ColorAnt | Embed CxF X-4

Embed CxF/X-4

Embed CxF/X-4 data in a PDF file

Embed CxF/X-4

Embed CxF/X-4 allows to embed spectral measurement data of spot colors (compliant with CxF/X-4) in a PDF ﬁle so that other CxF/X-4 compatible tools (e.g. ZePrA) are able to extract or use this data. The embedding is in accordance with PDF 2.0 and CxF/X-4 speciﬁcations.

Note: Only available in ColorAnt L

Procedure

Select the CxF/X-4 measurement data in the Data Sets panel in ColorAnt and open the Embed CxF/X-4 tool from the sidebar. Single or multiple measurement data ﬁles can be selected.
Note: If the measurement data file is not compliant with CxF/X-4, the tool is grayed out.
Select a PDF/X file with spot colors to embed the selected measurements into. Only a single PDF ﬁle can be selected.
Once the PDF/X file is opened, the tool lists all spot colors of the PDF file, checks for spot color names that fit those of the CxF/X-4 measurement data and warns in case of conflicts. The data will only be embedded if the spot color names of the PDF file fit those of the CxF/X-4 file.
Click Start.

Note: The spectral data needs to be compliant with the three CxF/X-4 spot color conformance levels:

CxF/X-4b single patch characterization (if only the full tones of spot colors are available)
CxF/X-4a single background characterization (full tone and gradient on white)
CxF/X-4 full characterization (full tone and gradient on white and black)

Embed CxF/X-4 data in PDF files

Replace already existing CxF/X-4 measurement data: Is only enabled when CxF data is already available in the PDF file, otherwise, it is grayed out. If the checkbox is activated, existing CxF data in the PDF will be replaced by new data.

Requirements

Spectral measurement data must be available for the selected spot colors. Lab data is not supported in the CxF/X-4 format.
At least the full tone has to be available. Otherwise, the tool is grayed out.
Test chart ﬁles with typical CMYK, RGB or Gray color spaces are not supported.
Only PDF ﬁles with Output Intent are allowed as the CxF data will be embedded in the output intent.

Note: PDF ﬁles can have an output intent without being PDF/X compliant. If a selected PDF ﬁle has no output intent a warning message will indicate that this ﬁle is not suitable and the Start button will be disabled.

5. The PDF file must contain spot colors otherwise embedding is not be possible (e.g. the Start button is disabled).

ColorAnt | Measure

Measure

Measure test charts

Measure Tool

The Measure Tool is ColorLogic’s own tool for measuring test charts and spot colors. It can be opened in ColorAnt by selecting Measure in the Sidebar.

Measuring with the Measure Tool

Selection

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

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.

Chart display area

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

The last measured patch or row is marked 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.

Info icon: Displays information about the chart, i.e., name of the reference, the number of fields, rows and columns of the chart. This information is useful for some devices, for example, to set them up quickly and easily.

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

Measurement Condition: Only available if a dataset containing multiple measurement conditions is loaded. Allows selection of the measurement condition to be displayed.

Plus icon: Add completed measurements to the Measurements list.

Measurements: Shows a list of all the measurements added in 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 icon: Transfers the measurement data to ColorAnt.

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.

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: The date and time at which the chart was measured.
Device: The device with which the chart was measured.
Name: The name of the measured chart.
Type: Indicates if the data was Imported or Measured. Imported data serves only as a reference.

All: Selects all entries.

None: De-selects all entries.

Invert: Inverts the selection.

Trash can icon: Deletes selected measurements.

Quit: Closes the window without transmitting or saving any data.

Transmit and Quit: Closes the Measure Tool and transfers all Measured data (Imported data is not transmitted).

General Information on measurement conditions

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.

Ambient Light Measuring in Measure Tool

The Measure Mode (in the menu bar) allows to select 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 to measure 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.

Instruments with Setup Wizards

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.

Measuring multiple charts

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 the Plus button which is only enabled if 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. Clicking the Transmit button transfers the data directly to ColorAnt’s Data Sets section and the Measure Tool is closed.

Remeasure faulty patches/lines

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 Measurements list as Imported data.

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 remeasuring. 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 the plus sign. Click on Transmit to transfer the data back to the calling application.

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.

Virtual Devices

ColorAnt’s Measure Tool includes three Virtual Devices, the Virtual Device (manual), Virtual Device (spectral) and the Virtual Device (printer). The Virtual Device (spectral) is used for demonstration purposes. The Virtual Device (manual) allows you to manually enter Lab values for selected patches. For example, this is helpful if the device that measured the values is not connected to the Measure Tool or if an older device is used that only displays the measured values on the device itself.
With the Virtual Device (printer) a typical offset printing behaviour can be simulated for test purposes.

Virtual Device (spectral)

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.

Virtual Device (manual)

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).

Virtual Device (printer)

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.

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Supported Devices

Myiro-1

Barbieri

Barbieri Spectro LFP
Barbieri Spectro LFP qb
Barbieri Spectropad

Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta FD-5
Konica Minolta FD-7
Konica Minolta FD-9

Techkon

SpectroDens (Windows only)
SpectroJet (Windows only)

X-Rite

X-Rite eXact
X-Rite i1Pro 1
X-Rite i1Pro 2
X-Rite i1Pro 3
X-Rite i1iO
X-Rite iO3

Myiro-1

Measuring with the Myiro-1

Calibration

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

Step 2: Click Connect.

Step 3: Make sure that the white reference head is mounted and click OK.

Condition: Measurements are always carried out with the combined conditions M0/M1/M2. All available measuring conditions are always measured in a single step.

Measure

Step 1: Select the device from the Selection drop-down and perform the white calibration.

Step 2: Under Options > Direction, select how you would like to measure the test chart. For measurements with the ruler we recommend the option Scan complete rows.

Step 3: Place the instrument in front of the first patch of the row to be measured and press the measure button on the instrument. Keep the button pressed while moving the instrument across the strip and beyond the last patch. Release the button.

Step 4: The data is transferred to the Measure Tool. Continue with the next row.

Step 5: 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.

ColorAnt allows the transmission of individual or all available measurement conditions. In the latter case, several data sets are transmitted. For easy differentiation, the measurement condition is appended to the file name of each data set.

Barbieri Devices

Barbieri SpectroPad

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.

Barbieri Spectro LFP

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:

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

Measure Mode:

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.
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.
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:

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

Barbieri Spectro LFP qb

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

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

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.
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.
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:

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

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.

Konica Minolta Devices

Konica Minolta FD-7

Measuring with the Konica Minolta FD-7

Calibration

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

Step 2: Click Connect.

Step 3: Set the device on the white reference with the Target Mask attached. Correctly place it on the calibration tile and press it down. Click OK and keep the device pressed down until the measuring mode can be selected in the upper left-hand corner of the measuring window.

Device options

Once the device is connected and calibrated, the measurement options become available.
Condition: M0, M1, M2.
Direction: Specify the mode of the measurement.

Measure

Step 1: Select the device from the Selection drop-down list in the Device tab and perform the white calibration as described above.

Step 2: Place the instrument in front of the first patch of the line to be measured and press the measure button of the instrument. Hold down the button and move the device over the strip until after the last patch. Release the button.

Step 3: The data is transferred to the Measure Tool and you can proceed to 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.

Ambient Light Measuring

Ambient light measurements can be performed either using the Measure Tool 2.0 or from within the CIE Conversion tool.

Measure Tool: Select the Ambient Light Measurement mode from the menu Measure Mode or click on the light bulb icon next to the Selection drop-down menu.
CIE Conversion: Select Emission (Measure) from the drop-down list Illumination. This will start the Measure Tool.

Step 1: Select the device from the Selection drop-down list in the Device tab and perform the white calibration as described above. After calibration, confirm the message Please prepare the device for ambient light measuring.

Step 2: Attach the ambient light head to the device.

Step 3: Click on Measure.

Step 4: Transfer the measured data to ColorAnt by clicking Transmit.
The measured values will be displayed either in the panel Data Sets (when using the Measure Tool directly) or in the CIE conversion tool.

Step 5 (CIE conversion only): Click on Start. The data of the ambient light measurement are used to convert the selected spectral data to the new viewing condition.

Konica Minolta FD-9

Measuring with the Konica Minolta FD-9

Step 1: Select the FD-9 from the Selection drop down list in the Device tab.

Step 2: Click on Connect.

Device options

Once the device is connected, the Setup Wizard opens:

Settings

Measurement condition: M0, M1, M2, M3.

Lines per page: Define the number of lines on your chart. If the chart contains several pages, define the number of lines of the first page.

Number of pages: Automatically calculates the number of pages.

Freeform: Put the chart on the table of your FD-9 and the device will recognize it automatically.

Target: Requires the definition of the chart size, patches etc., and the FD-9 will search the page for a chart that fits the parameters.

Measure:

Step 1: After connecting the device the Setup Wizard opens.

Step 2: Define the settings and click Start.

Step 3: The FD-9 will display a message to insert the chart. Insert the chart and wait until the measurement process is completed.

Step 4: Once the measuring is complete the data will be displayed in the Measure Tool. Save the data and continue.

Techkon Devices

Techkon SpectroDens

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.

White Reference Calibration

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.

Techkon SpectroJet

Measuring with the Techkon SpectroJet

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.

White Reference Calibration

Device options

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

Settings

Patch Width: Specify the patch width 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.

X-Rite Devices

X-Rite eXact

Measuring with the X-Rite eXact

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

Step 2: Click on Connect.

Step 3: If asked to do a white calibration, confirm by clicking on OK. White calibration is done by the device internally.

White Reference Calibration

Device options

When the device connects, the eXact Setup Wizard opens:

eXact Setup Wizard

Settings

Patch Width (mm): Automatically calculates the width of a single patch.

Gaps Width (mm): Specify the gaps width in millimeters.
Chart Width (mm): Specify the chart width in millimeters.
Measurement Condition: M1 and M0/M2/M3. Use the slide switch on the unit to switch between the two available conditions – M1 and M0/M2/M3. In M0/M2/M3 mode, all available measurement conditions are measured in one pass.

Once all settings have been made, you can select how the chart is to be measured 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 and press down the folding mechanism of the device. This will start the measurement. Wait for the beep and, with the instrument pressed down, move over the strip to the last patch in the row. The measurement will stop automatically. Release the device.

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

Step 4: 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.

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.

Measure (single patch mode)

To measure in single patch mode without the scan attachment, proceed as follows:

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

Step 2: After closing the settings dialog with OK, select the direction Patches – Line by Line under Options in the upper right corner of the main window.

Step 3: Place the device on the first patch of the row and press down the folding mechanism of the device. This will start the measurement. After you hear the beep, you can lift up the instrument.
Step 4: The data is transferred to the Measure Tool and you can continue with the next patch.

Step 5: 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.

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.

X-Rite i1Pro 1

Measuring with the X-Rite i1Pro 1

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 and click OK.

White Reference Calibration

Device Options

As soon as the device is connected define the Measurement Condition.

Settings

Measure Condition: M0 (Single), M0/M1/M2 (Dual).
Note: The measure condition can only be selected with the i1 Pro-2.
Once all settings have been made, you can select how the chart is to be measured in the main window under Direction.

Measure

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

Step 2: Place your device in front of the first patch of the first row and press the measure button of your device. Keep the button pressed and move over the entire row. Release the button.

Step 3: The data will be transferred to the Measure. Continue with the next row.

Step 4: After measuring all rows save the data in Measure Tool.

Step 5: 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.

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.

Dual Mode: If dual mode was selected each row needs to be measured twice. After measuring in one direction, the LED on the device indicates the direction to be measured next.

X-Rite i1Pro 2

Measuring with the X-Rite i1Pro 2

Calibration

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

Step 2: Click Connect.

Step 3: Set the device on the white reference. Correctly place it on the calibration tile and click OK. The instrument will be calibrated.

Device Options

When the instrument has been connected, the Setup Wizard opens, showing the Measurement Options for the instrument.

Use Zebra Ruler: Using the ruler improves the M0 single scan measurement, but is not required and can be deactivated with the checkbox. The ruler allows a more precise control of the position/speed of the measuring device, which reduces the risk of measurement errors.

Ambient Light Measuring

Ambient light measurements can be performed either using the Measure Tool 2.0 or from within the CIE Conversion tool:

Measure Tool: Select the Ambient Light Measurement mode from the menu Measure Mode or click on the light bulb icon next to the Selection drop-down menu.

CIE Conversion: Select Emission (Measure) from the drop-down list Illumination. This will open the Measure Tool.

Step 2: Attach the ambient light head to the device.

Step 3: Click on Measure.

Step 4: Transfer the measured data to ColorAnt by clicking Transmit.

The measured values will be displayed either in the panel Data Sets (when using the Measure Tool directly) or in the CIE conversion tool.

Step 5 (CIE conversion only): Click on Start. The data of the ambient light measurement are used to convert the selected spectral data to the new viewing condition.

X-Rite i1Pro 3

Measuring with the X-Rite i1Pro 3

Calibration

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

Step 2: Click Connect.

Step 3: Set the device on the white reference. Correctly place it on the calibration tile and click OK. The instrument will be calibrated.

Measurement Options

When the instrument has been connected, the Setup Wizard opens, showing the Measurement Options for the instrument.

Measurement Condition: M0/M1/M2 or M3. With the combined conditions M0/M1/M2 all available measurement conditions are always measured in a single step. To be able to measure in M3 mode, the corresponding polarisation filter head must be mounted to the instrument before connecting the instrument. The Measure Tool automatically detects which head is currently in use and sets the Measurement Condition accordingly.

When all settings have been made, define how the chart is to be measured under Direction in the main window.

Measure

Step 1: Select the device from the Selection drop-down and perform the white calibration.

Step 2: Under Options > Direction, select how you would like to measure the test chart. For measurements with the ruler we recommend the option Scan complete rows.

Step 4: The data is transferred to the Measure Tool. Continue with the next row.

Step 5: 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.

Ambient Light Measuring

Ambient light measurements can be performed either using the Measure Tool or from within the CIE Conversion tool:

Measure Tool: Select the Ambient Light Measurement mode from the menu Measure Mode or click on the light bulb icon next to the Selection drop-down menu.

CIE Conversion: Select Emission (Measure) from the drop-down list Illumination. This will open the Measure Tool.

Step 1: Select the device from the Selection drop-down list in the Device tab and perform the white calibration as described above. After calibration, confirm the message Please prepare the device for ambient light measuring.

Step 2: Attach the ambient light head to the device.

Step 3: Click on Measure.

Step 4: Transfer the measured data to ColorAnt by clicking Transmit.

The measured values will be displayed either in the panel Data Sets (when using the Measure Tool directly) or in the CIE conversion tool.

Step 5 (CIE conversion only): Click on Start. The data of the ambient light measurement are used to convert the selected spectral data to the new viewing condition.

X-Rite i1iO

Measuring with the X-Rite i1iO

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

Step 2: Click Connect.

Device options

Once the device is connected the Setup Wizard of the i1iO opens:

Settings

Rows per page: Specify the number of rows. If the chart contains several pages, specify the number of rows of the first page.

Gap Size (mm): Specify the gap width if necessary.

Number of pages: Automatically calculates the number of pages.

Measurement condition: M0 (Single), M0,M1,M2 (Dual).

Note: M0 (Single) measurements support a minimum patch size of 7 mm wide and 6 mm high. In this mode every row is measured once. The different Dual modes need patches that are at least 8 mm wide and 7.5 mm high. The rows will be measured twice.

Note: If you are using an older i1Pro (up to RevD), only the M0 mode is available. The dual measurement is only supported by the newer i1Pro-2.

Measure

Step 1: After selecting and connecting your device the Setup Wizard starts.

Step 2: Specify the rows and gaps, then click Next to proceed.

Step 3: On the next page define the Chart Corners (1 top left, 2 bottom left, 3 bottom right).
Note: To avoid small measurement errors, the fourth chart corner can also be defined.

Step 4: To define a corner, place the crosshairs of the slide in the middle of the corresponding patch (in the respective corner) and press the i1 measuring button once.

Step 5: The Setup Wizard now continues with the next corner. Repeat step 4 for the lower left corner and then for the lower right corner.

Information: If you need to correct corners click on Delete Corner Points.

Step 6: After defining the corners begin measuring with Start.

Step 7: 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.

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.

Multipage Test Charts

Step 1: When measuring multilateral test charts, the Setup Wizard reopens after measuring the first page.

Step 2: Put the next page on the iO table and make sure that the right chart image is selected. Define the Chart Corners again and start the measuring process by clicking on Start.

Step 3: Repeat these steps until all pages are measured.

Step 4: After measuring all pages of the test chart save the data for further processing.

X-Rite i1iO3

Measuring with the X-Rite i1iO3

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

Step 2: Click Connect.

Device options

Once the device is connected the Setup Wizard of the i1iO3 opens:

Settings

Scan Options

Rows per page: Specify the number of rows. If the chart contains several pages, specify the number of rows of the first page.

Gap Size (mm): Specify the gap width if necessary.

Number of pages: Automatically calculates the number of pages.

Measure Options

When all settings have been made, define how the chart is to be measured under Direction in the main window.

More accurate (Patch by Patch): By activating the checkbox, a step-by-step single patch measurement is performed instead of a strip measurement.

Measure

Step 1: After selecting and connecting your device the Setup Wizard starts.

Step 2: Specify the rows and gaps, then click Next to proceed.

Step 3: On the next page define the Chart Corners (1 top left, 2 bottom left, 3 bottom right).
Note: To avoid small measurement errors, the fourth chart corner can also be defined. To do so, please tick the checkbox Enable fourth corner.

Step 4: To define a corner, place the crosshairs of the slide in the middle of the corresponding patch (in the respective corner) and press the i1 measuring button once.

Step 5: The Setup Wizard now continues with the next corner. Repeat step 4 for the lower left corner and then for the lower right corner.

Information: If you need to correct corners click on Delete Corner Points.

Step 6: After defining the corners begin measuring with Start.

Step 7: 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.

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.

Multipage Test Charts

Step 1: When measuring multilateral test charts, the Setup Wizard reopens after measuring the first page.

Step 2: Put the next page on the iO table and make sure that the right chart image is selected. Define the Chart Corners again and start the measuring process by clicking on Start.

Step 3: Repeat these steps until all pages are measured.

Step 4: After measuring all pages of the test chart save the data for further processing.

ColorAnt | Report

Report

Create custom reports for measurement data

Create Report

Overview

When there is a question about the quality of measurement data further processing (e.g. for the creation of profiles) or needs to be corrected, you can produce a Report. This report is used to verify and graphically display the data and to provide recommendations for corrections. The Report is a very powerful feature to document which types of corrections to the measurement data are necessary.

Procedure:

Before applying any of the tools, select the loaded measurement file and click on the Report button.
In addition to the Check measurement data quality function, where necessary, also activate the checkboxes Check print standard (profile) to select a comparison profile and/or Find best profile matching the data. ICC profiles in the drop-down menu Compare with print standard (profile) are sorted by percentages with the highest match on top. The best matching profile of the list will automatically be selected if the Search button is clicked.
If you click on Save, a save dialog opens in which the desired file name can be entered and the location specified, as well as defining the Format of the report.
ColorAnt creates either PDF or XML reports. The XML report format to build a customized design for example with Microsoft Excel. Beside the report file an additional file ColorAntReport.xsd containing the XML schema will be saved and you may use it when importing the data in other tools.
Click on Save and for example a PDF report will be generated, saved and opens up in your preferred PDF viewer.
The different report pages provide an insight into the Tonal Value Increase Curves, the gamut representation (Spider Web) as well as the results of the test on the matching of redundant color patches (Quality Evaluation section), measurement or printing errors and the smoothness of the measurement file.
By switching on/off the different layers in the PDF file, display the individual tone curves. Switch on/off the color patches highlighted with a red frame and also view color patches before and after correction and smoothing.Text assessments in the individual sections give tips on the correction tools to be used in ColorAnt. Get information about optical brighteners in the paper, which available ICC profiles best fits the measurement data or how exactly the measurement data depicts a pre-defined reference profile.

Add a custom logo and report title in the Preferences dialog. For exchanging a logo file make sure to use a small size TIFF, JPEG or GIF file.

ColorAnt | Automatic Correction

Automatic Correction

Auto correct measurement data

Automatic Correction

The Auto feature optimizes measurement data by applying the following tools in the specified order:

1. Redundancies: Clean up redundant color patches

2. Correction: Correcting faulty measurement values

3. Smoothing: 50% slider setting with no protection of highlights

Each tool that is applied is displayed in the History section. ColorLogic recommends to create a Report for detailed results and further recommendations on your measurement data.

Procedure

Load measurement data by drag-and-drop onto the Data Sets area or via File > Open.
Click Auto and then Start. The corrections applied to the data are displayed under History.
Save the optimized measurement data as a new file via File > Save as. Use the optimized measurement data in profiling software such as ColorLogic’s CoPrA to create high quality ICC printer profiles.

Automatically correcting multiple data sets:

Average multiple files (in instances of multiple files with the same amount of patches, or multiple prints of the same chart) or if redundancies, correction and smoothing shall be applied. This leads to optimized measurement data leaving the characteristics of the print closest to the original which provides better profiles in the end. The screenshots show the settings the Automatic feature uses.

Flexographic measurement data: ColorLogic recommends manually optimizing and smoothing the data. This avoids the bump curve being smoothed or changed in Flexographic data.

ColorAnt | Export Chart

Export Chart

Export custom charts for printing

Export Chart

Overview

The Export Chart tool allows creation of test charts based on device color values (e.g. RGB, CMYK, 7 Color etc.), which can be stored as PDF, TIFF or PSD files to be printed.

The window has three different panels. On top, a Preset covering all the settings can be selected, manual presets can be created, saved or deleted.

The largest panel covers settings for Chart Dimension, Patch Sizes and additional Options.

The panel on the bottom provides information of how many files will be created with the chosen Preset and settings and buttons to Cancel or create (Start) the test charts.

The preview area on the right side shows the Patch distribution on all generated pages. Changes of the Chart Dimension, Patch Sizes and Options can thus be evaluated directly.

The Measure Tool is optimized to work with most of the instruments supported:

– Barbieri Spectro LFP

– Barbieri Spectropad

– Konica-Minolta FD-7/ FD-5

– Konica-Minolta FD-9

– Techkon SpectroDens

– Techkon SpectroJet

– X-Rite i1Pro 2 /i1Pro 1

– X-Rite eXact

– X-Rite i1iO

Note: Non-supported instruments may require software from the specific vendor for generating a test chart from our reference data. Read this article about using ColorLogic reference data in other programs such as X-Rite i1Profiler to generate test charts for the X-Rite iSis.

Procedure

Select the reference file with the required device color values and load this information into Measurement Data. Available reference data for different color spaces are stored under Data/ Predefined data or create your own reference data with the Custom Chart tool.
Open the tool Export Chart to define the proper settings for creating a test chart for the applicable measurement device.
It is recommended to select a Predefined Preset in the drop-down menu that fits your instrument type and size requirements.

The Broom icon can be used to delete edited presets if they haven’t been saved yet.
For a custom chart or patch size edit one of the predefined presets. The edited version will be marked as (edited). For the custom settings to be saved click the save icon and give the preset a name. Saved presets will be listed under the SAVED divider line in the drop-down menu.
After defining the settings (more details in the next chapter Settings and Options) ColorAnt will display, how many pages the test chart will require. A larger Chart height allows more patches per page and reduces the number of pages required.
Click on the Start button and the test chart will be exported. In the Save dialog define file name and Format (TIFF, PSD or PDF).
ColorAnt generates the required test charts and a new reference data fitting the layout you have previously defined. Please use this newly generated reference data and not the one loaded under point 1 for measuring the patches and profile creation.

Settings and Options

Measuring instruments may have specific needs regarding patch sizes, the gap between different patches and the size of the overall chart. In addition, you may respect the requirements of your print process and eventually reduce the Ink Limit (TAC).
Patch Sizes: Allows to define the Patch width and Patch height of each color patch. Select the Gap size from the drop-down menu. Use Auto as a default or None if no gaps between patches are needed. Some instruments can work with a very small gap of 0.5 mm some require 1 mm. For rough surface substrates and low resolution printers a 2 mm gap may be helpful. For further information consult the instrument documentation.
Patch distribution: Defines the distribution of patches on the test chart.
Randomize: Color patches are distributed randomly.
Normal: Color patches are distributed as specified in the reference file.
Sorted: Color patches are sorted from light to dark. This might be helpful to modify a random chart into a well sorted layout or if you may export a color wedge of one single color.

Note: Randomize is applied every time you save the file. So it is not possible to save the same reference file with the same random patch order twice. If it is however wanted, we recommend the following workaround: Save your chart with Randomize and open the generated reference to save it again using Normal.
Chart Dimension: Define the image size of each individual test chart. Enter the desired Chart width and height to limit the space that might be used for the color patches (minus the space required for labeling the patches). This is the image size, not the paper size. The exported test charts can be positioned on the required paper size afterwards and then be printed.

Prevent vertical gaps: Removes the gaps between rows (gaps between columns remain). Depending on the chart size, several additional rows may fit on one page.
Scan Options such as chart size, Rows per page and Gap Size are stored in the reference file. When measuring the test chart using the Measure Tool (v2, included from ColorAnt 5), all supported measuring devices that have Setup Wizards (for example the i1iO, Konica-Minolta FD-9 and the Barbieri devices) can read out this data and automatically import it.
When creating one-page test charts, ColorAnt tries to preserve the layout of the rows and columns during export, which can lead to an under-utilization of the chart width. To prevent this activate the checkbox Always use full chart width.

Note: Please consider the documentation of your measurement device. Some measurement devices allow measurement rows of patches by swiping over the rows. Those types of devices use rulers that can measure up to a certain width which need to be taken into consideration when the Chart width is defined. The instrument documentation will tell you if a patch delimiter is required and will inform you about the minimum patch size.
Ink limit: Allows limitation of the TAC for exported test charts. Typically each of ColorLogic’s CMYK and Multicolor test charts have patches with a maximum of 400% ink. If that is too much ink for the printing method or you require a certain ink limit, the desired Ink Limit can be entered. ColorAnt uses a sophisticated ink limiting algorithm that does not just clip values.

Note: Use the exported reference file for measuring and profiling so reference values and test chart fit each other. Please note that the reference file will be ink limited, otherwise profiling would be leading to incorrect ICC profiles. Third party profiling applications may not be able to retain ink limit data. In addition, when building the ICC profile either use the same or a lower ink limit (called Max.Ink in ColorLogic CoPrA) than defined in the test chart. In most cases a decrease of the ink limit is not necessary for test chart creation.
Add patch numbers: Enabled by default. Disabling the option removes the numbers from patches.

ColorAnt | Custom Chart

Custom Chart

Create custom test charts

Creating a Custom Chart

Overview

To define a custom test chart for profiling a reference file containing the device data for the color space is required. The Custom Chart tool is designed for creating the reference files for test chart generation. Custom Chart allows you to generate reference files for the following color spaces:

Gray, RGB, CMYK
1 Color, 2 Color, 3 Color, 4 Color, 5 Color, 6 Color, 7 Color, 8 Color, 9 Color (with Multicolor license – ColorAnt L)

Afterwards create a pixel file, either in TIFF or PSD format or a PDF, from the reference file by using the Export Chart tool to be printed on your device and Measure the test chart with a spectrophotometer.

Redundant patches for paper white and primaries are automatically added to newly generated profiling test charts (affects medium and large charts containing 2 or more channels). This allows better verification of printer stability and results in better averaging and redundancy correction of profiling test charts.

Note: We recommend to randomize the patches over the entire layout of the test chart using the Export Chart tool with Patch distribution set to Randomize before printing.

Procedure

Select the required number of channels and name the color channels accordingly
Select a Mode
Select the desired Number of patches
Name the colors, then click the Start button to create the custom test chart

Mode: The Custom Chart tool creates various test chart types that can be selected from the Mode drop-down menu. The following modes are available:

Profiling: Use this mode to create typical test charts for profiling printers.
Flexo Profiling: This is similar to the profiling mode; however, more patches in the highlights are generated to better capture the behavior of flexographic presses.
Profile Updating: Use this mode to generate test charts with a minimum amount of patches to be used in conjunction with the Update Profile module in CoPrA.
Linearization: Linearization charts only contain patches of the primaries.

Choose the Chart Mode

An additional Mode is available for 1 Color to 9 Color color spaces:

CxF/X-4 Wedge: Creates a CxF/X-4 chart including a black gradation.

Number of patches: Affects how precisely the device color space will be filled with color patches. Please consider the available space on your output, the required accuracy of the characterization data and the capabilities of your printer. Available choices are Large, Medium and Small test charts, and a Custom option that allows entering a specific number of patches (the Custom option is not available for CxF/X-4).
Note: The Custom Chart tool works even with only a few patches. The color space is covered in the best possible way to allow proper profile creation.

The following description will show you how to generate a reference file for profiling by using the Custom Chart tool. Depending on the color space different options are available. To generate Multicolor reference files an additional Multicolor license is required.

Generation of reference files for Gray, RGB and CMYK

Choose between generation of reference file with or without linearizing the primaries.
Note: A linearization is always helpful if the printing system tends to print unexpected, e.g. colors are far too dark due to strong tone value increase. A linearization helps to distribute color patches in the best possible way for that printing system. In addition, ColorAnt generates a very smooth and homogenous linearization, to avoid bumps in the distribution color patches in a test chart.
To work without linearization, simply open Custom Chart and select the Color Space in the drop-down menu.

Select the number of colors

Note: You do not need a separate linearization step in ColorAnt if the RIP calibrated your printing system or if a dedicated CtP curve is used or if the printing system doesn’t show any irregularities in the output.
To work with additional linearization measurement data from a linearization test chart is required that was output on your printing system and measured with a spectrophotometer. Load the measurement data in ColorAnt before opening the Custom Chart tool.
Note: You may create a linearization chart yourself using the Mode option Linearization or you may use for a CMYK system for example the file Linearization-CMYK-v1.txt (also check screenshot), provided from ColorAnt under File/Open Predefined or for a 5 color CMYK+X printing system the file Linearization-5CLR-v1.txt.
Select the previous loaded measurement file in the drop-down menu Color Space. ColorAnt automatically recognizes the color space and visualizes the channel names. In addition an information message regarding linearization will be shown.
Select the type of test chart you need from the drop-down menu under Mode.
Define the Number of patches. This will effect how precisely the device color space will be filled with color patches. Please take into consideration, the available space on your output, required accuracy of the characterization data or characteristic of your printer. You will find three predefined amount of patches presets for large, medium and small test charts and a custom option allowing you to enter your own number of patches.
Note: Our tool is programmed in a way that even with only a few patches, the color space is covered in the best possible way to allow proper profile creation.
As soon as you click the Start button, the reference file will be calculated and shown under Data Sets. Device color space and number of patches are included into the file name.
Save the reference data under File/Save as if you may reuse it in other programs for test chart generation. Use Export Chart in ColorAnt to create the test chart image.
Note: Read this article about using our reference data in other programs such as X-Rite i1Profiler to generate test charts for the X-Rite i1iO and iSis.

Generation of reference files for Multicolor

Note: Requires a ColorAnt L license.

Similar to the standard color spaces Gray, RGB or CMYK you may choose also in the case of Multicolor between generation of reference file with or without linearizing the primaries. The required steps are the same – see the description above.
If you like to work without linearization, simply open Custom Chart and select the Color Space in the drop-down menu, e.g. 7 Color and the Mode.
ColorAnt uses pre-defined colors for the channels, which you may modify as you like. By using the eyedropper tool you can change colors and order of colors. For example, if you like to switch the color Red with Green (see screenshot), click on the red pipette and chose in the context menu under Colors the color you like, in this case Green.
Note: If you previously opened other measurement data in ColorAnt you will also see in the context menu under Color the channel names of those measurement files. Simply choose the required color here.
To adjust the channel name of a color use the pencil tool on the right side of the dialog box and change the channel name as you like.
As soon as you click the Start button, the reference file will be calculated and shown under Data Sets. Device color space and number of patches are included into the file name.
Save the reference data under File/Save as if you may reuse it in other programs for test chart generation. Use Export Chart in ColorAnt to create the test chart image.

To generate a generic Multicolor test chart decide on the number of channels and their names (with or without CMYK), so that it is as close as possible to the used colors on your printing machine. It is not necessary to define the channel colors in the reference data exactly. Just make sure that you are close to the kind of color so that the correct color combinations will be generated. For example, if you want to print a violet, you may chose blue as the channel color, but not green or red or cyan.

Note: In ColorLogic CoPrA multicolor profile creation three chromatic colors + optional black + a maximum of three gamut expanding colors are supported. Some examples for possible combinations are: CMYK+Orange, CMY+Green+Blue, CM+Orange+K, CMYK+Red+Green+Violet etc. Other non gamut extending colors positioned within the CMYK color gamut may lead to problems in profile creation. Use the Spider Web in the View dialog to check for problematical color combinations in your measurement data.

Multicolor Profiling and Chart Creation

Generating Multicolor Profiles in CoPrA

General Information

CoPrA supports three main chromatic primary colors which should span a suitably large gamut encompassing the gray balance. Typically this is CMY but it can be any other appropriate chromatic color combination.

Black can be added optionally as a 4th channel. If black is used it must be the fourth channel.

Up to two gamut extending colors can be used in between each section of the main primary colors.

Note: Following this approach, printer profiles of up to 10 channels can theoretically be created by CoPrA 5 and higher. However, it is not recommendable to use printer profiles with more than 8 channels in production as every additional channel increases the profile size exponentially so that either a very low grid size or an exorbitantly large profile had to be used.

Examples

Typical Multicolor Application
When using a typical Multicolor color space with CMYK parts, the additional inks Green, Orange and Violet extend the gamut in each section of the three primary colors. In between each section, a single gamut extending color is used creating a color space with 7 colors.

Advanced Multicolor Application
Some inkjet printers use Red and Orange in addition to the standard CMYK inks. CoPrA is able to profile such a 6 color printer since Orange and Red are two gamut extending colors of the main primary color sections Yellow and Magenta.

Note: When working with two gamut extending colors, special test charts must be used. CoPrA provides appropriate Multicolor test charts which are available via Tools > Open Testcharts folder > Multicolor.

Special Inks
In industrial printing, such as ceramic printing, the main colors are often supplemented by additional light (e.g. Pink) or dark (e.g. Brown) inks. Another example is Flexo printing, where a Gray ink supplements the Black ink to better render lighter grays in the artwork. These colors are what we call special inks, and they can be used with the special Multicolor Modes in CoPrA.

Supported Color Systems

CoPrA allows to create printer and DeviceLink profiles for all types of color spaces Gray, RGB, CMYK and Multicolor. Cross color space profiles are also supported, such as RGB to CMYK, CMYK to Grayscale or RGB/CMYK to Multicolor.

The following color systems are supported:

2- and 3-color systems
4-color systems with CMYK
4-color systems with CMY + either Red or Green or Blue, without Black
5-color systems: CMYK + either Red or Green or Blue
5-colour systems: CMY + either Red+Green, Red+Blue or Green+Blue, without black
6-colour systems: CMYK + either Red+Green, Red+Blue or Green+Blue
6-colour systems: CMY + Red+Green+Blue, without Black
7-colour systems: CMYK + Red+Green+Blue
8-color systems: CMYK + Red+Orange+Green+Blue
9-color systems: CMYK + Red+Orange+Green+Blue+Violet
Special ink combinations such as CMYK+Gray, CMYK+Pink+Brown, etc.
The CMY channels can even be exchanged for other similar colors, e.g. Magenta for another reddish color or Yellow for Beige and so on.
Creation of DeviceLinks with up to 9 channels

Using Multicolor Test Charts

To create Multicolor profiles various test charts (multichannel Photoshop PSD files) with associated reference files are available for measuring with ColorAnt (or any suitable measuring software). These Multicolor test charts can be found in the folder Testcharts (in CoPrA's installation folder). The folder can be opened directly in CoPrA (menu Tools > Open test chart folder). The contained Multicolor test charts are specifically optimized for the algorithms used by CoPrA. Alternatively, you can create your own test charts for your multicolor process using ColorAnt/Custom Chart.

Selection of the correct test charts for your printing process is facilitated by the naming. Therefore, please note the following naming conventions:

The name of the test chart contains the number of channels, the color combination and the number of color patches. The test chart name CL-CMYKB-2140 reflects that it is a 5-channel test chart with the color combination CMYK+Blue and 2140 color patches.
However, by 'Blue' we mean a fairly broad color range of reddish to greenish blue. For example, it contains violet as well.
The following color abbreviations are used in folder and file names: R = Red, G = Green, B= Blue, V= Violet, O = Orange, Yg= Yellow-Green.
For a Hexachrome printing process with CMYK+Orange+Green, use the corresponding test chart, CL-CMYKRG. Here, CMYKRG stands for CMYK+Red+Green, whereby red includes orange.
For 7-color printing use the test chart CL-CMYKRGB. In addition to the colors CMYK it also contains the additional colors Red+Green+Blue.
Nine special test charts for 6C and 7C color combinations have been available for two Gamut-extending colors (e.g. CMYK+Red+Orange). They can be found in the folder Special.
The layout of the supplied test charts is designed to fit on A4 or US letter size and is optimized for the hand-held measuring devices supported by the Measure Tool. As all patches cannot go on one page the Multicolor charts are split in multiple pages which need to be measured in corresponding sequence (1_6 means it is the first of six pages).

Important Notes

The total area coverage (TAC) of 400% is not exceeded in any of the test charts, not even in Multicolor test charts.
Please make sure that the RIP or the output system of the printer supports Photoshop multichannel PSD files. If this is not the case please open the test charts in Photoshop (or another suitable image editing program) and save them as DCS2 files.
The test charts are optimized for the X-Rite i1Pro measuring device, but can also be measured with other any single color measuring devices.
For measurements with the X-Rite i1iO, Barbieri Spectro LFP and Konica-Minolta FD-9, we recommend creating a customized test chart file based on the corresponding reference file using ColorAnt’s Export Chart tool.
To use a measuring device that is not supported by ColorAnt MeasureTool, it is necessary to create a test chart which is suitable for that measuring device and the intended printing process. Make sure to select the reference file matching the color system. We recommend creating the corresponding reference files with ColorAnt/Custom Chart. Please note that our reference files use a maximum total area coverage of up to 400%, even for 7 channel color systems.
For Multicolor profiling - in contrast to CMYK Profiling - the test charts has to be adapted to the calculation algorithms in order to minimize color patches, otherwise, test charts would be exceptionally large.
Note: Multicolor profiling differs from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you would like to use measured Multicolor test charts from other manufacturers in CoPrA, please note that these test charts may not achieve optimal results in CoPrA.
If it is not possible to reprint CoPrA's test charts and use existing measurement data from Multicolor test charts of other manufacturers, it is recommended to optimize these measurement data using ColorAnt before creating profiles in CoPrA. The Rescale tool allows adaption the measurement and reference values in ColorAnt according to suitable CoPrA test charts. Any missing measurement values will be interpolated which may result in inaccuracies if alternative test charts of other manufacturers reveal many gaps.
Special test charts, such as CMY test charts for printing systems that do not use black, are also available in the Testcharts/Multicolor folder.

For example, when working with CMY+Blue, use the appropriate test chart from the folder CMY+B.

Note: Previously, many users worked with standard CMYK test charts, such as ECI2002 or IT8/7-4, for color combinations without black, replacing the K channel with blue, e.g. CMY+Blue. Although this approach seems practicable at first glance, it is not recommended, because the process color black plays an entirely different role to a gamut extending color blue in CMYK test charts. Accordingly, many color combinations in the CMYK test charts are unnecessary, or even missing for a blue process color. It is preferable to use CoPrA in combination with CMY+X test charts in order to obtain the best possible profile quality.