Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for generating a simulation of a colored material. In particular, the method and apparatus generate a simulation of a colored target material utilizing a "selected" point in color space and a character reference pattern. The selected point in color space can itself be determined according to novel aspects of the invention (e.g., color candidate representation points), or other inputted as a result of other processes (e.g., colorant formula performance analyses). In one mode of the invention, the selected point in color space can represent a color of a constituent element of the target material after the material has undergone one or more color-affecting treatments or processes. Advantageously, the present invention not only generates a simulation of a color material of a central color, but also generates simulations useful for representing color shade variations with respect to the central color.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for generating a simulation of a colored material. In particular, the method and apparatus generate a simulation of a colored target material utilizing a "selected" point in color space and a character reference pattern. The selected point in color space can itself be determined according to novel aspects of the invention (e.g., color candidate representation points), or other inputted as a result of other processes (e.g., colorant formula performance analyses). In one mode of the invention, the selected point in color space can represent a color of a constituent element of the target material after the material has undergone one or more color-affecting treatments or processes. Advantageously, the present invention not only generates a simulation of a color material of a central color, but also generates simulations useful for representing color shade variations with respect to the central color.