AIM.XLA Excel Add-In, current version 2.74
AIM.XLA is a freeware Excel Add-In for spectral and colorimetric conversions and calculations (Excel v.97 upwards). See a screen shot of a worksheet model created with AIM.XLA. It has large amount of color-space conversion functions, colorimetric math functions and other CIE colorimetric and spectral functions implemented as MS Excel User Defined Functions (these functions are used similarly like the built-in Excel worksheet functions are used)
Some of the features of AIM.XLA:.
- Converts spectra to XYZ, Yxy and Lab spaces using CIE 1931 (2 degree) and 1964 (10 degree) models. Supports CIE Std Illuminations, Kelvin color temperature and user defined SPD as the illumination spectra.
- Colorimetric conversions between XYZ, Yxy, RGB, Lab, LCH, Yuv and Yu'v' (supports two user defined RGB spaces).
- Calculates Excitation Purity and Dominant Wavelength (the YPW color-space).
- Basic calculations in XYZ, Yyx, RGB, Lab, LCH, Yuv and Yu'v', (colorimetricly, so converts the input values to XYZ, does the operation there, then converts the result back).
- Lab dE*, dE94, dE00 color difference models (can be calculated directly from XYZ, Yxy or Lab values).
- Color temperature and correlated color temperature calculations.
- Complementary colors by various criteria.
- Reads and writes Photoshop RAW format in 8-bit/c and 16-bit/c modes.
- Creates user defined step wedge.
- Animate command, drives the worksheet model by user defined settings, animation can be viewed using a chart (e.g, using the built-in Spectral Locus chart) and the charts can be optionally saved to image files automatically.
- Provides a Spectral Locus Chart with colorful illustration (hue is about correct).
- GoalSeek Multi command, solves a bunch of independent equations automatically.
- Has an on-line help dialog and a large Help workbook with command and function reference and plenty of examples.
Two user defined RGB color spaces:
Animate function, below is a simple example of animation created with AIM.XLA (AIM.XLA provides the frames, an additional software is needed to combine them to an animated GIF is needed)
This animation runs very rapidly in Excel, the above animated GIF runs very slowly on most systems
AIM.XLA is meant for people who:
Download the AIM.XLA package (v.2.745). It also contain the aim-xla help v2.745 .xls with the Command and Function Reference, plenty of examples and useful information and ICC profiles for the built in RGB spaces.
- already are familiar with the CIE color system and the tri-chromatic theory, and
- are somewhat familiar with Microsoft Excel.
Here are some example workbooks, take a look at them in order to learn the powers of AIM.XLA:
- Metamerims example, see a resulting animation.
- Spectra to Yxy, a resulting animation seen above on this page, here is another version with illustrated color
- RGB gamut comparison, see a resulting animation.
- Lab to RGB, see a resulting animation.
- Q60 reference data to Photoshop, step-by-step example for creating a CGI simulation for a Q60 or IT8 color input target.
Accurate Image Manipulation for Desktop Publishing