo System as an example to illustrate the process of managing colors using ICC files. The scanner's ICC file is used directly in the scan driver and the color is calibrated during the scan. For digital photography, the first step in color management is to use a reasonable color space when shooting. For less demanding applications such as web mapping, self-printing photos, digital photo output, etc., the sRGB color space can be simply selected; however, for photographs to be used for print publishing or high-precision print output, Adobe RGB must be selected for shooting. The color space, which is used throughout the image processing process, is only converted to CMYK mode before being sent to the plate.

Strict color management is required to establish the ICC file of the camera in different lighting conditions. In fact, the white balance setting of the camera is calculated according to the manufacturer's preset, similar to the data of the ICC file, but the standard is not used. The ICC format is embedded in the camera software. You can also create an ICC file (using a dedicated color card and software) in accordance with the uncolored process, and then use PhotoShop's Assign Profile command to embed the ICC file for accurate color reproduction.

With the printer's ICC file, you can use PhotoShop's Proof Setup command to assign the printer's ICC file to the file to be printed before you print it out, and then preview the possible print results with the ProofColors command.

Of course, all of this is based on the premise that the monitor's color reproduction is accurate. Therefore, the monitor must first be calibrated. After the display has been physically calibrated for brightness, contrast, and color, the ICC file is created. In the advanced dialog of Windows display property setting, there are special options for color management. Calling this ICC file can ensure that the color displayed by the monitor is the closest to the standard color (Of course, the accuracy of the color restoration is also the quality of the monitor itself. There are relationships).

In the three links of input, display, and output, the system and application software will automatically use the three links of the ICC file for color data calculation and color space conversion, so that the color is always consistent, which is the secret of color management.

8, the application of color management

As the ICC standard has been widely recognized by the industry, most of the hardware devices for the industry currently have their own ICC profiles, such as Agfa Duoscan, Microtck Artriscan series high-end scanners, Kodak DCS 620/520 series of professional digital cameras, HP Laserjet 8550 /4550 color laser, Designjet series large format printers and more. At the same time, a large number of professional image processing software also supports the use of ICC profiles for color management, often used in image processing AdobePhotoshop has this feature.

The ICC color profile of the device can also be created, managed, and distributed using dedicated ICC tools. Such as Kodak's ColorFlom ICC ProfileTools. You can use the ColorFolw ICC Monitor Profile Builder to generate your own ICC profile for your monitor; use the ColorFlow Input Profile Builder to generate the ICC profile for your digital camera and scanner.

9, the prospect of color management

From a printing point of view, color management should always be used. Color often becomes the receiving standard for production. Even if a customer barely accepts a print with unsatisfactory color, he may no longer be patronizing the next time. Many companies lose important customers because of color issues. It can be seen that mastering the laws of color presentation and controlling color quality are the technologies that must be mastered in production and production. With advanced equipment alone and without good technical cooperation, it will eventually lose its capital in the fierce market competition.
In the era of printing and digitization and rapid development of automation, the market demand for exquisite books, magazines and magazines is also increasing. The quality standards of printed materials will certainly be mentioned on the agenda. When the printing speeds reach similar levels, how to control the color quality of printed products will be the biggest capital for printing companies to compete, and it is also a sign of corporate brand protection. This is also a major factor in the frequent participation of companies such as China Business and Yachang in various selection activities during these years. Some companies have also seen the market, specifically for the printing company to provide related color management consulting services, such as Wenyuan Zhida company.

Therefore, in addition to the competition in the digital printing era with the upgrading of infrastructure, it is a correct and necessary path to focus R&D technology on printing quality control and digital color management application technology. Color management is ahead.