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Glossary
Appendix E
Glossary
This glossary provides defi nitions of some of the terms used in this manual.
Bit depth
The number of bits used to express color, also referred to as color depth. The bit depth deter-
mines the amount of color information in an image. The greater the bit depth, the larger the
number of colors, and the fi ner the gradations, that can be expressed. Bit depth can be used
to refer both to the number of bits per channel and to the combined bit depth for all channels;
thus, for example, an image with a bit depth of eight bits per channel can be said to have a bit
depth of twenty-four bits. An image with a bit depth of one bit has only two colors, typically
black and white, with no gradation between the two. See also Channel.
Black Point
The input value below which all input tones are mapped to the minimum output value (by
default no color, or black). Any details darker than the black point will be lost. See also Tone,
Tone curve.
Channel
The component colors in a given color space. The RGB color space is made up of red, green,
and blue channels and a master channel that combines the three. See also Color space.
Clip
The percentage of pixels at both ends of the curve that are excluded in an auto contrast op-
eration. See also Tone curve.
CMS
See Color management system.
CMYK
A refl ective (subtractive) color model commonly used in printing, which models color using
com bi na tions of the three secondary colors used in printer’s ink, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow.
Because no com bi na tion of these three inks will create a true black, blacK ink is also used.
Color management system
A method of ensuring consistency of color reproduction between devices such as scanners,
monitors, and printers, and between different computer platforms. In the color management
system used in Nikon Capture 4, accurate color reproduction is ensured through the use of
profi les that provide information about the characteristics of the monitor or printer and the
color space used for editing. See also ColorSync, ICC, Profi le.
Color space
A general term encompassing both the model used to defi ne color (for example, CMYK or
RGB) and the range, or gamut, of colors that can be expressed in a given color model. See
also CMYK, Gamut, RGB.
ColorSync
A color management system for Mac OS developed by Apple. See also Color management
system, ICC.