Effect of texture on suprathreshold color-difference tolerances: dataset of visual tolerances

Surface texture is a critical factor influencing perceptual color-difference evaluations, with implications for both scientific research and industrial practice. This study examined how texture affects suprathreshold color-difference tolerances. A dataset was generated by simulating textured stimuli through a color-to-texture fusion model, which mapped 10 texture patterns onto 11 color centers, each sampled along 18 vector directions. The corresponding uniform samples were included as a reference group. Twenty-six observers assessed the stimuli on a color-calibrated monitor using the method of adjustment, whereby test samples were adjusted until their perceived color difference matched that of an anchor pair fixed at 2.1Δ E a b ∗ units. Reliability of the collected responses was assessed through examining intra- and inter-observer variability among visual responses. Statistical analysis confirmed that surface structure significantly impacted lightness, chroma, and hue tolerances. The most pronounced effects occurred for lightness, where specific textures produced significantly higher tolerances than the uniform baseline, with variations across color centers and texture patterns. Chroma and hue tolerances were also influenced, although the effects were generally less substantial. These findings demonstrate the critical role of surface texture in shaping visual tolerances and provide a robust dataset for advancing textile color-difference assessment.