New in OpenColor 2.1

Features | Version 2.1.3 | December 12, 2017

ChannelExtender for GMG ColorPlugin
Separate your whole design from RGB to your custom ink setup directly in Adobe Photoshop - with the new ChannelExtender.

Using the new ChannelExtender functionality of GMG ColorPlugin, version 1.3, you can use devicelink separation profiles to separate the whole design from RGB to your custom ink setup directly in Adobe Photoshop. GMG OpenColor calculates the required separation profiles and sends them to the plugin.

Expanded Color Gamut (ECG) printing, also referred to as Fixed Color Palette printing, uses a standardized set of more than four process inks to reproduce any color used in the design. The inks that are used in addition to CMYK, for example, orange, red, green, violet or blue, expand the printing color space.

This method allows for a virtually unlimited number of colors in the design and also for nesting print jobs with different color channels, without changing the ink configuration of the printing machine.

Using ECG, design can be more eye-catching, resulting in highly saturated colors. The print result is closer to the original design. As the ink setup is standardized, printers are saving on make-ready and ink costs.

You can find the new feature under Project > Separation > Tools & Actions > Profiles > RGB to ECG.

Spot color behavior on different paper tints
Control the behavior of each spot color towards paper tint changes in your whole process.
OpenLearn more
In GMG OpenColor, you can now control the behavior of each spot color towards paper tint changes, i. e. proof a spot color either matching the swatch book or simulate how the paper tint will affect this spot color.

Generally, a color accurate proof regards the paper tint of the production material. The proof profile will account for the paper tint differences between the material used for the characterization and used for the print production. However, spot colors might be printed in a way so that the final print result still matches the swatch book. With the new version, you can now control the behavior specifically for each ink used in a GMG OpenColor project.

You can find the new feature under Project > Tools & Actions > Tools > Color Corrections > Target Mode.

DotProof profiles with custom spot colors
Add job specific inks to an existing DotProof profile, without additional printing and measuring of test charts.

You can create a main DotProof profile containing the common process colors used in the printing process such as CMYK. The profile can be optimized in iteration cycles to achieve the highest possible match of proof to print. For each proof job, you can then flexibly add further spot colors to the DotProof profile, thus creating new profile variants. Printing and measuring test charts on the proof printer after adding the inks is not required.

This feature allows you to create job specific DotProof profiles with very little effort, saving valuable time and proof media. As the profiles are based on spectral data and the GMG OpenColor prediction engine, the color accuracy and visual match of the proof will still be the best available in the market.

For adding spot colors, go to Project > Finalize > Add button next to the profile name.

Visit the following link for further information: Adding Project Inks to an Existing DotProof Profile

Environment backup
You can now create and restore an environment backup for the entire GMG OpenColor instance including database, projects, characterizations, measurements, and calculated profiles.

For creating a backup, got to Options > Backup.

Maximum Value for Separation Rules
You can now define a Maximum Value for Separation Rules.

You can edit the value under Separation Rules > Maximum Value. Output channel values above this percentage value will be set to 100%.

Separation Rules change management
We also improved the performance of change management in general: when changing separation rules, only profiles that are affected by those changes will be cleaned up and need to be recalculated.

Features | Version 2.1.2 | September 14, 2017

Native 64-bit support
GMG OpenColor is now available as a native 64bit application, allowing access to the available system resources without the limits of a 32bit address space.

Change management improvements
Don't be afraid any more of changing or removing settings. Our new improvements make sure that you cannot corrupt your links between test charts, characterizations and projects.

Removing a test chart or characterization in use by a project is no longer possible.
Changes in linked test charts or characterizations can be made (and saved) on duplicates.

Features | Version 2.1.0 | June 8, 2017

Profiling without test chart
Profiles can now be created on the running printed sheet - no need for a test chart.
OpenLearn more
The new version of GMG OpenColor enables the measurement of patches from a print control strip, or even solid patches and tint patches on the running printed sheet, and to create a profile from the captured spectral data, something no other profiling tool can achieve.

You can activate this new feature under Toolbar > Measure

Adding spot colors to an existing library
It is now possible to easily add a new spot color to an existing library by taking a quick measurement.
OpenHow to measure
To start the measuring process, just chose Characterization > Tools & Actions > Measure Additional Spot Color.

Automatic OBA detection
The new OBA detection helps you create characterization data and proofs for media containing optical brightener agents (OBA).

OBA usage is automatically detected when measuring the paper tint with a measuring device that supports to measure M2 and M1 (or M0) measurement conditions. GMG OpenColor will classify the OBA usage as either faint, low, moderate, or high and recommend a suitable proof media to ensure the highest possible color accuracy and visual match.

You can find the new feature under Measurement > Tools & Actions > Media OBA Evaluation.

Measurement improvements
To save valuable work and time, GMG OpenColor comes with several measurement improvements.

It is now possible to

- verify a scan by duplicate measurements.
- measure a test chart with all supported measurement conditions in one go.
- print and measure test charts without gaps to minimize the test chart size.
- measure mirrored test charts.
- use built-in standard test charts widely used in the printing industry.
Just pick a test chart from the test chart list and measure it directly.
- find your measuring device faster in the sorted list.
-See helpful information on the connected device such as the serial or revision number.

New characterizations
New characterizations have been added to GMG OpenColor

- PSO Coated v3 (51)
- PSO Uncoated v3 (52)
- GRACoL 2006 Coated Commercial Sheet (#1)
- GRACoL 2013 Coated (CRPC 6)
- GRACoL 2013 Uncoated (CRPC 3)

Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 media support
New proof media for the printer Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 have been added.

- GMG ProofPaper semimatte 250
- Epson Metallic Proof Silver Foil
- Epson ClearProof Thin Film

New measuring devices
GMG OpenColor now supports new X-Rite and Konica measuring devices.

- X-Rite eXact
- X-Rite i1iSis 2
- Konica Minolta FD-7
- Konica Minolta FD-9

PANTONE® PLUS Metallics
GMG OpenColor now contains the PANTONE® Plus Metallics spot color library.

GMG OpenColor 2.1 is a chargeable version and requires a new license. It requires application service 1.2.397.