Windows XP’s Color Control Panel Applet (Part III)

After the setup process described in the previous installment is complete, you can manage all of your color settings using the Color applet that is added to the Control Panel.

Double click the applet to access the Color Settings dialog box. From the Color tab, you can configure Image Color Management (ICM) and Display Calibration. Under Image Color Management, Windows will list the color management modules (CMMs) that are installed. These modules are used by ICM to perform color conversions and mappings between devices that are using color profiles. Windows XP does include a CMM while certain applications may install additional ones.

In order to maintain the color consistency of your computer monitor, it may have to be calibrated periodically. Under Display Calibration, you can configure Windows XP to remind you after a specified number of days that it is time to recalibrate.

The Profiles tab allows you to install and manage color profiles. A color profile is similar in concept to a user profile. It stores specific information about color characteristics of devices and how to map colors between them. The color profiles can be used by applications to ensure the consistency of colors between devices such as monitors, printers, and so on. You can switch between color profiles based on the device that you are using.

If you select a color profile from the list, some of the profile information is displayed such as what type or class of profile it is (such as printer or monitor), where it is stored, the version, and the size. By clicking the magnifying glass in the corner of the dialog box, the Color Plot dialog box will appear and you can view the profile’s gamut. If multiple color profiles are installed, click the Compare check box and select a color profile to compare against the current profile.

The Devices tab is used to view the ICM-compatible devices on the computer and the color profiles that are currently associated with each device. As you can see, the devices are grouped by type. You can use the drop down arrow to see all the devices of a specific type, such as Printers, that are currently installed.

Once you select a device from the list, you can see the color profiles that are associated with it. This list can be modified using the Add and Remove buttons. You can also select a specific profile and set it as the default color profile for a device.

Finally, at the bottom of the dialog box, you can configure the Printer Profile Selection. There are two choices available: Automatic or Manual. If Automatic is selected (and it is be default), windows will determine which color profile to use. Conversely, you can manually select the color profile. Keep in mind though that some programs, such as Photoshop, may ignore this setting and use its own method for selecting a color profile to use.

If you want to have access to advanced color management in Windows XP, then you should install the Color Control Panel Applet. Installing applet is not difficult as long as you complete the required pre-installation tasks. The Color applet that is added to the Control Panel will make it easier for you to manage advanced color settings.

[tags]xp, color control panel applet, diana huggins, color profile[/tags]