[Openicc] Introduction / Gutenprint

[Bob Friesenhahn]

On Sun, 10 Apr 2005, Robert L Krawitz wrote:
>
>   From what I see, the role of application software stops at
>   producing RGB or CMYK output, after which the image (or document)
>   is passed to the printer driver for any additional processing.
>
> But what's the interpretation of the RGB or CMYK data?  Is it sRGB, or
> some other color space?  If I tell you that my RGB values are
> (101,176,82), what is the exact color that my eyes see?

That is why there is a CMS profile associated with the data provided 
by the applications.  This makes the interpretation of the RGB or CMYK 
values concrete.

A function of a color management *system* is to define the boundaries 
of responsibility.  While it is possible for complexity to propagate 
to any level of a system, successful systems isolate complexities to 
the portion of the system that they apply to.  Using this model, 
complicated issues related to printing should be isolated to the 
printing subsystem.  Likewise, complicated issues related to 
displaying an image on the screen should be isolated to the display 
system.

The complexity exposed by the printing system should be no more than 
is actually needed in order to achieve the quality and performance 
objectives.  Since this list is intended to discuss the system level 
implications and implementation of a color management system, we 
should be attempting to identify what the interface between the 
applications and the printing system must look like in order to meet 
requirements.  I expect that this interface will not require more than 
RGB or CMYK in order to satisfy requirements.

Bob
======================================
Bob Friesenhahn
bfriesen at simple.dallas.tx.us, http://www.simplesystems.org/users/bfriesen/
GraphicsMagick Maintainer,    http://www.GraphicsMagick.org/