IntroductionKodak ColorFlow Software On-Site Training
Color – It’s what we do• You are in the business of managing printed color• Today, there are many color tools, procedures and processes for setting up color within the production environment
The Color Challenge Curves Device LinkICC Profiles Spot recipes Many color elements needed to make “that” look like “this”
Independent Color Systems Color changes when normal production variables occur Resources and time required Many Color elements across devices 4
Color by the numbers
Complex Conversions many input to output device conversions
What is ColorFlow ?Kodak’s revolutionary ColorFlow Software Solution provides a uniqueopportunity to integrate a large set of existing products and tools into oneplatform, deliver enhanced functionality and simplify setup of colorreproduction.ColorFlow Software integrates and coordinates your many color devices andtheir various color control elements – curves, ICC device profiles and ICCDeviceLink profiles – in a single software solution.Now you can produce consistent color on proofers and conventional anddigital presses, and throughout your workflow, with less effort and faster jobturnaround.
Why was ColorFlow created?• Our users demanded a solution to the complex topic of “Color”• Several color tools that are commercially available, all from Kodak: Profile Wizard, Harmony, Tonal Curve Toolkit, Spotless Color Toolkit, Custom Color Tools etc.• Need to harmonize the above software “tools”. ColorFlow is a Color Relationship Management solution, not merely a set of tools
Kodak ColorFlow Software• Color Relationship Management solution * Aligns color across devices * Unites curve and profile creation and editing in one solution * Updates automatically when color adjustments are made * Integrates fully with Kodak Prinergy Workflow * Requires less time and resources * Minimizes training costs and color production errors * Reduce color setup costs• Ink optimizing solution
Color Relationship Management Kodak ColorFlow Software aligns color across devices Enables integrated color control with Kodak Prinergy Workflow System Automatic updates when color adjustments are made
Color Relationship Management• Unite: Curves, ICC Profiles and ICC DeviceLink Profiles• Enable: Gray-balance color control• Automate: Updates when color adjustments are made
Curves and Profiles together• Color is intrinsically controlled by two main objects in the graphics workflow: Curves and ICC Profiles• Traditionally, workflow solutions have separated these objects partly because of their origin and technical differences but also because of historical reasons• Curves came first in the tone reproduction world• Profiles were implemented to achieve a higher degree of color fidelity, beyond the scope of a set of 1D curves• ColorFlow merges the tasks of creation, editing, and now adds a relationship between curves and profiles
Key Differentiators• Integration with Prinergy Workflow System – simplifies production and increases automation• Automatic updates when color adjustments are made• Smart CMM (Color Management Module) DeviceLink profiles based on superior color engine and years of Kodak’s color expertise• Gray balance curves using unique algorithms for a balanced color match – better color faster• Ink optimizing for improved print quality through greater print stability and reduced ink costs. Automated processing in Prinergy
Key Differentiators• Visual color editing allows accurate on screen color when editing profiles and curves• Comprehensive print condition reporting tools• Fully endorses ISO printing system standardization recommendations, and supports international data exchange formats and job control specifications
ColorFlow Configurations• Kodak ColorFlow Software Workflow Edition for Kodak Prinergy Workflow System• Kodak ColorFlow Software Pro Workflow Edition for Kodak Prinergy Workflow System• Kodak ColorFlow Software Standalone Edition
ColorFlow ConfigurationsWorkflow Edition for Kodak Prinergy Workflow System • Included free of charge in Prinergy Workflow and Evo v5.1 Software • Curve creation and editing (gray balance and TVI) • Import of ICC device profiles and ICC DeviceLink profiles. • Integrates with Prinergy Workflow version 5.1 • ColorFlow Software runs on Windows and MacOS platform • ColorFlow database resides on the Prinergy Server
ColorFlow ConfigurationsPro Workflow Edition for Kodak Prinergy Workflow System • Chargeable upgrade for Prinergy Workflow v5.1 • The Pro Workflow Edition includes all the functionality of the base Edition and adds the ability to create ICC device profiles and ICC DeviceLinks profile. V1.0 will have limited ICC DeviceLink editing capability. • ColorFlow Software runs on Windows and MacOS platform • ColorFlow database will be on the Prinergy Server • Includes ColorMatching on Output for Prinergy
ColorFlow ConfigurationsStandalone Edition for Windows/MacOS • The Standalone version includes all of the capabilities of the ColorFlow Software Full Edition for Prinergy Workflow, as a standalone software release that does not integrate with Prinergy Workflow. • Curves and Profiles can be exported to the file systemThe Standalone version will be available in version 1.2.
Key Options• ColorFlow Software with Ink Optimizing Solution – enables users to generate ICC DeviceLinks to apply various levels of GCR (Gray Component Replacement), limiting total area ink coverage, resulting in improved print stability on press and reduced ink consumption.• ColorFlow Software with Matchprint Virtual Technology – enables userswith a Matchprint Virtual qualified monitor to make curve and profileedits with accurate display color. Does not include Matchprint VirtualCalibrator Kit. Note that this option only provides the calibrationtechnology of Matchprint Virtual. It does no2t i1nclude a monitor oradditional portal software.• Options are available for both ColorFlow Software Standalone and ColorFlow Software Pro Workflow Edition for Prinergy Workflow (version 1.1 and higher)
Future features• Profile Editing• RGB Inputs• Curve Tweaker for Prinergy• Spot Color Transfer Curves• Export curves to txt file• Spot color recipes (Spotless technology)• N-color separation profiles• Flexo specific curve creation and editing• Flexo specific ICC device link creation and editing• Verification control strip / reports
System RequirementsColorFlow Software v1.0 Client Software for Windows• Windows® XP Professional SP2 and higher• Windows Server 2003 R2 SP2• Windows Vista (Business)• Browser software is needed to display Online Help. Internet Explorer versions 6.0 and later are recommended.• Acrobat Reader software required to display reports• ColorFlow requires Sun's Java 1.6 or higher• RAM Memory: Minimum 1 GB, recommended 2 GB.• CPU: minimum Intel ® Core ™ 2 Duo at 2.0 GHz• Microsoft .NET 3.5 SP1
System RequirementsColorFlow Software v1.0 Client Software for Macintosh• Mac Intel running MAC OS X 10.5 and higher• Browser software is needed to display Online Help. Safari v3.1.1 or Firefox v2.0.0.14 or higher are recommended.• Acrobat Reader software required to display reports.• ColorFlow requires Sun's Java 1.6 or higher• RAM Memory: Minimum 1 GB, recommended 2 GB.• CPU: minimum Intel ® Core ™ 2 Duo at 2.0 GHz
Overview
Color Setups ICC profiles, DeviceLinks, curves, and their relationships are all created and managed in a Color Setup. These color control elements will automatically be passed to Prinergy in the appropriate process templates. The first thing you need to do in ColorFlow is to create a Color Setup. To start you will need to select the device in your shop that is the color reference point.
What is a Color Setup? Color Setup is a collection of several device conditions and the color control elements (curves, device profiles, DeviceLink profiles) that are required to align to a common target on all the reproduction devices.
Devices and Device Types A Device in ColorFlow is any physical device in your environment that captures or produces an image. Devices are identified by a name of your choosing (Speedmaster 102, Epson) and type (Sheetfed, Inkjet). The type allows ColorFlow software to associate it with similar devices. A Device Type differentiates devices into categories to allow for easier device management: – Curved devices include offset press and halftone proofers – Non-curved devices include Digital presses and inkjet proofers
Device Condition A Device Condition is an important concept in ColorFlow. It is a combination of a device and the operating conditions in which the Device captures or produces an image. A Device Condition has a measurable color response. A device can have multiple device conditions, depending on screening, substrate or other variables that effect the color response. Devices in the same device type can share the same Device Condition.
Primary Color Output Be Prepared. – Choose an output device (press, proofer, etc) that is your primary color reference point. ColorFlow calls this the Primary Color Output (PCO). It is important that your PCO is stable--printing predictably and using process control measures. – Primary Color Output can be • an offset press • a proofing solution • an industry specification • a house standard
Secondary Color Output Secondary Color Outputs (SCO) are all other devices in the shop that need to align to the Primary Color Output of the Color Setup Secondary Color Output can also be devices that are in a different device condition from the PCO
Color Input Color Inputs are CMYK References that determine how files are separated to the PCO color space. The Color Input lets the user decide on the parameters used for file separation – Total ink coverage – CMYK constraints – Black strength
Simulation target of the PCO A Simulation Target is the color response that you wish to obtain from the PCO. Often this is a Reference Print Condition—an industry specification like GRACoL 2006 Coated 1 or FOGRA 39. A simulation target can also be a another device condition or a custom color space A Simulation Method is the way in which the Primary Color Output simulates the color response of the Simulation Target. The Simulation Method is chosen by the user and could include: TVI curves Near Neutral or gray balance calculations Constrained device links Full reseparation device links
Secondary Color Output Conversion Conversions are the method used to align another device or device condition to the PCO In this scenario we want to simulate GRACoL. A Conversion Method is the way in which the Secondary Color Output is converted to align to the color response of the Primary Color Output. The Conversion Method is chosen by the user and could include: TVI curves Near Neutral or gray balance calculations Constrained device links Full reseparation device links
About Snapshots A Snapshot is a point in time capture of all the color control elements in the ColorFlow database and is not specific to a Color Setup. It should not be considered a change versioning system as once you approve a snapshot it deletes all previous snapshots. By default the approved snapshot appears in the Process Template Editor. You have the ability to select a different Snapshot during the Refine and Output processes.
Using Prinergy with ColorFlow Setting up1. Take a Snapshot with the ColorFlow Client2. Job Attributes (Prinergy Connect): Enable a Prinergy Job for ColorFlow and assign a Color Setup for this Prinergy Job.3. Create Process Templates for Refine and Output with Process Plan Editor The mechanicsA. The Color Setup contains the Color Control Elements (Curves and ICC Profiles)B. Refine PT will tag specific Color SetupC. Output PTs will use the Color Setup that was used during Refine
Using Prinergy with ColorFlowPrinergy Job AttributesEnable a Prinergy Job for ColorFlow and assign a Color Setup for this Prinergy Job. 35
Using Prinergy with ColorFlowPrinergy RefineCreate Process Templates for Refine with Process Template Editor 36
Using Prinergy with ColorFlowPrinergy Output Create Process Templates for Output with Process Template Editor 37
Using Prinergy with ColorFlowColor Setup Prinergy Refine Process TemplatePCO Device ICC profile used for CIELAB-CMYK Refine conversionsColor Input DeviceLinks used for CMYK-CMYK Refine conversions
Using Prinergy with ColorFlowColor Setup Prinergy Output Process Template - Plating Print Calibration Curves Plate Linearization Curves (Plate Lines)
Using Prinergy with ColorFlowColor Setup Prinergy Output Process Template - Proofing SCO DeviceLink ICC profile used for CMYK-CMYK Output conversionsSCO Device Condition ICC profile used for CIELAB-CMYK Output conversions
ColorFlow Reports ColorFlow software generates reports that summarize color and assist in troubleshooting. ColorFlow produces two types of reports: Print Characterization Reports present information on a device based on measurement data. Print Comparison Reports illustrate the differences between a device and a selected target.
41 Demo
41 Editing
ColorFlow Color Control Elements Simulation Adjustments: Curve Device Link Device Curve (promoted) Device Curve (pooled) Conversion Adjustments: Curve Device Link Device Curve Graphic Communications Group
Device Curve AdjustmentKey Points: Available only with Curved Control Devices: 9 Offset Press 9 Approval 9 Spectrum Used for device adjustments that may be necessary to maintain the response of the device as it was at the time of characterization Change only the response of the particular device in the color setup. However, it will also change the response of this device condition present in any other color setups. Behavior - moves the uncalibrated response curve in the opposite direction. (see View Response) Graphic Communications Group
Tonal Adjustment ToolKey Points: Simple curve tonal adjustments – works well for small “tweaks” Edits expressed in % change difference values Must use sliders or data entry Edits must be between -20% - +20% difference values Make midtone adjustments first, then other tone scale edits Individual curve and 3-color gray balance adjustment Graphic Communications Group
Tonal Adjustment Tool – ExampleDevice Curve – adjust offset press back to characterization state. Prior to Edit Post Edit3-color gray bar at 3-color gray bar 3-color gray bar after device curve edittime of Characterization (3 months later)Original 3-color Current Color Goal is to adjustgray balance Assessment: device curves “Before” view to bring 3-color Press is too cyan gray back to original and darker state. Graphic Communications Group
Tonal Adjustment Tool – 3-color grayAdjust “Before” view to match current color of press.Before: After:0% CMY change a*+2, b*+2, L*+3 @ midtone Graphic Communications Group
View Response 3-color gray (Uncalibrated Device Tonality)Before: After:0% CMY change a*+2, b*+2, L*+3 @ midtone Graphic Communications Group
Tonal Adjustment Tool – single channelBefore: After:0% Cyan change -5% Cyan @ midtone Graphic Communications Group
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