Screen Colour Setup
If you do not have Photoshop with a Gamma
program installed, then use one of these free programs...
Or
try some of these words when searching the web - gamma,
screen, crt, lcd, monitor, setting, calibration, program, software.
Only run one of the programs, otherwise they will compete
with one another to manage your colour! You can actually run all of them, providing you press
Cancel, rather than
OK on their last screens.
- with Photoshop
Getting the image onscreen to match the printed output is what we
would all like to achieve. The first step in this process is to calibrate the
monitor. Adobe provide the Adobe Gamma utility in order to get rid of colour
casts in the display and produce an ICC monitor profile that 'Photoshop' will
use to compensate for the monitor's display characteristics.
To access Adobe Gamma click Start>Settings>Control Panel and double click the
Adobe Gamma icon.
Before making any
adjustments I'd suggest opening my homepage to see the Gamma image in your
browser (not any other program) - use File>New>Window in Internet
Explorer to get a duplicate window and then click on HomePage.
The 'experts' say this will only really work
with a CRT monitor, not the new LCD screens (for which they say you must use a calibration
device). But I think it definitely helps the LCD rendition - the main
problem is the colour shift as you change your viewing position.
 |
Step 1
When this dialogue box appears it is probably easiest to choose to use the Step by Step wizard.
Click Next. |
Step 2
When the Wizard box appears click Load and from the list of monitor profiles that appears choose the one appropriate to your monitor. If yours does not appear choose one as a starting point.
Click Next. |
Step 3 - skip if you have
already set the Black point.
Or use the brightness control to adjust the black/grey patch so that the centre area is just about visible. It's often recommended that you squint at the screen whilst you do this.
Click Next. |
Step 4
From the drop down list choose from the list of phosphors. If you don't know what yours is choose P22
EBU. (This is what the 'experts' seem to recommend).
Or run MonInfo
and enter the values in after selecting Custom...
Click Next |
Step 5
Check the 'View Single Gamma' box.
Squint again and use the slider to fade the two squares into one another.
Leave the setting at Windows Default and 2.20
Click Next |
Step 6
Uncheck the 'View Single Gamma' box.
Squint again and adjust the Red, then Blue and finally the Green sliders;
or you can use the gamma image from my homepage and back away a few feet (use long arms!).
Repeat this until all are as best as possible.
Click Next |
Step 7
Choose your Hardware White Point. I suggest 6500K
Click Next |
Step 8
Set the Adjusted White Point.
I suggest Same as Hardware
Click Next |
Step 9
Toggle between the before and after settings. Hopefully the after will be more neutral in appearance without any noticeable colour casts. If not step back to the RGB gamma adjustments and try again.
Click Next |
Step 10
In the File name box give your profile a meaningful name. I'd suggest including the date.
This profile will be automatically used when you next start your
computer. |
Now the screen should be fine - just the printer left
to do!
