neoCatalog allows the creation and edit Color Libraries and works with various Color Libraries. If you work with nT Colorations and neoColorBox, those color libraries will be synchronized simultaneously.
To access the color libraries table, go to 'Management' in administration and find the listed options in 'Materials'.
- In the next window, on the left of the page, you can search, select or add new color libraries with "+".
- At the center of the page, you can:
- see the name, edit the name, and see the file path on the server
- mark the color library as visible (if not checked, then is hidden for users)
- add the owner add owner or owner group so that only group members can work with the color library.
- define columns and rows in the library
- import the original color library file (Note: it will add colors to the existing library or download the color library)
- On the right, you can view and search for colors in the color library by typing the color name in the search field. Below the colors, you can see the number of colors in the color library.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Format specifications of the CSV
- Customer color libraries
- Importing Color Libraries
- Rename Colors
- Download Color Libraries
Format specifications of the CSV
In order to import a color library, you need to create and prepare the CSV text file. The headers in the CSV are specified and must be followed. Supported color values are LAB and RGB.
- The CODE header is supported, but not used in sorting. To sort colors differently than names, use the ORDER header.
- NAME content with space will be ignored.
- NAME is limited to 32 characters.
ORDER (required content) | L required content | A (required content) | B (required content) | NAME (required content) | COMMENT (optional content) |
column 1 ORDER number | Columns 2-4 are used for the LAB values | column 5 for the color name | column 6 for comments as page | ||
Format for 100% color values
Using the 100% color value of a color name. Example:
ORDER | L | A | B | NAME | COMMENT |
1 | 94 | 1 | 7 | 11-0103 C | 01-01-01 |
2 | 95 | 0 | 3 | 11-0602 C | 01-01-02 |
Format for gradient color values
Using the 100% color value of a color name. Gradient color will be used in the database only. Example:
ORDER | L | A | B | NAME | COMMENT |
1 | 78 | -2 | 76 | Color 1%100 | 01-01-01 |
88 | -12 | 50 | Color 1%40 | 01-01-02 | |
85 | -10 | 66 | Color 1%70 | 01-01-03 | |
2 | 82 | -8 | 75.26 | Color 2%100 | 01-02-01 |
88 | -12 | 43 | Color 2%40 | 01-02-02 | |
88 | -13 | 62 | Color 2%70 | 01-02-03 |
Customer color libraries
Many times customers provide color libraries in different extensions and data format, that has been used in different coloring systems and now should be used by Inedit products. It is required to modify those color libraries in format and structure to be compatible with Inèdit applications.
Example:
| NUMPAGES=120 | NUMROWS=16 | NUMCOLS=16 | |
| CODE | L | a | b |
| A1.1.1 | 40.58 | 61.97 | -11.33 |
| A1.2.1 | 39.05 | 59.08 | -11.15 |
| A1.3.1 | 37.43 | 55.91 | -10.97 |
| A1.4.1 | 35.71 | 52.43 | -10.79 |
Format specifications of the CSV for neoCatalog
- In order to import a color library, you have to create and prepare the CSV file format.
- NOT supported .vdb, .excel, .aco, .acb
- Supported color values are LAB and RGB.
- The CODE header is supported, but won't be used in sorting. If you want to sort colors else than names, use ORDER in the header.
- Dot decimal separator in CSV.
- No limit on color number (having low memory can fail importation).
When converting the customer library to a compatible neoCatalog library, please follow the exact column description:
ORDER (required content) | L (required content) | a (required content) | b (required content) | NAME (required content) | COMMENT (optional content) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
column 1 ORDER number | Columns 2-4 are used for the LAB values | column 5 for the color name | column 6 for comments as page | ||
Format for 100% color values
Using the 100% color value of a color name.
Example using customer library:
ORDER | L | a | b | NAME | COMMENT |
1 | 40.58 | 61.97 | -11.33 | A1.1.1 | |
2 | 39.05 | 59.08 | -11.15 | A1.2.1 | |
3 | 37.43 | 55.91 | -10.97 | A1.3.1 | |
4 | 35.71 | 52.43 | -10.79 | A1.4.1 |
Format for gradient color values
Using the 100% color value of a color name. Gradient color will be used in the database only.
ORDER | L | a | b | NAME | COMMENT |
1 | 40.58 | 61.97 | -11.33 | A1.1.1%100 | |
39.05 | 59.08 | -11.15 | A1.1.1%70 | ||
37.43 | 55.91 | -10.97 | A1.1.1%40 | ||
2 | 35.71 | 52.43 | -10.79 | A1.2.1%100 |
*Sample CSV attached.
Importing Color Libraries
Press + button to create a new Color Library. The new libraries need to be imported by clicking on the Import Library from the file button. Bear in mind, though, that those files have to be .CSV.
Follow the instructions on the screen to upload the file. Once uploaded, see the information with the name of the library. After saving the importation with Save, the library is in the list on the left and the colors of the library are positioned on the right of the page.
The 'Visible' option is by default enabled to work with the color library, but if the color library should not be used for coloring in coloring modes, then this option should be unchecked.
Rename Colors
Search the color that you want to rename in name or comment in the selected color library by color name using the search field or by color using the color picker.
Once found your color, click on 'Edit' next to the color search result.
A new dialog opens with fields for name, values, comment, and gradients. Colors with gradients are shown after @. In this dialog only the name and comment are editable. LAB values can be changed in the .csv file, which was used to import and create the color library. When leaving the dialog with 'Save', the color will be shown with a modified name or comment.
Download Color Libraries
To Download local Color Libraries, access the window we have seen before. The following formats can be downloaded:
- .csv (excel file)
- .aco (for Photoshop color library)
- .acb (for Photoshop swatches)
Download and Edit Color Library in CSV format
At the center of the page, mouse right-clicks on 'Download .csv' and the color library will be downloaded locally in the Downloads folder on your computer. Open the CSV file in Excel, and watch out for column order or text changes in the file.
Change the necessary LAB values, or if required add new colors. When adding colors, make sure to follow the ordination in column ORDER.
For safety reasons, duplicate the current color library before deleting the current one.
After the modification in the CSV, create a new color library with '+' and import the new CSV file with the Import library from the file button. Press Save after uploading the file.
TIP: Working with neoMatch? Take the customer library in neoMatch and import it in neoCatalog after exporting CSV for neoCatalog (File > Export) or publish the color library in neoCatalog from neoMatch that has required connection to the neoCatalog. |
Related articles:
Import customized color libraries in neoMatch
Import custom color libraries in nT Colorations
neoMatch connected with neoCatalog