Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 1-10
A document
may undergo a number of
conversions from color
space to color space
throughout its life. This
graphic illustrates the
concept of source and
destination, where a
document may begin as a
scan (from an Imacon 848)
and then get converted
into a
working space
(Adobe RGB 1998). That
document may be
converted to an
output/print space many
times as seen here. The
same working space
document can be output to
an Epson and a four-color
press after conversion
using the appropriate ICC
profile.
going). This process of source and destination can happen numerous times in the life of a digital
file. For example, refer to Fig. 1-10.
In Fig. 1-10, the Imacon scanner is the source and the working space (Adobe RGB 1998)
is the destination. In the second example, the working space (Adobe RGB 1998) is
now
the
source. However, in the first color conversion, the working space (Adobe RGB 1998) was the
destination. A file might undergo multiple conversions in its lifetime. Keep in mind that any
profile can be a source or a destination. All conversions require a source ICC profile and a des-
tination ICC profile. One without the other can't produce a conversion. It's a bit like one hand
clapping. I mention this because the term source and destination will be used throughout this
topic and the terminology is seen often in applications that use profiles for conversions. What
is additionally important to know is that for the ICC pipeline to work properly, files need to be
tagged with an ICC profile.
Embedding
,
assigning
, and
tagging
are all terms to describe the act of associating an ICC
profile with a document or image. Embedding and tagging mean the same thing and often are
used interchangeably. Assigning is a term used in Adobe Photoshop and is the process of select-
ing via the Assign Profile command a profile to tag (and embed) into a document. Otherwise,
the source is undefined.
Rendering Intents and ICC Profiles
Each device has a range of colors that it can reproduce, and that range
is described within the device's color space. Colors that are available in
