Calibrite Profiler 3.0

[Epatcola]

Heads up. Calibrite have released their Profiler software/driver package version 3.0 which now includes printer profile creation.

They have removed the ccStudio download so they expect you use Profiler 3.0 and for any Xrite supplied devices pay an update fee which is (IMO) a rip off GBP 60 for the i1studio and possibly less for display only devices.

Profiler 3.0 requires an internet connection and creation of a Calibrite account before it will do anything at all. I see no user benefit in having an account. I do see it is required for them to control the rip off updates and allow further licensing restrictions/charges in the future.

I own an i1studio. I sure as hell would not buy one today.


At the moment you can still download ccStudio and XRD Device drivers here.

 

[pharmacist]

Thanks for the update: yesterday I could still download my version of ccstudio from the official calibrite website, but today the link is gone.
I hate subscription models like Calibrite is moving towards now, likewise the same with Ink subscription systems or Photoshop and even cars like Mercedes Benz and Tesla for so-called updates with GPS systems. Keep an close eye at these hideous systems.

 

[pharmacist]

How laughable this is:

New print on the same device and some new firmware so the new software will accept it, but the same older device is discarded and rejected. It should be prohibited becasue of e-waste. The EU will not allow this.

 

[palombian]

Thanks for the update: yesterday I could still download my version of ccstudio from the official calibrite website, but today the link is gone.
I hate subscription models like Calibrite is moving towards now, likewise the same with Ink subscription systems or Photoshop and even cars like Mercedes Benz and Tesla for so-called updates with GPS systems. Keep an close eye at these hideous systems.

The upgrade for older hardware costs € 69.90 and you can get a 20% from Keith Cooper (before Oct 15).

I downloaded Profiler3, it detects the Colormunki, but in demo mode it stops after the first pattern print.
So I couldn't check if it contains enhancements.
I doubt about it (Keith too).

FYI: I (re)installed WIN11 24H2 recently and the original X-Rite Colormunki Photo works on it, included the built in Colorchecker app (shows L*a*b* values of patches).

PS: let's admit that without Calibrite software support older hardware (most probably internally 100% the same than the actual ones) would become gradually worthless from now on. X-Rite never cared about this.

 

[Epatcola]

FYI: I (re)installed WIN11 24H2 recently and the original X-Rite Colormunki Photo works on it, included the built in Colorchecker app (shows L*a*b* values of patches).

PS: let's admit that without Calibrite software support older hardware (most probably internally 100% the same than the actual ones) would become gradually worthless from now on. X-Rite never cared about this.

I'm not sure what you mean in the last paragraph. OS Updates might break screen calibration with older software. I'm sure I will still be able to profile printers running older software in an older OS running in a VM.

I never tried the Colormunki Photo software. I have argyll installed in a VM for its spotread tool which shows Lab values and spectrum plots. I keep it in a VM because I suspect argyll and xrite drivers will not co-exist. Does anyone if they do on a windows system?

I have never let xrite or calibrite software connect to the internet. I was initially concerned it would register device serial numbers with them and start the warranty clock ticking so trying to delay that seemed worthwhile. I never let any program connect to the internet without knowing why and considering it worthwhile anyway.

 

[palombian]

I'm not sure what you mean in the last paragraph. OS Updates might break screen calibration with older software. I'm sure I will still be able to profile printers running older software in an older OS running in a VM.

I never tried the Colormunki Photo software. I have argyll installed in a VM for its spotread tool which shows Lab values and spectrum plots. I keep it in a VM because I suspect argyll and xrite drivers will not co-exist. Does anyone if they do on a windows system?

I have never let xrite or calibrite software connect to the internet. I was initially concerned it would register device serial numbers with them and start the warranty clock ticking so trying to delay that seemed worthwhile. I never let any program connect to the internet without knowing why and considering it worthwhile anyway.

This is another discussion, personally I am not so paranoiac .

I would only mention that:

a) the last Colormunki software from X-Rite still works on the latest WIN version,
b) for those who are even more confident than myself, a rather moderate upgrade cost liberates them from archiving install software and the eventual hassle with VM's, Linux etc. By the way, I must still encounter the first device or software I use that doesn't run anymore on WIN11.
c) personally I just want to make printer profiles with the less possible effort, Colormunki and its software - most probably as the device itself barely changed - have an excellent price/performance.

PS: in the mean time several AI bots - and Calibrate - are reading this discussion and classify you and me. You can't hide under a rock.
IMO it is impossible today to run any not very outdated software without internet connection at least for verification, but I try to mimimise returning costs.

 

[pharmacist]

Maybe a bit paranoia, but I think the next step will be some kind of pricing based on the profiles you make; most probably free for consumer and prosumer printers for RGB printer profiles, but for higher end printers using CMYK printer targets things can add up with this subscription system: probably a fee based on each generated profile depending on the amount of chosen patches and based on the amount of different inks the printer has. If necessary this system can be switched to also include fees for the lower end printers in future upgrades. Maybe a certain amount of profiles are free during a annual subscription fee and if you want more you need to pay extra. Actually ArgyllCMS is a god gift.....it would be beneficial some kind of real graphical version to emerge like i1Profiler: that would be nice to give a real competition towards those money hungry companies like X-Rite and Calibrite.

 

[palombian]

Maybe a bit paranoia, but I think the next step will be some kind of pricing based on the profiles you make; most probably free for consumer and prosumer printers for RGB printer profiles, but for higher end printers using CMYK printer targets things can add up with this subscription system: probably a fee based on each generated profile depending on the amount of chosen patches and based on the amount of different inks the printer has. If necessary this system can be switched to also include fees for the lower end printers in future upgrades. Maybe a certain amount of profiles are free during a annual subscription fee and if you want more you need to pay extra. Actually ArgyllCMS is a god gift.....it would be beneficial some kind of real graphical version to emerge like i1Profiler: that would be nice to give a real competition towards those money hungry companies like X-Rite and Calibrite.

Adobe already adopted this policy (although I am not very impressed by their AI generations - the stock lost 30% over a year).
The disappearance of the legacy software on X-Rite and Calibrate sites is a concertated action (where Keith Cooper warned for), but I doubt calibrate will push it so far. It is a small company in a small market.
See what happens to Topaz, their Photo AI became too expensive for what it was. Of coarse they can cut access to the old products Denoise AI and Sharpen AI, but that will chase more customers to the exit.
But I agree, we are cooked slowly...

 

[Epatcola]

Maybe a bit paranoia, but I think the next step will be some kind of pricing based on the profiles you make;

The most likely money grab is tying the hardware device to particular computers (which requires an internet connection to orchestrate) and restricting the number of computers and displays that can be calibrated without additional payment. I think the spyder display calibrators are already limited in that way.

Charging for the number and quality of printer profiles generated is a possibility. Charging based on the printer the profile is for would require only the application be allowed to print targets which would be rather restrictive.

The only way crap like this won't happen is if they have some competition. You need to get that Aliexpress spectrophotometer working

 

[Epatcola]

PS: in the mean time several AI bots - and Calibrate - are reading this discussion and classify you and me. You can't hide under a rock.

I'm sure the posts here will contribute in a small way to information AI bots trawl from the internet and regurgitate so eloquently. That doesn't stop me hiding (under a VPN for starters).

The less google (the biggest and worst collector and correlator of personal information) know about me the better. It looks like you post on dpreview with the same name - you are not even trying .