Color system
A color system describes the use of a certain color space and defines the three-dimensional basis in which the color space is represented.
Basics
The term “system” goes back to Dedekind as a synonym for quantity , so the color system is the quantity of the colors considered. Colors in a color system lie in a coordinate system that spans the color space. In the color system, the colors are assigned numerical or alphanumeric values.
The color valence, i.e. the color in the true sense of the word, can be clearly defined in accordance with Graßmann's First Law with three details. Sometimes additional values are required for special information or special conditions, such as in the CMYK system, where K stands for the depth of the printed color. In a broader sense, also the introduction of a yellow value Y in the RGB system in order to improve the color reproduction on the monitor in the saturation areas. Since different color spaces are set up under different starting points and requirements, the color system used must also be specified in addition to the color parameters.
Example system
A bright, pure yellow is defined in the CMYK model with the quadruple (0/0/100/0), in the RGB model with the triple (255/255/0). In the L * a * b * system, the triple (50,0,150) is an indication of such a yellow. Accordingly, the following values apply to a certain blue: CMYK = (100/100/0/0), RGB = (0/0/255) and in L * a * b * = {50.0, -100}. As in the Munsell color system , alphanumeric information is also common, here the color values were designated according to the English letters along the color wheel according to hue and subsequently according to value (the degree of saturation of the color) and the light value. A blue then has the designation 10B 5/10.
The color system can exist as a purely mathematical measurement space with continuous representation, such as the RGB color space . The material samples of a color catalog, on the other hand, such as the RAL catalog , can only contain discrete colors by nature .
Color collections as used by manufacturers of colored products for presentation purposes are not color systems in this sense.
Common color catalogs
- Pantone - especially common in graphics and fashion.
- HKS color fans - especially for print production, very common in Germany.
- Natural Color System - standardized, based on the natural color perception of humans.
- RAL color system - from the RAL quality association
- DB color card to display the color system for steel components in engineering structures of Deutsche Bahn