SIGGRAPH 98 - Course 26

Orlando, July 20, 1998 (afternoon)
Half-day course

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Color management: Technology & implementation

Color management systems (CMS) are now built into modern operating systems. CMS technology enables device-independent color, which is an admirable goal for business graphics. However, image professionals do not seek device-independent color! Instead, they maximize the use of the color capabilities of various media. This course explains the theory of color management, emphasizing its roots in human visual perception. We detail the implementation and use of color management systems, and describe the ICC standard for color device profiles. Finally, we describe how a device profile for a particular device is produced.

Prerequisites

You should have experience designing or using software that processes color images, and have technical background in creating and manipulating digital imagery. You should have detailed knowledge of image coding, perhaps attained through the companion Color Image Coding course, or by having attended the Digital Color course at a previous SIGGRAPH.

Topics beyond the prerequisites

You will learn how the same R'G'B' image data - even with the same gamma correction - can appear quite different on different devices. Deliberate, subtle alterations to mathematical "correctness" are applied when a video or film image is originated, in order to maximize the subjective quality of the picture. We outline these alterations, and suggest how they can be exploited. You will learn how device profile construction is a blend of science and craft, of mathematics and perception.

Registration

Registration and other information is available at the SIGGRAPH 98 courses page.

Charles Poynton - Courses & seminars
1998-02-23