Some questions about color management for an app

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
January 24, 2019
3 replies
595 views

Hello, I hope this is the right place to ask these questions.

I am commissioning the development of an app that will generate color schemes according to classical rules of harmony.

I would like the user to be able to specify the output medium using ICC profiles, so that the app knows the gamut of colors to select from. Q1: Are there color management or color engine solutions out there that can be used for this purpose? I don't want my app developer to reinvent the wheel for this part of the project if instead he/she could purchase/download a solution that someone has already developed and tried out.

When the color scheme is complete, I'd like the user to be able to output it as a swatch file. Q2: Are there swatch file creation solutions out there that can be used for this purpose? Again, I don't want my app developer to reinvent the wheel for this part of the project if instead he/she could purchase/download a solution that someone has already developed and tried out. Obviously, .ASE format is the most important one, but it would also be nice if other formats could also be offered, for use in CAD or Microsoft Office or other applications.

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D Fosse

Community Expert

A bit of a workaround perhaps, but if the color scheme is based on sRGB numbers, then Chrome or Firefox (mode1) will assign sRGB even if the file is untagged. The color is then correctly color managed on the user's computer, using the monitor profile.

The main thing, as I see it, is to clearly define the numbers given in a specific color space. Then the color is unambiguously defined and all you need to do on the receiving end, is make sure that profile is assigned to the file.

rob day

Community Expert

Q1: Are there color management or color engine solutions out there that can be used for this purpose?

If the app is going to be web based I'm guessing you will have problems. Adobe has the competing Adobe Color CC and it is not color managed—current web browsers and mobile devices are not capable of full color management. I'm guessing your developer will be up against the same limitations.