April 9, 2001: Seybold Seminars, Boston.
CHROMiX today announced ColorThink 2.0, an upgrade to its popular color
management toolset. ColorThink 2.0 combines powerful new graphing and ICC
profile management capabilities with Mac OS X compatibility.
New features include:
– Carbon compatibility to take advantage of new Mac OS X features
– Integration of 3D graphing with OpenGL technology
– Integration of advanced network-wide and worldwide profile management using
ProfileCentral.com
OpenGL-based Graphing:
New OpenGL integration provides fast, beautiful 3D graphs of profiles and
other color data. All colors are rendered accurately to screen so users can
see the colors of their printer’s gamut as well as the shape. OpenGL allows
for wireframe, shaded objects, and advanced capabilities such as gamut
overlay, transparency and an innovative 3D slicer for detailed profile
analysis. Graphing of Hexachrome(tm) profiles is also supported in this
version.
Profile Management:
Workgroup-Wide Profile Management
ColorThink 2.0 allows workgroup administrators to setup a “share point” on
the group’s server to distribute profiles among their team. Inexpensive
client applications will periodically check the share point and update the
user’s profiles automatically.
World-Wide Profile Management
“ProfileCentral.com (launched at Seybold Boston in 1999) has become a
popular source for people seeking device and process profiles.” said Steve
Upton, president of CHROMiX. “We have found that some printers are
reluctant to distribute their profiles due to concerns with keeping
profiles updated.”
CHROMiX has developed custom versioning tags that can easily be embedded in
any ICC profile. In addition, ColorThink 2.0 is now fully integrated with
ProfileCentral.com, which allows
– Embedding of versioning tags
– Registration of profiles with ProfileCentral.com. Profiles can be privately
or publicly listed.
– Uploading of profiles to user-specified share-points on the Internet
– Client software automatically checks installed profile versions against
ProfileCentral.com and alerts user to updates.
– Profiles can be automatically downloaded and installed on user’s system
– Versioning tags contain update hints instructing users on several different
update options
“ColorThink 2.0’s integration with our powerful ProfileCentral.com
databases removes the quandary printers have faced until now” described
Upton. “Printers, photo labs, media manufacturers and other service
providers can now distribute their profiles with the confidence that
updating them is easy.”
ColorThink 2.0 will also help users transition from Mac OS 9 to OS X by
moving profiles between OS 9/Classic storage areas and the new profile
storage areas offered by Mac OS X.
“We suspect there will be some confusion regarding profile installation,
sharing and use within applications as users transition to OS X. ColorThink
2.0 will ease this transition and reduce confusion.” said Upton.
CHROMiX will also make available Peek, a free utility that will display
profile versions, and link to ProfileCentral.com for updates.
ColorThink 2.0 is expected to enter beta testing within the next 30-40 days
and ship shortly after that. CHROMiX is seeking a small number of beta
sites for testing of the profile management features. Please contact the
company at CCTBeta@CHROMiX.com if you are interested in participating in
this program.
Non-Mac OS X features (including OpenGL support) will also be available in
a Mac OS 9 version of the software. A Windows version is also under
development, but CHROMiX has not set a delivery timeframe.
CHROMiX will be demonstrating ColorThink 1.1 at Seybold Boston 2001 in the
GretagMacbeth booth (as well as offering sneak previews of ColorThink 2.0
technology)
About CHROMiX
CHROMiX (http://www.chromix.com), consults, produces and sells color
management solutions to companies in the visual content creation
industries. Known for solutions that work well, clear training and
outstanding after-sales support, CHROMiX is dedicated to fulfilling its
mission of streamlining the publishing process with services, training, and
products that are best of class. CHROMiX provides the largest color
glossary and reference database available online as part of its web site
and along with ProfileCentral.com offers tips, tricks and links to many
other sources of information.
