MatchColor SOFTWARE MANUAL

GENERAL INFORMATIONS

This software present all the flexibility of most of the software developed
under Windows from Microsoft Corporation environment. Size of the
windows can be changed, the windows can be moved to define a
personalized display presentation which is saved when the window or
the application is closed.
This software can be used by different peoples at the same time, one
after the other. It is just necessary to open each time the application. The
following standard boxes which allows to reduce or close a
window (or an application) are very useful for that.
For each module, it is necessary first to select the database (ACCESS from
Microsoft Corporation format ) in which are saved data files that you want to
process. By defect it is the Demo Data base that is selected. In order that, the
software being loaded, select « File » in the menu bar, then « Select Data base »
as indicated.

Sub Menu File

Main Menu bar with all functions.
Sub menu of the file option which allows to
select other database or to change the
configuration.
Sub menu which opens the database and
display all tables. This allows to modify or
delete datas.
Sub menu which allow to save or to open a
saved screen display configuration.
Sub menu to print selected Data.
To close the software.

Configuration Option
Allows to select the color system and the color difference equations, the
observer 2° or 10° and the light source (maxi 3 illuminants
simultaneously for conveniences of presentation).
Allows to fix acceptance and warning tolerances..
allows to select or not the bar of title from results display before using «
copy » option. Indeed, all information of this software even text or
graphs, can be simply transferred into any of the Microsoft Office
software (or any of the software which accept thioption) by selecting data
to transfer, then « Copy ». Open then the Microsoft Office software or
any software which accept these functions, to transfer the data or the
graphics select “Past”. This is for example very useful with EXCEL which
allows to define procedures (ISO 9000 norms) for quality control data
sheet, with color graphs and all sort of statistics.

when dE box is selected, the value in the box define the size of the
tolerances ellipses
For Formulation/Correction:
Don’t change Nombre d’iterations and dE* which are values to stop
formula calculation iterations. Also let coeficient correction and Nombre
de colorant to the basic values
you can define the quantity of a formula. If you put 100, you get formula
in %, but you can enter any quantity to get formula display.

The Sub Menu « Measures » allows 3 options.

Measure with a spectrophotometer
Input data by keyboard
Read data from a file where spectral
curves are saved (Spectral, Standard
or Formula file)

The quality control screen (see after) is the one where all data are
transferred when you select the « OK » button. However, the
measurement data can also be transferred by drag drop mode which
allows to transfer the reproduction data directly into the approach search
module. To do it, click on the name, either from the Spectrophotometer
window, or from Keyboard, or from spectral, standard or formula(only if you
also use formulation software) files.

The spectrophotometer is the color measurement instrument which is

drived.
Allows to select the instrument
Allows to configure the instrument if necessary
Allows to calibrate the instrument if necessary
Allows to give a name to the sample which is
measured and eventually to transfer the data into
another screen by drag drop
Starts the measurement.
Display spectral datas
Click in this box if you want to averadge
measurements
Select how many measurements you want to
averadge.
Transfers the data into quality control module
Closes the windows

The keyboard function.

First give a name to the product,

then input reflectance values.
It is always possible to rectify a
value (click in the corresponding
box), or cancel all values (click
on the button « cancel »which
close the windows).
When you have input all
reflectance data, click on the
button « OK » to transfer data
into quality control module.
This measure can be processed as
any of the measure undertaken
with the spectrophotometer or
read in a file.
If you select Coordinates, you
just input the 3 values
corresponding to the system
selected. In this case, spectral
data can’t be displayed.
The File function
Selection of the kind of file: Spectral, Standard
or Formulas containing samples by the name.
Selection of the file containing samples by the
name. There is no number of files limitation.
Selection of one or several samples by the name.
Button to cancel the selection and close the
windows.
Button to validate the selection and to
transfer automatically the data into quality
control module.

Approch Search ...MODULE

Selection of the type of File (Spectral, Standard,

Formulas).
Selection of the File.
Selection of the color which closest ’one we are
looking [Link] selection can be done by « drag
» « drop » from different measurement File
(Spectro, Keyboard or Formulas) or from
spectrophotometer.
Selection of the Key to sort (mainly in DE).
Button to start the calculations.
Window to display the classification.
Lift allowing to show the name of all colors in the
file after classification. Click on one or several
name to select them.
Button to transfer the selected colors into the
quality control window. If the color corresponding
to the source curve is defined as a standard, all
results are displayed according to the color
difference system, light sources and the observer
defined into the configuration window. This
configuration can be changed at any time.
Quality control Module.
Illuminant selected to
display results..
Allows to validate or
suppress the display.
(click here).
Transforms the sample
selected into a
standard.
Display the Trend
window.
Opens a window
showing the results
andcolour display
under the 3 ligths
which show the
metamerism.
Delete the selected
sample
Delete all samples and
Standard.
Color of the standard Color of the selected sample (line on blue bottom) Display the Pass fail
Allows to save the data in a file Opens a window to input a message. results regarding
tolerances.
MI is the metamerism index computed from color coordinates, and then
is depending from light sources.
GenMI is a specific metamerism index computed from reflectances
curves. It is very general and independent of light sources.
The Quality Control window displays numerical values, according to the
system of color differences, the observer, the illuminant (it displays
values only of the selected illuminant ) corresponding to the parameters
selected in the configuration option. These results can be selected with
the mouse to be printed or transferred to any of the software
which accept the function « copy » - « paste ».
At any time, the configuration can be changed and the results displayed
under other illuminants, observer or color system. The standard can also
be changed very easily. Select the sample and then the button « make a
standard » to replace the previous standard by the selected sample.

The following sub menu allows some graphic display.

It also allows to display an helpful text buble.
 Possible only if the samples are «measured» with a spectrophotometer.
The colour system used is defined in the configuration window.
Only if CIE Yxy system is selected.
Allows to display or not the icons and the status bar.

If selected, a bubble which contain text for help to use the sostxare is
displayed in the bottpm rigth.

This is very useful

The utilization of the graphics scale authorizes all sorts of Zoom.

All windows can be sized, moved to define specific display. The
configuration will be saved when exit the window or the application.
Different displays can be realized simultaneously. Numerical results, as
well as these graphs can be transferred (one by one for the graphs) into
any of the Microsoft Office software (WORD, EXCEL, POWERPOINT,
etc or any of the software which accept this function) with the function
«Copy ». Previously,these data have to be selected (click on values or
the title of the graph ).

Some graph examples.

When you put the mouse on the curve, it display the name the wavelength (the graph
range can be changed) and the value (the scale can be changed).

If you saved a message with a sample color (for example tolerance info or any other
info required by ISO norms), the message is displayed when you put the mouse on
the points which represent the sample

With CIE Yxy diagran and the colorants letdowns measurements, it is possible to
design the spectrum locus of colors which can be matched by this set of colorants

Metamerism Display:
Standard absolute data are displayed in the left part regarding the colour system and
the different ligth sources selected in configuration.
For each sample selected (only one at a time), the colour difference with the standard
are displayed.
The difference of colour displayed gives you immedialtly an idea of the metamerism.
The colour displayed is not perfectly exact (it depend on the screen calibration with
ICC profiles), but the difference showed is very realistic.

DIFFERENT INDEXES:
 Different whiteness indexes (WI) and yellowish indexes (YI)
are calculated. The color has to be as a Standard.
With these 3 indexes, select first the one you want and then
Click here to obtain the results. For the others as R457, WIE
313, YI 313, YI D 1925, WI CIE, follow the instructions
displayed.
For Opacity, first measure the application over white and over
black background (contrast card) and follow the instruction
displayed when you click there.
Color strength open the window which allows to select the
range of wavelength you want to use. This allows to calculate
the 3 possibilities 1- Maximum absorption (minimum spectral
value), 2 - the range of maximum absorption ( from 400 to 500
nm for ex for a yellow) or the full range from 400 nm to 710
nm.

LANGUAGES.

The software uses the language which is in the text file Colo.* (* for each
language extention). If the file doesn’t exist, the english one for example
has to be translated (just the sentence after the sign =) and save with an
extention in the folder Language which is in the same folder than the
software. Then, to add this language in the software, do as following:
In the folder “icons”, you will find the Flag and his name.
For example to select Spanish language, translate [Link] in Spanish
and saved it (see [Link]). In the Colo text file, at the begenning of the
chapter [frmMain] shown hereafter, replace [Link] by [Link],
Language by Idioma, and English by Español.
[frmMain]
Icon=./Languages/Icons/[Link]
mnuLangue=Language
mnuLanguage=English
Same for any other languages. After that, it will appear in the software

Many windows can be opened at the same time.

 When you open the software, the last
configuration used is open.

Make your configuration and save it

You can open a saved one.

INFO BUBBLES

To help the user, info bubble are opened in the bottom right of the
window and explain each step. To cancel it, just click inside.
Please read the full bubble using the lift on the right.
A new bubble appears only when you close the window of the previous
step and click on the button of the next step you have selected.

The info bubble is always at this place. To read it completely, use the lift on the right of the
bubble.

COLORANT CHARACTERIZATION:
The different colorant preparations having been realized and measured (and saved in a
spectral file) according to the application (paint, plastic, ink, etc. ..), which are :
The diffuser (white)
The absorber (black)
 Full tone colorants and the different blends with white and black (or other colorants)

A note called Steps for K&S explain in details the different steps to follow to built up a
colorant file from a spectral file which contain all colorants letdowns measurements.
To create a colorant file, you must first give a name to the file.
Then, you must give a name to the colorant (which will be the one displayed in the software).
Start first by the white, then the black, then the other colorants (which can include another
white or another black).
Then select the spectral file in which are saved the measurements of the differents letdowns.

Note: The full module present many options for the experimented user who wants to
obtain his own optimization of the file. But to keep to the concept developed with this
CCM software which is :
1) Efficiency
2) User Friendly
The configuration which is selected by default brings a good automatic optimization just
by clicking on the button « K&S » as soon as the input of the data is correct.

The full screen of the colorants characterization module is presented hereafter in his
configuration by default.
All the different functions which are allowed for the experimented user will be fully detailed
later.
Module K & S : Screen display.
Selection of an existing
colorant file (to modify data)
or creation of a new file.
Selection of the colorant
which has to be modified or
creation of a new colorant.
Selection of the spectral file
where are saved the
letdowns measurements.
Letdowns measurements
selection by drag drop.
Selection of the kind of
colorant (to be used in the
optimization function).
Box to input the price (if
needed) of each colorant.
Box to input the colorant
concentration in % (the
Selection of the colorant mixed (in general the white), but all colorant already concentration of the
characterized is allowed. colorant mixed is computed
Button that allows to calculate automatically the coefficient of the external automatically).
reflectance. Do it before white characterization. Then no more necessary. Button to cancel data
without closing the
window.

More details:
Click here to start coefficient calculation and statistical curve fitting.

Click here to synthesize reflectance curves of each letdown used and verify
the quality of the characterization.

Click here to save (if it’s OK) the data in the colorant file.
More details for experimented user.
Allows to validate or cancel selected
data for calculation. This can also be
done graphically.
The data selected with the mouse can
be printed or transferred by « copy » «
paste » into other software as for
example EXCEL from Microsoft
Corporation.

Other details for very experimented users

Allows to select the colorant mixed (here

the white)

Allows the choice of the fitting function for

K and S values, according to the
concentration. This choice depends on the
form of the curve to fit better all points
corresponding to the letdowns.
Polynomial 1 is the function of degre 1
Polynomial 2 is the function of degre 1
which is forced to pass the point 100%
Polynomial 3 is the function of degre 2
Polynomial 4 is the function of degre 2
which is forced to pass the point 100%
If the button « Fitting only » is not
validated, the button « K &S » calculates
all values of K and S at each wavelength,
by combining all available letdowns. « Bad
» values are eliminated,then the average
and the standard deviation calculated.
Then curves fitting coefficients
corresponding to the selected function
are calculated, drawn and can be
displayed
After any modification (delete or
modification of one or several values, etc.
..), by validating the button « Fitting only»,
the button « K & S » calculate only the
curve fitting coefficients.

Keep selected S values only and test on the roots which makes test to avoid negatives values
of S and K

Different graphs are available. For example, it is interesting to verify the quality of the
characterization. As we have seen, the button « verify » allows to synthesize for all
letdowns used, from K and S values and real concentrations of colorants, the reflectance
curves which can be displayed and compared to real curves.

Menu display of this module

The function « display » authorizes

reflectance curves and Lab (or Lch) cross
display.
It authorizes also the fitting curves of the
K or the S values according to :
-Concentration.
-Wavelength.
By concentration is the best way to
optimize the colorant characterization

Spectral Curves of Blue Letdowns (real and theoretical) display.

Real is the letdowns measurement which was saved in the spectral file.
Theoretical are the calculated spectral curves calculated from letdown concentration and
fitting curve ot the blue colorant.
This display is obtained after having
selected realcurves of the different
letdowns by using the sub menu « File » of
the main menu which gives a first series of
curves.
The selection of the button « Verify » gives
a second set of curves, theoretical these
one, to compare to the previous curves.
We can see here that the fitting functions
chosen (it can be changed) allow an
appreciably best reproduction for more
higher concentrations than for low
concentrations.

Display of fitting curves K or S

For each wavelength, we can display the values of K or S according to the colorant
concentration. A value can be eliminated of the selection to obtain the fittingcoefficients, or
modified graphically if necessary. The goal here is to obtain a curve which fits the values and
which presents a regular variation.
One can also display, for each concentration of the letdowns, curves of K or S according
to the wavelength which is less interesting.
 Allow the selection to
display
K or S.
Allows to change the
wavelength one by one.
Allows to input a
wavelength
Only green points are
taken into account
You can validate (green)
or not (red) a value just by
clicking on it
.you can modify
graphically a value
maintaining the key
« Shift », click on the
green point to modify, and
slip.

FORMULATION
To match a color, it is necessary first to measure it as a standard. The formulation module
proposes two different possibilities :

Manual or Automatic Formulation Screen

Allows to select in the database the

colorants file to use.
This formulation can be made by the
method of the curves fitting, or by the
reproduction of the color coordinates.
All parameters being fixed, click on the
button “Initialization”, then ”Automatic” to
start the calculation.
For the manual formulation, click in the box
corresponding to the colorant name to input
the quantity to use. Validate by enter key at
the end to get the result.
The button optimization optimize the
formula (useful if you formulate by curve
fitting).
It is possible to select up to 6 colorants in
the same receipt (ifthe white is selected, it
is recommended, but not obligatory, to
put it in first position)
You can fix the quantity of one or several
colorants (but notthe one which is placed in
first position). To do it, click in the box front
You can Save the formula. It opens a window to select of the name in the expected box (here the
an existing formula file or create a new one. Then OK blue is fixed to 8.0 Units)
opens a window to input the name of the formula to save

Notes:
1 - You can also enter a f ormuyla by keyboard. Then click on Save button and you can save it
in a formula file. Spectral values will be = 0.
2 - All graphs corresponding to the configuration are available in this module
3 - In each module which calculate a formula (Manual/Automatic Formulation, Formulation
by Combination and Correction), you can display the formula which respect the %, by fixing
the quantity of one colorant. Very usefull in some application as Plastics masterbaches (you
can fix the amount of whie to fis an opacity for example)

With same formula than above which is in

% with: White = 53.48, Black = 1.05, Bleu =
8 and Yellow = 37.48
If I want to use 3 of White, I enter 3 in the
box and click on Tab Key on the keyboard.
I obtain the formula which respect the % of
each colorant, but for 3 units of White
The fixed quantity ( possibility which is not
often used) 8 % of blue is still respected

Formulation by combination:
The principle remains the same with manual or automatic formulation. It is necessary first to
« measure » the standard. Then, select in the database the colorants file to use and to select in
this file, the colorants to be used (All or part of the file). The calculations combining colorants
are madeautomatically (click on the button « Calculation »). As previously you can do that by
curve fittin or by reproduction of the color coordinates. Screens present therefore a certain
number of similarities with the previous formulation’s one.
Click here to select the
formula which is
displayed in a new
window. You can print
this formula. If in this
new windo you enter a
quantity for a colorant
and press Tab Key on
Keyboard, the formula is
displayed regarding this
quantity.
Then if you click on the
button “Make a spl”, the
We have selected 4 colorants in a formula which is the best. If you select Variable selected formula data are
number. 2 possibilities. If Coordinate is selected, you will obtain all formulas combining sent to Quality control
4, 5, an 6 colorants. If Curve is selected, you will obtain all formulas combining 2, 3, 4, 5 module and spectral
and 6 colorants curves and/or LabCh
 cross graph can be
displayed

With this module also when we select a formula, in the window which opens, we can enter a
quantity for one colorant and click on Tab key with the keyboard to obtain the formula which
respect the % of each colorant based on the quantity we have enter for one colorant

Correction Module :
With the formula you got in Formulation module, you do an application which has to be
corrected. The standard having been measured. From the formula file where you have saved
the formula, select it and by drag Drop, bring it to Repro No 1 of Correction module (It is
possible to include there others colorants at concentration=0 if you want to add it in the
formula. The spectral values of the formula you saved from Formulation module are all = 0.
You need to measure the color (or get itr from a spectral file) you have obtained and drag
drop if in same box Repro No 1 to affect the color obtained to the formula.
This method is also used when a «color library » is available, where we can find the closest
colors, presenting with the standard less metamerism as possible, even with big color
difference (up to 30 units), but with the same colorants. In this case, not necessary to measure
the color of the Repro because it’s already done in the color library
All correct info are now in the correction module. You can make the correction.
The formula was drag drop from
Formula File into Repro#1 box.
The formula is displayed
automatically..
Then, the color obtained was
measured with the
spectrophotometer and drag drop
also in box Repro#1 (the color
measurement can also be drag
drop from a spectral file) if it
was saved.
Click on Button Initialization,
(spectral data are automatically
saved in the formula file to
replace the values 0) then on
button Automatic. You get a
formula corrected which will
match the standard.
You can save the new formula (it
will be saved with spectral values
= 0 as in formulation modules).

You can also enter a formula by keyboard if it is not saved in a formula file. Select colorant
file, colorant in the formula and enter the quantity in the column Qty Repro 1 (using comma
character). Drag drop the spectral values (from spectro or File) in the box Repro #1, then click
Initialization and Automatic. This is interesting to built up a formula file from existing
formulas.

You can, as in Formulation module, enter a quantity for one colorant in the box of new
formula, click on Tab Key on Keyboard and the formula is displayed with this quantity and
respect the % of all colorants.
At any time, the color system configuration, the quantities, the calculation mode etc. can be
changed which gives a lot of flexibility to the system.
All graphs corresponding to the configuration are available in this module. That means
Spectral curves, Lab or LCh cross. You can also display the Yxy diagram if you select CIE
Yxy system in configuration. This can be interesting if you want to display the spectrum locus
allowed by t he colorants you use.