Martin Jørgensen🎨 CoCa – Create your own ICC profiles for cameras and scanners.
CoCa (Camera Color Calibration) is an open-source tool for creating ICC color profiles for cameras and scanners. It’s aimed primarily at photographers and technicians who work seriously with color management and calibration and need to match digital images precisely to real-world colors.
The app uses well-known targets such as ColorChecker, IT8.7, ColorChecker SG, QPcard 201, and more, and guides you step by step through the technical process of building an ICC profile.
🧭 Features and workflow
CoCa is easy to use—if you have some technical understanding of color management. The program walks you through the essential steps:
- Choose a target (e.g., ColorChecker)
- Load the photo you shot of the target
- The app identifies the colors and builds an ICC profile based on the deviations
The finished ICC profile can then be used in apps such as Photoshop, Lightroom, RawTherapee, and other software that supports color management to ensure colors are displayed accurately.
The program supports the following targets:
- ColorChecker (24 patches)
- ColorChecker SG
- IT8.7 / Kodak and Fuji
- QPcard 201
⚙️ Platforms and compatibility
CoCa is built for Windows and is available as free open-source software, but it hasn’t been officially tested on newer versions like Windows 10 and 11. Users report that it can run with administrator privileges and works well in practice—especially if Java is installed correctly.
The app has a very simple GUI that hasn’t been updated in years, but the functionality is still useful.
📥 Open source and flexibility
Because CoCa is open source, you can:
- Customize the code if you’re a developer
- Be confident there’s no hidden spyware or ads
- Use it freely—including for commercial work
It’s a niche tool, but its openness and flexibility make it a gem for technically minded photographers and designers who want full control over their color profiles.
Alternatives
If you’re looking for other ways to generate color profiles, consider:
- DisplayCAL (for monitor calibration, not cameras)
- ArgyllCMS (advanced and command-line based)
- X-Rite i1Profiler (commercial and expensive, but user-friendly)
- Adobe DNG Profile Editor (an alternative, but only within Adobe ecosystems)
FAQ
What is an ICC profile?
An ICC profile describes how a device (such as a camera or scanner) renders color. It’s used to ensure consistent color across devices.
Does CoCa work on Windows 10 or 11?
It’s not officially tested, but reports say it can run if you right-click and choose "Run as administrator".
Is it easy to use?
Yes and no. The interface is simple, but you need knowledge of ICC profiles and color targets to use the program effectively.
Is it really free?
Yes—it’s open source and can be used without a license, including for professional work.
For the geeks, the colors, and precision
CoCa isn’t for everyone—but for anyone working on precise color calibration who has the required test targets and understands ICC profiles, it’s an excellent tool. It’s lightweight, straightforward, and free, and it does exactly what it should—nothing more.
Download CoCa
