ISO 12640-5:2013

Overview

ISO 12640-5:2013 - Graphic technology: Prepress digital data exchange, Part 5 (RIMM/SCID) specifies a set of standard scene-referred colour image data encoded as 16-bit RIMM RGB. These reference images (natural and synthetic) are provided to support objective evaluation of colour rendering transforms that convert scene-referred images to output-referred images. The package distributed with the standard includes the PDF specification plus TIFF image files (e.g., NP01RGB…NP27RGB, NS01RGB…NS17RGB, S1RGB…S3RGB) intended for research, testing and validation.

Key topics and requirements

• Scene-referred standard images: A curated collection of images representing natural and synthetic scenes, encoded as 16-bit RIMM RGB (RIMM/SCID).
• Purpose: Evaluate and compare colour rendering transforms (scene → output) across workflows and devices.
• File formats and distribution: Images supplied as TIFF files on media (DVD/zip); installation notes emphasize preserving file structures and consulting the Readme for correct use.
• Usage constraints: Copyright-protected distribution - reproduction or transmission requires permission from ISO; users should follow licensing guidance included with the standard.
• Test consistency: Provides a common, standardized input dataset to enable reproducible testing and comparative assessments of colour pipelines.

Applications

ISO 12640-5 supports practical tasks where consistent scene-referred input data are required:

• Evaluating camera colour pipelines and raw converters for accurate scene-to-output rendering.
• Developing and validating colour management systems and transform algorithms.
• Creating or testing ICC profiles and device characterization routines for displays, printers and proofing systems.
• Research and academic studies in colour science and image processing.
• Quality assurance and regression testing for imaging software and hardware.

Who uses this standard

• Camera manufacturers and imaging-software developers (raw converters, camera pipeline engineers).
• Colour scientists and researchers conducting objective comparisons and experiments.
• Colour management specialists and prepress professionals validating profiles and rendering intents.
• Display and print device vendors performing end-to-end colour pipeline assessments.

Related standards

• Part of the broader ISO 12640 series (prepress digital data exchange).
• Commonly used alongside colour management specifications (e.g., ICC profile workflows) and ISO colourimetry references when performing end-to-end evaluations.

ISO 12640-5:2013 provides a practical, standardized image dataset (RIMM/SCID) to improve reproducibility, comparability and accuracy when testing colour rendering transforms across cameras, software and output devices.