Frequently Asked Questions

Foundational questions about what Auric Artisan is, who it's for, and how it operates.

What is Auric Artisan?

Auric Artisan is a color science platform providing analytical tools, vision simulations, web analysis, theme generation, and learning resources. It covers the full range of professional colorimetry — CIE color spaces, deltaE metrics, chromatic adaptation, spectral modeling — alongside practical tools for designers, developers, and accessibility practitioners. The platform's guiding principle is "Tools That Respect Intelligence."

Who is Auric Artisan for?

The platform is designed for anyone working seriously with color: UI/UX designers building design systems, web developers auditing sites, accessibility specialists checking WCAG compliance, color scientists and researchers, art directors, print professionals, students, educators, game developers, and film colorists. Some tools are highly technical; others are immediately practical. Both audiences are supported.

Is Auric Artisan free to use?

Yes — every tool is free on every tier. Paid plans never gate tool access; they add conveniences such as an ad-free experience, cross-device sync, richer exports, and higher usage quotas. Paid access is sold as one-time plan passes through the Razorpay checkout; token packs are not currently on sale. Tokens meter server-backed tool work; the separate API credits that meter REST API calls are a different balance, and neither one pays for the other. See the Pricing page for the current plans.

Is Auric Artisan a government platform?

No. Auric Artisan is an independent private platform. It is not a government body, public authority, standards organisation, or official institution. Any references to external standards (CIE, W3C, ISO) are informational — they do not imply affiliation or official status.

Who builds and maintains the platform?

Auric Artisan is an independently developed platform. It is not affiliated with universities, software vendors, or color industry bodies. The platform's color science implementations are based on published CIE standards, peer-reviewed academic research, and W3C specifications.

Questions about the colorimetric tools, color space support, and analytical capabilities.

What color spaces does the platform support?

The platform covers a comprehensive range: CIE 1931 XYZ, CIELAB (Lab*), CIELCH, CIELUV, Oklab, Oklch, sRGB, Display P3, Adobe RGB (1998), HSL, HSV, HWB, and CMYK approximations. Conversions between spaces are performed using standard CIE and ICC-defined transforms. The full list and conversion details are documented in the About page.

What deltaE formulas are available?

All major CIE color difference formulas are supported: CIE76 (ΔE*ab), CIE94 (ΔE94) with standard and graphic arts weighting variants, CIEDE2000 (ΔE00) — the current industry standard — and CMC l:c. Results are displayed with context: generally, ΔE00 < 1 is imperceptible to the average observer; ΔE00 1–2 is perceivable on close inspection; above 2 is clearly different.

What is chromatic adaptation and why does it matter?

Chromatic adaptation is the visual system's ability to compensate for changes in illuminant color, allowing white objects to appear white under warm incandescent light and cool daylight. In color science, this is modeled computationally when comparing colors across different illuminants or display conditions. Auric Artisan implements Von Kries, Bradford, CIECAT02, and CAT16 transforms, along with standard illuminants including D50, D65, D55, A, F2, F11, and LED series.

What is metamerism and can the platform detect it?

Metamerism is a phenomenon where two colors appear identical under one illuminant but diverge under another — because they have different spectral power distributions that happen to stimulate the three cone types equally under that specific light. Auric Artisan's metamerism analysis tool evaluates color pairs under multiple illuminants and reports the deltaE shift, identifying pairs with illuminant metamerism risk.

What is Oklab and why use it instead of Lab*?

Oklab is a modern perceptually uniform color space developed by Björn Ottosson (2020). It improves on CIELAB in several ways: hue angles remain stable as lightness changes (reducing the "hue shift" problem visible in CIELCh interpolation), blue-purple blending is more natural, and gamut mapping produces fewer artifacts. Auric Artisan uses Oklab and Oklch for palette scale generation and color interpolation where perceptual uniformity is the priority.

Can I use the analytical outputs for color-critical professional work?

Auric Artisan's outputs are grounded in published CIE standards and peer-reviewed algorithms. For design, accessibility evaluation, palette development, and web work, the outputs are reliable and practically useful. For industrial color matching (textiles, automotive paint, print press), pharmaceutical or food color compliance, or safety-critical applications, you should use hardware-calibrated spectrophotometers and certified software from accredited vendors. Software tools alone cannot replace instrument-based measurement.

Questions about CVD simulation models, their accuracy, and appropriate uses.

What algorithms power the CVD simulations?

The simulations are implemented from three primary peer-reviewed sources: Viénot, Brettel & Mollon (1999) for dichromacy (protanopia, deuteranopia, tritanopia); Brettel, Viénot & Mollon (1997) for the two-half-plane tritanopia model; and Machado, Oliveira & Fernandes (2009) for anomalous trichromacy with continuous severity parameters (0–1 scale). These are the standard algorithms used in professional accessibility tooling worldwide.

How accurate are the CVD simulations?

The simulations produce accurate approximations for standard dichromacy and anomalous trichromacy based on population-average cone spectral sensitivity data. However, individual color vision varies significantly — even among people with the same clinical classification. Real-world perception also depends on display calibration, viewing conditions, and context. Treat outputs as representative approximations, not exact reproductions of any individual's vision.

Can I use the simulations to test if my design is accessible?

Yes — this is one of the most valuable uses. Running your interface through protanopia, deuteranopia, and tritanopia simulations, and checking that color-coded information remains distinguishable, is a widely recommended accessibility practice. Combine simulation review with WCAG contrast checking for a comprehensive accessibility evaluation. The simulations cannot replace feedback from actual users with color vision deficiencies.

Is the Ishihara-style generator a real diagnostic tool?

No. The Ishihara-style generator is strictly for exploration and educational demonstration. It is not a validated diagnostic instrument and must not be used for clinical screening, employment testing, driving licence assessment, or any official vision evaluation. Real Ishihara plates are manufactured under strict tolerances, printed using calibrated pigments, and viewed under standardised illumination (CIE Illuminant C at 2200 lux). Screen reproduction cannot replicate these conditions.

What conditions beyond dichromacy are simulated?

Beyond the three dichromacies (protanopia, deuteranopia, tritanopia) and three anomalous trichromacies (protanomaly, deuteranomaly, tritanomaly), the platform simulates: complete and incomplete achromatopsia, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, optic neuritis, low vision (blur/acuity) models, scotopic and mesopic conditions, and photophobia. The full list of 70+ models is available within the simulation tools.

Questions about the web analysis tools and WCAG accessibility checking.

What does the web analysis tool check?

The web analysis tool evaluates pages across multiple axes: accessibility (WCAG 2.1/2.2 contrast ratios, focus indicators, alt text, touch targets), security headers (CSP, HSTS, X-Frame-Options, Referrer-Policy, Permissions-Policy, SRI), performance signals (Core Web Vitals estimation, render-blocking resources, image optimization), and visual analysis (color palette extraction, dark mode compatibility, typography contrast, responsive layout review).

Does the analysis tool store or log the URLs I submit?

No browsing history or URL logs are retained beyond the immediate analysis session. Analysis requests are processed server-side and discarded after results are returned. No persistent record of submitted URLs is stored on Auric Artisan's systems. See the Privacy Policy for full details.

What is the difference between WCAG AA and AAA contrast?

WCAG contrast is measured as a ratio (1:1 to 21:1) computed from the relative luminance of foreground and background colors. Level AA — the most widely required legal standard — requires 4.5:1 for normal text (below 18pt / 14pt bold) and 3:1 for large text. Level AAA — a stricter target — requires 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text. Auric Artisan checks both thresholds and flags which combination of text size and weight applies.

How is the color palette extracted from a page?

Palette extraction uses k-means clustering applied in CIELAB color space to identify perceptually distinct color groups from the page's computed styles and rendered visual data. Clustering in Lab* rather than sRGB ensures that extracted clusters reflect perceptual color groups rather than mathematical proximity in RGB coordinates. The result shows dominant and accent colors with their hex, Lab*, and LCH values.

Questions about generating design system palettes and exporting them for production use.

What export formats does the theme generator support?

Exports are available as: CSS custom properties (:root variable declarations), Design Tokens in JSON/DTCG format (compatible with Style Dictionary and Token Transformer), Tailwind CSS theme.extend.colors configuration, SCSS variables and nested maps, Figma-compatible color style definitions (for import via Figma Tokens or Variables), Swift/SwiftUI named color assets, and Android/Jetpack Compose color.xml and MaterialTheme output.

How are tonal scales generated to be perceptually even?

Tonal scales (50–950 or custom steps) are generated by interpolating in Oklab or CIELAB rather than sRGB. Equal steps in Lab* or Oklab correspond to roughly equal perceptual differences, producing scales where each step looks visually equidistant — avoiding the "muddy middle" problem common when interpolating in sRGB. Chroma is modulated separately from lightness to maintain saturation intent across the scale.

Can I use generated themes in commercial projects?

Yes. Output generated by the platform's tools — palettes, themes, token files, CSS — is yours to use freely, including in commercial projects. Auric Artisan does not claim any rights over tool outputs. The platform software, interfaces, and underlying code remain the intellectual property of Auric Artisan.

Does the theme generator check accessibility automatically?

Yes. An accessibility audit is built into the generation pipeline. As scales are generated, the system computes WCAG contrast ratios for all relevant text/background pairings across the scale and flags combinations that fail AA or AAA thresholds. Non-compliant pairs are highlighted before export so you can adjust before the theme reaches production.

Registration, access levels, multi-account policies, and age requirements.

Do I need an account to use the platform?

Many tools are accessible without an account. Registration enables saved preferences, project history, export history, and access to features that require persistent state. Advanced analytical features and higher usage limits may require a paid subscription where those tiers are enabled.

Can I create an account?

Account creation may be available where the auth system is enabled. Features, tools, and plans described on the site reflect in-development and planned capabilities alongside those already live, so availability can vary by rollout stage.

Can I create multiple accounts?

Multiple accounts are technically permitted, but abuse — such as using multiple accounts to circumvent usage limits — may result in suspension of all associated accounts. Each account should serve a legitimate purpose.

Is there a minimum age requirement?

Auric Artisan is not directed at a specific age group and is designed as a professional and educational resource. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable local laws and consent requirements. Parents and guardians should review the Terms of Service before allowing minors to create accounts.

Intellectual property, user-generated content, and platform ownership.

Who owns the content and exports I create?

You do. You retain full ownership of the palettes, themes, token files, analyses, and other outputs you generate using Auric Artisan. The platform does not claim any rights over user-generated content or tool outputs. See the Terms of Service for the full intellectual property terms.

Who owns the platform software and tools?

The platform software, interfaces, design system, color science engines, simulation implementations, and all underlying technology are the intellectual property of Auric Artisan or its licensors. The open-source libraries used within the platform retain their respective licenses.

Can I share or publish the platform's articles and reference content?

Platform content (articles, documentation, reference material) is copyrighted by Auric Artisan. Brief quotation with attribution and a link to the source is acceptable. Reproduction of full articles or substantial portions requires written permission. Contact [email protected] for licensing inquiries.

How pricing works, one-time purchases, and refunds.

How does the pricing model work?

Every tool is free on every tier — paid plans never gate tool access. Paid tiers add conveniences: an ad-free experience, cross-device sync, richer exports, and higher usage quotas. Paid access is sold as one-time plan passes (fixed-duration, no auto-renewal); token packs are not currently on sale, and recurring subscriptions are not yet offered. Visit the Pricing page for the current plan structure.

Is the platform currently accepting payments?

Yes. One-time plan passes can be purchased through the official checkout, processed by Razorpay with support for cards, UPI, and netbanking in INR. There are no recurring charges — a plan pass simply expires at the end of its duration. Do not enter payment details anywhere other than the Razorpay checkout linked from Auric Artisan.

Do you offer refunds?

Yes. One-time plan purchases carry a 7-day money-back window, and approved refunds go back to the original payment method within 5-7 business days. A refund ends the plan benefits, and removes the tokens or API credits the purchase granted. Full terms, including token packs, prepaid API credits, and advertising bookings, are in the Refund Policy.

Data collection, browser-local processing, account deletion, and encryption.

What data does Auric Artisan collect?

Only data necessary for account operation, service delivery, security, and billing (when active) is collected. This includes authentication credentials, session data, and usage information for account management. We do not collect unnecessary personal data and we never sell personal information. Full details are in the Privacy Policy.

Is color input data processed locally or sent to a server?

Color calculations, palette generation, CVD simulations, and theme generation are performed locally in the browser where technically feasible. Color values, palette data, and generated themes are not transmitted or stored server-side. Web analysis requests (which require fetching external URLs) are processed server-side, but no URL history or page content is retained after the analysis session completes.

What happens when I delete my account?

Account access is disabled immediately and scheduled for permanent deletion within approximately 30 days. Associated personal data is scheduled for deletion within approximately 90 days, unless retention is required by applicable law (e.g., financial records). Browser-local data (localStorage, cookies) can be cleared independently at any time through your browser settings.

Is traffic to the platform encrypted?

Yes. All platform traffic uses TLS (HTTPS) encryption in transit. The platform enforces HSTS to prevent downgrade attacks. Passwords are hashed using a strong one-way algorithm — they are never stored in plaintext. See the Security page for a full overview of the platform's security posture.

Does the platform use cookies?

The platform uses minimal cookies necessary for authentication and session management. Preferences such as theme choice and eye-rest settings are stored in localStorage (not cookies) and are never transmitted. No third-party advertising or tracking cookies are used. Cookie usage is detailed in the Privacy Policy.

How to get help and reach the team.

How can I contact support?

You can reach the team through the Contact page, or email [email protected] directly. We typically respond within 1–3 business days. For recent platform activity, see the Changelog.

How do I report a bug or inaccuracy in a color science tool?

Please use the Contact page with a description of the tool, the input values used, the output received, and what you expected to see. For color science inaccuracies, referencing the relevant CIE standard or published paper helps us address it quickly. We take accuracy seriously — if a calculation is wrong, we want to fix it.

How do I report a security vulnerability?

Please disclose security vulnerabilities responsibly by emailing [email protected] with "Security" in the subject line. Do not publish vulnerability details publicly before we have had a reasonable opportunity to investigate and respond. We aim to acknowledge security reports within 48 hours.