Error using Argyll scanin on ColorChecker 24

[Binicool]

Dear all,
I am super new to Argyll and creating .icc profile for my camera. Currently, I am constantly getting an error message in terms of error opening match reference file "ColorChecker.cht", but have no clue what is the cause.
Here is the link to download my Tiff, ColorChecker.cht & ColorChecker.cie
https://we.tl/t-m6A4BrHoA6
Please kindly advise what I am missing here!
Thank you.

[Manfred M]

There are a few members here that use Argyll, but I am not one of them. I do my camera profile using the x-Rite software and that works well enough for me.

The one question that does pop into my mind is if you are correctly identifying the target to the software, as different target manufacturers use different test pattern layout. If you are using a ColorPro target and the software is expecting x-Rite, that would certainly create an error.

[Binicool]

Thank you for your input, Manfred!
Yes, I am using the ColorChecker (24 patches) for the photo and the same in Agryll with ColorChecker.cht and ColorChecker.cie
This combination should work but not yet Hope some expert Agryll users could shine some light on this...

[Manfred M]

Is there any particular reason that you are using Argyll rather than the x-Rite software?

[Binicool]

Hi Manfred,
The Argyll seems to be an open-source tool and give me more controls (or fire sometimes) to play with

[Manfred M]

Hi Manfred,
The Argyll seems to be an open-source tool and give me more controls (or fire sometimes) to play with

That makes sense (to some extent). A good camera profile can be part of a colour managed workflow, but given the "canned" profiles that come with most post-processing software, the impact is quite small.

I do use a calibrated camera profile in my work, but to be honest, the overall impact on my work is very minor. A properly setup up (profiled and calibrated wide gamut computer screen) and workspace lighting have a far greater impact on my final output than this. As a print maker, these elements are important in my workflow, but if I were working to display images on the internet, I doubt anyone would really notice.

[Binicool]

Thanks for the input, Manfred. My application so far does not have print output involved. I notice the camera does not do a good enough job capturing so would like to tinker with the input icc profile to correct it.

[Manfred M]

Thanks for the input, Manfred. My application so far does not have print output involved. I notice the camera does not do a good enough job capturing so would like to tinker with the input icc profile to correct it.

In that case, I would suggest you do a baseline with the x-Rite software and then (as you get Argyll working) you will have good baseline to work from.

x-Rite and its brands (Munsell, Gretag-MacBeth, Pantone) have been the industry standard for decades; that includes more than photography; finishes (including automotive and coatings), printing and packaging industries, fabrics, etc. You may prefer open source, but x-Rite is the "elephant in the room" that are viewed as the "gold standard" across many industries.

[odds]

...I am constantly getting an error message in terms of error opening match reference file "ColorChecker.cht", but have no clue what is the cause.

Anders Torger (Sweden) markets a profile creation tool over at Lumariver http://www.lumariver.com/ His modest personal web page https://torger.se/anders/ states that the command line tool DCamProf is Open Source and I believe it makes use of Argyll. You may find interesting info in his technical articles.

--
OddS

[Binicool]

Hi Manfred, thanks again for the input. My project does not involve print aspects of things but it seems you do. I came across this article about the Pantone guide and think it is worth reading.
https://www.insights4print.ceo/2021/...e-by-doing-so/

[Manfred M]

Hi Manfred, thanks again for the input. My project does not involve print aspects of things but it seems you do. I came across this article about the Pantone guide and think it is worth reading.
https://www.insights4print.ceo/2021/...e-by-doing-so/

Carefully said, I agree and disagree with what the article says. The author is writing with an offset press perspective, but if you look at modern technologies like digital press or inkjet prints (all CMYK), the tolerances are much tighter and colours that can be reproduced (depending on the inkset and papers) will exceed anything a standard offset press can reproduce. The higher end devices can reproduce colours well beyond the Adobe RGB colour space. Again, the viewing conditions are important as well as the offset press industry has traditionally worked with a D50 illuminate when assessing print output and if I remember correctly viewed under 250 lux intensity (like that ever happens in real life).

The comments about the iPhone (also applies to any Android devices) are bang on. These devices / apps are not colour managed so anything viewed on them is going to be hit and miss (more likely miss), but most people are not going to understand colour management / lighting conditions anyways... There is app from x-Rite that allows calibration / profiling of these devices but frankly the process is somewhat meaningless, in my view as neither the brightness nor the viewing conditions are easy to manage.

The problem I have always had with trade shows is that the corporate sales force tends to man the booths, supported through the marketing departments. They are there to sell the product, but in truth the techies in the back room have the answers, not the sales force, so no surprises there. Unfortunately, all of the literature comes from the marketing departments and they often forget to get the technical people to review the documents before they are released. The same comment applies to the communications departments (often part of the marketing group). Who tends to attend these trade shows? The purchasing managers or other senior people who do not have in-depth technical knowledge; they are the key target at the trade shows, not the end users who have to live with the decisions...

Yes, x-Rite screws up from time to time, as does Adobe as does Apple as does Microsoft (and the list goes on). Frankly, the most important aspect of a final product to a client is that the company logo has the correct colours, based on the Pantone spec and the spot colour produced on the pre-press artwork presented to the client for approval. That being said, I've seen produced coming into the warehouse that bears only a passing similarity to the signed off artwork. If the receiving / quality departments are doing their jobs, then the product in question will be reviewed under an x-Rite GretagMacBeth colour viewing booth, with the x-Rite Pantone colour chart in hand as well as the signed off artwork. That the reality of the industry...