February 20th, 2012New features:
Added support for the Datacolor Spyder4 colorimeter:
· This instrument is currently used in the Display Check tool.
· Supported models: Spyder4ELITE, Spyder4PRO, Spyder4EXPRESS.
· PatchTool can select any of six built-in calibration matrices specifically designed for various display technologies, and which provide improved measurement accuracy.
· Select between two measurement speeds.
· Correction Matrix tool: It is now possible to assign a Color Correction Matrix to the Eye-One Pro.
Improvement:
· You can now open one or more files with drag and drop on the main window 'Open file' button.
December 20th, 2011New features:
Added support for the X-Rite i1Display Pro colorimeter:
· This instrument is currently used in the Display Check tool.
· Supported models: i1Display Pro hardware sold by X-Rite (i.e. the retail version, part #EODIS3-XR). Generic models sold by other companies (third parties, or OEM, part #EODIS-OEM) should also be compatible. At this time we cannot say if we will support or not custom models sold by other companies since separate agreements with these parties may be required. More specific info will be provided as new models are released.
· PatchTool can load and assign calibration matrices (contained in X-Rite Emissive Display Reference (EDR) files) specifically designed for various display technologies, and which provide improved measurement accuracy. Five EDR files are supplied; additional files could be added in the future without a need to reinstall PatchTool.
· Select between two measurement speeds.
· Note: On Mac, OS X 10.5+ is required (Mac Intel tested, PowerPC TBD).
Improvements:
Display Check Instrument Info dialog:
· Revised interface: You can now assign the instrument preferences without going back to the program Preferences’ dialog.
· More robust code to improve the connection to an instrument if this instrument is not connected when the Display Check window is opened.
· (Mac) Replaced PICT by PNG as an image export format.
Bug fixes:
· Exporting images: Fixed a bug where a reddish, yellowish, or orangish tint could be seen in 16 bit TIFF L*a*b* patches when a* and/or b* was negative with a value between zero and -0,001953.
· Display Check RAW file: Now shows correct L*a*b* D50 Source data. The problem was seen when the reference data was XYZ, L*a*b* or L*C*h* and the destination profile was an external ICC profile. The problem did not occur for RGB, CMYK, and spectral reference data, and when the destination was an internal PatchTool profile; as well, RAW measurements were never affected.
· Now shows the correct Hardware and Driver versions for the Spyder2 and Spyder3 in the Display Check Info dialog.
June 2nd, 2011New features:
· Extract Target from Image tool: This tool is designed to directly extract the average of target patches in full size photographic images.
· Target size: User-assigned ROWS and COLUMNS. The patch fill-ratio is adjustable. The tool enables adjustments for almost any target perspective.
· Supported image formats: TIFF RGB (8 bit and 16 bit), and JPG.
· Embedded profiles are recognized and automatically extracted.
· Extract Profile from File tool: Extract a profile from a TIFF or JPEG image; save the profile with an ICC or ICM extension. The tool shows the profile name, type, ICC version, device class, and default intent.
· Tweak Target tool: Improve the accuracy of printed color patch lists by successive approximations. The original color list is modified in one or two iterations. Important: This tool is NOT designed to edit or change a profile.
· Correction Matrix tool: Determine a Color Correction matrix between two instruments according to ASTM E1455-2010. A Color Correction matrix helps improve inter-instrument agreement in emission (i.e. display) measurements. The matrix is computed by making measurements of the primaries and white of a given display using a reference instrument (often a spectrophotometer) and a target instrument (often a colorimeter). The measurements can be obtained with PatchTool Display Check, if the instrument is supported by PatchTool, or data from any instrument can be entered or loaded into the tool. A matrix is always assigned to a specific combination of display + target instrument.
· Display Check tool: Now supports the use of Color Correction matrices. Improve inter-instrument agreement and the accuracy of colorimeters on wide-gamut displays.
· Import and Export Adobe Swatch Exchange (ASE) files. This file format is used to exchange color swatches between Adobe applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
· Supported color spaces: RGB, CMYK, and L*a*b* (D50). Because an ASE file can contain swatches in all color spaces, PatchTool will create separate files for each color space.
· Color groups, such as those created in Illustrator, are joined at import.
· Supported color types: Process + Global (only type supported in Photoshop), Spot color (Global), and Process; the color type is the same for all PatchTool exported patches.
· Open TIFF images and assign one patch per pixel. This tool is useful to open target files saved as one pixel per patch, as well as small image files.
· Supported image formats: TIFF RGB, CMYK and L*a*b*; all in 8 bit and 16 bit.
· Maximum image size: 65536 pixels (which results in 65536 patches).
· Added “Use the patch Name as the patch ID“ command in the Patch view Tab Re-map menu and in the Tabular data Tab contextual menu. This command was added after it was noticed that patch IDs were now incorrectly assigned to the Name tag in exported CGATS files from X-Rite’s ColorPort 2.0. After using the command, it is possible to correctly change the layouts of IT8.7/4 and ECI2002 files.
· Added “Assign the patch-ID as the patch-Name” checkbox in the “Import CxF2” dialog. In some CxF2 files, the patch-ID field contains the patch-Name; by checking this box, you can import the ID field as the Name.
Improvements:
· The saved/exported file name is now shown in the file window title after the file is saved.
· A check is now made on the patch IDs of ECI2002 and IT8.7/4 files to see if they match the expected values; a message is shown to the user if the check fails.
· Patch view tab of opened files: You can rename a patch using the alternate contextual menu (Shift + right-click).
· Tabular data tab of opened files: You can rename a patch by clicking in the Name column.
· The Info window now shows the beginning and end of long file names.
Bug fixes:
· Will now deselect any selected Name cell when renaming the Unconstrained PatchReader patches.
· Now properly sets the rows when changing the layout of ECI2002 and IT8.7/4 files.
· Added Exception handling when opening and re-opening a file which is locked by another application.
· (Windows) A Display Check sequence will now stop when pressing the Stop button.
· Will now correctly interpret CxF2 input values when the program runs in an international environment where the “thousands” separator is a period.
March 18th, 2011New features:
PatchReader tool: This tool is designed to measure targets or individual colors in reflectance (i1 Pro only). Measurements are exported to a CGATS type file for compatibility with most applications. There are three measurement modes:
· Unconstrained measurements: Measure color patches in any order; select between the XYZ, L*a*b*, or L*C*h* color spaces. You can re-order the measurements by dragging them in a list; you can sort, delete, or rename any measurement. Look at any or all spectrums on a graph.
· Custom charts: Define a chart by assigning rows and columns numbers. Measure the patches individually (Patch mode) or line-by-line (Strip mode). You can use a timer to automatically trigger a measurement at fixed time intervals when in “Patch” mode. The Strip mode works with lines of patches which exhibit a high contrast between them or with lines of patches which have contrast gaps.
· PatchTool file: Select any opened file as a reference. The measured patches can be visually compared with the reference colors in the file. The other features are identical to the ones of the Custom chart.
· CMYK data can now be assigned to an ICC profile. When opening a file consisting only of CMYK data, you can assign any ICC profile to this data. When a file has no CMYK data, you can select any CMYK ICC profile to convert the imported colors to CMYK. Note: As in previous versions, when a file has CMYK data in addition with another color reference, such as XYZ or L*a*b*, CMYK is imported as is.
· RGB data can now be assigned to an ICC profile in addition to the standard RGB spaces of the previous version. When opening a file consisting only of RGB data, you can assign any ICC profile to this data. When a file has no RGB data, you can select any RGB ICC profile or the built-in RGB spaces to convert the imported colors to RGB. Note: When a file has RGB data in addition with another color reference, such as XYZ or L*a*b*, RGB is imported as is.
· Compare files saved from Display Check Quick-Test measurements will now re-open with the “xy graph” and “Display data” tabs.
· Export of spectral data in CGATS files: You can now select between three data tags types for spectral data: nm450, SPECTRAL_450 (used in ColorPort), and SPECTRAL_NM_450.
Improvements:
Display Check tool:
· Revised interface.
· When making a test using a PatchTool file, and when applicable, the tool shows information on the RGB or CMYK profile that was used to derive the file XYZ data.
Gamut Tools Convert / Clip check:
· Revised interface.
· When you select a file, you get the data type used for import, the profile information associated with the CMYK and RGB data, and the currently selected Illuminant and Observer settings.
Average tool:
· When applicable, the tool shows information on the RGB or CMYK profile that was used to derive the file XYZ data.
· The tool dialog can be resized for long file names.
Compare tool:
· When applicable, the tool shows information on the RGB or CMYK profile that was used to derive the file XYZ data; it also indicates if the file contains imported CMYK or RGB data.
· The tool window can be resized for long file names.
· Patch view tab of opened files: Revised interface.
Tabular data tab of opened files:
· Revised interface.
· You can now associate any CMYK or RGB profile to the computed values of these spaces (if the file did not contain CMYK or RGB data). In a Compare file, separate profiles can be associated with the REFERENCE and SAMPLE.
· Missing info dialog: Now supports the selection of ICC profiles for CMYK and RGB data.
· CxF2 import dialog: When importing non-defined RGB and CMYK data, the Missing info dialog is used to assign an ICC profile.
Export dialog:
· When you select a file, you now get the data type used for import, the profile info for CMYK and RGB data in the file.
· The dialog automatically imposes some data types when exporting Compare files obtained with Display Check.
Munsell export:
· New database which results in better conversion precision.
· The conversion speed is typically 2X faster.
· All reports and export files now contain more information and comments that describe the data in the file.
Bug fixes:
· Will show a warning message and not an error message when trying to save a file which is opened by another application, or locked.
· It is not required to restart the program if an Eye-One Display is disconnected and replaced by an Eye-One Pro, and vice-versa, in order for the program to recognize the new instrument in the Display Check tool.
January 28th, 2010New feature:
· Display Check tool: Added a chromaticity diagram to show the measured primaries locations relative to the ones of standard RGB spaces. This diagram is generated when performing a Quick-Test with a Neutral ramp plus R, G, and B ramps.
Improvements:
· A dialog is now presented to the user when a Version-1 CxF file is not Standalone. The user can select between letting the program try to parse it, or cancel the import (cancelling import was imposed in prior versions).
· Display Check tool: The sections of the Help manual describing the tool options were rewritten and examples were added.
· Revised the Appendix on Color Management in the Help manual.
Bug fixes:
· Now properly retrieves the black level when generating a report in the Compare window 'Display data' tab; the problem occurred when doing a Quick-Test with just a Neutral ramp.
· Now properly resets the Minimum and Maximum 'L' values when clicking on the 'Default' 'Grid options', button of the OSA UCS tool.
Other:
· The default choice is now to discard the measured RAW data after a Display Check, and NOT to save it.
September 23rd, 2009New features:
Added support for the Optical Society of America Uniform Color Scales (OSA UCS):
· Import UCS color lists defined as Ljg coordinates into a PatchTool file.
· Generate UCS color lists for any of the nine standard UCS data planes.
· Export any opened file (with spectral data or 10 degree Observer data) as UCS coordinates.
Improvements:
· Added “D93” and “E” in the illuminant list.
· Added an alternate contextual menu to the “Patch view” tab. This new menu can be used to reassign the color of a single patch (single files and Compare files) or of a range of patches (Compare files only).
· Minor interface changes in the Gamut tools window and in the Export dialog.
Bug fixes:
· (Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard) Fixed a compatibility problem which made the program crash on startup.
· Disabled Munsell export for files defined only with the 10 degree Observer.
April 6th, 2009New features:
Open CxF Version-2 files, such as the ones generated by the X-Rite ColorMunki:
· Import a Color Collection, or a Color Set within a Palette, into a PatchTool file.
· Import Quality Control standard or measurement data into individual files, or import both the standard and one measurement set into a PatchTool Compare window.
· Support for the following reflectance color spaces: L*a*b*, L*C*h*, XYZ, xyY, AdobeRGB, sRGB, RGB, CMYK, plus spectral data.
Improvements:
· Added menu shortcuts to folders containing sample files and IDEAlliance reference files.
· Added a “Recent Open” menu where the last 10 files that were opened can be accessed directly.
· Added keyboard shortcuts to all tools, for window organization functions, and for the Help file.
· Added the 2009 versions of the ISO 12647-7 reference files in the IDEAlliance files folder and restructured the IDEAlliance help documentation.
Bug fixes:
· Fixed the contextual copy-data menu in the Compare window “Patch view” tab, where only the Reference data was copied.
· Fixed the problem in the Average tool where the average of spectral data was sometimes scaled incorrectly.
· Fixed issues with the previous keyboard shortcuts.
· Now correctly computes the size of the vertical markers, used to separate patches in a target image, when a change is made in the resolution field of the Image tab in the Export window.
· (Windows XP) Fixed the problem where some popup menus would not work properly in the Traditional Chinese version of the OS.
January 27th, 2009Gamut Tools:
· Convert RGB or CMYK data assigned to a Source profile to a Destination profile.
· Convert RGB or CMYK data assigned to a profile to the Profile Connection Space (i.e. L*a*b*/XYZ).
· Convert L*a*b* or XYZ file data to RGB or CMYK through a profile.
· Check if RGB or CMYK data assigned to a Source profile is clipped by a Destination profile.
· Check if L*a*b* or XYZ file data is clipped by a Destination profile.
· Generate device dependent RGB or CMYK color lists.
· Generate device independent color lists (L*a*b*/L*C*h*/XYZ) with a gamut limited by a profile.
· Determine the gamut volume of a profile.
· L*a*b* data contained in CxF files (CxF 1.0) can now be imported (in addition to spectral data).
· The patches width and height can now be separately assigned when exporting patches as images. In previous versions, the width and height were always the same.
· Contrasted markers can be added between patches when exporting an image; these markers enable scanning of the printed image one line at the time instead of patch by patch (this feature is designed specifically for i1-Pro instruments).
Improvements:
· Export image dialog: The interface used to specify the patch and image sizes was redone. Also added “cm” units to the patch and image sizes.
· Will now open CxF files (CxF 1.0) which do not contain a description of the CxF file structure, also called the Document Type Definition (DTD), since the DTD is not inserted in the file by all applications.
October 10th, 2008· Fixed a bug that made the program crash on start-up. The problem was seen on Macs running OS X 10.5.5.
June 16th, 2008· Added support for X-Rite DTP94 (MonacoOPTIX) colorimeter.
· PatchTool Compare files can be re-opened within PatchTool for further analysis.
· Now records the measuring instrument Serial Number in exported files and reports.
April 15th, 2008· Added support for Datacolor's Spyder3 colorimeter. PatchTool uses an exclusive adaptive algorithm to speed-up data-acquisition while minimizing noise. The measurement time is based on the patch display luminance, and there are two user-selectable modes which place emphasis on either SPEED or PRECISION.
· Display Check measurements with the Spyder2 are now done with an adaptive measurement algorithm similar to the one used for the Spyder3. In SPEED mode, measuring the 1617 patches of an IT8.7/4 target can now be done 2.4X times faster than with previous PatchTool versions, with negligible effect on the measurements statistics.
· The decimal separator for exported data can now be forced to a period (0.0) even when the program runs in an international environment where the decimal separator is a comma (0,0). This option facilitates data exchange with applications that are not international-savvy.
March 26th, 2008· PatchTool has a new feature which helps to fulfill the requirements set forth by IDEAlliance for printer (SWOP and GRACoL approved papers) and monitor proofing certification. In particular, when IDEAlliance proofing reference data of an IT8.7/4 target is compared to measured data, a report can automatically be generated. This report covers the statistical analysis of all IT8.7/4 patches as well as the comparison of specific patches of the chart. More information can be found in application notes AN-3 and AN-4.
· An IT8.7/4 chart layout can now be changed between Measured, Random and Visual. You can also assign the official IT8.7/4 patch IDs if they were not in the opened file.
· For ECI2002 charts, you can now assign the official ECI2002 patch IDs if they were not in the opened file.
· (Mac) New drivers are provided for the Datacolor Spyder2 colorimeter. The old drivers freeze the application when a Spyder3, a more recent model, is connected. There is no problem when a Spyder2 is connected.
· Fixed the issue where display measurements made with the Eye-One Display, the Eye-One Display 2, or the Spyder2, were corrupted. The Eye-One Pro was not affected by the problem.
· The program will now react properly if the previous default display profile is missing at program start.
January 30th, 2008· PatchTool display output is color-managed and can be set to use the system default display color profile, a built-in color profile, or any user-assigned ICC profile.
Display Check tool:
· Measure your display characteristic within PatchTool using the Datacolor Spyder2 or the X-Rite Eye-One line of instruments (Eye-One Pro or Eye-One Display).
· Export the RAW display measurements for independent analysis.
· Check your display performance using built-in Quick-Test patches. The reference patches and their measured values are shown in a Compare window. For these patches, you also get a dedicated "Display stats" tab with additional comparative data.
· Check your display performance using any color list opened in PatchTool and compare the reference list with the measured values.
Compare tool statistical tab ("Stats"):
· Extract statistical data from compared files using any color-difference parameter.
· Select between "Absolute", combined Neg./Pos., or separate Neg./Pos. statistics.
· Obtain graph and data of the Cumulative Relative Frequency (CRF), which is helpful in establishing SWOP / GRACoL IDEAlliance certification.
· Export color lists in Munsell "Hue Value/Chroma" notation. Select the color-difference formula used for conversion. Select from three output formats (number of columns).
· (Mac) Improvements: The program is now offered in Universal binaries and Intel packages.
December 8th, 2007New features:
· PatchTool display output is color-managed and can be set to use the system default display color profile, a built-in color profile, or any user-assigned ICC profile.
Display Check tool:
· Measure your display characteristic within PatchTool using the Datacolor Spyder2 or the X-Rite Eye-One line of instruments (Eye-One Pro or Eye-One Display).
· Export the RAW display measurements for independent analysis.
· Check your display performance using built-in Quick-Test patches. The reference patches and their measured values are shown in a Compare window. For these patches, you also get a dedicated Display stats tab with additional comparative data.
· Check your display performance using any color list opened in PatchTool and compare the reference list with the measured values.
Compare tool statistical tab (Stats):
· Extract statistical data from compared files using any color-difference parameter.
· Select between Absolute, combined Neg./Pos., or separate Neg./Pos. statistics.
· Obtain graph and data of the Cumulative Relative Frequency (CRF), which is helpful in establishing SWOP / GRACoL IDEAlliance certification.
· Export color lists in Munsell Hue Value/Chroma notation. Select the color-difference formula used for conversion. Select from three output formats (number of columns).
Bug fixes:
· (Windows Vista) Windows Vista incorporates a Data Execution Prevention (DEP) feature which monitors how applications access memory. In most Vista Home systems, the DEP setting is set, by default, to check only the system programs and services; in this case, even before the fix, PatchTool started correctly. However, the DEP setting can be changed by the user, either globally or on a program by program basis, and its default setting may also vary for other OS configurations. PatchTool did not start when the DEP was assigned to all applications, or to PatchTool only; this has been fixed.
Improvements:
· (Mac) The program is now offered in Universal binaries and Intel packages.
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