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BabelColor CT&A Detailed Specs

 
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BabelColor icon  BabelColor CT&A Detailed Specs

Jump to Screenshots, Features

RGB vs RGB tool (screenshots)

Supported instruments

  • i1Pro (X-Rite, formerly GretagMacbeth). Supported models: Rev A-D.
  • (New in version 4.0) i1Pro 2 (X-Rite). Supported models: i1Pro 2 M0/M1/M2, i1Pro 2 M2 only. An Intel processor and Mac OS X 10.5.8+ required to access the new i1Pro 2 features on Mac computers.
  • (New in version 4.0) i1Display Pro colorimeter (X-Rite retail version, part #EODIS3-XR). Generic models sold by other companies (third parties, or OEM, part #EODIS-OEM) should also be compatible. At this time we cannot say if we will support or not custom models sold by other companies since separate agreements with these parties may be required. More specific info will be provided as new models are released. Mac OS X 10.5+ required for Mac computers.
  • Eye-One Display and Display 2 (X-Rite, formerly GretagMacbeth)
  • Eye-One Display 2 bundled with a monitor: If an instrument is recognized to be an Eye-One Display or Eye-One Display 2 by CT&A, then it can be used in the program and will provide accurate measurements. Example-1: The MDSVSENSOR2, which is part of the SVII-PRO-KIT sold by NEC for their wide gamut Spectraview displays, such as the PA271W model, is compatible with CT&A; please consult the Instrument section of the Help manual for more information. Example-2: The Eye-One Display offered with HP DreamColor monitors is NOT compatible with CT&A.

RGB spaces:

  • Adobe (1998)
  • Apple RGB
  • BestRGB
  • Beta RGB
  • Bruce RGB
  • CIE RGB
  • ColorMatch
  • DonRGB4
  • eciRGB_v2 (with the L*, i.e. L-star, tone response curve)
  • Ekta Space PS5
  • Generic RGB
  • HDTV (HD-CIF)
  • NTSC
  • PAL / SECAM
  • ProPhoto
  • SGI RGB
  • SMPTE-C
  • SMPTE-240M
  • sRGB (Mac and Windows default space)
  • Wide Gamut
  • Any user-defined custom RGB space (see just below)

Custom RGB space (screenshots):

  • Define an RGB space with custom primaries, a custom illuminant, and a custom gamma.
  • Enter the xyz chromaticity coordinates of the illuminant directly or obtain the coordinates of any D-series (D50, D93, etc.) or blackbody illuminant by simply entering the source temperature, in kelvin (Ex.: 9300 K for D93).
  • Gamma can be either a single parameter or a multi-parameters function, as defined for some standard spaces such as NTSC and eciRGB_v2 (called the L*, i.e. L-star, tone response curve in this space); all parameters are fully customizable.
  • Get the coefficients of the Bradford and CIECAT02 (New in version 4.0) Chromatic Adaptation Transform (CAT) matrix between your custom illuminant and many standard illuminants. You can also get the inverse matrix coefficients.
  • Export a spreadsheet savvy text report that contains all the parameters required to define and compute the custom RGB space coordinates (includes the XYZ-to-RGB and RGB-to-XYZ matrices).
  • Export your custom RGB space as an ICC profile. This profile can be assigned to an image using image editing programs that support profile embedding, such as Photoshop. It can also be assigned to a color list in BabelColor's PatchTool or used to convert a color list with PatchTool's Gamut Tools.

Color Decks:

  • British Standard 5252F (i.e. BS 5252F, which comprises the colors referred to by BS 4800, BS 4900, BS 4901, BS 4902, BS 4903, BS 4904, and BS 6770)
  • Federal Standard 595B (FED-STD-595B)
  • Munsell Color System (with over 4000 color chips)
  • RAL CLASSIC
  • User-defined list imported using the "BabelColor CT&A Export" dialog of the PatchTool program, which converts color lists saved in Adobe Swatch Exchange (ASE), CGATS, CXF or plain text formats to the Color Decks database format.

Input formats (for RGB spaces):

  • RGB
  • L*a*b* referenced to the illuminant of the input space
  • L*a*b* referenced to illuminant D50
  • L*u*v* referenced to the illuminant of the input space
  • L*u*v* referenced to illuminant D50
  • "xy" coordinates selected by clicking in the chromaticity diagram
  • L*a*b*/L*u*v* input via a colorimeter or spectrophotometer (supported instruments, purchased separately)

Output formats:

  • RGB (see note 1)
  • Hex # (Hexadecimal equivalent of RGB) (see Note 1)
  • HSB (Hue-Saturation-Brightness) (see note 1)
  • Munsell Hue Value and Chroma (HVC) (with fractional accuracy; see the HVC fields in this example)
  • L*a*b* referenced to the illuminant of the input space
  • L*a*b* referenced to illuminant D50
  • L*u*v* referenced to the illuminant of the input space
  • L*u*v* referenced to illuminant D50
  • L*C*h* based on either L*a*b* or L*u*v*
  • "xy" coordinates shown in the chromaticity diagram
  • xyY referenced to the illuminant of the input space
  • XYZ referenced to the illuminant of the input space
  • Luminance (cd/m2) or Illuminance (lux), as well as
    the Correlated Color Temperature (CCT, in kelvin), when
    using an Eye-One in emission or ambient measurement mode

Note 1 : Only shown for RGB spaces.

Color difference (DeltaE) formulas:

  • DeltaE*ab (CIELAB color difference)
  • DeltaE*uv (CIELUV color difference)
  • CIE94
  • CIE94-textile (with kL parameter = 2)
  • CMC(2:1) (for acceptability, pass/fail, measurements)
  • CMC(1:1) (for perceptibility measurements)
  • CIEDE2000

The above differences are shown only if the two spaces which are compared have the same illuminant. However, when the illuminant is different, the following color differences are always available:

  • DeltaE*ab referenced to illuminant D50
  • DeltaE*uv referenced to illuminant D50
  • CIE94 referenced to illuminant D50
  • CIE94-textile referenced to illuminant D50
  • CMC(2:1) referenced to illuminant D50
  • CMC(1:1) referenced to illuminant D50
  • CIEDE2000 referenced to illuminant D50

In addition, the individual contributions of the following parameters are available for all DeltaE formulas:

  • DeltaL*, the lightness difference
  • DeltaC*, the chroma difference
  • DeltaH*, the hue difference
  • Delta h*, the hue angle difference

Miscellaneous:

  • The Bradford and CIECAT02 matrices can be used for Chromatic Adaptation Transforms (CAT). You can get the CAT matrices (direct and inverse) between many standard illuminants as well as between your custom-defined illuminant and a standard illuminants.
  • Exhaustive numeric data describing and comparing the selected colors can be saved to a text file.
  • A chromaticity diagram can be printed with or without numeric data.
  • SWOP gamut or ColorChecker data determined with C, D50, or D65 illuminant can be overlaid on the chromaticity diagram.
  • The display space can be user-selected.

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Spectral tools

Supported instruments

  • i1Pro (X-Rite, formerly GretagMacbeth). Supported models: Rev A-D.
  • (New in version 4.0) i1Pro 2 (X-Rite). Supported models: i1Pro 2 M0/M1/M2, i1Pro 2 M2 only. An Intel processor and Mac OS X 10.5.8+ required to access the new i1Pro 2 features on Mac computers.

Density tools (screenshot):

  • (New in version 4.0) If you are using an i1Pro 2 with the i1Pro / i1Pro 2 (XRGA) driver, you can select the M0 (Ill-A), M1 (D50), and M2 (UV-cut) Measurement Conditions as defined in ISO 13655-2009. If you are using an i1Pro, or an i1Pro 2 with the i1Pro / i1Pro 2 (non-XRGA) driver, the program will select the default measurement condition supported by the instrument.
  • Reflection density, with Absolute or Paper White base
  • Dot / Tone (Dot Area): Murray-Davies or Yule-Nielson formulas; user-adjustable n Factor
  • Apparent Trap: Preucil (GATF) or Brunner formulas
  • Print Contrast, with Absolute or Paper White base
  • Hue error - Grayness - Saturation, with Absolute or Paper White base
  • Density standards (as defined in ISO 5-3):
    • ANSI Status A (recommended for measuring densities of photographic color prints)
    • ANSI Status E (used mostly in Europe; wide-band color response; equivalent to the DIN status)
    • ANSI Status I (narrow-band interference-type filter response; equivalent to the DIN NB and SPI statuses)
    • ANSI Status T (equivalent of ANSI Status E in North America; the difference with Status E is how the yellow filter is weighted)
  • Manual or Automatic CMYK filter selection
  • Up to five measurements per tool; get the average; select one measurement, or the average, as a reference.
  • Export a report formatted for a spreadsheet and a word processor.

FluoCheck tools (screenshot) (New in version 4.0):

  • IMPORTANT: An i1Pro 2 which supports the M0 (Ill-A), M1 (D50), and M2 (UV-cut) Measurement Conditions as defined in ISO 13655-2009 is required to use these tools (an i1Pro cannot be used!).
  • Fluorescence Index (FI): This index requires only one printed sample; the index is obtained by computing the color difference between a measurement made with the M2 (UV-cut) measurement condition and a measurement made with either M0 (Illuminant A) or M1 (D50). The formula used to compute the color difference can be any of the standard color difference equations listed below.
  • Fluorescence Metamerism Index (FMI): This index evaluates if the combined appearance of two printed samples varies between a reference Measurement Condition (M2, UV-cut) and a UV-inducing illuminant (either M0 or M1); it is based on the Hunter Metamerism Index. The FMI is identified as either FMI(M0) or FMI(M1).
  • Observer: 2 degree (CIE1931) or 10 degree (CIE 1964).
  • Fluorescence Index Color difference formula:
    • CIELAB
    • CIE94, i.e CIE94(1:1)
    • CIE94 textile, i.e. CIE94(2:1)
    • CIE94(2:2) (recommended by Berns for metamerism analysis)
    • CMC(2:1)
    • CMC(1:1)
    • CIEDE2000
  • Export a report formatted for a spreadsheet and a word processor.

Graph tools (screenshots):

  • Acquire and compare two spectrums.
  • Measurement modes: emission, ambient, reflectance, and flash (the mode can be different for each spectrum; ambient and flash not supported by all i1Pro versions)
  • (New in version 4.0) For reflectance measurements: If you are using an i1Pro 2 with the i1Pro / i1Pro 2 (XRGA) driver, you can select the M0 (Ill-A), M1 (D50), and M2 (UV-cut) Measurement Conditions as defined in ISO 13655-2009. If you are using an i1Pro, or an i1Pro 2 with the i1Pro / i1Pro 2 (non-XRGA) driver, the program will select the default measurement condition supported by the instrument.
  • Absolute or normalized scales, with zoom
  • Basic mathematical operations on spectrums: ADD, AVERAGE, SUBTRACT, MULTIPLY
  • Compare measured ambient or flash spectrums with theoretical spectrums of same illuminance.
  • Get the illuminance (lux or lux-sec), the Correlated Color Temperature (CCT, in kelvin), and the Color Rendering Index (CRI) of ambient and flash sources.
  • Get the luminance (cd/m2) and the Correlated Color Temperature (CCT, in kelvin) of emission sources.
  • Observe coordinates data by moving the mouse over the spectrums.
  • Obtain color space data for each spectrum:
    • L*a*b* and L*C*h* (ab)
    • L*u*v* and L*C*h* (uv)
    • XYZ
    • xyY
  • Observer: 2 degree (CIE1931) and 10 degree (CIE1964)
  • Illuminant:
    • A, B, C
    • D50, D55, D60, D75, D93
    • E
    • F2, F7, F11
  • Color difference formula:
    • CIELAB
    • CIE94, i.e CIE94(1:1)
    • CIE94 textile, i.e. CIE94(2:1)
    • CMC(2:1)
    • CMC(1:1)
    • CIEDE2000
  • Export a report formatted for a spreadsheet and a word processor. The file is also CGATS compliant and can be opened by many color-management software, including PatchTool and X-Rite/GretagMacbeth MeasureTool.
  • Export an image of the spectrums (Windows: BMP or JPG; Mac: PICT). You can select to generate the image at a 1X scale, for monitor display, or 2X scale (double resolution), for printing reports.

ISO 3664+ tools (screenshots):

  • Based on the measuring conditions of ISO 3664 to which it adds many user-selectable conditions.
  • ISO 3664 Viewing Conditions:
    • P1: Prints: Critical comparison (requires an Eye-One with an ambient diffuser adapter)
    • P2: Prints: Practical appraisal (requires an Eye-One with an ambient diffuser adapter)
    • T1: Transparencies (direct viewing)
    • Color monitors (the brightness uniformity is based on the nine positions defined in ISO 12646)
  • Measurements:
    • Brightness
    • Chromaticity: u'v' Uniform Chromaticity Scale (UCS, CIE1976), 10 degree Observer (CIE1964)
    • Correlated Color Temperature (CCT), in kelvin
    • Color Rendering Index (CRI): CIE 13; also provides the index of each sample
    • Daylight simulator Metamerism Index (MI) and Quality Grade: ISO 23603 / CIE S 012
    • Brightness uniformity; up to nine positions can be measured
  • Chromaticity "Target center":
    • D50 for "P1", "P2" and "T1" (ISO 3664)
    • D65 for "Color monitors" (ISO 3664)
    • 2856 K, 3200 K, 3500 K, 4100 K, 4700, 5000 K (non ISO 3664)
    • D55, D60, D75, D93 (non ISO 3664)
  • CRI "Reference Illuminant":
    • D50 for "P1", "P2" and "T1" (ISO 3664)
    • 2856 K, 3200 K, 3500 K, 4100 K, 4700, 5000 K (non ISO 3664)
    • D55, D65, D75 (non ISO 3664)
    • Automatically assigned from the measured color temperature (CCT)
  • MI and Quality Grade "Reference Illuminant":
    • D50 for "P1", "P2" and "T1" (ISO 3664)
    • D55, D65, D75 (non ISO 3664)
  • Up to nine measurements can be recorded for each viewing condition.
  • Load an ambient spectrum from a file instead of measuring it with an Eye-One.
  • Print a well-formatted one-page report which contains information dedicated to compliance reports.
  • Export a report formatted for a spreadsheet and a word processor.

Metamerism Index (MI) tools (screenshot):

  • (New in version 4.0) If you are using an i1Pro 2 with the i1Pro / i1Pro 2 (XRGA) driver, you can select the M0 (Ill-A), M1 (D50), and M2 (UV-cut) Measurement Conditions as defined in ISO 13655-2009. If you are using an i1Pro, or an i1Pro 2 with the i1Pro / i1Pro 2 (non-XRGA) driver, the program will select the default measurement condition supported by the instrument. (Note: It is not recommended to use the MI tools with samples which are fluorescent although you can identify such samples with them).
  • Color Inconstancy Index (CII): color stability of a single sample under one illuminant relative to a reference illuminant (Default reference: D65, user-selectable among 12 preset illuminants or a locally measured ambient illuminant); expressed as a color difference; user-selectable color difference formula; computed as per CIECAT02.
  • Special Metamerism Index (SMI): the color difference between two samples under an illuminant can be considered an SMI if the two samples match under another illuminant; user-selectable color difference formula.
  • Metamerism index: HunterLab Metamerism Index; based on the data from two samples and two illuminants; the samples do not need to match under any illuminant; CIELAB color difference formula.
  • Observer: 2 degree (CIE1931) or 10 degree (CIE 1964).
  • Two (2) optional ambient illuminants,: You can measure or load from a file two illuminants; the program will compute the illuminance (lux), the Correlated Color Temperature (CCT, in kelvin), the Color Rendering Index (CRI), and the CCT used for CRI computation. Save the spectrum and its derived data in a file for reference or future use.
  • Color difference formula:
    • CIELAB
    • CIE94, i.e CIE94(1:1)
    • CIE94 textile, i.e. CIE94(2:1)
    • CIE94(2:2) (recommended by Berns for metamerism analysis)
    • CMC(2:1)
    • CMC(1:1)
    • CIEDE2000
  • Illuminant selection:
    • A, B, C
    • D50, D55, D60, D65, D75
    • E
    • F2, F7, F11
    • Two optional ambient illuminants (requires an Eye-One with an ambient diffuser adapter if measured, but can be loaded from a file)
  • Export a report formatted for a spreadsheet and a word processor.

RAL Design tool (screenshot):

  • (New in version 4.0) If you are using an i1Pro 2 with the i1Pro / i1Pro 2 (XRGA) driver, all measurements will be taken with the three Measurement Conditions, M0 (Ill-A), M1 (D50), and M2 (UV-cut), as defined in ISO 13655-2009. If you are using an i1Pro, or an i1Pro 2 with the i1Pro / i1Pro 2 (non-XRGA) driver, the program will select the default measurement condition supported by the instrument.
  • Reflectance sample measurement presented in RAL DESIGN Hue-Lightness-Chroma (HLC) notation.
  • L*a*b* and L*C*h* (D65, 10 degree Observer) also displayed.
  • (New in version 4.0) Export a report formatted for a spreadsheet and a word processor.

Whiteness tools (screenshots):

  • The Whiteness tools are dedicated to the measurement of white paper properties: Whiteness and Tint, Brightness, Fluorescence, Opacity.
  • Whiteness, Tint, Brightness, and Fluorescence measurements require a compliant white backing. Opacity measurements require a compliant black backing. Backing are not provided but compliance checking tools are included (see below).
  • Fluorescence measurements also require:
    • a thin, transparent, UV filter (not provided, but characterization tools are included), or (New in version 4.0) an i1Pro 2 which supports the M0 and M2 measurement conditions as defined in ISO 13655-2009;
    • an i1Pro or i1Pro 2 which is NOT UV-Cut.
  • Whiteness and Tint: Measure a paper whiteness and tint according to three different formulas.
    • CIE-GANZ 82 (Ernst Ganz): The standard CIE formula. Based on XYZ measurements (D65, 2 degree Observer). This formula is also described in the ASTM E313 standard.
    • CIE-Uchida (Hiroko Uchida): This formula extends CIE-GANZ 82 by supporting a wider range of tints and purity over which whiteness can be evaluated. Based on XYZ measurements (D65, 2 degree Observer).
    • CIELAB-HE 2007 (Guoxin He, Mingxun Zhou): Based on CIELAB (D65, 10 degree Observer). Works over a wider range of tints and purity. It is said to be more uniform and to better match visual ranking.
  • Brightness: Measure a paper brightness according to TAPPI T452 / ASTM D985 (see Note 2).
  • Fluorescence: Measure a paper fluorescence according to TAPPI T452 / ASTM D985.
  • Opacity: Measure a paper opacity according to CGATS.5 / ISO 2471.
  • White backing compliance: Check the compliance of a white backing used to measure color patches as per ISO 13655.
  • Black backing compliance: Check the compliance of a black backing used to measure color patches as per ISO 5-4.
  • Derive a UV filter spectrum : Derive the spectral characteristics of an unknown UV filter to be used for fluorescence measurements.
  • Export a report formatted for a spreadsheet and a word processor. The file is also CGATS compliant and can be opened by many color-management software, including PatchTool and X-Rite/GretagMacbeth MeasureTool.
  • Export an image of the spectrums (Windows: BMP or JPG; Mac: PICT). You can select to generate the image at a 1X scale, for monitor display, or 2X scale (double resolution and size), for printing reports.

Note 2: There are sufficient differences between an i1Pro or i1Pro 2 and an instrument designed expressly for the requirements of TAPPI T452 or ASTM D985, that you should not expect to match the results obtained with qualified equipment. However, the instrument geometry is close, the lamp source is of the required type, the blue wavelength band is simulated in software, and the reference white can be derived from the standard instrument calibration in reflectance.

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System requirements

Windows:

  • Minimum:
    • Windows 2000
    • 750 MHz
    • 512 MB RAM
    • 1024 x 768, 32 bit color (the tool bar should be hidden to maximize the display area)
  • Recommended:
    • Windows XP / Vista / Windows 7 / Windows 8 in Desktop mode
    • 1.0+ GHz
    • 1+ GB RAM (2+ GB for Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8)
    • 1280 x 1024 display, 32 bit color
    • Calibrated display
  • Help file:
    • Available in HTML Help and PDF formats.
    • To use HTML Help, you need to have Internet Explorer 4.0 or above installed on your system, which also installs the HTML Help support files.
    • To read PDF files, you need to install the free "Adobe Reader" application (formerly named "Acrobat Reader"), Version 5 or above, available at the following Web site: http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/ .

Mac OS:

  • Minimum:
    • Mac OS X 10.4+
    • 750 MHz
    • 512 MB RAM
    • 1024 x 768, 32 bit color (the task bar should be hidden to maximize the display area)
  • Recommended:
    • Mac OS X 10.6+
    • 1.0+ GHz
    • 1+ GB RAM
    • 1280 x 1024 display, 32 bit color
    • Calibrated display
  • Compatible with:
    • PowerPC and Mac Intel (Available in separate "PowerPC" and "Intel" packages)
      (Note : Version 4.0 is the last version for Mac with PowerPC processors)
    • The Windows version is compatible with Windows OS on dual boot Mac.
  • Help file:
    • Available in PDF format.
    • To read PDF files, we suggest you install the free "Adobe Reader" application (formerly named "Acrobat Reader"), Version 5 or above, available at the following Web site: http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/ .

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Last modification : 03 avril 2013