Proposal of an opponent‐colors system based on color‐appearance and color‐vision studies

Abstract

AbstractA new theoretical color order system is proposed on the basis of various studies on color appearance and color vision. It has three orthogonal opponent‐colors axes and an improved chromatic strength of each hue. The system has color attributes whiteness w, blackness bk, grayness gr, chroma C, and hue H. A method is given for determining Munsell notations of any colors on any equi‐hue planes in the system. A method is also given for determining grayness regions and grayness values on hue‐chroma planes in the system. It is concluded that colors with the same color attributes [w, gr, bk, C] but with different hues in the theoretical space have approximately the same perceived lightness, the same degree of vividness (“azayakasa” in Japanese), and also the same color tone. The tone concept, for example used in the Practical Color Coordinate System (PCCS), is clarified perceptually. The proposed system is a basic and latent color‐order system to PCCS. In addition, the concept of veiling grayness by a pure color with any hue is introduced. Further, relationships are clarified between generalized chroma c(gen) and grayness. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 29, 135–150, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.10234