Color Muse Support
Frequently Asked Questions
General Color FAQs
This can be accomplished if a user has Adobe Photoshop. To achieve this you would need to open up the Photoshop Color Picker, plug in the d50 Lab color into the picker, then click on the Color Libraries button to see the closest Pantone (or other library) color in Photoshop. This will pull up the closest Pantone color in the “Photoshop color space”.
Web colors are colors used in displaying web pages, and the methods for describing and specifying those colors. Colors may be specified as an RGB triplet or in hexadecimal format (a hex triplet) or according to their common English names in some cases. A color tool or other graphics software is often used to generate color values. A color is specified according to the intensity of its red, green and blue components, each represented by eight bits. Thus, there are 24 bits used to specify a web color within the sRGB gamut, and 16,777,216 colors that may be so specified.
CMYK is a scheme for combining primary pigments. The CMYK color model (process color, four color) is a subtractive color model, used in color printing, and is also used to describe the printing process itself.
At this time we do not support CMYK due to the large number/variations of standards available.
Delta E is a unit of measurement for color difference perceived by humans. The E stands for Empfindung; German for “sensation”. The scale goes from 0 to 100 with 0 meaning no color difference and 100 being the greatest color difference possible. Delta E has evolved quite a bit over the last four decades. It started as a simple mathematical calculation to later a calculation that incorporates adjustments to account for variations in a human’s ability to perceive color differences in different color regions. In the most modern delta E standards (delta E CMC, 2000), a delta E of less than 1.0 is not perceivable by most humans. People who either have superior color vision or have received specific training can perceive color differences down to 0.6 delta E.
Lab color space describes mathematically all perceivable colors in the three dimensions. L for lightness and a and b for the color opponents green–red and blue–yellow.
LCH is a type of Lab color space.
Both are types of illuminants constructed to represent natural daylight. The primary difference between the two is the color temperature of the light they are meant to represent.
Color Muse General FAQs
Absolutely. We have many partners and resellers who brand our tool and who have had great success. If you are interested in exploring this type of relationship with us, please contact our Sales department.
Illuminants refer to the type of light used to calculate the best match during a scan. Each illuminant stands for the following: D50 (Sunrise or Sunset), D65 (Noon Daylight), F2 (Fluorescent Office Light), F7 (Fluorescent Daylight), A (Incandescent Light). You should select the illuminant closest to the light the surface you are painting will be in. The app has defaulted to D50, the most common illuminant used.
CIE Lab, LCH, sRGB, Hex, and more.
In a nutshell, it is an accurate and easy-to-use device and app that allows users to match colors to products like paint and fabric, among other things.
The Color Muse® device is a digital color scanner that connects via Bluetooth to a smartphone or tablet via the Color Muse® app.
Once connected through the Color Muse® app, users can scan colors from any number of sources and accurately match those scanned colors to products within the app, the most popular currently being paint.
Variable will accept a return within 30 days of a receipt of purchase. The receipt must be provided for returns.
Each Color Muse® device comes with a 1 year warranty against manufacturer defect.
Any Apple smart device running iOS 11, or newer, is compatible.
Any Android smart device running Lollipop (5.0), or a newer, is compatible.
Ensure internet connectivity and a minimum of Bluetooth 4.0 (4.1 will provide enhanced speeds)
Please click here to review our Agreement.
Color Muse Device FAQs
No, the recalibration process is highly technical and sensitive. Recalibration should only be done by Variable, Inc. – the manufacturers of the Color Muse® tool.
The Color Muse® device itself does not require an internet connection to work, however, the smart device and app that it is connected to does require an internet connection in order to search the color libraries selected.
Although the Color Muse® device itself is very sturdy and durable, the calibration cap must be treated with extra care. If the calibration cap gets dirty or compromised, it can affect the accuracy of the scan results.
To fully charge your device, plug the Color Muse® device into any micro USB cable (there is one provided in your Color Muse® packaging) for about 45 minutes. For best results plug the device into a wall outlet.
If you go to the “Settings” menu in the “Manage Device” section within the Color Muse® app it will show the battery level as a voltage amount. Full charge is 3.9.
To scan a color, whether it be paint, fabric, or any other material, simply place the device flat against a clean surface or color sample and trigger the scan from your smart device. (Reference the “Quick Setup” page within this Resource section of the site for more information.)
The Color Muse® device automatically shuts off 20-30 seconds after it is no longer connected to Bluetooth. If connected to Bluetooth, it will stay on for 5 minutes before automatically shutting down.
Press the button on the top of the device once to power on the device.
Depending on the amount of usage, the Color Muse® battery will last over 5,000 scans without needing a charge. To fully charge, plug the Color Muse® device into any micro USB cable (there is one provided in your Color Muse® packaging) for about 45 minutes.
Color Muse® requires a minimum of five volts to charge.
Slow pulsing means the device is ready to connect over Bluetooth to your smart device. At this point, you will need to click the “Connect Device” button in the app to complete the connection.
Fast pulsing means the device has connected to your smart device and is waiting for confirmation (by pressing the device button again).
If your device does not turn on, it probably means the battery needs recharging. Simply plug your device into any micro USB cable (one was provided within your Color Muse® package at purchase) and let it charge for 30-45 minutes.
The challenge with phone cameras is that they don’t account for shadows, bright lights or direct sunlight. Cameras capture colors with Red, Green and Blue detectors, but human eyes see color differently than camera detectors. The Color Muse® device has it’s own controlled light source and can read the color you’re scanning accurately.
Calibrating the device prior to each usage ensures the highest degree of accuracy with your color match results.
The device is currently optimized and has been designed to scan standard paint, fabric or color decks. The results for glossy, “flecked”, and other types of color coatings that appear to change based on how you are viewing them will often times bring back less accurate results.
Color Muse Connection FAQs
Upon initial connection, the Color Muse app does require internet connectivity to pair to the color matching device. You will be able to search for the closest match after the device is paired with or without internet connection. For best experience, we recommend staying connected to internet as some features may not be available offline.
Yes! To change the time for disconnection, open the “Menu” and go to “Settings”. Locate the “Keep Color Sensor Awake” section to change the connection time.
The “awake” time refers to the time the Bluetooth connection remains alive without performing a color reading. The connection may persist while the app is on and increase the timeout/disconnection time. This will lead to shorter battery life.
Color Muse App FAQs
Yes. When you create palettes in the app you have the ability to share them via email, text message, social media, etc. In doing so, this creates a unique URL that allows anyone to view your palette. If you click on the unique URL, underneath the actual palette you will see “Download ASE (Adobe Swatch Exchange).” Once you download this you’ll be able to import the data into Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. When you do this, it not only gives you those color details from your palette, but also gives you the hex number.
No, we have intentionally not developed an application for the PC.
Due to the variables in the measurement results, paint color swatch reproduction, paint mixing, and the fact that paint on walls fades over time, it is challenging to get an absolute perfect “touch up” match. The match will be close but may not be invisible. We recommend testing this on a hidden section of your wall. Painting the entire wall will gain you optimal results.
Not currently. Currently you have the ability to save scans into palettes and then name the palette, but you cannot save individual scans.
Because each phone screen is different and lighting conditions in each room can vary, there is no way to show exactly how the color will look once applied.
Many factors can cause the paint to look different than the representation on your smart device. Since each phone screen is different and the lighting conditions in each room can vary, there is no way to show exactly how the color will look once applied.
The Color Muse® app is FREE. That said, you will need to purchase the Color Muse® device in order to capture colors and fully utilize the app. You may purchase the device from Amazon or at variableinc.com.
Once you are in the app, create an account or log in if you previously had an account with us. After reading the onboarding instructions you will see the main “Color Match” screen. From here you will see “connect device”.
You can also connect the Color Muse 2 device by going to “Menu” and selecting “Manage Device”. From there you will see “connect device”.
We are always adding new libraries into our database. If there is one that you would like us to consider adding, please contact our Support department. Some libraries are proprietary, such as Pantone, and require specific licensing which could prevent or limit their availability to be added.
We are always adding new libraries into our database. If there is one that you would like us to consider adding, please contact our Support department. Some libraries are proprietary, such as Pantone, and require specific licensing which could prevent or limit their availability to be added.
Many of the apps available are named after a specific company. These companies use them internally for color measurement. If you don’t work for any of those companies, the Color Muse® app is all you need.
- A difference of under 1.5 ∆E equates to 3 stars
- A variation between 1.5 – 4.0 ∆E equates to 2 stars
- A variation between 4.0 – 8.0 ∆E equates to 1 star
- Any larger variation equates to No Stars
Creating an account allows you to have a backup of your custom palettes and allows you to view them online.
Any Apple smart device running iOS 11, or newer, is compatible.
Any Android smart device running Lollipop (5.0), or a newer, is compatible.
Ensure internet connectivity and a minimum of Bluetooth 4.0 (4.1 will provide enhanced speeds)
iOS 8.1 or later
iPhone 4S or newer
iPad 3rd gen or newer
Android 5.0 or newer
Must support Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth Smart)
Although this is rare, if it occurs, please simply delete the app from your device and re-download/install the app.
If the app crashes on launch, please delete and re-download the app. If you continue to have trouble contact the customer service team at: [email protected] or +1.888.568.8588
The Color Muse® app is available for Android and iOS devices.
Screen resolution varies from device to device. The color scanned and the represented product results are accurate based on our scanning algorithm even though visual representation on the screen may seem “off”. Also, computer monitors and even televisions can have the color of the display adjusted to display colors correctly while most devices do not have that function.
Digital color is only a representation of a physical sample. Current technology in smart phone screens is unable to perfectly represent a physical color. The color scanned and the represented product results are based on our scanning algorithm, even though visual representation on the screen may appear different. Your smart device will not be able to provide an accurate representation of the product or surface you scanned.