[argyllcms] chart definition, documentation and contributions

Kia ora,

I am doing some research here at uni on robust machine vision systems. For 
that purpose I also need to target the subject of chromatic adaptation, 
device characterisation, etc.

We have purchased several targets (GretagMacbeth ColorChecker w/ 24 patches, 
Wolf Faust's camera calibration Target "C1" [1], and Christophe Metairie's 
DigitaL TargeT 003 [2]). We would like to use these targets for device 
(camera) characterisation using ArgyllCMS.

I would suppose the correct steps to achieve this would be (roughly) as 
follows:

 * create .cht file for target using "scanin" (with the "-g" switch)
 * complete the chart .cht file manually
 * use "scanin" to create a .ti3 file
 * use "profile" with the .ti3 file to create a profile

As we're interested in using the cameras as cheap measuring devices we'd 
probably use the "-u" option on "profile".

Unfortunately I do not know whether I can use the provided ref/it8.cht file 
for the Wolf Faust target. And also I guess I would need to create .cht files 
for the other targets, too.

But I find the process of creating the test chart definition .cht file not so 
well documented. So, my question now is: Is there some documentation/HOWTO on 
this around on the web somewhere? Or have I just missed it in the 
documentation? (I wouldn't be surprised, happens to me in super markets all 
the time, staring at the correct shelf and not finding what I'm looking 
for ..)

I don't seem to be too alone in wanting some more documentation on the 
charting issues, as I've seen from Roger's recent post:

On Thu, 27 Dec 2007 4:35:10 am Roger Breton wrote:
> I want to show my students how various charts can be used for profiling a
> scanner, among which is ye-ole faithful IT8.7/x. Ideally, I'd like to show
> my students how to develop a custom testchart with Argyll.

Now, this leads me to the second part of my mail: If someone creates .cht 
files for targets (and wants to share it), or if someone writes the fool 
proof HOWTO, how would it be shared? I don't really believe in "just" posting 
it onto the mailing list, as this is hard to browse as a knowledge base. I 
would much like to see something like a wiki, which could be used to create a 
living knowledge base, that's easy to contribute to, and that also is indexed 
by Google.

I have got knowledge of two colour related wikis on the web: [3] and [4]. The 
wiki on oryanos.org licenses its content under the very permissive BSD 
license, and it seems to be frequented by people from the community. Also it 
mentions ArgyllCMS and LittleCMS, and referred projects use it, too. The 
ColourWiki does not mention a license (I have mailed the maintainer Steve 
Upton of Chromix Inc. regarding this). However, it seems more 
commercially/industry oriented, and there's not too much community 
interaction there.

So, what is your guys opinion on documenting ArgyllCMS related community 
documentation on the oryanos.org wiki? Also chart definitions of alternative 
targets created by users could be uploaded/managed there, etc.

Guy


[1] http://www.targets.coloraid.de/
[2] 
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/christophe.metairie.photographie/eng%20digital%20target.html
[3] http://www.oyranos.org/wiki/
[4] http://www.colorwiki.com/

-- 
Guy K. Kloss
Institute of Information and Mathematical Sciences
Te Kura Putaiao o Mohiohio me Pangarau
Room 2.63, Quad Block A Building
Massey University, Auckland, Albany
Private Bag 102 904, North Shore Mail Centre
voice: +64 9 414-0800 ext. 9585   fax: +64 9 441-8181
eMail: G.Kloss@xxxxxxxxxxxx  http://www.massey.ac.nz/~gkloss/

Other related posts: