|
|
|
Color Models
Color models are used to classify colors and to qualify them according to such attributes as hue, saturation, chroma, lightness, or brightness. They are further used for matching colors and are valuable resources for anyone working with color in any medium: print, video, or Web.
In this Technical Guide, we will see the ways color is made accessible to designers and look at some of the problems that occur when color is specified in one medium and produced in another (for example, when color is specified on a computer and produced on a four-color printing press).
We will focus on four models:
 |
RGB (CMY)
The red, green, blue and cyan, magenta, yellow models are closely related, the primary colors of each form the secondary colors of the other. These are also the most representative models for additive and subtractive colors, respectively. RGB is also the basic color model for on-screen display. |
|
|
HSB/HLS
Hue, saturation, and brightness and hue, lightness, and saturation are two variations of a similar model that is a standard for computer graphics and that closely models the qualities most apparent to human perception of color. |
|
|
Munsell
The Munsell color system is one of the most influential systems developed for ordering colors that can be used for production. While its practical application is mostly outside of print production, it still forms the basis for most other work on color modeling. |
|
|
CIE
The CIE color models are highly influential systems for measuring color and distinguishing between colors. We will examine three CIE models: CIEXYZ, CIELUV, and CIELAB. The last of these, CIELAB, is very important to color management. |
This Techguide is closely associated with other Techguides that cover color theory and color management. These are:
|
|
