A personal color proofing system for computer generated images

Abstract

Just as the invention of photography challenged the world's visual literacy at the turn of the century, so has computer graphics begun to reshape visual communication. Although still in its infancy, recently developed tools for visual communication have made computer graphics and electronic imaging accessible to a much larger number of artists and other professionals. The use of these systems has emphasized a new need for an automatic color image proofing system combining text and images in variable size. Such a system would ease the distribution of and accessibility to digital images with high quality and low cost. This thesis describes the Color Proofer, a system that has been designed to meet these needs. This system includes a software package that performs basic image processing functions similar to basic darkroom manipulations, designed for color hardcopy. It also includes a system for creating halftone dot fonts to aid in the production of high quality color proofs. A typesetter capable of producing magazine quality color images and text is an integral component of the Color Proofer. The Color Proofer is designed for photographers and graphic designers who want high quality proofs of computer generated images.