New Method for Generating Metameric Stimuli of Object Colors

A new numerical method is developed for producing metameric spectral-reflectance functions of given object colors. The computational procedure is simpler than those found in earlier studies. For a given illuminant, observer, and set of tristimulus values, spectral-reflectance functions of object colors are derived, which are metameric with respect to the given conditions. Smoothed metameric spectral-reflectance functions of object colors can also be produced, which resemble those found in actual paint and dye products. The method can be extended to generate spectral-reflectance functions of object colors that are metameric with respect to several conditions of illuminant-observer combinations taken simultaneously. For two spectral-reflectance functions that give an incomplete color match with respect to the given illuminant and observer, the present method can be used to make an appropriate adjustment to one of the spectral-reflectance functions so that a metameric match results.