A generic approach to color modeling

Color modeling defines the relationships between colorants, their mixtures, and their resulting spectral and colorimetric properties. A “colorant” can refer to a dye, pigment, or ink, as well as chromatic lights used in various display technologies. Computer colorant formulation systems are an embodiment of the color modeling of materials such as textiles, plastics, and paint. Color management systems for imaging applications exploit color models of CRT displays, photographic materials, and printers. The literature on modeling material and imaging systems tends to be segregated. In the process of teaching color modeling, common methodologies and theories have emerged leading to a “generic” approach. All of these systems can be modeled using two basic stages. The first stage consists of defining a spectral description where colorants and their mixtures can be described using linear algebra. The second stage defines the relationship between “user controls” and the scalars associated with the linear description of each colorant where the user control may be digital counts, volumetric or gravimetric concentration. The commonalities between characterizing the colorimetry of computer-controlled CRT displays and computer colorant formulation are presented. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Col Res Appl, 22, 318–325, 1997