The Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) is a set of components that facilitates a wide range of motion picture workflows while eliminating the ambiguity of today's file formats. The framework is designed to support both all digital and hybrid film-digital motion picture workflows.
The basic ACES components are:
- Color encoding and metric specifications, file format specifications, color transformations, and an open source reference implementation.
- A set of reference images and calibration targets for film scanners and recorders
- Documentation on the architecture and software tools
This toolkit is intended to serve as a distribution mechanism for key components of the framework including the reference implementation transforms, reference images, and documentation.
documents/- ACES related documentsimages/- "golden" images created using the reference implementation transformstransforms/- ACES reference implementation transforms
Reference Rendering Transform
The Reference Rendering Transform (RRT) included with this release has changed substantially from previous versions. These changes greatly simplify the algorithm while also changing the default look of the images to something that is believed to be a better starting point for creative adjustments.
The algorithmic complexity of previous RRT versions prohibited the creation of a closed-form inverse. This complicated the creation of custom looks that required an inverse RRT. This package includes both forward and inverse RRT and ODTs enabling the creation of Look Modification Transforms (LMTs) using those transforms. Gamut coverage has been increased compared to previous versions in both OCES and the output display color spaces ensuring full compatibility with existing and future display devices. Through the use of LMTs an infinite number of custom looks is now possible.
Feedback on previous versions of the RRT indicated deficiencies in some highly saturated colors and a decreased ability to grade around the default look using common color grading tools. Both these issues have been addressed with the version of the RRT included in this package. As noted earlier, this alters the default look associated with the ACES system but an LMT has been provided for those who preferred the look associated with ACES v0.1.1.
Output Device Transforms
The form of the Output Device Transforms (ODTs) included with this release has changed from previous versions. These ODTs better handle differences between display devices such as black point, white point, and gamut differences. These changes represent the latest work from the ACES committee, however, work on ODTs is on-going and future improvements are expected.
This package includes numerous ODTs not in the previous release. See the
comments in the CTL transforms located in transforms/ctl/odt for more details.
Look Modification Transforms
This version of the ACES developer resources package includes sample Look
Modification Transforms (LMTs). These LMTs are provided as proof-of-concept
implementations. See transforms/ctl/lmt/README.md for more information.
Input Device Transforms
The Input Device Transforms (IDTs) included with this package have been moved to
a subdirectory labeled vendorSupplied. Additional camera IDTs are now
available from that directory. They are provided as part of this repository for
convenience only. Users should always contact the manufacturer directly to
confirm they have the latest IDTs for their camera. See
transforms/ctl/idt/README.md for more information
ACESproxy and ACESlog
Two new encodings known as ACESproxy and ACESlog are now included with this package. They are intended to enable consistent on-set preview and color grading of ACES images. See the associated documents, images, and reference implementations for more details.
Package Contents Changes
The package contents has changed from previous releases. All image and document binary files have been moved out of the git repository and are now hosted on dropbox. This was done to avoid the git repository becoming unmanageably large. The ctlrender application previously supplied as part of this package has now been moved to the official CTL git repository.
The links to the current and all past versions of the ACES Developer Resources can be found version controlled with the git source control management system and hosted on Github at https://github.com/ampas/aces-dev.
Master Branch
The current release version of ACES can always be found at the HEAD of the master branch. Previous release versions are tagged and are also commits on the master. The master branch contains no intermediate commits so all commits on the master branch are tagged and represent a release of ACES.
Dev Branch
All commits between releases will be on the dev branch. Commits on the dev branch will be included in the next release version. Commits staged on the dev branch, but not yet merged into the master, should be considered non-critical. All intermediate commits for a release will be staged on the dev branch before being merged into the master and tagged.
Hotfixes Branch
In some cases it may be necessary to create a hotfixes branch. The hotfixes branch will include important, but not fully tested, fixes for bugs found in a particular release. Hotfixes should only be implemented by developers if the bug they are intended to correct is encountered in the course of production and is deemed to be a barrier to using a particular ACES release. Hotfixes, once fully tested, will be merged into dev branch, and ultimately the master.
Color Transformation Language (CTL) can be downloaded from https://github.com/ampas/CTL
Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) software and tools are provided by the Academy under the following terms and conditions: A worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive right to copy, modify, create derivatives, and use, in source and binary forms, is hereby granted, subject to acceptance of this license.
Copyright © 2013 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.). Portions contributed by others as indicated. All rights reserved.
Performance of any of the aforementioned acts indicates acceptance to be bound by the following terms and conditions:
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Copies of source code, in whole or in part, must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the Disclaimer of Warranty.
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Use in binary form must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the Disclaimer of Warranty in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
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Nothing in this license shall be deemed to grant any rights to trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets or any other intellectual property of A.M.P.A.S. or any contributors, except as expressly stated herein.
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Neither the name "A.M.P.A.S." nor the name of any other contributors to this software may be used to endorse or promote products derivative of or based on this software without express prior written permission of A.M.P.A.S. or the contributors, as appropriate.
This license shall be construed pursuant to the laws of the State of California, and any disputes related thereto shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts therein.
Disclaimer of Warranty: THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY A.M.P.A.S. AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL A.M.P.A.S., OR ANY CONTRIBUTORS OR DISTRIBUTORS, BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, RESITUTIONARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, THE ACADEMY SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER RELATED TO PATENT OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN THE ACADEMY COLOR ENCODING SYSTEM, OR APPLICATIONS THEREOF, HELD BY PARTIES OTHER THAN A.M.P.A.S.,WHETHER DISCLOSED OR UNDISCLOSED.