quickstart guide zenColor Connect desktop

ZENCOLOR
CONNECT
DESKTOP.

Here’s a fast overview to help you get started. Click on on icon or scroll down to view the QUICKSTART GUIDE.

FILE EXCHANGE

PREDICTIVE COLOR EDITOR

INFORMATION & PREFERENCES

SAVE & SEND SWATCH FILES

RECEIVE & SAVE SWATCH FILES

IMPORTING DATA FILES

FILE EXCHANGE

Lets Communicate.
You have created a wonderful palette. Now what? Let’s save it to File Exchange.

FILE EXCHANGE

Store and locally archive both graphic (PNG, JPG) and data (ACO, ASE) swatch files.

SHARE, LOAD, DELETE

You can Share a graphic or data file directly from File Exchange. If you wish to preview a swatch file first, Load the file into the Swatch Preview. If you elect to Delete a swatch file, the file will be permanently deleted.

You will need to Load a swatch file into the Swatch Preview in order to Share it.

BROWSE

All swatch files are saved by default to the zenColor File Exchange folder and can be accessed by using the Browse button.

SWATCH FILES

All swatch files can be saved, viewed and shared as either a Graphic File format (JPG or PNG) or a Data File format (ACO or ASE) for use within other design programs.

REFRESH

Hey, where did my file go? Select Refresh to reload the list of available Graphic or Data Files in your zenColor File Exchange folder.

SWATCH PREVIEW

Preview a palette before moving it to the workspace. A highlighted swatch means the swatch is active. The “add selected” or “clear selected” buttons either move the active swatch from the Swatch Preview to your workspace or delete it.

WORKSPACE

Where do I create, edit, save, and share my color palettes?
Get it done in the Workspace.

WORKSPACE

Your workspace, global to the app, is the area where you can view, edit, save and share your color palettes. It holds up to sixty-four (64) swatches (same as Swatch Preview), which is the maximum number of swatches you can send or receive in a single swatch file.

SWATCH FILE:

A unique Swatch File Name is required to save a file to File Exchange (Swatch File Name is created in Reference Tags). When you load an existing file into the workspace, the swatch file name appears, including the swatch file format and metadata that is attached to the swatch file.

LAYOUT OPTIONS

Choose the layout option that is just right for you. The toolbar in the upper right corner of workspace provides temporary presets to adjust the background color (Dark, Medium, Light) and the layout (Portrait, Landscape).

Remember, you can create your default layout options in Preferences.

DRAG & DROP

Use Drag & Drop to reorder the swatches in your workspace.

SAVE preserves the metadata associated with the swatches in a Swatch File and saves the file to the File Exchange. The Swatch File may be saved in a variety of file formats and swatch layouts.

To combine two or more existing Swatch Files or an existing file with new color swatches, select the Merge button at the bottom of the workspace. Create a new Swatch File Name to save the combined swatch files and any new metadata tags you have added.

LEARN HOW TO MERGE

SHARE sends the Swatch File, along with the tagged metadata, by email or text. The metadata is “packed” in one app and “unpacked” in another with one or multiple end users at a time.

Select the Clear button to delete the swatch palette from the workspace. You cannot “undo” from trash once swatches have been cleared.

TRASH & UNDO

Drag & Drop a swatch into the Trashcan to remove it from the workspace. If you accidentally delete a swatch, it can be retrieved by using the “undo” button next to the Trashcan. Undo Delete does not retrieve swatches when using the Clear button to remove swatches from the workspace.

ACTIVE SWATCH

A highlighted swatch (outlined border) means the swatch is active. To activate a swatch in the workspace, simply click on it.

CHECKERBOARD SWATCH

The “checkerboard” pattern represents a null swatch or a swatch that does not have a ZCC® value. If the checkerboard swatch is active, it will effect other areas in the app. Simply activate a ZCC swatch in workspace (unless your workspace is empty). If the workspace is empty, make sure to select a ZCC reference (0001-4096) or use another method of color selection to find the ZCC swatch you wish to add to the workspace.

EXPANDABLE PULL BAR

You can lengthen your app in Portrait orientation by clicking on the bar in the center bottom and pulling downward.

MERGE SWATCH FILES

Do you have two swatch files you need to combine?
No problem. That’s what the Merge button is for.

MERGE SWATCH FILES

Need to merge a couple of existing files, add swatches to an existing file, or a combination of both? Use the Merge button.

LOAD AN EXISTING FILE

Load an existing file from File Exchange and select “Add All” to move to Workspace.

MOVE FILE TO WORKSPACE

Move the selected swatch file to your Workspace by selecting the “Add All” button.

LOAD ANOTHER SWATCH FILE

Load another existing swatch file into the Swatch Preview to combine with the first swatch file.

ADD SECOND FILE TO WORKSPACE

Select the “Add All” button to add second file to Workspace. All existing files or new swatches that you wish to combine must be located in the Workspace in order to merge the files into a new swatch file.

MERGE SWATCH FILES

Select Merge and go to Reference Tags. Rename the swatch file and Check for Missing Tags and “Add Tags” before you save.

MERGE SWATCH FILES

Select Merge and go to Reference Tags. Rename the swatch file and Check for Missing Tags and “Add Tags” before you save.

SELECT FORMAT

Select File Type (JPG, PNG, ACO, ASE), Swatch Shape (Square, Rectangle) and the location of the ZCC® reference number to format your swatch file and attached metadata. Graphic files (JPG, PNG) can be sent out directly from a digital device via email or text using this format.

SAVE TO FILE EXCHANGE

Save the graphic file (PNG, JPG) and the associated metadata tags to zenColor® File Exchange.

If saving as a data file (ACO, ASE), the metadata cannot be saved. Data files are meant to open directly into your design programs.

ARCHIVE TO FILE EXCHANGE

Locally archiving digital swatch files makes them easy to find and retrieve. ZCC® digital swatches never get lost, never fade, never need to be replaced. The metadata that you tagged to the swatch files is retained.

ZCC® digital swatches, always the same.

REFERENCE TAGS

Tag it. Save it. Share it. Do it in Reference Tags.

REFERENCE TAGS

Attach unique metadata directly to a graphic (PNG, JPG) swatch file format.

INTERNAL METADATA

Your internal color name and color number can be tagged directly to the swatch in your Swatch File and retained. The internal metadata is automatically cross-references to the ZCC® standard.

FILE NAME REQUIRED

A unique Swatch File Name is required to Save a file. This makes it easier for you to identify, search for, or retrieve the right Swatch File from the zenColor File Exchange folder or your Documents file folder.

OTHER FIELDS

Tech Pack, and Note are optional. Once you have completed filling out the fields you wish to fill out, select Save.

CHECK FOR MISSING TAGS

Identify the swatches in the workspace that are missing an internal color name or internal color number.

REMOVE DUPLICATES

Identify and remove duplicate swatches from a palette in the workspace before you save the file.

ZCC® SWATCH LIBRARY

What if there were 5,000+ simple ways to describe over 16.77 million colors?
Well, now there is! Check out the ZCC® Swatch Library.

ZCC® SWATCH LIBRARY

The complete ZCC® Swatch Library consists of over 5,000 of the most popular colors used by industry professionals, each referenced by a simple 5-digit code.

SWATCH LIBRARIES

Swatches display either a numeric (left side) or a chromatic (right side) format.

ACTIVE SWATCH

A highlighted swatch means the swatch is active. To move an active swatch to the Workspace, click the Apply button.

COMPARE SWATCH

The bottom half of the swatch displays the RGB value, comparing the color value to the top half which displays the normalized ZCC@ standard. The corresponding HEX, RGB, CMYK, and ZCC values are also compared.

EDITABLE FIELDS

The bottom half of the swatch displays the RGB value, comparing the color value to the top half which displays the normalized ZCC@ standard. The corresponding HEX, RGB, CMYK, and ZCC values are also compared.

COLOR CONVERSION

zenColorCode® (ZCC) conversions to HSB/V, CIELab, HSL, and CMYK.

COLOR SAMPLER

How do I instantly analyze the color composition in inspirational images?
Try using Color Sampler.

COLOR SAMPLER

How do I instantly analyze the color composition in inspirational images. Try using Color Sampler.

LOAD IMAGE

Let’s get started. Drag & Drop or upload a graphic (PNG, JPG) file from your desktop or locally stored images.

FIND IMAGE / PASTE

Find Image locates an image in your zenColor File Exchange folder or other selected location and loads it into the image display area.

Paste takes a copied image (JPG or PNG) from the clipboard and loads it into the image display area. You can also drag and drop an image or use keyboard shortcut keys to load an image into the display area.

EXTRACT A PALETTE

Extract color(s) from an image by using one of the three presets listed in the pop-up menu. The COMMON presets the most prevalent color pixels in descending order. The SATURATION presets the brightest or most saturated colors from within the image. The LIGHTNESS presets the pixels of the lightest value. Select the number of color swatches (6, 12, 18, or 24) you wish to extract.

MARQUEE TOOL

To select and isolate part of an image instead of the full image use the Marquee tool. Click and drag a square or rectangle around the area you wish to capture.

Once you release the Marquee tool, it will automatically extract colors from the isolated area using the preset and number of swatches you have previously selected.

SAMPLE A COLOR

The Color Sampler reactively targets and extracts a single color from the image by moving the crosshair selector to the desired sampling location of the image and clicking the mouse. Once a pixel is selected, the extracted color is automatically displayed in the Swatch Preview area.

ENLARGE

The Magnifier tool enlarges the image up to sixteen (16) times its actual size.

CREATE A PALETTE

Once you have extracted the colors that you want from the image, you move the palette to your workspace by selecting the “Add All” button.

You can also add a single image to the workspace. First, click on the swatch you wish to move from the Swatch Preview. Then, activate the swatch in the workspace to move the swatch to that location. Finally, click on the “Add” Selected button to move to the desired location in your workspace.

ZCC® COLOR PICKER

Color conversions from zenColorCode® (ZCC)
to all color spaces, plus tools to create beautifully balanced palettes.

ZCC® COLOR PICKER

Use the ZCC® Color Picker to automatically translate zenColorCode® (ZCC) into RGB, HEX, HSB/V, HSL, CIELab, and CMYK and create beautiful, harmonious palettes using either the Color Harmony or Color Theory tools.

ZCC® COLOR PICKER

The zenColorCode® (ZCC) normalizes the RGB color space and translates it into a usable universal standard. The ZCC® Color Picker normalizes over 16.77 million colors in the sRGB color space and automatically translates them into the ZCC® universal standard. Standardized formulas for RGB and HEX are provided in the Compare Swatch.

COMPARE SWATCH

The white areas in the Compare Swatch are editable fields that allow you to enter a ZCC, RGB, CMYK, or HEX value. Select Apply to display the color. The bottom half of the swatch represents the RGB value, the top half of the swatch represents the normalized ZCC standard.

Create harmonious palettes of 6,12,18, or 24 colors. Select a single color swatch as the point of origin and use the Color Harmony presets in the pop-up menu to obtain different effects. Remember, practice makes perfect.

PRESET MENU OPTIONS

HUE AND HARMONY represents a full array of equally spaced adjacent hues from a base color.

SPLIT TONAL represents a complementary color range of dark to light.

TONAL represents a monochromatic range from tinting the chosen base to white.

SHADE darkens your base color in equal steps to a solid black.

SPECTRAL steps your base color equally through the color spectrum at the while darkening it to a solid black.

Don’t let the name of the tool fool you, it’s simpler than it sounds. Select a single color swatch as the point of origin and use the Color Theory presets in the pop-up menu to obtain different effects. Different color theories are based on different numbers of color swatches, so selecting a preset will automatically determine the number of swatches.

PRESET MENU OPTIONS

COMPLEMENTARY represents a 180° opposite to the selected base color. The high contrast of complementary colors creates a vibrant look especially when used at full saturation.

SPLIT COMPLEMENTARY represents two colors adjacent to the direct complementary base color.

ANALOGOUS represents four adjacent colors from the base color.

TRIAD preset represents two colors that are evenly spaced (120°) from the base color.

TETRAD represents a palette of four colors arranged into two complementary pairs, 90° away from each other. These schemes can vary in the spread between the complimentary pairs.

SQUARE represents four colors that are evenly spaced from each other.

PREDICTIVE COLOR EDITOR

Need to correct a hue that is quite right?
No problem. That’s why you have a Predictive Color Editor.

PREDICTIVE COLOR EDITOR

The Predictive Color Editor previews an adjustment and compares it to the original color swatch before you commit to the change. All swatches are automatically translated into zenColorCode® (ZCC).

ADJUST A COLOR

You can adjust the Hue, Saturation, and Lightness (HSL) in ultra-fine steps or large leaps by using the plus and minus presets, which provides better control than a traditional slider used for this type of color editing.

COMPARE SWATCH

As you adjust a color, the bottom half of the swatch will show you the adjustment. The top half of the swatch displays the starting point, which is the original color. Once you are happy with your edit, select Apply to accept the changes and add the swatch to the workspace. If you wish to start over, simply select Revert.

CHECKERBOARD

Oops! How do I get rid of the checkerboard pattern? It’s easy. Either enter a valid 5-digit value into the editable ZCC® field or select a swatch in your workspace to activate it. The checkerboard will disappear and you are ready to start your edit.

INFORMATION & PREFERENCES

All the information about your app and how to set your preferences is located here.

INFORMATION

General Information, Preferences, ZCC® Marking & Usage Rules, and Legal Notices.

User Name, Company Name, License Key, and the number of Activations on that License Key will automatically appear in the General Information area, after the License Key has been activated. After activation, the User Name is stored locally within the application and is displayed on swatch output files in the “From” field. Subscriber information (including Company Name) can be changed in “Manage Your Account”.

LICENSE KEY
Licensees can customize their default personal display preferences for language (currently English), background color, app orientation, and layout as shown on the page in the Quickstart Guide. Some preferences can be temporarily changed in the workspace while using the application. To preserve default preferences, make your selections in the Preferences panel and then restart the application.

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ACTIVATIONS
zenColor® Connect utilizes device-based licensing. This means that each -activated” device counts against the total quantity of product (Mac and Windows) subscriptions licensed. Keep your license key information safe and secure!

AUTO-RENEW
Licenses will automatically renew (and be paid for) once a year unless your payment information changes. If your payment information changes, update the payment card Information when renewing your subscription at term expiry. zenColor® is working diligently to provide enhanced subscription options.

Licensees can customize their default personal display preferences for language (currently English), background color, app orientation, and layout as shown on the page in the Quickstart Guide. Some preferences can be temporarily changed in the workspace while using the application. To preserve default preferences, make your selections in the Preferences panel and then restart the application.

continue >>>

Remember to “Save” your preferences before you restart!

SAVE & SEND SWATCH FILES

Communicating color has never been easier, more accurate, or more affordable.
Learn how to save and send swatch files by email and text.
That’s what zenColor® Connect does best!

SAVE & SEND SWATCH FILES

Communicating color has never been easier, more accurate, or more affordable. Learn how to save and send color palettes by email and text.

That’s what zenColor® Connect does best!

STEP ONE

Before you Save a graphic (PNG, JPG) swatch, you need to create a unique Swatch File Name (required) and tag the optional metadata (Internal Cross Reference Tags, Tech Pack, Note) you wish to embed into the file. Once you are done, select Save.

STEP TWO

Choose the graphic file format (PNG, JPG), swatch shape (Rectangle, Square), ZCC® Reference Location. Once you are finished, select OK.

STEP THREE

Check the name of the Swatch File and Save. If you wish to rename the Swatch File, select Cancel and rename in Reference Tags.

STEP FOUR

After you Save the Swatch File to zenColor File Exchange, you will be able to preview. You can send via email, text, or another method available in your operating system. Mac and Windows handle this process a bit differently, but both are simple to manage.

STEP FIVE

You can send to one or multiple recipients. The graphic file formats (JPG, PNG) will retain all of the metadata attached in Reference Tags. If the recipients also have a zenColor® Connect application they will be able to upload the Swatch File and the metadata to their app and fully take advantage of the content.

Make sure to send the Swatch File in “Actual Size.”

SHARE FROM MAC

When sending via Mac email, always choose “Actual Size” for the attached Swatch File.

SHARE FROM WINDOWS

When sending via Windows email, always choose “Actual Size” or “Original Size” for the attached Swatch File.

SAVE DATA FILES

You can opt to save your palette as a data file format (ACO, ASE). No metadata is saved with a data file format so, if you wish to save the metadata, please save as a graphic file (JPG, PNG) as well.

SAVE TO FILE EXCHANGE

Save the Swatch File to the zenColor File Exchange folder. After it is saved you will be able to open the file in most Adobe® design programs in coordination with the program’s tools.

RECEIVE & SAVE SWATCH FILES

Just received swatch files for a new color palette? That’s great!
Here’s how to save them.

RECEIVE & SAVE SWATCH FILES

Graphic file formats (PNG, JPG) can be received, saved, and locally archived directly to the zenColor File Exchange folder.

STEP ONE

VIA EMAIL
You received a graphic swatch file via email and want to save it to File Exchange. Click on the “paperclip” icon to bring up the menu and select the swatch file. If you receive more than one swatch file, select “Save All.”

STEP ONE

VIA TEXT
You receive a graphic swatch file via text and want to save it to File Exchange. If using a MAC computer, open the swatch file in Preview. Click on the arrow to bring up the menu to locate and select the Documents folder.

STEP TWO

Open the swatch file(s) in zenColor File Exchange and Save. Saving to File Exchange makes it easier to access the swatch file in the app.

STEP THREE

Once the swatch file is saved, it can be opened (Load) or shared (Share) directly from File Exchange. If the swatch file does not appear, do not panic. Simply Refresh to resolve the issue.

IMPORTING DATA FILES

Need to import an ASE or ACO data file into your Adobe® application?
No problem. Here are simple steps to help you do that.

IMPORTING DATA FILES

zenColor® swatch palettes will download from the zenColor® Connect app as .ASE and .ACO files. This file format can be imported into Adobe® Photoshop®, Illustrator®, and InDesign®. Follow the following instructions for each design program.

INSTRUCTIONS

Import your zenColorCode® (ZCC) data file into Adobe® Photoshop >>>>

STEP ONE

Save your data files (.ASE, .ACO) in the zenColor File Exchange.

STEP TWO

Open the “Swatches” window in Photoshop.

STEP THREE

Click the fly out menu on the Swatches tab
and choose “Load Swatches…”

STEP FOUR

Navigate to the .ASE or .ACO file you
saved to your zenColor File Exchange
folder and select “Open.”

STEP FIVE

The palette will be appended to your current swatches in Photoshop.

TIP: Choose “Replace Swatches” to replace the Default Swatches with your Imported ZCC® palette swatches.

INSTRUCTIONS

Import your zenColorCode® (ZCC) data file into Adobe® Illustrator >>>>

STEP ONE

Save your data files (.ASE, .ACO) in the zenColor File Exchange.

STEP TWO

Open the “Swatches” window in Illustrator.

STEP THREE

Click the fly out menu on the Swatches
tab and choose “Open Swatch Library”
the “Other Library.”

STEP FOUR

Navigate to the .ASE or .ACO file you
saved to your zenColor File Exchange
folder and select “Open.”

STEP FIVE

The palette will be appended to your current
swatches in Illustrator.

INSTRUCTIONS

Import your zenColorCode® (ZCC) data file into Adobe® InDesign >>>>

STEP ONE

Save your data files (.ASE, .ACO) in the zenColor File Exchange.

STEP TWO

Open the “Swatches” window in InDesign.

STEP THREE

Click the fly out menu on the Swatches
tab and choose “Load Swatches…”

STEP FOUR

Navigate to the .ASE or .ACO file you
saved to your zenColor File Exchange
folder and select “Open.”

STEP FIVE

The palette will be appended to your current
swatches in InDesign.

DO YOU STILL
NEED HELP?

Please view the other areas in our Help Center for more information. Customers can access the Manage Your Account portal. If you still have a question, please Contact Us and we’ll respond as soon as possible.