Re: [Kxstitch-users] DMC color acuracy

[Robin L. <me...@Te...>]

Stephen Allewell wrote:
> Robin Laing wrote:
> 
>>>>Sally Nielsen wrote:
>>>>The DMC colors identified by KXStitch 0.7 on KDE are not acurate. For
>>>>example, a flesh tone is identified as DMC 680 which is gold, but the
>>>>color on the screen is much closer to DMC 3064. Is there a way to
>>>>correct this? Perhaps a configuration setting? It is not just one
>>>>color, but the whole spectrum that is off. Any help would be appreciated.
>>>>Sally Nielsen
>>>>
>>>
>>>There are a numerous problems with accurately representing colours on
>>>computers. This is due to various factors including graphics cards,
>>>monitors, gamma correction, etc, etc. I am not really qualified to go
>>>into the details of it all. What works for one person may not work for
>>>another.
>>>
>>>Suffice to say, if you feel the need to modify any of the colours, you
>>>can use the 'Calibrate colours' menu option in the Palette menu. This
>>>will allow you to select any of the predefined colours and change the
>>>RGB values to what ever suits you.
>>>
>>>Alternatively, as you say the whole spectrum is off, then perhaps a more
>>>general modification to your monitor / graphic card settings may be more
>>>appropriate to bring the colours more into line with what you expect to see.
>>>
>>>Regards
>>>
>>>
>>>Steve
>>
>>Hello,
>>
>>I am new to this list but I wanted to make a comment on this.  I hope 
>>that I am not out of line.  Though late, it could be useful for those 
>>that are interested.
>>
>>I work on photo analysis as one of my work projects.  I used to have an 
>>LCD monitor but I couldn't get the images to look correct, even when 
>>doing setups for gamma, brightness/contrast.  It was a pain.  Changing 
>>to a CRT monitor was the only solution.  When I have to work on a file, 
>>it may take me 30 minutes to get my monitor adjusted to the correct 
>>settings.  At home I usually have to reset my monitor after my kids play 
>>with the buttons.  I still use a CRT at home due to Contrast range as I 
>>cannot afford a high end LCD monitor to replace it.  This is one of the 
>>reasons that I won't get an LCD TV.
>>
>>Our photo department has high end LCD monitors but the graphics arts 
>>department still uses CRT monitors.
>>
>>Here are some useful links.
>>
>>http://www.normankoren.com/makingfineprints1A.html
>>
>>http://brighamrad.harvard.edu/research/topics/vispercep/tutorial.html
>>
>>http://www.pinch.com/tweak/barspage.html
>>
>>http://www.digitaldog.net/tips/index.shtml
>>
> 
> 
> Thanks for the insight Robin.  Colour display is such a complex issue as
> there are so many variables involved.  If a professional such as
> yourself has to expend so much effort to get things correct, then it is
> much more difficult for everyone else.
> 
> Whilst I have spent much time trying to get the colours of the flosses
> to match the true colours, it still all depends on what you see on your
> own monitor / graphic card combination, it will never suit everyone,
> that is why I included the calibration functionality and also why
> monitors and graphic card drivers are adjustable.
> 
> Thanks again
> 
> Steve
> 
Hi Steve,

I totally agree.  This is why I included links for those that are 
interested in trying to adjust their monitors.  I will have to play with 
the settings to see how close the colors are.  I do see that they are 
the same RGB values that I have.

Another thing that will affect the color is the sheen.  It is hard to 
give the colors the look of reflected light that comes off of the floss. 
  It must be noted that if the color of an image is correct, the image 
is then a set of RGB values that are converted to the same value.

I was looking at using "The Gimp" for conversion to DMC colors some time 
ago for my wife.  We actually did make a couple of small patterns doing 
it this way.

As for adjusting a monitor, they age and they change their colors over 
time.  This is why I adjust my monitor each time I do graphics work that 
requires closer colors.