Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 7-8
The Photoshop
color picker after the user
clicks on the Custom
button. The Pantone
Process Coated library is
seen here.
but an accurate ICC output profile is key. With some software utilities,
you can take an output profile and have it calculate the closest RGB or
CMYK values for a certain process color for your output device. Due to
gamut issues, a 100 percent match for many colors isn't possible.
Better utilities will show you how far off the two will be, usually in
deltaE. This is useful for showing clients what they can expect in repro-
ducing a process color on a device that doesn't use process inks. Figure
7-9 shows the GretagMacbeth ColorPicker module that is part of their
ProfileMaker Pro package. Notice I have selected an RGB output profile
for a Lightjet printer. Like Photoshop, ColorPicker has a Pantone licensed
library. I can select a PMS color, and the recipe for the closest color pos-
sible to this printer is shown. In addition, a split screen soft-proofs the
differences in color and I can produce and provide deltaE values. I can
also hook up a number of Spectrophotometers and measure colors
outside the computer to find a close Pantone color match. The key is the
output profile, which allows this product to calculate the correct recipe
numerically. Any of the data measured or calculated in the ColorPicker
module can be saved as a palette for use in other applications such as
Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign.
Page Layout Applications: When and Where to
Apply Color Management
Most photographers handle their images in Photoshop and only occa-
sionally deal with page layout applications like QuarkXPress or InDesign.
Depending on the page layout application, color management is either
partially implemented as is the case with QuarkXPress or quite robust as
it is in InDesign. InDesign's color management is virtually identical to
Photoshop (as is Illustrator) so if you've been able to digest and under-
stand Chapter 2, you'll have no problem figuring out the InDesign color
settings.
