Suggestions for a free or extremely inexpensive software color calibrator?

Short story:
I have a Spyder 3 without software. Would like to get a good software color calibrator that makes use of the Spyder 3.
Only other thing worth mentioning is that I'm using this in OSX Mavericks (shouldn't matter though, every major color calibration studio I can think of supports OSX).

Slightly Longer Story: I had software that I had purchased 3 years ago or so from Color Eyes (the Spyder 3 was part of the package). I have since lost the serial and at the time it wasn't registered with Color Eyes, so there isn't a way for me to retrieve the serial.

If there isn't anything worth while, then I'll probably end up getting an i1 Display Pro from X-rite (which I can't currently afford, but I suppose will have to end up investing in at some point in the future). But as it stands right now, I have a color calibrator that I can't use as I don't have software for it. Kinda annoying.

106 views no replies. I guess I'll take it that such a thing doesn't exist. Pity. I always sort of figured that these companies would more or less give the software away, seeing as the hardware is a necessary component for the software to work. Unfortunately, not. Thanks anyway.

You can at least characterize your display with HCFR, which is free. You can also look into dispcalgui

Model #?
surprised you didn't ask DataColor for the software. You won't find anything general use software out there, this is most likely proprietary tied to the device design.

spacediver said:

You can at least characterize your display with HCFR, which is free. You can also look into dispcalgui

Click to expand...

Checked out both of these. Thanks for the suggestions. HCFR is Windows/Linux only. Dispcalgui is available in OSX, but is extremely complex to setup. I wish I was better at understanding terminal at this point, but unless someone has a step by step guide to installing Argyll (a necessary component to use dispcalgui) I'm more or less stuck.

enieves137 said:

Model #?
surprised you didn't ask DataColor for the software. You won't find anything general use software out there, this is most likely proprietary tied to the device design.

Click to expand...

DataColor does have a method for recovery if you are registered with their site. Neither of my e-mail addresses are. My purchase of their software and device clearly happened before they required registration for software recovery.

I should also note that what you're saying about proprietary design isn't entirely true. It is partially but both of the options spacediver suggested can use any number of devices as can DataColor's software. Certain companies like X-Rite are completely proprietary, however others are not.

Apparently, I was using Windows this problem would be much easier to solve. I guess I'll have to wait and either do what I mentioned in the OP, that is to say, buy a ColorMunki or X1.

Wondering if it is tied to the device. Anyway I have one too, and am willing to burn a copy of the software with the key. I don't mind sharing but very picky who. Your a season blogger on this site, and I am just a few year old in this blogging stuff.

Reason I asked about model #. Not sure if my orignal copy will work with your device. Mine is 3 years old, about the time I bought my Sony 52 inch LCD TV.

Take your email down and take the conversation to PMs. Keeps the police and spammers away.

Never been asked to this before. Just delete my blog entry out and I will PM UnknownSouljer. Thanks but I don't mind email spammers, my box is up to >5000 emails.