Maxwell Metrics
From ColorWiki
"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
- Average delta E - best 90%
- Average delta E - worst 10%
- Media delta E
- Standard Deviation
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 show 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.
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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 2000)
- For Target Value, choose a distance from the color aim that you want the measurement to hit. In many cases - especially when tracking monitors - you would use 0. For other tracks, like those 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.
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."
