Modelling of colour appearance

A colour may have a different appearance under different viewing conditions. This causes many problems in the colour reproduction industry. Thus the importance of prediction of colour appearance has arisen. In this study, a mathematical model to predict colour appearance was developed based on the investigation of the changes of colour appearance under a wide range of media and viewing conditions. The media studied included large cut-sheet transparency films, 35mm projected slides, reflection samples and monitor colours. The viewing conditions varied were light source, luminance level and viewing background. Colour appearance was studied using the magnitude estimation technique. In general, colours appeared more colourful, lighter and brighter with an increase in luminance level. Background and flare light had considerable influence on colour appearance for cut-sheet transparency media. Simultaneous contrast effects occurred when a monitor colour was displayed against a chromatic surround. The monitor colour appeared lighter with a darker induction field. When a coloured area was enlarged, lightness tended to increase while colourfulness tended to decrease. Colour appearance was also affected by the closest neighbouring colour. In this case, the hue of the colour largely shifted towards the direction of the opponent hue of the induction colour. The data obtained were applied to test three colour spaces and two colour appearance models. For reflection media, the Hunt91 model performed the best. However it was not satisfactory when applied to transmissive media. Based on these results, the Hunt93 model was developed by modification of the Hunt91 model. The new model widens the application range of the Hunt91 and is reversible.