TITLE
    ColorSync: Match Link via AppleScript
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		31113
10/19/99
10/19/99
TOPIC

    I have written an AppleScript using the "match link" verb, but it did not work. Below is my sample AppleScript:

    on open dropitems
    set MatchLink_Prof to choose file
    tell application "ColorSync Extension"
    repeat with i in dropitems
    match link i through link MatchLink_Prof
    end repeat
    end tell
    end open

    I saved the script as an AppleScript application. After dropping JPEG or TIFF files onto the script and selecting a profile, such as the Color SW 2500 Pattern or Color LW 12/600 PS Profile, the script returns the error "Invalid link profile." What am I doing wrong?

DISCUSSION

    The following test was performed, and the script functioned correctly.

    The script was pasted into Script Editor v1.1.3, running on a Mac OS 8.6 system, and saved as an Application. Several JPEG files were dropped onto the script and a link profile was selected; the script matched all the images correctly.

    In the original tests, the Color SW 2500 Pattern or Color LW 12/660 PS regular profiles not link profiles were chosen, generating the error "Invalid link profile."

    The "match link" verb is used with link profiles, which are unusual profiles consisting of two or more profiles combined into one. Although they are not often used, Apple has included the "match link" verb.

    "match link" - transforms using a 'link' profile.

    Example:
    A RGB-CMYK-RGB link profile would transform an image from one device's RGB color space, match it to another device's CMYK color space, then save it back to yet another RGB color space. Finding such a link profile, on a web site or an installation disk, is unlikely; they are usually custom made for a specific solution, such as for a customer's specific devices used in a specific order.

    If a true link profile had been used and problems encountered, then check whether the image is in the same space as the first profile in the link profile. A RGB-CMYK-RGB profile can only be used on RGB images, as it is going from RGB to CMYK to RGB. If the image were not RGB to start with, you would get an error.

    When working with standard device profiles, such as the profiles Apple ships, or profiles obtain with other products, or downloaded from the manufacturers' web sites, you will want to use the verb "match" or "proof" instead of "match link."

    "match" - transforms from a source profile to a destination profile, such as from RGB to CMYK, or RGB to RGB.

    "proof" - transforms from a source profile to a destination profile to a proof profile, such as from RGB to CMYK to RGB.

    For examples on how to use the match and proof verbs, examine the sample scripts "Match to specific profiles" and "Proof to specific profiles." These sample scripts may be found in the AppleScript Files folder in the ColorSync Extras folder located in the Apple Extras folder.

Document Information
Product Area: Apple Software; Printers; Monitors-Displays
Category: ColorSync
Sub Category: General Topics
Keywords: ksts

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