At this week’s Seybold Boston 2001 trade show, CHROMiX will preview ColorThink 2.0, a new version of its color management toolset. The update adds Mac OS X compatibility, as well as new graphing and ICC profile management capabilities.
ColorThink 2.0 integrates its 3D graphing with OpenGL technology, which allows for wireframe, shaded objects, and capabilities such as gamut overlay, transparency, and a 3D slicer for detailed profile analysis. Graphing of Hexachrome profiles is also supported in ColorThink 2.0.
The new version also integrates advanced network-wide and worldwide profile management using ProfileCentral.com. 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, said Steve Upton, President of CHROMiX.
CHROMiX has developed custom versioning tags that can easily be embedded in any ICC profile, he added. Profiles can be automatically downloaded and installed on user’s system. What’s more, ColorThink 2.0 will also help users transition from Mac OS 9 to Mac OS X by moving profiles between OS 9/Classic storage areas and the new profile storage areas offered by Mac OS X, Upton said.
“We suspect there will be some confusion regarding profile installation, sharing and use within applications as users transition to OS,” he added. “ColorThink 2.0 will ease this transition and reduce confusion.”
The folks at CHROMiX are also rolling out Peek, a free utility that displays profile versions and links to ProfileCentral.com for updates.
ColorThink 2.0 is expected to enter beta testing within the next 30-40 days and ship shortly afterwards, Uptons said. CHROMiX is seeking a “small number” of beta sites for testing of the profile management features. If you’re interested, drop them an e-mail.
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 there’s no ETA.