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Inspiring
August 23, 2023
Question

Color calibration on Mac - ColorMunki or something else?

  • August 23, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 4259 views

Hi! I've been a happy 🙂 color calibrator with ColorMunki until now for my iMac 27'' (2019) and Epson SC-P900. I guess I bought CM in 2013. Every now and then there has been some hassle, as its software didn't work and needed updates etc. upon changing the MacOS version. Now, I appear to have met a major problem which wasn't present on September 2022 (a bit lazy attitude 🙂 with Monterey: I get no connection to the device (with Ventura)! Of course, I've been trying to get into contact with calibrate (calibrate.com) but their interest for my concern seems to be of low value (no answer after several days). After this small introduction, I would like to know how others have solved the problem: 1) by finding a working software, 2) by getting some other calibrator, or 3) something else? Regards, Tuomas

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3 replies

Gord Webster
Participating Frequently
February 21, 2024

I'm not sure if you were able to resolve this issue, but after having a similar issue with my iMac, I reached out to Calibrite support and received the following email. And, while I was not able to install the XRD module, following the steps in the second portion (running the Terminal command while ccStudio is running) worked for me.

 

 

In the latest versions of Ventura and Sonoma, there are added security that appear to be halting or interrupting XDR and causing the X-Rite devices (like your ColorMunki Photo) from connecting to Calibrite ccStudio and ccProfiler (both developed by X-Rite for Calibrite).  The new calibrite PROFILER has removed the need for XRD altogether, however the ColorMunki Photo & Design, X-Rite i1Studio, and Calibrite ColorChecker Studio devices will not be added to calibrite PROFILER until later this year.


First...when you first start out, make sure that you're clicking on the ColorChecker Studio/ColorMunki Photo devices on the left in the ccStudio home page.

 

If the software continues to ask you to connect a measurement device, click on the "Previous" arrow in the lower right corner of the window and then click the "Next" arrow in the previous window.  If this works, just remember to go previous and next again if you see the device connection issue.

 

If the Previous/Next doesn't help, I'd recommend the following:

  1. Unplug the ColorMunki Photo and close all applications (especially ccStudio)
  2. Navigate to Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/X-Rite and then delete (Move to Trash) the "Frameworks" folder.  Empty your Trash.
  3. Download and save X-Rite Device Services (XRD) 3.0.132 from the Calibrite website: https://my.xrite.com/downloader.aspx?FileID=2339&Type=M
  4. Go to your Downloads folder, right-click (or control click) on the XRDManager.pkg and choose "Open" to launch the installer.
  5. After the computer has restarted, plug in the ColorMunki Photo and test.

 

If reinstalling XRD fails to establish connection, try the following:

  1. Navigate to: Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/X-Rite/Frameworks/XRiteDevice.framework/Versions/B/Resources 
  2. Double click on “xrdd” to open and run it in Terminal. 
  3. Keep Terminal open and then open ccStudio to test.  
  4. If the CM Photo connects to ccStudio, keep Terminal open while profiling and then close it when you are finished.  
  5. If the device connects this way, you might want to create an alias of xrdd and save it to your desktop. Your workaround would be to plug in the CM Photo, double-click on the "xrdd" alias to run it in Terminal, and then open ccStudio.  

 

Keep in mind that you will no longer need to have XRD on your computer after the CM Photo & CM Design, i1Studio, and ColorChecker Studio devices are added to the calibrite PROFILER later on.

 

Inspiring
February 22, 2024

Thanks!

tuomasvirtanenNET
NB, colourmanagement
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 3, 2023

@tuomasvirtanen.fi I'm separating my comments to make for easier reading -

If the X-Rite Munki is incompatible with your macOS it's unlilely any other alternative a software will be able to support it. Its likely that the instrument drivers that have not been updated, as @Kevin Stohlmeyer wrote, ten years is a pretty good life for tech gear. Time for a new one and that will likely be from Calibrite who seem to have taken over X-Rites more consumert level products - you'll want one of the "Display Pro" options.

 

 

I hope this helps
neil barstow, colourmanagement net - adobe forum volunteer - co-author: 'getting colour right'
google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

Kevin Stohlmeyer
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 23, 2023

Hi @tuomasvirtanen.fi ColorMunki is supported by X-rite. You can find support and driver updates here:

https://www.xrite.com/service-support/product-support/calibration-solutions/colormunki-display

 

Calibrite is the new version replacing ColorMunki. They wont have drivers for the older units.

Inspiring
August 23, 2023

Hi Kevin! I've now spent some one week searching a solution to this calibration problem, including your link. No help! To me, it seems that pantone/xrite/calibrate has lost its interest in sustaining a product such as ColorMunki - which worked fine some monts ago (they should say it aloud). I would bet that if I asked a new solution from their sales department now, I would get positive answers very, very soon... If I don't get a decent answer soon from xrite/etc, I would say that they don't care about their customers and of any sustainability - and a good operational stuff/device: Money goes all things over! Regards, T.

tuomasvirtanenNET
Kevin Stohlmeyer
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 25, 2023

@tuomasvirtanen.fi There does come a point where companies stop supporting older tech in lieu of newer versions. In this case - it appears X-Rite sold the ColorMunki family and its been rebranded as Calibrite which is a completely different solution (no support from them). The issue with your current hardware is its no longer compaible with the newer Mac OS. This is the last piece of info I could find from X-rite: https://xritephoto.com/ph_product_overview.aspx?ID=1513&action=overview Preaching to the choir here, but I guess the options are to look at purchasing a Calibrite and make sure the new hardware works with Ventura, etc. Honestly a 10-year run on a piece of equipment is really good these days.