Colour & Vision database

The CVRL database provides an annotated library of downloadable standard data sets relevant to colour and vision research. The focus of the database is primarily scientific and technical, but some introductory background information is also provided. A consistent set of functions for modeling colour vision, based on the Stockman & Sharpe (2000) cone fundamentals published in Vision Research (vol. 40, 1711-1737), can be found under CVRL functions. These functions have recently been adopted by the CIE as "physiologically-relevant" colorimetric functions. Although the CIE and CVRL functions are identical, the CIE functions are provided separately here. The CVRL and CIE functions are tabulated in 0.1, 1 and 5 nm steps. We welcome comments, suggestions and contributions. Please contact a.stockman@ucl.ac.uk.

Data Sets pages

PRINCIPAL DATA SETS

The principal data sets can be accessed using arrays of radio buttons that allow the user to select the form of the data that is returned. The data can be returned either as an ascii csv (comma separated values) file, as an ascii xml (extensible markup language) file, as an html table in your browser window, or as a graphical plot. The data stepsize and data units can also be selected. Select the combination you want using the radio buttons and click the "Submit" button. Pressing the information button provides information about the data, the source of the data, and other information. This is a working example of an array that returns the Stockman & Sharpe 2-deg cone fundamentals:

Format  
Energy (log)
Energy (linear)       5 nm Cones
   
Selecting either the csv or the xml radio buttons brings up a window that invites you to open or save the data file. What happens if you choose to open the file depends on the software you have installed on your computer. For example, on a typical Windows computer, opening the csv file opens it in Excel. If you choose the tabular option, the data will appear in as an html table in your browser window, from which the data can be copied and pasted directly into other programs, such as into an Excel table.

OTHER DATA SETS

Other data sets can be accessed by means of clickable buttons, which are coded according to the data units and data stepsize (see below). In general, the data format is ascii csv (comma separated values) and the data files have the *.csv extension. Clicking the buttons opens a window that invites you to open or save the csv file. Again, what happens if you choose to open the file depends on the software you have installed on your computer. For example, opening the csv file on a typical Windows computer, opens it in Excel. Click on the corresponding information button for information about the data, the source of the data and other information.

EXAMPLES OF BUTTONS THAT CAN BE CLICKED TO OBTAIN ASCII CSV DATA FILES:

(The buttons on this page are not linked to data sets.  Click the same buttons on the data sets pages to obtain data.)

KEY FOR LETTERS ON BUTTONS:
 E:  Data in energy units
Q:  Data in quantal units
W: Data tabulated against wavelength
F:  Data tabulated against frequency

Data in linear units (gray buttons)

Data in logarithmic units (yellow buttons). All logarithms are common (base 10).

For data tabulated at a higher resolution (usually in 1-nm steps), click these buttons (i.e., ones with continuous functions):

BUTTONS THAT CAN BE CLICKED TO OBTAIN OTHER INFORMATION:

Information Summary table Please note Equation