This proprietary new color space is the foundation of Master Colors’ technology. The perceptual HVC space is more in-line with human intuition about color, making it more suitable for tasks such as adjusting image qualities, proofing, or simply perusing a color picker until you find a color you like. It has all the advantages of a rational, visually linear space, yet has the smooth, fast performance you would expect from a mathematical model. It is the ideal solution for imaging and creativity. Master Colors® products are protected by one or more of of the following U.S. patents*

HVC stands for Hue, Value, and Chroma. These are the three qualities of color that resonate most with your intuition. Each lies on its own axis, and can be modified independently, for picking just the right color, or changing millions of colors in an image in just the right way. And because the space is linear, free from distortions present in other common spaces like RGB, HSB, and CMYK, you can be certain your work will be accurate.

A convenient result of HVC’s linear nature is that, for the first time, we can precisely quantify the relationships between any colors. In other words, we can assign a number to the visual difference between colors, which the eye perceives as contrast. Thus, with this technology, the contrast generated by any two colors, no matter how they relate to each other, this contrast can be identified and placed on a precise contrast scale. This is simply not possible with other less rational spaces. It turns out to be of significant value to imaging professionals and artists.

From an imaging and color correction perspective, consider the possibilities. Now that color relationships can be accurately measured, steps can be taken to make sure those relationships remain the same through final output. Just imagine, using conventional methods to correct an image, tweaking the colors, perhaps lightening some areas, darkening others until the colors seem more accurate. But if no attention is given to the relationships (the color contrasts), the image will suffer. So, when examining final output, say a printed image, even after all the sophisticated corrections, the image comes out distorted. And so continues the frustration of conventional correction. But with our HVC Color Quantification Technology, those relationships can be preserved, keeping the proportions intact, while the colors are as accurate as they can be. Thus, the character of the image is maintained and output finally meets expectation.

For artists, this technology is valuable as a means to cut through the difficulty of selecting colors. It introduces clear criteria for making elegant, highly professional looking color decisions extremely rapidly. The idea is this: since the artist now knows the precise relationships between any colors he or she picks, those relationships can be controlled, and taken into account when picking more colors. In other words, if you control the relationships, you control the colors. You build your artwork the way a composer builds a symphony with notes; according to a set of basic rules and understanding of their relationships to promote harmony. Imagine a composer ignoring these relationships. Just as with color, it would be possible to eventually piece together something beautiful, but it would be extremely difficult. The knowledge and the rules are there to make it easy. And now, these, as well as the tools are available for artists.