1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Datacolor Manuals
  4. Measuring Instruments
  5. Spyder3 Elite
  6. Help manual

Datacolor Spyder3 Elite Help Manual

Colorimeter
Hide thumbs

Advertisement

Table of Contents

Spyder3 Help Index
Welcome Screen:
Before You Begin:
New Display:
Define whether a new display is to be calibrated.
Select Display:
Choose which display to work with.
Current Settings:
Select Gamma:
Choose or define a gamma selection.
Select Response Curve:
Create Response Curve:
Select White Point:
Display Type:
Select type of device to calibrate (first time only).
Select Target:
Choice from predifined calibration targets.
Select Ambient Light Compensation:
Ambient Light Analysis:
Select Luminance Mode:
Measured Luminance Mode:
Specify Luminance Values:
Identify Controls:
Display Assistant).
Identify Color Controls:
New Display Assistant).
Adjust RGB Gain Controls:
advanced option activated in Preferences).
Adjust Kelvin Slider:
Adjust Kelvin Preset:
Reset Factory Defaults:
Set Black Luminance:
Set White Luminance:
An overview of the application.
Preparatory Steps.
Shows current choice of calibration settings.
Select a non-Gamma curve.
Define your own custom response curve.
Choose a whitepoint value or create your own.
identify and adjust your ambient light level.
Decide if you wish to target specific brightness endpoints.
Uses your Spyder to define black and white.
Allows user to enter values for black and white.
Designate what general controls your display offers (part of the New
Designate what color controls your display offers (part of the
Adjust the color of white with RGB Gain Controls (an
Adjust the color of white with a color temperature Slider.
Adjust the color of white with a color temperature Preset.
Info on resetting your display to factory default settings.
Adjusting Black on displays that have a black control.
Adjusting White Luminance and related controls.
Decide if you wish to correct for ambient light.

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Spyder3 Elite and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for Datacolor Spyder3 Elite

Summary of Contents for Datacolor Spyder3 Elite

  • Page 1 Spyder3 Help Index Welcome Screen: An overview of the application. Before You Begin: Preparatory Steps. New Display: Define whether a new display is to be calibrated. Select Display: Choose which display to work with. Current Settings: Shows current choice of calibration settings. Select Gamma: Choose or define a gamma selection.

  • Page 2: Further Information

    Check Calibration: Allows checking display calibration, and ReCALibration. Current Calibration: Displays useful data about your Current Calibration, and recommendation based on it. Gray Balanced Calibration: Gray Balance Refinement: White Luminance Reduction: Remove Sensor: Remove the Spyder from your screen. Specify Profile Name: Name your display profile.
  • Page 3 Welcome Help Index Introduction Calibration keeps your monitor in a consistent state so that it displays colors in the same way, day after day, month after month. Profiling allows you to create an ICC profile that describes the monitor characteristics including: White Point, Tone Response and RGB Primary colors.

  • Page 4: Before You Begin

    Before You Begin Help Index Display Settings Please set your display to 24-bit color or better. Settings lower than 16-bit are not recommended. Monitor color settings can be changed using operating system controls: Macintosh: System Preferences > Displays Windows: Display Properties > Settings Warm Up CRT and LCD monitors should warm up for an hour before calibrating, to assure correct color.
  • Page 5 Lighting Conditions For Projectors The room in which the projected image is being viewed should be as dark as is practical. Especially during calibration there should be no lights shining on or near the projection screen. Be sure that no ambient light is shining toward the Spyder sensor. Screen Saver Screen Savers and Energy Savers should be turned off before calibration.

  • Page 6: New Display

    New Display Help Index Usual Setting Mark the checkbox to allow the display to be calibrated by the software. The Purpose of This Step When a new display device is found by the software the New Display Assistant will run. New Display is the first screen of this process.

  • Page 7: Select Display

    Select Display Help Index Usual Setting Choose the display you wish to calibrate from the popup menu. The Purpose of This Step For multiple monitor configurations, this step selects which monitor to calibrate, or which to calibrate at this time. The Long Answer Computers may have more than one display attached.

  • Page 9: Current Settings

    Current Settings Help Index Usual Setting You will typically use the current settings, and continue on by choosing the Next button. The Purpose of This Step This screen displays the current settings that will be used for calibration. These are the values that will be used to adjust the monitor’s characteristics.
  • Page 10 for your choice of gamma, so choosing a gamma setting close to the display’s native gamma minimizes lost levels and increases smoothness. Choosing a whitepoint near to paper white under your viewing or proofing lights can make display to print matching easier. More advanced settings and options are described elsewhere in the Help files.
  • Page 11 Select Gamma Help Index Usual Setting Gamma 2.2 is the most common choice for tone response because most displays perform naturally near that value and many of the commonly used color spaces are defined with that value. The Purpose of This Step This screen allows you to specify a gamma or non-gamma curve as the desired tone response of the display.
  • Page 12 Gamma 2.2 If you want to specify a Tone Response that is not a gamma curve, click the Curve button and be sure to read the Help section accompanying the Curve screen. Further Information...
  • Page 13 For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...
  • Page 14 Select Tone Response Curve Help Index Advanced Feature Setting an arbitrary tone response curve is an advanced feature not chosen by most users. It is used to match unusual output devices such as film recorders or in other special situations. The Purpose of This Step This screen allows you to specify a non-Gamma curve as the desired tone response of the monitor.
  • Page 15 Further Information For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...
  • Page 16 Create Custom Tone Response Curve Help Index Advanced Feature Creating an arbitrary tone response curve is an advanced feature not chosen by most users. It is used to match unusual output devices such as film recorders or in other special situations. The Purpose of This Step This screen allows you to create a custom non-Gamma curve as the desired tone response of the monitor.
  • Page 17 Select White Point Help Index Usual Setting MONITORS 6500K is the most common choice for White Point because it closely approximates the color of noontime daylight. Many of the commonly used color spaces are defined with this value. Some photographers prefer a somewhat warmer white to match their prints under their ambient lighting, such as 5800k.
  • Page 18 somewhat warmer white to match their prints under their ambient lighting, such as 5800k. It is recommended that you begin by calibrating to 6500k, and adjust that only as needed. In the rare situation where you want to set a White Point that is not available in the popup menu you can select Other and enter a desired white point in either degrees Kelvin or CIE xy.
  • Page 19 setting these controls, choose the desired White Point. The software will prompt you to adjust the RGB controls to set the White Point in the monitor hardware. In this case, the software will not make any adjustment to the White Point as part of the calibration (i.e.
  • Page 20 Identify Display Type Help Index The Purpose of This Step To identify the type of display you are calibrating, so that the correct process can be run. CRT Display CRT Displays are heavy and deep. They generally resemble traditional television sets made with glass picture tubes.
  • Page 21 LCD Display LCD Displays are lighter and not so deep, often with plastic screens. They resemble modern Thin Screen TVs. Laptop Laptop or Notebook computers have built in processors and keyboards, as well as LCD screens. Choose the Laptop mode to calibrate this type of display. Projector Front Projectors have a lens and display large images on a screen that is placed several feet away.
  • Page 22 Further Information For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...
  • Page 23 Select Target Values Help Index Usual Setting Select 2.2-6500 to calibrate your display to Gamma 2.2 and White Point 6500K, the most common choice. When calibrating projectors choose 2.2-Native. The Purpose of This Step This screen allows you to choose the values that you will use to calibrate your display. The desired values are specified by selecting a Target from the popup menu.
  • Page 24 A Target can specify just a Tone Response (e.g. Gamma) and a White Point or it can also include Black and White Luminance values that are used in Measured Luminance mode. It can also determine if the monitor will be treated as SpyderCertified The easiest way to create a Target is to proceed completely through a calibration process, setting all of the Target values and then after Calibration is complete,...
  • Page 25 Select Ambient Light Compensation Help Index Usual Setting Ambient Light Compensation is an advance feature. Basic calibration does not use Ambient Light Compensation. The Purpose of This Step Your visual perception of an image displayed on a monitor is influenced by the ambient (surrounding) light in the viewing area.
  • Page 26 The recommended responses to respective ambient light levels 1 through 5 are as follows: 1: Very Low: appropriate for prepress image editing. Calibrate the display to a White Luminance level of 85-100 cd/m^2* and a White Point of 5000K (warm white) to compensate for the eye’s cooler response at low light levels.
  • Page 27 should also be used only at levels 1 and 2. Only LCD monitors should be used at level 3 and even then, some LCD monitors and many laptops cannot achieve the 175 cd/cm^2 needed for good viewing in those conditions. If your monitor cannot achieve the recommended White Luminance level for your chosen ambient lighting, then you should lower the ambient light level to a range that is compatible with your monitor.
  • Page 28 Ambient Light Analysis Help Index Surround Luminance & WhitePoint Usual Setting Click on “Accept Suggested Settings”, and continue with your calibration. The Purpose of This Step You have set Ambient Light Compensation to “On”. On this screen, the program presents an analysis of your surrounding lighting conditions based on the measurement taken of those conditions.
  • Page 29 follows: Very Low: appropriate for prepress image editing. Calibrate the display to a White Luminance level of 85-100 cd/m^2* and a White Point of 5000K (warm white) to compensate for the eye’s cooler response at low light levels. LCD monitors (including laptops) can be used in this situation as well as CRT displays.
  • Page 30 should lower the ambient light level to a range that is compatible with your monitor. Critical color work requires an environment where the ambient light is consistent and at low to moderate levels. Advanced Topic: Surround Another area worthy of attention is the monitor Surround. This is the area of the room that your eyes see in their peripheral view while you are looking at the monitor.
  • Page 31 eye to perceive color equivalently. This is why under Dim ambient conditions, with a low monitor luminance level, a White Point of 5000K is recommended. This effect continues up to or beyond the Medium ambient level, with increased White Point recommendations to match.
  • Page 32 Select Luminance Mode Help Index Advanced Feature Most users will select Visual for the Luminance Mode setting. Measured is an advanced mode – if you select Measured, you will also be asked to provide the Luminance Values that you desire to use. The difference between these two modes is in how the user is instructed to adjust the Luminance controls during the Calibration process.
  • Page 33 levels. You might want to use Measured Luminance Mode if you are matching multiple monitors that are viewed side-by-side. If you work in an environment where your system administrator assigns specific Luminance Values, you will want to use this mode. If you decide that you want to select Measured Luminance Mode, you will need to determine the appropriate Luminance Values.
  • Page 34 Measured Luminance Mode Help Index The Long Answer The Measured Luminance Mode feature allows you to use your Spyder to measure the Black Luminance and White Luminance values of your display during calibration. This can allow more consistent setting of the Luminance Values than using Visual Luminance Mode.
  • Page 35 For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...
  • Page 36 Specify Luminance Values Help Index Usual Setting Enter the Luminance Values that you want to use. Or leave the fields blank and let the application determine them appropriately for the monitor and working environment. The Purpose of This Step You have set Luminance Mode to Measured. In this screen you can specify the desired values for Black Luminance and White Luminance.
  • Page 37 Native White Luminance for your display (your display’s brightness at its current hardware settings). Native White Luminance is seldom the most appropriate value for displays, except for laptops used in uncontrolled lighting, or projectors. You may define a Target White Luminance based on the Multiple Display Tool, the Ambient Light Tool, or a Studio Standard if multiple displays are being tuned to a single target.
  • Page 39 Identify Controls Help Index Usual Setting Because displays are designed with many different control configurations, there is no usual setting that can be described for this step. The Purpose of This Step In order for the program to provide relevant instructions in the following screens, it is necessary for you to indicate what controls exist on your particular display device.
  • Page 40 If the control affects White Luminance then you will see the four blocks of gray change in intensity. You may even see the third block disappear (turn White) as you adjust the control to its maximum setting. Distinguishing Brightness from Backlight If your monitor has only one control with a sun symbol, then to determine whether this is a brightness or a backlight control, try the following test.
  • Page 41 If the control affects Black Luminance then you will see the four blocks of gray change in intensity. You may even see the second block disappear (turn Black) as you adjust the control to its minimum setting. The Contrast control will be used to adjust the White Luminance level of the display. If you have a Contrast control, you can confirm that it actually affects the display’s White Luminance by observing the following image while you adjust the control across its range from maximum to minimum:...
  • Page 42 Identify Color Controls Help Index Usual Setting Many displays will have Kelvin Presets. Some professional displays will also have RGB Gain controls. The Purpose of This Step For the software to produce optimal results, it must be told what controls exist on your display.
  • Page 43 Kelvin Slider If your monitor has a slider (variable control) that allows setting any Kelvin value (usually in a range like 4000K to 10000K) then your monitor has a Kelvin Slider control. RGB Sliders If your monitor has three sliders (variable controls) that allow setting individual values for the Red, Green and Blue channels (usually in a range of 0 to 100) then your monitor has RGB Gain controls.
  • Page 44 Adjust RGB Gain Controls Help Index Usual Setting Adjust the RGB Gain controls of the monitor until the three columns in the RGB Adjustment Graph are balanced. The Purpose of This Step To set the native white point of the monitor as closely as possible to your desired Target White Point.
  • Page 45 using presets may be more effective. Since LCD displays vary widely between manufacturer and model it is not possible to make a universal statement about using RGB controls on them. It is only posible to share the observation that RGB balancing works well on some models while on others using presets is a better choice.
  • Page 46 Color Target – the value that you specified earlier as the desired white color (White Point) to calibrate the monitor to (in CIE xy) Current – the current measured white color (in CIE xy) Difference – the difference between the Target and the Current color values expressed in Delta ab.
  • Page 47 Adjust Kelvin Slider Help Index Usual Setting Adjust to the value that matches the desired Target White Point. The Purpose of This Step To set the display hardware as closely as possible to the desired White Point. The Long Answer Your monitor has a slider (continuously variable control) for selecting White Point.
  • Page 49 Adjust Kelvin Presets Help Index Usual Setting Choose the value that matches the desired Target White Point. If an exact match is not available then choose the next higher setting. The Purpose of This Step To set the display hardware as closely as possible to the desired White Point. The Long Answer Your display has presets for selecting White Point.
  • Page 50 match for that specific combination. Further Information For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: http://www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...
  • Page 51 Set Brightness and Contrast to Factory Default Help Index Usual Setting the simplest, and often best, calibration, set the Brightness and Contrast controls of the display device to their Factory Default settings. If there are no default settings available, 50% contrast, and 100% brightness are typical starting points.
  • Page 52 The controls for your display device should include a Reset or Recall command that can be invoked to perform this function. Most displays have this function in the on- screen controls. Some displays use a combination of buttons held down at power-on to invoke the reset.
  • Page 53 Set Black Luminance Help Index Usual Setting It is simplest, and often most effective, to leave the Brightness control of the monitor or projector set to the Factory Default value. Most LCD displays do not have an actual Brightness control; for these monitors this step is skipped. The Purpose of This Step This step checks that the Black Level is set low enough that the display shows its maximum black without being so low that loss of shadow detail results.
  • Page 54 it is a reasonable digital approximation of how that control works on a CRT it is possible that adjusting it will not affect the display of the Black/Dark Gray patches shown here. You may find that one of the following situations occur: * Even when you turn the control to its Minimum setting you still see all four blocks.
  • Page 55 The goal in Brightness adjustment is to find the lowest setting that allows you to see all four blocks. If the level is set too low there won’t be any difference between Black and Dark Gray and you will not be able to distinguish variations in the dark shadows of images: If the level is set too high then Black will appear gray and your display will display reduced dynamic range with weak contrast.
  • Page 56 Set LCD White Luminance Help Index Usual Setting On LCD displays White Luminance may be adjusted by the Backlight control. The Backlight control is often identified with a “sun” symbol. To begin, set this control to its maximum value. The Purpose of This Step This step assures that the display is producing sufficient light so that it can be easily viewed;...
  • Page 57 Reduce the Backlight control until you can just distinguish between the rightmost (pure white) block and the adjacent (lightest gray) block. White Luminance is sometimes referred to as Brightness, but that name can cause confusion with the Brightness control, which actually adjusts Black Luminance. Note: Backlight and Brightness May Have Same Symbol Some LCD displays have both a Backlight control and a Brightness control labeled with the same ‘sun’...
  • Page 58 that you work in very subdued lighting for CRT displays, and subdued lighting for LCD displays. Loosening half or more of the bulbs in office fluorescent fixtures, and closing blinds on nearby windows is usually necessary to create optimal monitor viewing conditions in offices.

  • Page 59: Check Calibration

    Check Calibration Help Index Usual Setting If you are running the application for a normal periodic calibration, mark the radio button to check the current calibration. This will typically take less time than running a full calibration and may show that re-calibration is not needed at this time. The Purpose of This Step This gives the user the ability to check the accuracy of the currently applied calibration to see whether it is still within a reasonable range of the target values.

  • Page 60: Current Calibration

    Current Calibration Help Index Usual Setting Setting will depend on the results just measured as part of Check Calibration. The Purpose of This Step This is the analysis of the measurements taken for Check Calibration. By comparing the Current values to the Target values a decision can be made as to whether re- calibration is necessary.
  • Page 61 Select Gray Balanced Calibration Help Index Usual Setting The usual choice for this option is ‘on’. The Purpose of This Step This option allows the user to disable the gray balance algorithm used in calibration. When calibrating certain displays, disabling gray balance may provide improved results.
  • Page 62 Select Gray Balance Refinement Help Index Usual Setting Most users will leave this setting at the default value which is ‘off’. The Purpose of This Step Allows the user to indicate whether they want the calibration process to spend additional time to see if the gray balance of the calibration can be improved. The Long Answer The normal calibration process is to measure the display, calculate the correction curve and load that into the video card.
  • Page 63 Select White Luminance Reduction Help Index Usual Setting This setting will be ‘off’ except for special circumstances. Turn this setting ‘on’ if you experience a color cast when calibrating a display that does not have a White Luminance control or whose White Luminance control is already at its minimum setting. The Purpose of This Step This setting provides an option that may allow users of some displays to achieve a more acceptable calibration.

  • Page 64: Remove Sensor

    Remove Sensor Help Index Usual Setting Remove the Spyder from the screen. The Purpose of This Step We are done taking readings, and the Spyder should now be removed from the screen. The Long Answer The Spyder is no longer needed on screen, and can be returned to its stand. Leaving it on screen will interfere with reading further instructions.

  • Page 65: Profile Name

    Profile Name Help Index Usual Setting Accept the default name. The Purpose of This Step This step defines the name of your monitor’s ICC profile. Supplying a custom name for your profile can make it easier to find. The Long Answer The name should include information about what device it is for.
  • Page 66 These additional profiles will have the same name as the normal profile with “+1” and “+2” appended to the name. If you set a different device profile in the system you may need to re-launch any currently running color managed applications for them to notice the change. Photoshop, on Mac and Windows, will generally recognize profile changes on the fly but other programs may not.
  • Page 67 SpyderUtility Help Index Spyder Utility Features Usual Setting Spyder Utility will run at all times; DO NOT remove or shutdown the Utility, or you may adversely effect your color. The Purpose of This Step Spyder Utility needs to monitor your system to assure that the correct display profiles and calibrations are in use.
  • Page 68 For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: http://www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...
  • Page 69 SpyderProof Help Index Test Image Descriptions Usual Setting SpyderProof will typically be used for a quick check of the results from building a profile with your Spyder3 products. For more advanced analysis, see ‘The Long Answer’ below. The Purpose of This Step To allow users to review the results of their new profile, before moving on to using it.
  • Page 70 The image window shows a matrix of all 16 available images, grouped in four quadrants. Quadrant One (upper left) contains saturated colors. Quadrant Two (upper right) covers skintones. Quadrant Three (lower left) contains landscapes and gradients. Quadrant Four (lower right) covers grayscale (black and white) images. Clicking on any quadrant will bring that group of four images up to fill the window.
  • Page 71 Profile section and a Print Emulation section. Both sections are for on-screen display (not printing) only. Spyder3Print Controls offer both on-screen and print capabilities, so that users can print any or all of the test images directly from Spyder3Print to check profile results.
  • Page 72 Image One: Colors (q1i1).jpg. This image includes synthetic step gradients of Magenta, Blue, Cyan, Red, Yellow, Green, and Black. The high saturation patches in many of these gradients will be outside the gamut of most monitors, as well as most printer/ink/paper combinations.
  • Page 73 Image Three: NightShot(q1i3).jpg. This image exhibits the effects of colors too bright for the camera’s dynamic range: many of the neon signs burn to white in the image, but their less intense reflections on the water show the true colors of the signs. Use this image to check saturated colors against a dark background, and to view shadow noise or grain in the dark areas.
  • Page 74 inking by bleeding and eliminating the narrow light areas. Fabric detail in the jacket can be used to check shadow detail capabilityt on screen and in print. Out of focus flowers in the lower background can be used to check print gradiation from colors to black, for breaks in gradient.
  • Page 75 Image Four: Reflections (q2i4).jpg. Tungsten highlights in hair burn to device (or paper) white, clearly showing ramp of warm yellow tones to device white, demonstrating the change that can occur when a color ramp ends in a mismatched white. Mix of warm and cool highlights in maniquin and window reflections. Warm and cool highlights in mirrorballs.
  • Page 76 Image Two: Adobe Church (q3i2)jpg. Pure, saturated sky gradient. Sunlit adobe surfaces with detail and gradiation. Deep shadow detail in tower windows and on rear ell. High contrast greenery in forground. Excellent sharp contrasts between sky and crosses, rail and adobe, adobe and sky etc. Image Three: Sunrise (q3i3)jpg .
  • Page 77 Image One: B&Wportrait(q4i1).jpg. Detailed grayscale skin and hair textures and gradients. This image tests neutrality and detail, with a focus on the skintone range. Includes both sharply focussed, and out of focus elements, producing a range of detail textures. Image Two: Infinity(q4i2).jpg. This image focusses on the dark tones, and the edges between light elements and darker backgrounds, as well as wood grain detail and other darktone patterns.
  • Page 78 Image Four: B&WTestImage(q4i4).jpg. Datacolor’s standard B&W Test Image includes a wide array of pictoral and graphic elements. Use the long gray ramp at the top and short radial grayscale at the bottom to judge smoothness and continuity. Use the stepped gray ramp for checking distinct values. Review the enlarged details above each image for highlights and shadows: The Trees in Fog detail checks fine distinction in neutrals, while the Boat Planks Reflection checks the ability to distinguish deep shadow details.

  • Page 79: Expert Console

    Expert Console Help Index Expert Console Features Usual Setting The Display Calibration Assistant is recommended for most users as the easiest way to use Spyder3Elite. Only advanced users should use the Expert Console. The Purpose of This Step To provide advanced users with a single screen covering all elements of display targeting, calibration, and profiling The Long Answer Spyder3Elite’s Expert Console is provides as an advanced user feature.
  • Page 80 Target This section includes popups listing predefined, and user defined targets, and for seperately defining White Point and Gamma. The Gamma/Non-Gamma radio buttons change the Gamma popup list from one type to the other. The Save as Target button allows saving any configuration as a new custom target. Target Luminance Values This section allows users to choose between Visual Mode, where black and white luminance values are set for the user, and Measured Mode, where these values can...

  • Page 81: Further Information

    color patches to determine if the display required recalibration at this time. Further Information For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: http://www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...
  • Page 82 Select Spyder Certification Help Index Usual Setting The default value of this setting is ‘Off’. Enabling this setting depends on the users’ needs for display calibration status. This setting does not affect the actual calibration process in any manner. The Purpose of This Step The user can choose to have the calibration status of the display monitored continuously and to be notified if the display falls out of certification.
  • Page 83 specified in the Spyder Utility’s preferences The computer has been turned on for at least the time specified in the Spyder Utility’s preferences Further Information For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...
  • Page 84 StudioMatch Help Index Usual Setting This depends on whether you are: Matching displays that are all connected to one computer Matching displays that are connected to multiple computers The Purpose of This Step There are two scenarios that StudioMatch™ works with. The user will indicate which scenario to run through depending on their situation.
  • Page 85 Information will then be distributed out to all of the computers indicating the target settings that they should use. Then the calibration process will be run on every computer to adjust their displays to matching settings. Note: Multiple Monitors Computers using the Windows operating system with multiple displays may need to have a separate video card for each display.
  • Page 86 In Closing Help Index The Long Answer The goal of calibration and profiling is to maintain a consistent color environment. To achieve consistency, calibration should be performed on a regular schedule. In general, calibrating every two weeks is reasonable. You may set a calibration reminder in the Preferences.
  • Page 87 Curves Window Help Index The Long Answer The Curves Window provides a graphical display of the tonal response characteristics of the monitor system. This includes representations of the monitor’s default behavior, the desired behavior and the actual behavior. The x-axis of the graph represents all of the possible input values that can be sent to the monitor in the range of 0-255 for Red, Green and Blue values.
  • Page 88 When this checkbox is marked, a plot is shown of the default tonal response character of the monitor. That is, the tonal characteristics of the monitor in its uncalibrated state before any adjustment has been performed. You will usually see, to some degree, three lines for this plot because the Red, Green and Blue channels of the uncalibrated monitor do not have the same tonal response characteristics.
  • Page 89 The plot of the tonal response of the monitor is generated as follows: Color samples are displayed on the monitor that step from black to white. For each sample displayed the output luminance of the monitor is measured with the colorimeter instrument. The resulting table of input RGB -vs- output Luminance values is then plotted.

  • Page 90: Information Window

    Information Window Help Index The Long Answer The Information Window provides numerical feedback on the process and quality of the calibration performed. Luminance These values show the output luminance values, in candelas per meter squared, measured on the monitor when full Black and full White sample colors are displayed. Uncalibrated The values measured when the monitor is in its uncalibrated state.
  • Page 91 In Visual Luminance mode this is simply an informative item that indicates how much the calibration process affected the output luminance of the monitor. In particular, if the White Point was adjusted during calibration you will see a drop in White Luminance from Uncalibrated to Calibrated which is the trade-off for getting the correct white point.
  • Page 92 Phosphors These values show the chromaticity values, in CIE xy, measured on the monitor when full Red, Green and Blue samples are displayed. The values are stored, after chromatic adaptation, in the ICC profile for the monitor. Applications will use these values as the basis for their transformations of colors to be displayed on the monitor.
  • Page 93 On CRT monitors, the Brightness control adjusts the Black Luminance level of the monitor. The Contrast control adjusts the White Luminance level. On some LCD monitors this is also true but it is difficult to determine. LCD monitors may also have a third control called Backlight that is different than the Brightness or Contrast control.
  • Page 94 determine the correct Black and White Luminance levels for your working environment by performing a Visual mode calibration and then use those levels in the future when you run in Measured mode. Thus you establish target values visually and then consistently set to those values in all future calibrations numerically.
  • Page 96 Preferences Help Index Usual Setting Preferences will usually be left at their default settings. The Purpose of This Step Preferences allow users to choose program options and select the measurement instrument to use. The Long Answer The following items may be adjusted in Preferences: Sensor Select <none>...
  • Page 97 appear in the System Tray. Check for software updates The application will check to see if there is a newer version available and if so inform the user. If you do not want the program to do this then unmark the checkbox. Further Information For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website:...

  • Page 98: Advanced Preferences

    Advanced Preferences Help Index Usual Setting Advanced Preferences will usually be left at their default settings. The Purpose of This Step Advanced Preferences allow advanced users to choose special options for specific purposes. The Long Answer The following items may be adjusted in Advanced Preferences: User Interface If you wish to present a simpler user interface to your users you can select different levels here.
  • Page 99 Show RGB Sliders as an option in the Identify Color Controls screen By default, this option is always turned off because most users do not need to adjust the RGB Sliders of the display. Users who really want to adjust the RGB Gain Controls on a display can turn this option on.
  • Page 101 ICC Settings Help Index The Long Answer The following items may be set in ICC Settings: ICC Version You can choose to create ICC Profiles that meet version 2.0 or 4.0 of the ICC Specification. The default value is 2.0. Version 2.0 profiles are compatible with all applications and Color Management Modules (CMMs).
  • Page 102 Many other monitor profiling applications use the XYZ Scaling algorithm for Chromatic Adaptation when creating ICC profiles. Further Information For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...

Table of Contents