Maxwell Metrics
From ColorWiki
Maxwell Web Interface Manual
These pages describe specific panes in the Maxwell web interface.
"Metrics" are the different forms of measurement analysis which Maxwell calculates for your tracks. Examples of some Maxwell metrics are:
- Average delta E
- Maximum delta E
- Minimum delta E
- Media delta E
- Standard Deviation
- Average delta E - worst 10%
- Average delta E - best 90%
Maxwell will automatically calculate and retain the results for these seven metrics with each measurement it collects - even if they are not specified in your Metric Details pane.
Contents |
Basic Metrics
Average Delta E is a common metric to use as it gives an idea of how far from the aim are the colors.
The Maximum Delta E will indicate how far out is the color furthest from its aim.
Media delta E tracks the white point only, so you can see if your media is changing (and can also be an indication of your measurement repeatability.)
Standard Deviation is a measure of how widely distributed the measurements are from the average. It is worthwhile checking standard deviation on measurement data, since average delta E by itself will not show you how widely varied those measurements are.
Worst 10% / Best 90% reports on the average of the worst 10% of patches or the average of the best 90%.
Advanced Metrics
Average/Max Delta H returns the average/maximum of the delta Hue - how far apart is the hue component only.
Average/Max Delta C returns the average/maximum of the delta Chroma - the color saturation component.
Maximum Delta L returns the maximum difference in lightness.
How to Create Metrics for a Track
Metrics are part of a Reference Set which is found in the expanded Track Details pane.
A reference set will contain the measurement file you are using as a Color Aim (sometimes known as a reference file), and the Metrics that are associated with this reference set.
Click the Reference Set Arrow
Click on the arrow to the right of the Reference Set name to bring up the Reference Set Details pane.
Click the Metrics Link
Click the Metrics link to bring up the Metrics pane. The Metrics link is the first link under 'Related Items'.
Click the [+] to create a new metric.
Metrics pane
Many users find it helpful to create at least an "average deltaE" metric and a "maximum deltaE" metric.
NOTE: At least one metric is required in order to view a trend report.
- Give the metric an identifying name (Metric Name)
- Select what kind of metric it is (Metric Type)
- Choose calculation method under "units" (deltaE 76 or dE 2000)
- (The CIELAB2000 Color Difference Equation is a ellipsoidal color difference scale similar to CMC.)
- For Target Value, choose a distance from the color aim that you want the measurement to hit. In most cases - especially when tracking monitors - you would use 0.
In rare case, like tracking printer dot gain, a value of 20 might be desired.
Tolerances
- Choose a critical warning boundary under Upper Critical Boundary (if desired.) This determines when a notifier is triggered for this track (when a notifier is enabled.) For example, a value of 5 on a 'Maximum deltaE' metric for a display track would trigger an email notifier when a new profile is uploaded which contains any colors greater than 5 delta E from the color aim.
- The Upper Critical Boundary setting also sets the tolerance level for Pass/Fail determination. Any measurement which contain color differences that are higher than this threshold will cause this measurement to "fail".
- Some tracks have a Lower Critical Boundary which can also be set.
- Click Done.
Patch selection
It is possible to create a metric that tracks specific device values. For example, if you wish to track the results of measuring the 50, 40, 40, 40 CMYK patch in a target, specify that here.
- Enter the RGB or CMYK values in order to engage this feature.
- Each value must be separated by a comma
- Continue giving the metric a name, choosing a metric type, and choose the correct units as usual
- For individual device values, it makes no difference what metric type is used since only one color is involved. (We recommend using Maximum delta E.)
"-1" is the default. This disables the use of individual patch values.
Patch Selector ColorSet
It is also possible to choose a subset of colors of a larger target for use as a metric. For example you could choose to track how well a printer is able to consistently print flesh tones.
- Upload a measurement set consisting of the colors you wish included in the subset. (This should be in the CGATS format with either RGB or CMYK device values for each color.)
- Go into the Color Set Details of this new measurement set and choose an option under Patch Selector Set:
- PatchCode - identifies the list of colors by the numerical PatchCode.
- Names - identifies the list of colors by the name of the uploaded measurement set.
- In the "Metric Details" pane, choose the appropriate patch set that appears in the drop down box under "Patch Selector ColorSet."
The default is "(all patches)."
Trend line Colors
Maxwell will automatically assign contrasting colors to the actual trend line depending on how many metrics you have listed.
If desired, a specific color can be assigned to this metric in the trend line by using this field.
- Enter a specific red, green, blue number, or a specific hexadecimal number in order to have a specific color show up in the trend line plot for this metric. For example, if you are trending a specific CMYK patch with a single metric, you may wish to choose an RGB equivalent color to represent that in the plot of the trend line.
Troubleshooting
When I run a Trend Report, why does Maxwell say "No Data Available" when I have several measurements uploaded?
- Answer
If you have not created any metrics for a track, then you have not told Maxwell what you want to know, what you want Maxwell to "report."
Run through the procedure above for "Creating Metrics for a Track."