ZCC stands for zenColorCode

ZCC is a patented method for translating over 16.7 million colors into a universal digital color system.

ZCC reference numbers represent a specific digital swatch communicated by a ZCC prefix and a unique four-digit number, i.e., ZCC-2338.  The reference number is protected by both copyright and trademark.

The Library contains a range of 4,096 digital color swatches.

The answer is yes. Regardless of the color name or identification number you create to internally reference a color swatch, the ZCC reference number is always attached to that metadata to identify and communicate the precise color to others.

Customers that need specialty or customized colors should contact us at: support@zencolor.com.

The answer is yes. In fact, we encourage you to do so. The ZCC system provides a powerful color cross-referencing platform for all product categories to help facilitate communication between design, production, as well as retailers and consumers.

To use the ZCC system outside of designPro, you must be a registered designPro licensee and current on the yearly licensing fees. Please review the License Agreement, inside the application, for rules concerning usage.

As long as you are a designPro licensee and current on your yearly payments, you may use the ZCC system in accordance with the Terms of our License Agreement.

A retailer with 10,000 vendors must contend with 10,000 different color systems. Retailers can unify all 10,000 different color systems into one universal digital system by converting their internal system, along with their vendors, into the ZCC digital model.  The advantage is better communication across the entire product ecosystem, from design inception to final sale.

Provided you are a designPro Licensee and current in all payments, you may use the ZCC reference numbers for hangtags, barcodes, or online color references.  All such usage must be accompanied by written acknowledgement that clearly states that “ZCC® is the property of zenColor™ Corporation and all rights are reserved”.

No, it is not.  ZCC is a digital color system, based on an RGB model.  Like RGB, it is device driven.  The ZCC universal digital Color Library is ONLY available in designPro desktop and mobile applications.

ZCC provides color formula equivalents for HEX, RGB, HSL, CIELaB, and CMYK. These formulas are found in the Library tab at the bottom of the large swatch under the heading called Standardized Formula.

It’s the first interactive color book. Your designPro comes with the complete ZCC universal digital Color Library and a suite of patented design tools that translate over 16.7 million colors into four-digit ZCC reference codes.

These links will provide instructions on how to install designPro DESKTOP on either Mac or Windows.

If you would like to install designPro on another computer, you will need to deactivate the License Key on the first computer, enter your License Key on the second computer, and reinstall.

To run designPro on two computers at the same time, you will need to purchase two unique copies of designPro with two unique License Keys.

Although this is considered a rare incident our team put together notes on what to do should this happen to you. Read instructions here.

For more information about designPro, please read our QuickStart Guide.

The ZCC universal digital Color Library consists of an adaptable range of 4,096 colors.

Yes, it is. Only designPro licensees have access to the complete ZCC system.

Use the Hue Slider to scroll through the Library or enter a four-digit ZCC code into the editable swatch on the right-hand side of the ZCC Library and select Apply.

Each ZCC color swatch provides standardized formulas for equal HEX, RGB, HSL, CIELaB, and CMYK coordinates.

Each ZCC color swatch provides standardized formulas for HEX, RGB, HSL, CIELaB, and CMYK.

Not yet, but we are working on it and will advise as soon as an upgrade is available.

The Picker contains over 16.7 million colors.  The entire spectrum of RGB is automatically normalized and converted into ZCC reference codes.

Pick a spot in the Picker and click on that color OR enter a HEX, RGB, or ZCC number into the editable fields.  Using any of these methods will help you to select a color swatch. Click the Apply button to add the color swatch to the Workspace.

Editable fields for RGB and HEX are located at the bottom of the large swatch in the Picker tab.  Enter the HEX or RGB number and click the Apply button to view.

Formula equivalents for HEX and RGB are located directly underneath the ZCC color reference number in both the Library and Picker tabs.

The large swatch in the Picker tab is split into two views that allow you to make a comparison. The top half of the swatch displays the ZCC color and reference number.  The bottom half of the swatch displays the HEX and RGB color and formula coordinates.

There are times when that will happen, just as it happens with print specification color books.  We suggest selecting the closest match to a ZCC color reference.  If you require a custom color, please feel free to contact us at support@zencolor.com.

The predictive Editor allows you to see the changes you make in increments to provide greater control and accuracy.

You can adjust the Hue, Saturation, and Lightness (HSL) in ultra-fine steps or quick leaps using the plus or minus 1, 5, & 10 increment presets. Click on an increment preset as many times until you find the color you want and save to Workspace.

If you are not happy with the edit, Revert allows you to keep your original color.

If you are happy with the edit, Apply allows you to change to the new color.

After you finish editing the color swatch, select the Apply button to save your changes to the Workspace.

If you don’t wish to save your changes, click the Revert button and your color swatch will be returned to its original color state.

If you see the checkerboard pattern swatch (ZCC-0000) in the Editor, it means that you have a null swatch (a swatch with no ZCC color value) highlighted in your Workspace. Select any color swatch in Workspace you wish to edit by simply clicking on it.

Color theory uses concepts based on the idea of a “color wheel”. It provides examples of how a single color can be used with other colors to create harmonious and balanced color schemes.

You can create a color palette from a single color by using any of the seven (7) presets in the popup menu. Click on each one below to see definitions.

Complementary

Split Complementary

Analogous

Monochromatic

Triad

Tetrad

Square

The Preview Palette allows you to instantly review the color extraction results from any preset selection.

The Preview Palette is located directly below the RGB picker.

Click Add This Palette to add the color swatches from the Preview Palette to your Workspace.

Highlight any swatch in the Preview Palette and then click Add Selected Swatch to add to your Workspace.

Add This Palette gives you the choice of adding to or replacing an existing palette in the Workspace.

First you need to highlight the color you want to replace on your Workspace, then highlight the color swatch you want to add in the Palette Preview.  Once both steps are done, click on Add Selected Swatch.

You can use the editable fields for ZCC, HEX or RGB to select a color swatch or point and click at any part of the RGB picker area.  Once you have the color starting point you desire, select any of the presets and view the results in the Preview Palette.

The colorHarmony tool is unique to designPro. It combines various color theories to allow you to build harmonious palettes that are larger than two to six swatches at a time.

You may choose from five (5) presets to create perfectly balanced palettes.

You may choose from five (5) presets in the popup menu to create perfectly balanced palettes.

Hue & Harmony creates a full array of equally spaced hues.

Split Tonal creates a complementary color range that also tints to white.

Tonal builds a monochromatic range of color tinted to white.

Shade darkens the base color to black in equal steps.

Spectral equally steps the base color thru the color spectrum to the end of its visible range.

Helpful Hint:  You can swap between the popup presets to review color variations in the Preview Palette.

Save

You can rapidly build harmonious palettes of 6,12,18 or 24 swatches at a time.

Move the Hue Slider through its spectrum to change and tune your results. Add the full color palette, combine it with other color palettes, or select a single color swatch to your Workspace.

You can use the editable fields for ZCC, HEX or RGB to select a color swatch or point and click at any part of the RGB picker area.  Once you have the color starting point you desire, select any of the presets and view the results in the Preview Palette.

The File Exchange is where you can import, load, or delete your saved color palettes or swatches.

The Browse button allows you to view files from the Documents folder in your computer’s Operating System. Use the Browse button to import a color swatch file directly from existing color data files (ACO or ACT) or from graphic files (JPEG or PNG) that were created and shared by another designPro Licensee.

Save

Save

A file format is the structure of how information is stored (encoded) in a computer file. File formats are designed to store specific types of information, such as JPEG and PNG for image or raster data, AI (Adobe Illustrator) for vector data, or PDF for document exchange.

From the “File Exchange” area, highlight the name of the color palette file you would like to delete, then press the “Delete…” button. A dialogue box will appear with the message; “Do you want to delete this file?” You may choose “Delete.” Or you may press the “Back” button, if you decide not to delete the color palette. You can also delete the file directly from the “zenColor File Exchange” folder on your desktop.

An ACO file is a color file used by Adobe Photoshop, a raster graphics editing program.

Graphic File Formats or Image file formats are standardized means of organizing and storing digital images. Image files are composed of digital data in a variety of formats that can be rasterized for use on a computer display or printer.

A Data File Format or just File Format is a standard way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file. It specifies how bits are used to encode information in a digital storage medium.

JPEG is a commonly used method of lossy compression for digital images, particularly for those images produced by digital photography. The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality.

The term “JPEG” or “JPG” is an initialism/acronym for the Joint Photographic Experts Group, which created the standard.

Portable Network Graphics (PNG) is a raster graphics file format that supports lossless data compression, and is the most widely used lossless image compression format on the Internet.

All designPro color palette files are located in Documents in a folder called zenColor File Exchange.

The Refresh Symbol activates the process of reloading or updating the list of saved files being displayed in the Saved File area.

Highlight the name of the color palette file you would like to delete in the Saved File area, then press the Delete button. A dialogue box will appear with the message; “Do you want to delete this file?” Select Delete or press Back if you opt not to proceed with the function. You can also delete the file directly from the zenColor File Exchange folder on your desktop.

Highlight the name of the color palette file you would like to load from Saved File, then press the Load button.  You can also double click on the file name and the contents of the color palette file will appear in the Workspace.

Click on the Browse button and highlight a file to select. To upload the file to designPro, select the Open button option.  If you do not see the file in your Saved Files area, press the Refresh Symbol   and it will appear.

If you deleted the file directly from the zenColor File Exchange folder it should not appear. Just press the Refresh Symbol and the file name will disappear.

File Exchange sorts Graphic and Data files separately. If you press the File Format popup menu, you can view either your Graphic or Data files.

Workspace opens with twenty-four (24) swatches and expands to sixty (60) swatches when fully extended.

Workspace is where you can create, save, share, delete, and review your color palettes.

Workspace can expand to sixty (60) swatches by dragging the lower edge of the extension bar.

Save

You may sort and rearrange color swatches with Drag & Drop.

Select a swatch you wish to move by clicking and holding it. As you do this drag the swatch to your desired location, and release the swatch. The other swatches will move to make room for the swatch you have just moved. You may also use this method to delete a single swatch by dragging it to the trash icon located in the lower right-hand corner of the program.

Selecting the Clear button removes all swatches from your Workspace.

Once you clear a palette from the Workspace it is gone for good.  Always make sure to save your work if you wish to store it for future reference.

To delete any color swatch, select the color swatch and drag it over to the Trashcan Icon found on the bottom right of the application.

The Reference field is where your color palette file name will appear, provided the file has been saved.  If it has not been saved, the Reference field will be blank.

A palette in your Workspace can be saved by clicking the Save button.  In order to save a color palette file, however, you must first create a file name in the Reference Tag area.  You will be taken there automatically.

Once you save a color palette file, it will be stored in the File Exchange.

Color palettes may be shared and exchanged by exporting them as graphic files (PNG or JPEG) or as data files (ACO or ACT). Files must first be saved to File Exchanged and loaded to Workspace.  Click Share and designate whether you want to send the file via text or email.

Color swatches and palettes may be shared and exchanged within PLM systems, provided the PLM system is compatible with zenColor™ designPro and a License is in good standing.  PLM companies that wish to inquire about licensing the ZCC system should contact us at sales@zenColor.com.

Only other designPro Licensees will be able to unpack and store the data in their own applications.  Think of designPro as a two-way color walkie-talkie, or a color palette party line, depending on how many other designPro owners you want to share with at one time.

Yes, make sure to select the “Actual Size” popup preset in the email window.

To Share a color palette file on a computer running on Windows, set “Photos app” or the old “Windows Photo viewer” as the default image viewer for “JPG or PNG.” This creates a similar workflow to a Mac. After you’ve done that, select the name of the color palette file you wish to export and press Load to open in Workspace.  Pressing the Share button will open “Photos app” or the old “Windows Photo viewer”. Users using Windows Photo Viewer to attach Palettes in an email; use the “Original Size” setting in WINDOWS 7, and use the “Photos” setting in WINDOWS 10.

The checkerboard pattern represents what we call a null swatch or a swatch that does not represent a ZCC color.  You may see this represented by ZCC-0000.

If that checkerboard swatch, also referred to as a Null Swatch or ZCC-0000, appears in any tab (Library, Picker, Editor, Reference Tabs) it means you have not selected a swatch with a color value.

The 0000 is editable. Enter a valid ZCC reference number and the checkerboard will be replaced with the new ZCC reference number.

When you complete your purchase of designPro, you will be given a unique twenty-eight (28) digit number that is your License Key.  The License Key identifies you as an authorized designPro Licensee and is necessary to activate your designPro application.

Click on the Information icon. On the About zenColor™ designPro tab, your License Key can be manually entered or cut and pasted next to License Key.

To access your License Key, you must first click here and enter your email address. Upon submitting your email address, we will email you a link with access to your recent order(s). You can retrieve your License Key by going to the Orders tab.  The link will only be valid for one hour from the time the message is sent.

On the Information area, next to the Program Version number you will find a blue inset box that will tell you if your version is current or if an upgrade is available.

Yes, we use industry-standard encryption to protect the confidentiality of your personal information. Any purchase and product fulfillment are through FastSpring, a trusted reseller for this store. To learn more, click here.

You can choose a version and purchase a License here. You must have a valid License in order to activate or update designPro.

To access your account information, you must first click here and enter your email address. Upon submitting your email address, we will email you a link with access to your recent order(s), subscriptions and account details, and payment methods. The link will only be valid for one hour from the time the message is sent.

Your license is valid for 12 months and will be automatically renewed unless you cancel your subscription.

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is the process by which Red, Green and Blue are combined to make colors.  Used for online applications, TV, mobile devices, games and illuminated signs.

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key a.k.a. Black) is a process by which tiny dots of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black inks are mixed to make colors.  Used for offset and digital printing and ideal for full-color flyers, posters, postcards and brochures.

HEX (Hexadecimal) is a six-digit combination of letters and numbers that represent an RGB color.  It is mainly used in Website design.

In colorimetry and color theory, lightness, also known as value or tone, is a representation of variation in the perception of a color or color space’s brightness. It is one of the color appearance parameters of any color appearance model.

Hue is one of the main properties (called color appearance parameters) of a color, defined technically (in the CIECAM02 model), as “the degree to which a stimulus can be described as similar to or different from stimuli that are described as Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow” (in certain theories of color vision called unique hues).

Saturation is the “colorfulness of an area judged in proportion to its brightness”, which in effect is the perceived freedom from the whitishness of the light coming from the area.