callibration query

is there any software that does it?

[jungle_jane]

are there bits of software that can callibrate monitor/printer/scanner so that colour output on each device is the same?

is callibration really a big issue or is it something that doesn't matter that much? i have many years experience in every area of new media except design, which i am trying to understand at the moment. this is the first time i have ever even heard of callibration - assuming it is something that is more important to designers?

and is it necessary for both Mac and PC? i have searched the net endlessly for software to configure all my devices but either my search is flawed or it doesn't exist.

ta
jane

[mivox]

I wouldn't worry about the printer calibration for the photography site... output color is up to the buyers. That will save you a lot of headache right off the bat.

However, color calibration for your monitor can be accomplished with a calibration sensor and software package... search for "monitor color calibration" or something like that. There are quite a few out there, and I can't think of the names offhand. For the scanner, search the manufacturer's site for anything related to a "color profile" for the specific scanner you're using. But it seems like a high end slide scanner ought to come with some calibration utilities...

What OS & software are you using? Someone may be able to offer more specific advice.

[jungle_jane]

thanks mivox. i'm on PC, photographer has a Mac 9.1 and we share his scanner (i take my laptop along)

when scanning images, the image colours on his monitor and mine is totally different. his is much brighter and a bit harsh next to mine. but he finds mind a bit too dark, so i started researching and thought what we ought to do is callibrate. i wasn't sure which device it was though that was causing the difference - the the pc/mac itself, the scanner or the monitor.

we have a Umax Vistascan 4000U (v good for images, not so good for slides) and photoshop 6. thinking of buying better scanning software, but i don't think this will solve the issue.

[werty]

I know with print related stuff you want your monitor to match your output(proof) to match the final product(print).

Designers should know how to color correct images so, like Mivox mentioned, you can eliminate the printer calibration.

peep these:
adobe gamma, free and included in photoshop:
[adobe.com...]

and this:
[desktoppub.about.com...]

also read about ICC profiles

one of the biggest differences between your pc and his mac could be just the fact that the laptop has a lcd screen and his is a CRT monitor

once you get everything set up and you start scanning using a film scanner you will load the film into the scanner and all you should have to do is select a film profile and all the colors SHOULD be be properly adjusted to get the most from that film.

[mivox]

i wasn't sure which device it was though that was causing the difference - the the pc/mac itself

Macs and PCs have different default gamma settings... a Mac monitor will look much brighter than a PC. That's unavoidable, and I tend to try to set all my monitors halfway in between the two (Mac default: 1.8 PC default: 2.2 My Setting: 2.0)...

[jungle_jane]

hhhmm...very interesting - i didn't realise that mac/pc have different outputs. this explains a lot. i have read the callibration articles and my overriding feeling is that you would need to know what you are doing to get it right?

is this something i could pay an outsider to come in and do? but more importantly from what i am seeing it appears that you should re-callibrate from time to time - it's not a one-off thing?

also thinking maybe we should callibrate one system (probably the Mac in this case) to produce our "perfect" output and not worry about the other matching up as we may end up running around in circles trying to match our two systems when the important thing is the quality of the image we will be selling?

[mivox]

The monitor calibration packages I'm thinking of come with a a sensor that attaches to your monitor to check the monitor output, and software that displays a color target image on the monitor and then adjusts it to match a printed target. I've never actually used one, but I think it would just be a matter of sticking the sensor to your monitor, and running the software according to the directions.

How to work scanner calibration into the whole mess, I'm not sure... I've never dealt with it. hehe... sorry I can't be of more help.

[hakre]

for scanner calibration you often put a kind of color reference card into the scanner, scan it and compare it to the original. i think you'll need a calibrated monitor for this, too.

better scanner have calibration build in and they calibrate themselves before each scan.