Warm/cool cards

M

mrWr0ng

Well-known member
Does anyone know of a link to a decent/cheap set of warm/cool cards? The cameraman I worked with last week pulled out a small notebook of different pages bound together and we balanced using that, with both warm and cool cards in it.

Looking around on the net I only see the warm cards set for $65 and that seems pretty ridiculous, especially considering it's only 3 cards and doesn't even come with cool cards.

Is there a company that makes a straightforward, no-frills card package that will have a good sampling of both warm and cool cards?
 
Determine the RGB colors of the cards you need and find the equivalent PMS* color. Then consult a paper distributor for the colors you need. There should be an online RGB to PMS converter somewhere.

(*Pantone Matching System)
 
May be a little late now, but

I know that when you get all hoity toity and big-shot this isn't the right way to do it, but I print out my own warm/cool/grey cards using Flash and Word.

In Flash I make a box that is big enough for the whole frame, make it blue, and then take the "Alpha" and knock it down to however much it needs to be. I don't do this very often, but you could get as precise as RGB colors to Alpha down to 20%/30%/40%.

Then I go to File>Export>Image. I export it, insert into word, and print. It works fine for me after I tape the edges over a piece of thin cardboard so it is easier to hold. For my SpyFest entry, I used a Nilla Wafer box and a Cheez-it box as my card backings.

Here's what they look like, front/back:

1176852214.jpg


My crappy digital camera doesn't do them justice (you need to see them in person for the full effect).

It doesn't cost anything unless you count the fraction of a dollar for ink, paper that you've most likely already got in the printer, and junk food that you probably have somewhere in your house anyways.

If this method works for you, give me a PM and I'll make some swatches for you and send 'em out in TIFFs or JPEGs or whatever.
 
-zach- said:
If this method works for you, give me a PM and I'll make some swatches for you and send 'em out in TIFFs or JPEGs or whatever.
Click to expand...

Zach, there'd be plenty of persons interested in those, me thinks. Any chance you'd be willing to upload for "everyone"?
(Love the backings!!! Did you ever use the back as the front and try to white balance off those? :))
 
vidled said:
(Love the backings!!! Did you ever use the back as the front and try to white balance off those? :))
Click to expand...
Haha, no... but good idea. :cheesy:

vidled said:
there'd be plenty of persons interested in those, me thinks. Any chance you'd be willing to upload for "everyone"?
Click to expand...

I'll gladly host them on my Member Upload Center and put a link to them here.

If you have objections to these speak now because I'll not be changin' them, arrrrr.

I was nice and gave you all an extra cool card.

18% GREY
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/12358/1176855347.jpg

30% PURE RED
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/12358/1176855393.jpg

30% ORANGY
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/12358/1176855421.jpg

30% BLUE
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/12358/1176855447.jpg
 
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Thanks for the uploads, I'm going to give them a try.
Most recently, I have been using those paint sample cards you get at Home Depot or Loews. That's my "not so hoity toity" workaround. Not terrible, but I will see if your warm card yields better results.
 
Hi Folks

Does anyone know what the absolute colour reference should be for the colours used when they are 100%

blue, red & orange

CMYK or RBG references would be great


Thanks
 
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Question...as noob as this sounds but I've always wondered; what the use of warming/cooling cards was for?
 
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