The color management system (hereafter, CMS) is designed to ensure accurate observation of images. Appropriate color editing is only possible once the correct observation environment has been established. Picture Style Editor cannot be used properly without CMS. Indoor lighting is standard for color adaptation by the naked eye, so use of an appropriate luminous source is a prerequisite for accurate color observation. Monitor calibration must be performed using colorimetric instruments in accordance with the lighting environment. In environments where monitors are calibrated and appropriate environment lighting is used, color reproduction should look the same on both monitor and printouts, facilitating simple and accurate color correction. Comparison between spectral distributions of D50 type (solid line) and solar light (5,000K) (dotted line). There are a few spikes, but the spectral distribution is nicely averaged. It is often assumed that monitor calibration involves little more than monitor adjustment, but, in fact, preparing the lighting environment is more important. Everyone's sight adapts to colors in accordance with the lighting environment, so even though the monitor is adjusted, if it is not appropriate to the lighting environment, the colors observed on the monitor may be misconstrued. Printed data cannot be observed correctly either if lighting equipment with a biased spectral distribution is used. Fluorescent color-evaluation lamps are manufactured specifically in order to conduct such color reproduction assessment of printouts in conditions closely replicating daylight. (see chart to left) A D50 color source is recommended for color evaluation, but this can be substituted with a three-band fluorescent lamp depending on the monitor calibration method. There are a number of visual monitor calibration methods that do not require the use of colorimetric instruments, but these are not recommended in terms of repeat accuracy and variance between individuals. Calibration using colorimetric instruments is strongly recommended. Color temperature (white point setting) must be adjusted to the environment lighting. Set to D50 when a D50 fluorescent color-evaluation lamp is used. There is a slight variation in cool white fluorescent lamps amongst manufacturers, so a calibration system able to assess the environmental lighting conditions is recommended. Understanding and Using CMS - Recommendation to calibrate monitor Understanding and Using CMS - Color management settings for software Understanding and Using CMS - Color management settings for printouts Understanding Color Space - Various color spaces and the color space width Understanding Color Space - Understanding the HSL color system Understanding Color Space - HSL color system value range and Picture Style Editor functions