Selection

Select your device and connect it to the Measure Tool by clicking Connect.

Note: If a measuring device is not recognized or does not work properly, make sure that no other software or service is accessing the device in the background.

Other applications that support measurement devices may be connected to them by default. This is because the connection application (e.g. i1Profiler Tray) is started by default at system startup and runs continuously in the background. So when these applications are running, the Measure Tool may not be able to detect and connect to the measurement device. The solution is to launch the Activity Monitor (on macOS) or Task Manager (on Windows) and close the connection application (see screenshot).
In addition, devices must not have an existing Bluetooth connection, otherwise they will not be recognized and cannot be connected to the Measure Tool.

Light bulb icon: The Light bulb icon is shown when an instrument (such as the X-Rite i1Pro or the Konica Minolta FD-7) supports the Ambient Light Measurement mode. Clicking on this icon will switch between Ambient Light Measurement and the standard Reflectance Measurement. The mode can also be switched in the file menu Measure Mode. More information can be found in the chapter Ambient Light Measuring in Measure Tool below.

Info

Shows the current device information (if the selected device was found, version number and if the built-in filter is active).

Options

Direction: Specifies how the chart is measured. Depending on the selected device, single field measurements or strip measurements in horizontal or vertical direction are available.

Evaluation: Allows you to compare the measured data with a profile of your choice. Click on the Gear icon and select the comparison profile from the list of profiles available on the system. All patches with a DeltaE deviation higher than 20 are highlighted in red on the chart. By default, evaluation is disabled.

Note: The Evaluation can be deactivated by selecting the first entry Deactivated in the profile selection.

Opening charts

Charts can be opened via the File menu via the Recently used files and Predefined Charts entries. You can add your own charts to the list by placing them in the ColorAnt Wedges folder (User\Documents\ColorAnt\Wedges).  The menu entry Open chart directory takes you directly to the Wedges folder.
Alternatively, simply load a reference file or drag it onto the window.

Note: The Measure Tool and ColorAnt can be used in parallel. Additional files can be sent from ColorAnt to the Measure Tool while it is running. These files are added to the Reference list.

When measurement data is found in the loaded data, the user has the option to either use this data for remeasurement or to delete the measurement data and use the reference data for a new measurement.

Chart display area

The chart display area shows the selected chart with row and column numbers.

The next patch or row to be measured is highlighted by a yellow frame. If Evaluation is turned on, measured patches with a high DeltaE variance are marked in red.

Show reference data (accessible under View in menu bar): Allows a split view of the patches. One half shows the reference color value, the other the measured color value.

Fit to width (accessible under View in menu bar): The chart expands to the width of the window. For larger charts, a scroll bar appears on the right.

Add measurement: Manually adds completed measurements to the Measurements list. Usually, completed measurements are automatically added to the list. However, for re-measurements the data must be added manually to the Measurements list using the Add measurement button.

Measurements: Opens a list with all measurements of the current measuring session. The chart selected in the list is shown in the Measure Tool main window. More details about the Measurements window are available below.

Transfer and exit: Transfers all data to the Data Sets section in ColorAnt’s Main Window and closes the Measure Tool.

Reference: Lists all reference files added to the Measure Tool in the current session.

Info icon: Hover the mouse pointer over the icon to display information about the chart, such as the name of the reference, the number of patches, rows and columns of the chart. This information is useful for some devices, for example, to set them up quickly and easily.

Patch information: When hovering the mouse over a color patch, information about the respective patch is displayed, such as the patch number, the color space including reference values and measured values. When comparing with a profile, information about the DeltaE deviation is also displayed.

Show: Select the measurement condition to be displayed. Only available for datasets containing multiple measurement conditions.

Delete icon: Deletes all data measured so far and displays the chart with the reference values.

Notification messages: On the left below the display area you will see various notes and messages about the current measurement. For example, when measuring charts, there may be instructions about changing charts, or a message indicating a questionable measurement in a row (e.g., when the wrong row has been measured).

Help icon: The help icon on the bottom right takes you to ColorAnts Online Help with a single click.

Measurements window:

Date: Shows the date and time of the chart measurement.

Content: The name of the measured chart.

All: Selects all entries.

None: De-selects all entries.

Invert: Inverts the selection.

Back: Returns to the Measure Tool.

Trash can icon: Deletes selected measurements.

Transfer: Transfers the selected data to ColorAnt’s Data Sets section and returns to the Measure Tool.

Transfer and Quit: Transfers the selected data to ColorAnt’s Data Sets section and closes the Measure Tool.

The ISO-Norm 13655:2009 defines the various measuring conditions M0, M1, M2 and M3.

M0: Does not define a specific light source but recommends illuminant A. This illuminant represents domestic lighting with tungsten filament at a colour temperature of approximately 2856 Kelvin. The UV content of the light is not precisely defined. Consequently, according to ISO 13655, M0 is unsuitable if the paper fluoresces or if measurement data must be exchanged between locations.

M1: If the substrate contains optical brighteners, this measuring condition minimizes the fluctuations of the measuring results between different devices. D50 must be used as illuminant, i.e. a daylight simulation with a colour temperature of 5003 Kelvin. The radiation intensities of the wavelengths are precisely defined, even those below 400 nm, since these wavelengths excite fluorescence.

M2, also known as “UV-cut”: Applies only radiation energy above 400 nm wavelength to the sample, either through a filter advanced to the optics of the measuring instrument, or computationally. This ensures that fluorescence has no influence on the measurement results.

M3: A polarizing filter is placed in front of the lens of the measuring instrument to suppress the effects of gloss effects on measurement data. Otherwise, the same requirements apply as for measurement condition M2.

The Measure Mode (in the menu bar) allows selecting either the Ambient Light Measurement mode (only for supported devices) or the standard Reflectance Measurement mode.

If an instrument such as X-Rite i1Pro and Konica Minolta FD-7 supports both modes a light bulb button is shown in the user interface next to the instrument chooser. Clicking on this bulb button will switch between the modes. Alternatively users can switch the mode in the file menu Measure Mode.

The Ambient Light Measurement mode allows measuring the spectral radiation of a light source as a single color patch.

To measure, follow the instructions for the instrument calibration and preparation. An ambient light head must be placed on the instrument to measure the light source accordingly (see instruments manual). Depending on the instrument you may use the button on the instrument to measure or click the Measure button in Measure Tool.

Once the measuring is finished the Luminance, Temperature (in Kelvin), Spectral and XYZ values are shown. If you wish to transmit the current measurement to ColorAnt click the Transmit button.

Ambient light measurements are called Emission in the CIE Data Sets column in ColorAnt. They can be used in the CIE Conversion tool in ColorAnt or in the Viewing Condition section in CoPrAs printer profiling module.

All supported instruments with Setup Wizards (e.g. the i1iO, Konica Minolta FD-9 and the Barbieri devices) can automatically import the Scan Options (chart size, Rows per page, Gap Size) from the reference file if available. Since these values no longer have to be entered manually, a major source of error during setup and subsequent measurement is eliminated. However, the Scan Options are ONLY stored in the reference file if it was created with the Export Chart tool of ColorAnt 5 (and higher). If this information is not contained in the reference file, it must – as before – be entered manually.

Multiple charts can be measured in a single session (without closing/opening the Measure Tool after each measurement). Measured charts are automatically added to the Measurements list. The number in brackets indicates the number of measurements. A previously measured chart can be added to this list by using Add measurement which is only enabled when a complete measurement data set is available. Clicking on Measurements opens the list containing all measurements.

If a device with a wizard (positioning) is used (e.g., the X-Rite i1iO) the next measurement can be started by clicking on the Gears icon to enter the wizard/device settings. By clicking the Transfer and Quit button the data is directly sent to ColorAnt’s Data Sets section and the Measure Tool is closed.

Existing measurement data with erroneous measurement data can easily be corrected by simply remeasuring the faulty parts (lines or patches) of the chart. Just load a previously measured chart, and it is automatically added to the Reference list. Measurement data found in the loaded file can either be used for remeasurement or it can be deleted and its reference data can be used for a new measurement.

If a file with multiple measurement conditions is loaded, select the appropriate Measurement Condition from the import dialog. Connect the measurement device and measure the faulty lines or patches. By default the first row/patch is selected, but any row or patch can be selected for reassessment. If a device supports the chosen measurement condition only in a combined multi measurement mode, the data of the selected condition will be copied into all condition slots.

Once the remeasurements are completed, the measurement data has to be added to the Measurements list using Add measurement. Select either Transfer to transmit the data to the Data Sets section and return to the Measure Tool, or select Transfer and Quit to send the data to the Data Sets section and close the Measure Tool.

Note: If the Measure Tool is opened by an application that only requests one data set/measurement (such as CoPrA or ZePrA), it will start in Single mode. In this mode it is only possible to measure a single file. Once the measurement is complete, transmit the data and quit or return to the Measure Tool:

Click Back to choose another file or remeasure and correct the data. However, in Single mode only one measured data set is shown in the Measurements window. Measuring multiple charts will always overwrite the last measurement (because only one file can be transferred).

If the data is measured with a device that supports multiple measurement conditions, the calling application will display the Import dialog, so that only one of the data sets can be selected for transfer.

Measurements using the Virtual Device (spectral)

Step 1: Select the device from the drop-down list Selection.

Step 2: Click on Connect.

Options: Are available once the Virtual Device is connected. Select the Direction of the scan.

Condition: M0, M1, M2, M3.

Step 3: Start a measurement by double-clicking on the first patch of the first row.

Step 4: When the measurement is complete, click on the Transfer icon to transfer all measurement data and return to the calling application (ColorAnt, CoPrA or ZePrA).

If several measurement conditions have been used, the results/measured values of the individual conditions can be selected and viewed in the drop-down menu next to the Transfer icon.

Note: The Virtual Device is for test purposes only and will simulate the same stored spectral data each time.

Measurements using the Virtual Device (manual)

Step 1: Select the device from the drop-down list Selection.

Step 2: Click on Connect, a dialog with an input field for the Lab values appears.

Condition: M0, M1, M2

Step 3: Enter the appropriate Lab values and either press the enter key on your keyboard or click the Next button to select the next patch automatically. All required lab values can be entered in a single session.

Step 4: Once editing is complete, click the Close button to finalize the manual measurement process.

Step 5: When the measurement is complete, click on the Transfer icon to transfer all measurement data and return to the calling application (ColorAnt, CoPrA or ZePrA).

Measurements using the Virtual Device (printer)

Step 1: Select the device from the drop-down list Selection.

Step 2: Click on Connect.

Condition: M0, M1, M2, M0/M1/M2.

Options: Are available once the Virtual Device is connected. Select the Direction of the scan.

Step 3: Start a measurement by double-clicking on the first patch of the first row.

Step 4: When the measurement is complete, click on the Transfer icon to transfer all measurement data and return to the calling application (ColorAnt, CoPrA or ZePrA).

If several measurement conditions have been used, the results/measured values of the individual conditions can be selected and viewed in the drop-down menu next to the Transfer icon.

Note: The virtual device is for test purposes only and simulates a typical offset printing behavior with always the same stored data.

Measuring with the Barbieri SpectroPad

Step 1: Select the device from the Selection drop-down list in the Device tab.
Step 2: Click Connect.

Device Options

Once the device is connected, the Barbieri Setup Wizard of the SpectroPad opens:

Chart options

Chart width: Specify the width of the chart in millimeters.
Horizontal gap: Specify the width of a patch separator.
Measurement condition: M0, M1, M2.
Aperture: Choose between Default and 6.
Once all settings have been made, you can specify in the main window under Direction how you want to measure the chart.

Measure

Step 1: After selecting and connecting the device, define the required settings and click Start.
Step 2: Start the measurement with the row marked in the window.
Note: With the SpectroPad, the charts are measured line by line from bottom to top so that the instrument does not run over the lines of the chart that are still to be measured.
Step 3: When the measurement is complete, click on the Transfer icon to open the Transfer measurement dialog. Here the measurement data can be discarded or transferred to ColorAnt.

Measuring with the Barbieri Spectro LFP

Step 1: Select the device from the Selection drop-down list in the Device tab.

Step 2: Click Connect.

Device Options

Once the device is connected, the Barbieri Setup Wizard of the LFP opens:

Position the head of the device on the upper left corner of the chart, see screenshot.
Use the manual positioning on the right side or the automatic positioning to position the head exactly. Auto positioning can only be used if the chart has the necessary margins and markings.

To use auto positioning, activate the Use auto positioning checkbox and click Next. The complete chart is now measured.
Important: In order to use auto positioning, the chart needs the corresponding margins and markings.

To use manual positioning, position the head exactly above the upper left corner using the arrow keys or by entering the x/y coordinates. The measuring head should then be positioned on the outermost corner of the marked patch.

Manual input options for positioning
The four arrows change the position of the measuring head (left, right, up, down). Raise and lower the head with the double arrow in the center.
Tip: Change the position of the head with the corresponding arrow keys on your keyboard.
Steps: Indicates the units that the measuring head covers when an arrow is clicked.
Position: Change the position of the head by entering x/y coordinates.

Once you are finished, click Next to specify the upper right corner of the chart.

Confirm with Next.

On the last page, enter the position of the lower right corner and confirm with Next.

Settings

Chart options
Rows on (first) page: Enter the number of rows on the test chart page. If the test chart consists of multiple pages, enter the number of rows on the first page.
Horizontal patch gap: Specify the height of the horizontal patch separator in mm.
Vertical patch gap: Specify the height of the vertical patch separator in mm.

Measure options
Measurement condition: M0.
Aperture: Choose between Default, 2, 6, 8 or manual.
Calibration:

1. Fast: Calibrated at the beginning of each test chart page.
2. Accurate: Calibrates every second line.

Measure Mode:

1. Fast (default)
   Fast measuring mode is the default mode of the Spectro LFP. In this mode the measuring head lies on the target and the
   surface is scanned.
2. Up-Down
   In up-down mode the measuring head of the instrument moves up
   and down between each measurement. Use this mode for sensitive
   materials to avoid any scratches on the surface of the target.
3. Contactless
   The contactless mode is similar to the above fast mode with a
   difference that the measuring head does not touch the surface
   of the target. This measuring mode is suitable for sticky and
   sensitive materials.

Note: The fast measure mode Fast (default) always uses the same amount of
light and can therefore measure dark and bright samples equally fast. However, the disadvantage is that dark samples in particular are not recorded with sufficient accuracy. The single contact measure mode Up-Down is advantageous here, because
the required amount of light can be individually adjusted for each color patch. This leads to a better differentiation, especially with dark colors.

Start: Starts the measurement of the chart.

Multipage test charts

Manual positioning

If the test chart has multiple pages, a message appears after measuring a page prompting to place the next page on the table:

1. Place the next test chart page on the table.
2. Recalibrate the table and use the manual controls as described above to indicate two corners of the chart. The third corner is calculated automatically.
3. Click Start to measure the next page.

Important: If the second page was placed EXACTLY where the first page was, you can continue without recalibrating. The previously set coordinates will then be used again.

Automatic positioning
When auto positioning is selected:

The checkbox Use auto positioning is activated automatically.

Click Start to autoposition and measure the next page.

Important: In order to use auto positioning, the chart needs the appropriate margins and markings.

Creating charts with Barbieri gateway and measuring using ColorAnt:

To create ColorLogic charts within Barbieri Gateway’s chart generator, including the auto positioning feature, follow the procedure below:

Copy the ColorLogic charts to the user directory: Myuser>Documents>Barbieri>Gateway
Start the Barbieri Chart Generator and select the reference file from the CLReferencesBarbieri folder.

Add the desired options to the chart, e.g. auto positioning markings, reference area, etc., and Save the target file.

Load the reference file into ColorAnt by dragging and dropping the .ref file onto the Data Sets window. The target file can be found in the Gateway>Targets folder.

If the patches do not match the printed chart, right-click on the reference in the Data Sets window and select Swap Rows with Columns. Check the patch arrangement again in the View tool.

Select the reference file and  click Measure. Ensure that the correct chart has been selected. Select the Spectro LFP from the device list and click Connect.

Once the device is connected, the Spectro LFP wizard will be displayed. Simply select auto positioning and click Start.

Measuring with the Barbieri Spectro LFP qb

Step 1: Select the device from the Selection drop-down list.

Step 2: Click Connect.

Once the device is connected, the Barbieri Setup Wizard of the LFP qb opens:

Positioning

Position the head of the device on the upper left corner of the chart, see screenshot.
Use the manual positioning on the right side to position the head exactly above the upper left corner using the arrow keys or by entering the x/y coordinates. The measuring head should then be positioned on the outermost corner of the marked patch.

Automatic positioning by using the camera

When using automatic positioning by camera, a photo of the entire chart is taken and searched for the marker lines at the borders. The auto positioning is therefore only possible if the chart has the required borders and markers.

Use the manual positioning on the right side or the automatic positioning to position the head exactly.
Select the Use auto positioning checkbox and click Next. The complete chart is now measured.

Note: The camera must be connected in order to use automatic positioning by camera. If the automatic positioning by camera does not work, the system switches back to the automatic positioning without camera.

Automatic positioning without camera

In automatic positioning without a camera, the measuring head searches for the marker lines at the border. Auto positioning is therefore only possible if the chart has the required borders and markings.

Select the Use auto positioning checkbox and click Next. The complete chart is now measured.

Manual input options for positioning
The four arrows change the position of the measuring head (left, right, up, down). Raise and lower the head with the double arrow in the center.

Tip: Change the position of the head with the corresponding arrow keys on your keyboard.
Steps: Indicates the units that the measuring head covers when an arrow is clicked.
Position: Change the position of the head by entering x/y coordinates.

Once you are finished, click Next to specify the upper right corner of the chart.

Confirm with Next.

On the last page, enter the position of the lower right corner and confirm with Next.

Settings

Chart options
Rows on (first) page: Enter the number of rows on the test chart page. If the test chart consists of multiple pages, enter the number of rows on the first page.
Horizontal patch gap: Specify the height of the horizontal patch separator in mm.
Vertical patch gap: Specify the height of the vertical patch separator in mm.

Measure options
Measurement condition: M0, M1, M2, M3.
Aperture: Choose between Default, 2, 6, 8 or manual.
Measure Mode:

1. Fast (default)
   Fast measuring mode is the default mode of the Spectro LFP. In this mode the measuring head lies on the target and the
   surface is scanned.
2. Up-Down
   In up-down mode the measuring head of the instrument moves up
   and down between each measurement. Use this mode for sensitive
   materials to avoid any scratches on the surface of the target.
3. Contactless
   The contactless mode is similar to the above fast mode with a
   difference that the measuring head does not touch the surface
   of the target. This measuring mode is suitable for sticky and
   sensitive materials.

Note: The fast measure mode Fast (default) always uses the same amount of
light and can therefore measure dark and bright samples equally fast. However, the disadvantage is that dark samples in particular are not recorded with sufficient accuracy. The single contact measure mode Up-Down is advantageous here, because
the required amount of light can be individually adjusted for each colour patch. This leads to a better differentiation, especially with dark colors.

Start: Starts the measurement of the chart.

Multipage test charts

Manual positioning

If the test chart has multiple pages, a message appears after measuring a page prompting to place the next page on the table:

1. Place the next test chart page on the table.
2. Recalibrate the table and use the manual controls as described above to indicate two corners of the chart. The third corner is calculated automatically.
3. Click Start to measure the next page.

Important: If the second page was placed EXACTLY where the first page was, you can continue without recalibrating. The previously set coordinates will then be used again.

Creating charts with Barbieri gateway and measuring using ColorAnt

To create ColorLogic charts within Barbieri Gateway’s chart generator, including the auto positioning feature, follow the procedure below:

Copy the ColorLogic charts to the user directory: Myuser>Documents>Barbieri>Gateway
Start the Barbieri Chart Generator and select the reference file from the CLReferencesBarbieri folder.

Add the desired options to the chart, e.g. auto positioning markings, reference area, etc., and Save the target file.

Load the reference file into ColorAnt by dragging and dropping the .ref file onto the Data Sets window. The target file can be found in the Gateway>Targets folder.

If the patches do not match the printed chart, right-click on the reference in the Data Sets window and select Swap Rows with Columns. Check the patch arrangement again in the View tool.

Select the reference file and  click Measure. Ensure that the correct chart has been selected. Select the Spectro LFP qb from the device list and click Connect.

Once the device is connected, the Spectro LFP qb wizard will be displayed. Simply select auto positioning and click Start.

Measuring with the Techkon SpectroDens

Important: Techkon devices are only available under Windows.
Techkon devices also require the TechkonDeviceServer service from Techkon GmbH for operation which is available for download here: http://www.colorlogic.de/Seiten/Download/TDServiceSDK.2.0.0.7.exe

Step 1: Choose the device from the Selection drop-down list in the Device tab.

Step 2: Click Connect.

Step 3: Place the device on the white reference patch. Confirm by clicking OK.

Device options

Once the device is connected the Setup Wizard of the SpectroDens opens:

Settings

Measurement condition: M0, M1, M2, M3.

Polarization Filter: Depending on your instrument version, the polarization filter can be adjusted manually or automatically. If this is purely automatic, the selection is grayed out and dependent on the selection of the measurement condition.
Illuminant: Choose between A, C, D50, D65, F2, F7 and F11. Illumination depends on the measure condition.
Observer: Choose between O2 and O10.
Select how to measure the chart in the main window under Direction.

Measure

Step 1: In the Device tab, select the device from the Selection drop-down list and start the white calibration.

Step 2: Place the device on the first patch of the line. Press down the measure button of the device and move over the line of patches until crossing the last patch in line. Release the button.

Step 3: Data will be transferred to the Measure Tool. Continue with the next line.

Step 4: Once the measurement is complete, click on the Transfer icon to open the Transfer measurement dialog. Here the measurement data can be discarded or transferred to ColorAnt.

Measuring with the Techkon SpectroJet

Important: Techkon devices are only available under Windows.
Techkon devices also require the TechkonDeviceServer service from Techkon GmbH for operation which is available for download here: http://www.colorlogic.de/Seiten/Download/TDServiceSDK.2.0.0.7.exe

Step 1: Choose the device from the Selection drop-down list in the Device tab.

Step 2: Click Connect.

Step 3: Place the device on the white reference patch. Confirm and click OK.

Device options

Once the device is connected, the Setup Wizard for the SpectroJet opens:

Settings

Patch Width: Specify the patch width in millimeters.
Gap Width: Enter the width of the patch separator in millimeters.
Measure Condition: M0, M1, M2, M3.
Polarization Filter: Depending on your instrument version, the polarization filter can be adjusted manually or automatically. If this is purely automatic, the selection is grayed out and dependent on the selection of the measure condition.
Illuminant: Choose between A, C, D50, D65, F2, F7 and F11. Illumination depends on the Measure condition.
Observer: Choose between O2 and O10.
Select how to measure the chart in the main window under Direction.

Measure

Step 1: In the Device tab, select the device from the Selection drop-down list and start the white calibration.

Step 2: Place the device on the first patch of the row. Press the measure button on the device once. Move over the row of patches until the last patch of the row.

M0 & M3: Measuring the row one time is sufficient for accurate measurement.

M1 & M2: The device display prompts for a second measurement to complete the dual measurement.

Tip: If a measurement fails, retry by adding more distance before the first patch and behind the last patch.

Step 3: Data will be transferred to the Measure Tool and continue measuring the next line.

Step 4: Save the data once all the rows have been measured.