You can use the color list to define named colors, i.e. colors which bear a unique name. This will be particularly helpful in standardizing the use of colors and simplifying the checking process.

However, you may often define only primary colors and then apply various tonesof this color to the individual elements. In order that you do not have to define each tone by name, it is possible to create an Unnamed tone using the tone slider.

A further area of application for unnamed colors are color blends (see Parallel Paths). The number of different colors which could be generated in such applications would be so large that a color list would be ineffective. Since the actual number of colors is unimportant in color printing, you can create free CMYK or free RGB colors in these and similar cases. These are customized color mixes which are intended solely for a given application.

A description of the color list, tones and free colors can be found in Selecting Colors.

You can apply a number of criteria to ease your task of selecting from this host of options:

Are your actions restricted by the need to apply standards or other specifications in using colors, e.g. in the CGM environment.

Your standard preferences should be colors which you want to or are allowed to use (see Preferences). Do not use any free CMYK colors, RGB colors or tones.

Will the illustration be output on a color printer or handled using conventional color printing techniques?

If you will be using a color printer you can make full use of the possibilities offered for color design work. The quality and color fidelity depend solely on the printer you use. This is only the case in conventional color printing processes if you use four-color printing. In this case, all the colors are separated into their primary colors (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) so that the actual number of colors is irrelevant. If, however, you choose to print with custom colors such as black and a Pantone™- or HKS color, you must ensure that only the defined custom colors or tones of these colors are used. In this case, you must not use any named CMYK process colors or free CMYK colors.

Will the illustration be exported to a different format?

The color information of an Arbortext IsoDraw illustration is closely linked with the technology of the PostScript™ world. If you export the illustration as an EPS or Adobe Illustrator™ file, this information will be retained. If you export to other formats, however, the target system will frequently set restrictions. By way of example, it is generally not possible to import large quantities of color information into CAD systems since the latter are not designed for this purpose.