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NEWS • AUGUST 17 , 2000
ITC Ships ColorBlind 4.0
New version improves G4 performance

by David Nagel
Executive Producer
dnagel@digitalmedianet.com

Imaging Technologies Corp. today announced that its new versions of ColorBlind color management software have started shipping. ColorBlind's latest versions are being released for Mac OS users and offer improved speed, enhanced device profiling and support for a range of new measuring devices, according to the company.

ColorBlind MatchBox 4.0 features improvements for Macintosh G4 running OS 9 and enhancements to the interface. In addition, a new "Profiler Plus" version is being introduced that allows existing MatchBox users to update the application so they can use other measuring instruments. An upgrade with a dongle will also be available for the user wishing to use the serial port where the ColorMouse is installed. MatchBox offers the following features:

  • Scanner Profiling: ColorBlind Matchbox Profiler makes a profile of the input device with a provided target that is scanned or shot with a digital camera. After capturing the target, a click of the "Measure" button automatically builds ICC profiles for the input device. A device folder is created to contain the RGB and CIE data, along with a report file to provide statistical information on the input device.
  • Monitor Profiling: ColorBlind Matchbox Profiler displays a target on the monitor for an X-Rite DTP92, Light Source Colortron II, Gretag Spectrolino, Minolta or Sequel to measure for creating a profile. It sets a user-defined gamma and calibrates the monitor for all applications.
  • Printer Profiling: ColorBlind Matchbox Profiler supports only the provided colorimeter or any scanner calibrated with a ColorBlind application to measure the target patch by patch. The information measured is related to the original target to achieve an ICC profile of the output device. A device folder is created to contain the target and CIE measurement data, along with a report file to provide statistical information on the output device.
  • Profile Editing: ColorBlind Matchbox includes ColorBlind Edit, an application for soft proofing images using ICC profiles and for editing any ICC profile.
  • Spot Color Calibration: ColorBlind Matchbox includes ColorBlind Spot, an application for building color libraries for any output device. Spot utilizes an ICC output profile to create a library of any measured or Pantone color for color correct reproduction of any spot color the output device is capable of printing or displaying.

ITC is also introducing version 4.0 of its higher-end profiling package, ColorBlind Professional. This enhanced update adds support for new measuring instruments, including X-Rite, DTP41/T, GretagMacBeth's Spectroscan T and SpectroStar's Spectrocam and provides improved connectivity on the Macintosh G4 running OS 9. ColorBlind professional offers the following features:

  • Scanner Profiling: ColorBlind makes a profile of an input device with a provided target, which is scanned or shot with a digital camera. ColorBlind provides the color engine that makes every input device see this target and all originals in the same way. This is achieved by relating color to CIE-LAB. The program can also generate a report that provides information on the quality and consistency of the chosen input device.
  • Monitor Profiling: ColorBlind displays a target on the monitor for the X-Rite DTP92, Light Source Colortron or Gretag Spectrolino. The information measured is related to the original target to achieve a monitor profile. ColorBlind provides the engine that makes every monitor display color the same way. A report will provide information on the quality and consistency of the monitor.
  • Output Profiling: ColorBlind builds a target for the output device to print and uses a colorimeter or spectrophotometer to measure the target with unprecedented ease. The information measured is related to the original target to achieve a profile of the output device. ColorBlind provides the color engine that makes every printer print originals in the same way. A report will provide users with information on the quality and consistency of the output device.

Enhancements have also been made to the interface for ColorBlind Edit version 3.0, which is used to modify ICC profiles and images. The changes will allow users to access profiles and to edit images as well as profiles. ColorBlind Edit offers the following features:

  • Image Acquisition: ColorBlind Edit supports all scanners with an acquire module. Images can also be acquired via a "Hot" folder from anywhere on your network. The application opens and saves in TIFF, EPS, DCS and Scitex CT formats.
  • Attach Profiles: With ColorBlind Edit users attach ICC source and color edit profiles to an image for processing with other ICC-aware applications. Users can also process the image to the desired color space.
  • Image Display: RGB, LAB and CMYK image display is achieved through constant use of ColorSync 2.0 monitor profiles within the application. Output color space can be simulated in the display.
  • Editing Profiles: ColorBlind Edit provides the following tools for individual image corrections: Automatic or interactive setting of highlights and shadows; global tone adjustments; gray-sensitive tone adjustments; brightness, contrast and saturation adjustments; global color correction of primary colors in hue, lightness and chroma; selective color correction of user-defined colors and thresholds; and gray balance correction of printer profiles.
  • Image Processing: Profiles and corrections can be applied at the host workstation or via any application compatible with ColorSync 2.0.
  • Batch Processing: Any or all image acquisitions, profile attachments and editing can be applied in a batch mode. Batches can be customized in any configuration to perform all or part of image processing work.

Existing registered users of ColorBlind applications can upgrade to the latest version by visiting ITC's Web site at http://www.itec.net. More information on ColorBlind can be found at http://www.color.com. ColorBlind MatchBox retails for $999. ColorBlind Edit sells for $499. ColorBlind Professional sells for $4,799.

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