Best Color Calibration Tool For Mac
Software Download
Spyder2 PRO is an advanced colorimeter tool for superior color display on any type of monitor. It creates precise ICC display profiles for your CRT, LCD, or notebook displays. Spyder 2 PRO provides key filters for color and light enhancements. The system offers a better way to produce realistic coloring and flesh tones. Best Color Calibration Tool How To Get Them. However, this color discrepancy prompted me to look into why my monitor was showing different colors, and how to get them to coincide, as much as possible, with those my client was seeing, as well as with another Mac I use.
vDisplay Manager
vDisplay Manager is a desktop software exclusive to select ViewSonic VP series models for quick and easy color control settings. In addition to integrating the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu controls and advanced settings, the software comes with user friendly color setting features including: Standard Color, ViewMode, Color Temperature, Auto Pivot, PBP and PIP mode, and monitor firmware update. These handy features allow users to quickly adopt color settings based on their preference while also enhancing work productivity.
- Standard Color provides preset color modes* for the user to select based on their preference.
*Preset color modes might be different based on the monitor's color display capability.
- Provides presets (Standard, Movie, Game FPS 1/FPS 2, RTS, MOBA, Web, Text, Mac, Designer CAD/CAM, Animation, Video Edit, Retro, Photo, Landscape, Portrait, Monochrome) for the user to select from for the most suitable setting.
- Color temperature offers specialized presets to fit the different usage scenarios including panel default, bluish, cool, native, warm, and a customizable user slot. The user can set their preferred color temperature according to their preference.
- Color calibration, with three customizable slots, enables the user to quickly adopt existing calibration settings.
- PBP (Picture-by-Picture) and PIP (Picture-in-Picture) enable the user to select from different input sources and increase the number of screens on-screen.
- PBP mode allows the user to display separate screens from two different sources.
- PIP mode can display the main input source on the main screen while the second source is displayed in a sub-window. It also allows the user to adjust sub-window size and position based on the user’s preference.
- Basic Settings features: Color Adjust, Image Adjust, Audio Adjust, and Input Select.
- Color Adjust: The user can quickly adjust the brightness and contrast.
- Image Adjust: The user can quickly adjust the image sharpness and blue light filter.
- Audio Adjust: Simply drag the bar to increase, decrease, or temporarily mute the volume.
- Input Select: In addition to Auto Detect, the user can switch between the input options shown on the menu.
- The Advanced Settings include the Information of current display with firmware update. Auto Pivot which lets the user pivot the screen in accordance with the monitor’s layout, and All Recall to revert all settings to default.
- VP3481 and VP3881 do not support the Auto Pivot feature.
- Support OS: macOS Mojave (10.14.6); macOS Catalina (10.15.4) (Remark: The notarization requirement for Catalina is not complete implemented yet.)
- Support VP models: VP3481, VP3881, VP2458, VP2768, VP2768-4K, VP2785-4K, VP2785-2K, VP3268-4K, VP2771, VP2468
- This release requires both video signal cable and USB cable must be connected before launching program.
- VP3481 and VP3881 do not support the Auto Pivot feature.
- Support OS for VP series : Windows 10 latest version and compatible with Windows 7
- Support VP models: VP3481, VP3881, VP2458, VP2768, VP2768-4K, VP2785-4K, VP2785-2K, VP3268-4K, VP2771, VP2468
- Note : Fix the improper version number issue for VP2771 since firmware version M010.
Colorbration
ViewSonic’s Colorbration kit includes the CS-XRi1 color sensor, which has been co-developed with X-Rite to provide the best solution for displaying long-term color accuracy. CS-XRi1 is X-Rite’s next generation colorimeter, which utilizes a redesigned optical system, filter technology, calibration architecture, and intelligent form factor to be paired with Viewsonic’s Colorbration application to deliver unrivaled color accuracy, repeatability, and device longevity.
- Version : v1.6.0
- Release Date : 10/18/2019
- Support : VP2468, VP2768, VP2768-4K, VP2771, VP2785-4K, VP3268-4K, VP3481, VP3881
- Operating system :
- ‧ Macintosh OS : macOS High Sierra 10.13, macOS Mojave 10.14
- Display calibration sensor : Best with ViewSonic CS-XRi1, compatible with X-Rite i1Display Pro and i1 Pro 2.
- Note : Added one “Reset Device” button to provide the ability to restart X-Rite Device Services directly from the Colorbration’s application.
- Note : Added the ability to make version 4 of “ICC Max compatible” profiles.
- Note : Updated ICC version 4 profiles to the 4.3 specification.
- Note : For Mac users with v1.2.0 or v1.3.0 Colorbration application, please uninstall previous version and install v1.5.1 to resolve online software update issue
- Note : Add support for VP3481.
- Note : Support macOS High Sierra 10.13, macOS Mojave 10.14 (Remark: macOS Catalina 10.15 is not supported currently due to compatibility issue.)
- Version : v1.6.0
- Release Date : 01/22/2020
- Support : VP2468, VP2768, VP2768-4K, VP2771, VP2785-4K, VP3268-4K, VP3481, VP3881
- Operating system :
- ‧ Microsoft Windows : Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, Windows 8.1 / Windows 10.
- Display calibration sensor : Best with ViewSonic CS-XRi1, compatible with X-Rite i1Display Pro and i1 Pro 2.
- Note : Fixed an issue where the application would not install on Windows 10 latest OS versions.
- Note : Added one “Reset Device” button to provide the ability to restart X-Rite Device Services directly from the Colorbration’s application.
- Note : Added the ability to make version 4 of “ICC Max compatible” profiles.
- Note : Updated ICC version 4 profiles to the 4.3 specification.
- Note : Please set to extend display mode when using laptop for calibration in order to apply calibrated profile properly.
Colorbration+
ViewSonic’s Colorbration+ offers hardware calibration that aligns communication between the graphics card and the monitor to ensure long-term consistency and accurate colors on ViewSonic ColorPro monitors.
- Version : v1.0.0.16
- Release Date : 06/04/2020
- Support : VP2468, VP2458, VP2768, VP2768-4K, VP2771, VP2785-4K, VP2785-2K, VP3268-4K, VP3481, VP3881
- Operating system :
- ‧ macOS Mojave (10.14); macOS Catalina (10.15)
- ‧ Display calibration sensor : ‧ ViewSonic Colorbration Kit— CS-XRi1 (sold separately) / X-Rite i1 Display Pro/ X-Rite i1 Pro 2 / X-Rite i1 Studio / Datacolor SpyderX series.
- Version : v1.0.0.31
- Release Date : 11/25/2020
- Support : VP2458, VP2468, VP2768, VP2785-2K, VP2768-4K, VP2771, VP2785-4K, VP3268-4K, VP3481, VP3881
- Operating system :
- ‧ Microsoft Windows : Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, Windows 8.1 / Windows 10.
- ‧ Display calibration sensor : ‧ ViewSonic Colorbration Kit— CS-XRi1 (sold separately) / X-Rite i1 Display Pro / X-Rite i1 Pro 2 / X-Rite i1 Studio / Datacolor Spyder 5, Datacolor SpyderX series.
When starting out as a designer and creative it may seem like it doesn’t matter too much to calibrate your monitor. Most monitors come calibrated right out of the box so, well, they probably look fine enough, at least for a little while. However, the more you work as a designer and develop your eye you can understand why serious designers always calibrate their monitors and suggest it to other designers to definitely do as well.
As designers, you have a few core things you explore and develop strength in as visual communicators. You work with visual concepts, typography, layout, materials. and most importantly, you work with color. A good color palette is essential to a top quality design. So, color is not an area to guess on when working on your new favorite project. Oftentimes, color is the special sauce that takes a design from OK to great. Color is even more important to get right when you are working in print. The color should match from screen to print as well as possible. It is futile to spend hours on a design that onscreen will resemble nothing like the final print product. So, color calibration is key.
Color Calibration on your Computer
The first step is to ensure you have calibrated the color on your monitor using the calibration tools in your OS.
- In Windows 10, you can go to System, then click Display > Advanced Display Settings > Color Calibration. Once you are there run the tool to get the best possible results. If you have two monitors you need to run it on both monitors. Matching your monitors color will also help with your workflow as you move back and forth from screen to screen.
- On MacOS, click Settings and choose Display then the Color tab and the Calibrate button.
Hardware Calibration
For accurate color matching your best bet is a hardware calibration tool. The subject of hardware calibration and optimizing monitors is in fact quite complex, for the purposes of this article I am going to focus on the most common scenario for designers who may be using a basic or medium range monitor. Here are a few options that are very good colorimeters for 2017:
Spyder5Express
The Spyder5 calibration tools are now the leading ones in use. For years, Pantone and its products were the go-to for color calibration. Now there are more options on the market and many good models from Spyder5. The Express version is a good entry calibration tool for hobbyists and will help one have consistent color across monitors and laptops, but it lacks some of the features of other Spyder models.
Spyder5Pro
For serious designers and photographers the SpyderPro gives you everything one needs for full-featured and advanced color accuracy. Office 365 language pack download. The Pro version includes advanced calibration settings for gamma, white point and gray balance, and has 16 pre-installed calibration setting choices.
Spyder5Elite
The Syper5 Elite is for photographers, designers, and colorists and is different than the other versions because it supports unlimited calibration settings and calibrates across monitors, studio monitors, laptops, and projectors. If you want optimal calibration and enhanced work flow this is the best choice of the Spyder calibration tools.
ColorMunki Display X-Rite
The ColorMunki X-Rite is a good choice for expert amateurs and some professional designers. The best thing about this option is that its easy to set up and ensures pretty good color, it does not offer a lot of nuanced calibration options though. The price is very good though for what you are getting with this calibration tool. If you have a laptop this is considered a very good choice.
X-Rite i1Display Pro
The display pro is considered an industry standard calibrator and a professional’s choice. It uses its own exclusive technology to deliver excellent color matching results across a range of monitor types like LED, Plasma, and Wide Gamut. It is also optimized for use with Pantone Spot Colors. The drawback of this solution is that the interface may be a bit complex and it is a bit more expensive.
You can find any one of these calibration tools at Amazon or B&H Photo. Color and calibration is an interesting subject, as designers, photographers and artists you may be interested to learn more on your own. Here are some additional resources to explore:
How to Calibrate your Monitor, Digital Trends.
Monitor Calibration for Photographers, Cambridge in Color.
The Benefits of Color Calibration, PhotoFocus.
Photo for this article is by Nicolas Ladino Silva on Unsplash.
Margaret Penney is the Managing Editor of Notes on Design. Margaret is a teacher, designer, writer and new media artist and founder of Hello Creative Co.
If you are interested in learning more about using color, Sessions College offers a Color Theory course and many other graphic design courses for students at all levels. Contact Admissions for more information.