CIMI's work should prove helpful here as well. The ability to search image databases based on purely 'visual' characteristics is still in the experimental stage. 62 Other systems experimenting with matching pattern, texture and outline in images, to some limited success. 63 Still others are focusing on browsing as a technique for identifying relevant visual images. Viewing a digital image requires its display on a monitor or its output to a printing device.
Display technology is still the weakest link in the image quality chain.
Getting an accurate rendering of the digital information in an image file remains difficult. When images are printed using the four-colour process, varying hues are created through combinations of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. Conversion to CMYK from RGB colour space require considerable care if quality printed output is to match the appearance of a digital files. 66 Colour management systems are being developed to deal with these issues, but none can be considered standard as of yet. The full use of visual information in digital form will depend upon the ability to work with images in a digital environment.