Color scales for image data

Desirable properties of color scales are examined, and a linearized optimal color scale (LOCS) is introduced. The merits of color scales for medical image data were studied, and it was found that, in tests, although observers performed somewhat better with the newly developed LOCS than with the previously advocated heated-object color scale, they performed significantly better with a linearized gray scale than with either of the color scales. After evaluating these results, the authors suggest alternate solutions that might help observers perform better. Nonetheless, they believe that color scales can contribute to the perception of information in images.<>