Food For Thought Tuesday – Color Perception

How do you know if any color hue is absolutely constant? In other words, even though you and I agree when we say the fire-hydrant is RED… how do we know we are seeing the same thing rather than two entirely different things we both classify as RED?

New iOS App: ShowTool Swatch

Daniel Murfin, the UK App developer for the lighting industry has recently released a new app to the iTunes App Store, ShowTool Swatch.  You may remember some of the other great apps from Daniel, ShowTool LD and ShowTool SM.

ShowTool Swatch brings your gel swatch book to life. It’s the easiest and most beautiful way of viewing the information most important to you, helping you to make the right decisions when time matters. Share your ideas with friends or send orders straight to your local dealer.

ShowTool Swatch comes fully stocked with the most up to date catalogs for Lee, Rosco, Gam and Apollo with updates as new gels are added. Browse gels by manufacturer and range or search for a specific color by name or number. Gels can be sorted by number or in catalog order just like your old swatch book. Mark your favorite gels for quick and easy access or simply view a list of your most recently viewed gels. Notes can be added to each gel for when you just need a little reminder.

ShowTool Swatch is a universal app designed to run on the iPhone, iPad and the iPod Touch running iOS 5. Visit the iTunes App Store and pick up a copy for $5.99 USD. Learn more about ShowTool Swatch by visiting Daniel’s website.

Review: The TRX Series, from City Theatrical and Philips Color Kinetics

Not long ago, Philips Color Kinetics introduced the next generation of Color Blast’s: The TRX Series. Adding 2 new colors to the standard regimen of Red, Green, and Blue, these new Color Blasts called for a more intelligent power supply.  Providing this new backbone is City Theatrical and the new PDS-750 TRX Power and Data Supply.  Not one to rest on their laurels, City Theatrical raised the bar with this reinvention of their industry standard PDS. Lets start at the beginning:

The PDS 750 TRX is housed in a very sturdy, 3U rack mount or pipe mount housing.  The front panel has the factory label; a stylish, red air flow grill; and the back-lit LED display and 5 button control interface. On the top of the fixture is a welcome cheat sheet that covers basic setup in all modes.  The back panel contains the PowerCon power input and fuse, the 5-Pin DMX In and Out, a USB connection for software updates, a 2-port EtherCon switch, the 12 4-Pin Fixture outputs, and the SHoW DMX wireless antenna.  There is also a small hole in the metal casing, presumably for a safety cable if you are pipe mounting the PDS.

Control of PDS-750 TRX is available via wired DMX, wireless SHoW DMX, Ethernet (ArtNet, sACN, or Ki-Net) or using one of the on-board programs or static colors.  Setup is quick and simple. Plug in your power cord and hook up your fixtures and then using either the on-board setup wizard or the advanced setup menus you can select your method of control. The PDS-750 TRX will run any combination of 2, 3 or 5 color CK fixtures. Using the on-board fixture patch you can actively adapt the fixture’s address’s so that there are no wasted DMX channels as in the past. A nice part about the setup wizard is that it will also identify the types of fixtures connected and ask you what control profile you want to use.

DMX control of the PDS-750 TRX is as simple as connecting a control source to the 5-pin input on the unit.  In basic 8-bit mode, the fixtures operate on one channel per color, up to the full 5 colors available in the Color Blast TRX’s.  Using my test console (an Elation SDC-6), the Color Blast dimmed smoothly and with a very even curve.

SHoW DMX control allows the PDS to operate wirelessly on any one of 16 different channels (or universes).  Using the same test console connected to a standard SHoW DMX indoor transmitter, I had full control of the fixture with zero lag time despite four WiFi networks and Bluetooth scanners also running in the same environment. A feature of note when running SHoW DMX is that the DMX connector on the back of the PDS will output whatever universe the PDS is receiving.  This allows you to control the rest of your DMX devices without investing in more receivers. It’s a very nice hat-tip from the folks at CTI.

Ethernet control of the PDS was a bit more challenging, but only due to the steps needed to enter the IP address information.  You can control the PDS over ArtNet, sACN (think ETCNet 3), or Ki-Net (Color Kinetics Architectural).  Having the extra Ethernet port is an excellent add-on that makes daisy chaining multiple PDS units a snap.

Not having a sACN source, I setup and configured the PDS for ArtNet control on a static IP address.  I then logged into the WiFi network with my iPad and using Alcorn McBride’s LightingPad was able to control the PDS perfectly.  There was no lag time and the dimming curves were as smooth as ever.  CTI also gives Ethernet control the same hat-tip as SHoW DMX by outputting the same control universe to the DMX port on back.

Not to be outdone, Philips Color Kinetics has taken the next generation Color Blast TRX to the next level. Featuring not just RGB color mixing, CK added Amber and White to the mix.  For theatre and Broadway applications, the soft tones that can now be mixed are a most welcome addition.  The Color Blast TRX also features a first-ever 4-character LED display and touch sensitive buttons for at-fixture controls.  As introduced with the TR, the TRX features both clear and frosted lenses that can be swapped out.  The rubber surround is gone and in its place is a CTI accessory holder.

Operation of the on-board control is simple and elegant.  Press the two outermost buttons at the same time and the controls unlock for about 60 seconds.  You can set the DMX address, fixture profile, set static colors, chases, and run a test mode to name a few functions.  The control buttons use the same type of touch sensor glass that many smart phones use.  You don’t actually press them, you just tap them.  One would imagine this will significantly increase fixture reliability as adding physical contactors adds a mechanical failure point.

Overall the color mix and output of the new Color Blast TRX is excellent.  However, don’t get rid of your iW Blasts just yet.  The amber and white are excellent additions that allow the TRX to mix some amazing new colors.  However, the white and amber only output is just not quite bright enough to be effective on its own.  Overall though, Philips Color Kinetics has added an excellent new addition to the Color Blast legacy.  Combined with City Theatrical’s new PDS-750 TRX, the bar has been set for ease of use and functionality.

The new TRX technology is available now for purchase and rental from most of your top lighting dealers in the US. To round out the family, CTI also introduced the new PDS-350 TRX (6-channel vs. 12-channel).  For more information please visit either City Theatrical or Color Kinetic’s websites.

GAM Product Offers Color Workshop January 11th, 2011 in LA

Do you live in the Las Angles area?  On January 11th, 2011, GAM Products is offering workshop on color at their GAM Arts Center right in the heart of LA.

Learn about color temperature, kelvin, spectral distribution, foot candles, mired shift and CIE tri-stimulus values; how they all relate to correcting light sources and balancing color in film and TV. Learn how these measurements relate to perception and the duplication of color.

Speaker: Joe Tawil of GAMPRODUCTS, INC.
Date: Tuesday, January 11th
Time: Refreshments 6 pm / Workshop 7-9 pm
Where: GAM Arts Center • 4975 W. Pico Blvd. • Los Angeles, CA 90019
Secured, underground parking available.

Please RSVP to 1.888.GAMCOLOR or sales@gamonline.com

iPad App: Stagehand for iPad

Here is a new and different type of iPad lighting app, Stagehand for iPad.  Stagehand provides a quick and clean way to browse Rosco’s Roscolux catalog of gels. Gels are laid out in a visual grid, and gel numbers are disclosed only when you need them by tapping and holding the gel in the grid.

This is a new and different way of comparing gel colors.  Rather then looking at colors with their names and numbers, you look at just the color to determine with one you like best.  It kind of reminds me of that memory game where you try to locate two of the same items hidden below the dots. It’s an interesting way of searching colors.

I think it may be a little limiting since it only shows Roscolux gels. I would love to see some of the other manufacturers listed.  Overall though, a great starting off point.  Who knows, in future updates, we may see additional gel manufacturers.

Patrick Angle, the developer of the Stagehand iPad app warns that the colors may not be 100% accurate to those on stage, but are relativity a close match. For best the best representation of the gel colors, be sure that your screen brightness is set to the highest possible level, as gels will appear washed out on lower brightness settings.

Stagehand for iPad is a FREE download from the iTunes App Store.

Greatest Stage on Earth: Color and Emotion

Color.  Nothing affects our mood and emotional response more.  It can make us angry that Brutus just betrayed Caesar, dream that Juliet is just beyond our reach, and swoon as Cinderella dances the night away with her prince.  Color is an amazing tool that when applied properly strengthens and carries the emotion of the subject you’re lighting.

Warm colors can be an indication of spring and summer, happier times, or high energy.  Cool colors can represent deep emotional thought, winter, nighttime, or flashbacks.  When selecting colors for use in the HOW market, one of the most important things to learn is how they affect emotion and the human mind.  Below is a breakdown of the specific areas of our emotional spectrum that color can affect.

Red – Fire, Anger, Blood, Violence, Death, War.  Perhaps one of the strongest and most perceived colors on the human eye, red is often representative of violence.  It will increase an audience’s heart rate and respiration.  Red is also associated with courage and bravery.  Red is also the most noticed color.

Orange – Joy, Sunrise, Happiness, Enthusiasm, Creativity, Health.  The eye picks up orange as a very warm color, not as hot as red, but more active than yellow.  It can increase oxygen flow to the brain and stimulate mental activity.  As the color of fruit, orange is associated with health and vitality.  When used with food displays it can make the items appear more appetizing.

Yellow – Sunshine, Joy, Intellect, Energy, Happiness.  Yellow warms us.  It is seen as light.  Strongly associated with electricity and energy.  Pure yellow focuses our attention. However, when overused, yellow can become disturbing. When used against black, yellow will be recognized before other colors. This is why it’s used for safety warnings.  Yellow also can contradict itself, representing both honor and loyalty as well as cowardice.

Green – Nature, Growth, Harmony, Freshness.  Green is the most restful color for the eye.  It can stimulate healing in patients.  Green is associated with fresh food and nature.  Green can also indicate a lack of experience.  Dark shades can be associated with money and jealously.  Yellow-green shows illness and discord. Aqua shows healing and protection.  Olive is associated with peace.

Blue – Sky, Ocean, Water, Stability, Trust.  Most often associated with tranquility and peace.  Blue represents both the sky and water.  It calms the mind and slows down metabolism.  A masculine color, blue represents power, integrity, seriousness and focus.  Blue is very effective at calming an audience.  It can also be very striking against a palette of warm colors.

Purple – Royalty, Power, Nobility, Luxury, Wealth, Decadence. Traditionally associated with Kings and Queens.  Purple denotes wealth and luxury.  It also is indicative of mystery and magic.  It is the most preferred color of children.  Rare in nature, purple can often be considered artificial.  It is the most feminine color.

White – Light, Good, Innocence, Purity, Faith, God.  White is considered to be the color of perfection.  It evokes safety and faith. It is a positive and strong emotional color. The color of snow, white is pure and clean. As such it is often associated with doctors, nurses and hospitals. Biblical figures are often depicted in white clothes.  However, use white carefully as too much can overload the emotional center of the mind.

Black – Elegance, Death, Evil, Mystery. Black is the most negative of colors.  Arguably the absence of color, black is often associated with death and evil.  Shadow can accent and heighten the color around it. Black makes things appear longer and thinner. Black when used as the color of objects, denotes strength and authority.

An inescapable part of everyday life, color is all around us. Using it to your advantage is one of the best skills that you as a lighting designer can develop.  Get out there and discover what works best for your subject and hone your skills today.

More information about color and color theory can be found here.

Wybron Releases Gel Swatch Library HD App for iPad

Get Triped Out Online – MoodLight Online App

Last night while scrolling through the massive inbox, I came across an interesting note.  Steve from MoodLight sent me a note about his new online color changing app, MoodLight.

MoodLight turns your computer screen into a multi-purpose, color changing light. The online app can be customized by choosing your own color, adding effects, and setting the color changing speed.  The app can serve as a strobe light, disco light or as an ambient light to match your mood.

I tried it out this morning.  Helpful hint, make sure you have had a cup of coffee before hand! It got a little tripy this early in the morning.  MoodLight has some different color presets to switch from to match your present state of mind.  Not finding a preset that you like?  MoodLight has the ability to detect your current mood by using your webcam and or mic.

I had a lot of fun playing with it this morning. Does MoodLight offer any practical use for lighting design, no, but it is a lot of fun to play with.  Be warned, if you are sensitive to flashing lights or have photosensitive epilepsy, do not use MoodLight!

Excellent work Steve, thanks for sharing! Visit www.MoodLight.com and/or follow them on twitter, @MoodLightApp.

Rosco’s 12 New E-Colour Gels

Rosco Labs recently announced the arrival of 12 new colors of gel to their E-Colour line up.  To help celebrate and get the new gels into users hands, Rosco Labs gave out 12 packets of the new gel colors in 6″ x 6″ sheets for people to test and see how they like them.  I was lucky enough to be one of the 12 people to re-tweet and receive one of those said packets.  Here is a line up of the new colors, the listing corresponds to the gel spread pictured above from left to right.

• E5084 – Damson Violet
• E5085 – French Lilac
• E5202 – Max Blue
• E5211 – Ice Blue
• E5264 – Venetian Blue
• E5287 – Fuji Blue
• E5336 – Aztec Gold
• E5404 – Wisteria
• E5454 – Olympia Green
• E5455 – Tarragon
• E5461 – Grotto Green
• E5463 – Prussian Green

As an added bonus, I am passing along the gel pack to an iSquint reader.  All I ask is that you test and play with the colors and let Rosco Labs and myself know what you think of the new gel colors. How do you win said packet? Easy, tweet the following message on twitter: “@Rosco_Labs I love the smell of gel in the morning“. First one to tweet that wins, that simple.

Want to learn more about the 12 new E-Colours from Rosco Labs, visit their website at www.rosco.com.