Precise color management

Precise color management

Change pixels, not colors

  • Convert between RGB/CMYK/Grayscale color spaces
  • Fine tune color conversion with intents
  • Manage color profiles
  • Optional Adobe CMM engine available
  • CIELab color space supported
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Avoid color distortion during color space conversions

Converting an image between different color spaces (especially between CMYK and RGB) may lead to significant color distortions. To avoid this and keep colors natural, color conversions should be done using color management.

No color management

No color management
Color management

Color management

It is very easy in Graphics Mill - all you need to do is provide input and output color profiles. Input color profiles are typically embedded into a source file. Output profiles are provided with the printer, monitor or other device where you output the image. You can convert both bitmaps and individual color values.

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Color conversion fine tuning

Typically, it is enough just to enable color management and specify profiles. However if necesssary, you can make additional adjustments:

  • Color transform intent
  • Intermediary target profile (e.g. to preview image on a monitor before your print)
using (var bitmap = new Bitmap("RGB.jpg"))         
{         
    if (bitmap.ColorProfile == null)         
    {         
        bitmap.ColorProfile = ColorProfile.FromSrgb();         
    }         
        
    bitmap.ColorManagement.DestinationProfile = new ColorProfile("ISOcoated_v2_eci.icc");         
    bitmap.ColorManagement.TransformationIntent = ColorTransformationIntent.Perceptual;         
        
    bitmap.ColorManagement.Convert(PixelFormat.Format32bppCmyk);         
        
    bitmap.Save("CMYK.jpg");         
}
View code sample
CIE Lab support

CIE Lab support

Classic color spaces such as RGB and CMYK have a serious shortcoming - they are device dependant. The same pixel value looks different on different output devices. That's why you have to deal with color profiles when switching between color spaces.

Another problem is that RGB/CMYK pixels mix information about colors and luminosity together. If you want to change brightness, you will affect the colors as well.

To address these issues, a device-independent color space known as CIE Lab was invented. Its L channel contains the information about lightness, separated from colors, so you can manipulate it without fear of spoiling the colors.

View code sample