Automatic SVF Importer module

Background:

MeasureColor users typically use handheld or scanning spectral measurement devices to get color data and store it in the MeasureColor database. The Automatic SVF Importer module eliminates the need for manual measurements and allows scanned color data from selected systems to be imported automatically into MeasureColor without any user interference.

Secondary, by importing all data into MeasureColor, you also make sure all captured data is analyzed using the same references, conditions and scoring details, and, when configured correctly, send to MeasureColor Reports.

Supported systems:

The Auto SVF Importer module currently supports importing data from any system that can export .svf files including:

  • XRite Intellitrax-S
  • Komori PDC/SII
  • Komori PDC/X

Workflow:

For the operator, nearly nothing changes. The operator can prepare jobs in the XRite/Komori software normally. In order to automatically create jobs with zero user interference, the use of a naming convention is advised. See explanation elsewhere in this document.

Initial preparations:

  • Install and prepare the MeasureColor server for normal use
  • Install the MeasureColor Client software on a computer near the press console (preferably)
  • From the XRite/Komori software on the press console, select the option to automatically export every scan as .svf file to a predefined location.
  • Make sure you have (networked) access to the hard disk location where the press software exports the Scan Value File (.SVF)
  • Make sure that any used Color bars are aligned from the center

Setting up the MeasureColor system:

  • From the System management module, add/edit the Machine names to fully match those used in the XRite/Komori software
  • From the Reference manager re-import any Process reference from ICC profiles you wish to use. References generated from ICC profiles by legacy MeasureColor/PressView versions might not be fully compatible.
  • From the Process Control Module, prepare one or more jobpresets for each machine/printing press
  • IMPORTANT: start your preset names with something unique like ‘PT1’ or ‘PT4’ or something like ‘C’ or ‘U’ indicating Coated or Uncoated reference. The Auto SVF Import Module uses this first part to identify which preset should be used during the automatic job setup procedure. Edit existing preset names from the Management Module if needed
  • Open the Automatic SVF Importer module
  • Set the file path for the ‘Import folder’, the ‘Completed folder’ and ‘Failed folder’
  • Select ‘Filter files to import’ and if needed change the file filter from ‘*.svf’ to ‘export.svf’ to have a more strict file selection
  • Optionally, select ‘Append date and time…’ to automatically add a date/timestamp to the processed file. MeasureColor archives all scans when this option is selected
  • Select ‘Ask for missing information’ for a more verbose run mode. This will assure the user is presented with a popin view with information regarding missing information like unknown color patches etc. Note that this will still allow to import the .svf file
  • Click on the ‘Color mappings’ button to setup the way how MeasureColor deals with differences in color names. For instance, a MeasureColor internal process color name might be named as ‘K’ while the press system uses ‘Black’ internally. Limited wildcard usage (*) is allowed (see example below).

Starting the Automatic Import process:

  • Click on the ‘Import Disabled’ button, it changes to ‘Import enabled’ after which the system awaits your SVF files in the selected hot folder
  • Optionally you can enable the ’Interactive mode’ which provides more feedback to the user during the process.

IMPORTANT JobName naming convention:


By using a simple naming convention when you generate your jobs in the XRite/Komori software, you allow MeasureColor to generate jobs fully automatically and store measured data without any user interference. MeasureColor uses ‘job presets’ to help you create jobs with ease. This presetting function is also used for the Automatic SVF Import module. By using a simple prefix on all jobs you create in your XRITE/ Komori software, MeasureColor knows which preset to use for its job creation.

An example: XRITE original JobName is ‘MyJobName’ which is to be printed on Coated stock. In MeasureColor a preset has been defined for coated stock which was named ‘PT1 Coated’ (example). This preset holds all detailed settings like the proper Process Color reference, Spot Color book, Measurement conditions, Tolerance set, etc. In order to use this preset during the SVF import process, the first part of the field ‘JobName’ from the XRITE/Komori software should include a prefix for that MeasureColor preset. So, by using ‘PT1_MyJobName’, MeasureColor knows to generate a new job based on a preset that starts with ‘PT1’ with a job name ‘MyJobName’. MeasureColor uses ‘_’ (underscore) as a delimiter. You can set up to 4 MeasureColor job fields by using the _ delimiter inside the XRite/Komori JobName: Preset_jobname_jobnumber_jobdescription

Starting with ‘PT1_MyJobName’ is already sufficient though. Jobnumber and jobdescription are optionally.

IMPORTANT tips for fully automatic job creation:


Please use the following naming convention from within the XRite/Komori software for complete automatic import of jobs in MeasureColor:

SVF file MeasureColor
ProjectName Selected ‘Client’ for the job (created if new)
JobName * SEE DETAILED INFO ABOVE *
PressName Selected ‘Machine’ for the job
ScanDate/Time Measurement date/time

Color bar:

When importing an SVF file, MeasureColor uses information from the file to create the color bar, color mapping and run sequence for that job. Therefore, you do not have to generate a separate color bar definition in MeasureColor before you start importing SVF files. It is done automatically during import.

Note: The Auto SVF importer works correctly with Color bars that are aligned from the center only.

Preset references used:

MeasureColor will try and use the Process references and Spot references as setup in the used Job preset. This is why it is important to set up the presets and the mappings for color names.

How to use Spot colors that were not defined in the preset:

When a wildcard like Pantone*|Pantone* is set-up in the color mapping, MeasureColor will try and match the name of any Pantone spot color used in the job with Spot Color books.

To enable this workflow a few criteria must be met:

  • Correct color mapping settings. (Pantone* is not the same as Pantone *)
  • Only one Color book, linked to the same Printing condition, should contain that Spot color name.
  • Job colors will be matched to Spot color books that are linked to the exact same Printing condition as is defined in the Job preset
  • Spot color books that are universally available will NOT be searched for the Spot color reference.

Unknown references

When a file comes in that contains color names that cannot be matched, MeasureColor will use the reference information which is stored in the SVF file itself.

  • No TVI calculations can be made for colors without proper MeasureColor target
  • Legacy MeasureColor versions cannot transfer jobs containing one or more colors without Reference to Reports

This will show up on the dialog as a yellow triangle: When you hover the mouse over the triangle, MeasureColor will show all missing targets in a list:

Color mapping editing

Color mapping simply lets you edit a table. For instance an ink exported as 'Black' in the SVF will be linked to an ink 'K' in the used MeasureColor color book.

The color mapping system supports wildcards (*). SVF ‘Pantone *’ and local ‘Pantone® *’ will result in the following: SVF ‘Pantone 286’ is parsed as ‘Pantone® 286’ in MeasureColor.

Warning:
Color mapping might not work correctly if References from legacy MeasureColor/PressView versions are used. Please re-import ICC profiles before setting up presets and Color mappings.

Color bar alignment issues

When importing the SVF results in a Color bar preview with shifted patches, please check the following:

  • Make sure a Color bar is being used that is aligned to the centre, the Auto SVF importer has no support for left or right-aligned Color bars
  • local config Options.ProcessControl.ColorbarRecognition.SkipUndefined might help correct alignment when only one or two colors in a bar are actually used
  • local config Options.ProcessControl.ColorbarRecognition.CenterAlignment.LimitNumSearchSteps can be set to a low value to remedy patch shifts