CxF™ – Color Exchange Format

The universal file format for digital color communication:
In a global world, communicating color data electronically is a hot issue. Global workflows and value chains, whether they are found in a B2B or B2C process, as well as in-house digital workflows from designer to press are demanding common, adequate and effective means to communicate color and appearance. CxF is a new [proposed] standard allowing seamless, worldwide, digital communication of all commercially significant aspects of color. Furthermore, CxF is defined in a completely open way so that all aspects of a color can be communicated, even when the application and the color communication features required are unknown. For example, every software vendor implementing / supporting CxF is able to extend the information set to the needs of a new application without affecting the general usability. Wherever color communication is mission-critical, CxF should be considered the communication solution of choice.

Note: In 2008, CXF2.1 schema was released as a proposed draft international standard. Based on feedback from many prospective users and organizations, a new CXF schema and SDK has been developed (CXF3) which addresses these concerns and recommendations (see CXF3 schema overview for more information).

View  CxF White paper [PDF 76 KB]

View  CxF Standard [PDF 316 KB]

View  CxF3 Schema Overview [PDF 296 KB]

Download the CxF3 XML Schema and Documentation [ZIP 1.1 MB]

Download the CxF3 Schema (CxF3_Core.xsd) [ZIP 12 KB]

Request CxF SDK (license agreement and request form) [PDF 194 KB]

View  CxF2 Schema Outline [PDF 154 KB]

Download the CxF2 XML Schema and Documentation [ZIP 5.3 MB]