ETC Eos Family Software

Build your own color profile tool [EOS V3.2 BETA VERSION]

Fixture profiles and spectral data in Eos v3.2 and later

Additively mixed, multi-color LED luminaire color control is affected by many factors including the quality of color
data available for that luminaire. In the Eos fixture library, many common luminaires have spectral information
about each emitter, as this greatly improves color accuracy. Starting in release v3.2, those luminaires are indicated
with a CIE 1931 icon. Luminaires without this data are assigned default generic spectral data based on the
parameter name (if possible). With the new Profile Editor, these default generic values can be adjusted. Where a
generic profile is unavailable, the Profile Editor allows users to create one.

Working with “generic” fixture profiles

Fixture profiles from the manufacturer “Generic” are prebuilt common profiles that use the same generic data. The
generic spectral data is likely not going to match a user’s unknown fixture exactly and is intended to get “close”. If a
chosen profile performs poorly, try a similar one if available, for example RGIL instead of RGBL. If still not “close”,
try the Color Configuration tab.

Building custom fixture color profiles

Users may start a custom profile by choosing a similar generic profile, for example RGBL or RGIL. If none of the
prebuilt profiles work or fit a user’s luminaire, use the new Profile Editor to create one from “scratch”. The Profile
Editor Color Configuration tab allows users to select emitters from a list of common LEDs. The list shows peak
wavelength and spectral power distribution (SPD). Choose the closest match based on the available data. The
relative intensity of each channel to the others can also be adjusted.

Collecting field data

Before creating a color profile from scratch, users may want to try and gather some data. Some manufacturers will
provide spectral data for their fixtures. If not and a spectrometer is available, users can take measurements
outlined below. Without this data, “trial and error” is the only other option.

Users will need the peak wavelength (λp) for each colored emitter and CCT for each white emitter. For some
emitters with wider spectral transmission, meters may report dominant wavelength instead of peak. Some meters
may not display the peak or dominant wavelength, and users will need to estimate where the peak is based on the
displayed SPD image. In these cases, choose the closest option based on information available. The relative
brightness of one emitter to the next is also needed. If relative brightness is not available from the manufacturer, a
method is described below that may help.

To gather user/field data:

1. Place meter at least far enough away for beam homogenization (where the color is consistent all the way
across) and ensure no other light intercepts the meter.
2. Turn luminaire on at full until thermally stable. If unsure, try 10-15 minutes. Use a sharp/ hard edge focus
where possible.
3. Turn one emitter on at a time and measure at the center of the beam. Record peak wavelength (λp) or
CCT as appropriate. Dominant wavelength (λD) and/or SPD may also be recorded.
4. In the Color Configuration list of standard emitter colors, find the closest descriptive name and peak
wavelength. If the measurement falls between two, visually compare the SPD images and choose the
closest.
5. Once peak wavelength or CCT are recorded for each emitter, use that information to build a profile in the

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 configuration tool. In Patch > Fixtures, select the fixture profile and click the Color Configuration button.
Place all emitters to full in the spectral amplitude section and save the profile.
6. Ensure it is patched as direct control and not a profile like RGB or HSIC.
7. In Eos, go to Live, and select a channel that uses that fixture profile. In another frame, open a Color Tools
tab, and ensure the CIE Color Picker (default) and Spectral tool are visible. The gel picker can be hidden.
8. Open the accompanying Excel spreadsheet.
9. In the “Emitter” column, record the names of each emitter, ie red, blue, green...
10. In Eos, raise two emitters to full, for example red and blue. Record those names as the first pair in the
spreadsheet “pairs” column. Using a spectrometer, measure the actual x,y coordinate achieved. In Eos,
manually adjust the red and blue parameters until the same (or close) x,y is displayed in the x,y field under
the 1931 diagram. Record the levels of the two emitters in the “values” column. These should be entered in
percentage (0-100%), NOT as DMX values (0-255).
11. Move on to the next pair. One emitter of this second pair must have also been used in the first – in this
example either the red or the blue. Let’s re-use red with green. Repeat the x,y measurement and adjusting
levels until Eos reaches the same x,y. Record and repeat. The next pair would include either the blue or
green and a new emitter color. Except for the first pair, one of the two emitters must have been used in
one of the previous pairs. Repeat until all emitters have been used in a pair.
12. Return Patch and select the Color Configuration window again. Adjust the amplitudes for each emitter
according to the calculated “Relative Brightness” levels in the spreadsheet. Save the changes.
13. Return to Live and test a variety of important color points such as 3200 K, 5600 K, magenta 100% and
cyan 100% from the Standard Colors or favorite gels from the Eos color picker. Measure – and look at -
the results. Compare x,y or CCT values for Eos vs meter and assess the light visually. If it’s in the ballpark,
great! Stop here and call it a win. If not, look for trends. For example, if all CCTs are measuring and
appearing too blue, it is possible the console believes the luminaire has less blue than it actually does. It is
also possible the spectrum of the actual emitter differs meaningfully from the chosen model. If field
measurements fell between two emitter options, try the other. If results are still poor, a generic profile may
be the best option available.

The “fine print”

A few caveats to keep in mind:
• The emitter option list contains a selection of commercially available emitter data. It does not contain every
possible emitter manufactured.
• One luminaire may not represent the average or all luminaires of a particular make/model.
• Field measurements with handheld meters are less accurate and comprehensive than measurements
taken in controlled settings with lab-grade devices.
• DMX values 0-255 may not follow a straight line or linear path in an unknown luminaire, meaning 50% or
DMX 125 might not be halfway to full or out. This “non-linearity” in thermally unstable luminaires can also
change based on which other emitters are on at what intensity in a cue. This affects color performance and
cannot be accounted for in user-configured (uncalibrated) profiles.
• Many fixtures are not thermally compensated so as a fixture warms up (or cools off), a mixed color may
shift.