PatternSpace and Portrait Displays Patterns for Mac are both native macOS pattern generators for display calibration. Patterns for Mac is designed to work with Calman. PatternSpace supports several calibration systems and includes Mac workflow tools such as a large diagnostic pattern library, DeckLink SDI output, ICC profile tools, and LUT preparation.
Quick Recommendation
Choose Patterns for Mac when your calibration process is centered on Calman and you want Portrait Displays' macOS pattern source. Choose PatternSpace when you want a native Mac app that can serve ColourSpace, CalMAN, PGenerator workflows, or custom tools, and you want pattern generation alongside ICC and LUT utilities.
At a Glance
- Platform: Both are macOS apps for internal and connected displays.
- HDR: Both offer HDR pattern output on supported Macs and displays. PatternSpace Pro includes HDR PQ, system-tone-mapped HDR, Display HDR, and Linear HDR presets with Peak White and EDR controls.
- Calibration software: Patterns for Mac is a separately purchased app. It offers manual RGB patch entry through a web interface without Calman; Calman-driven calibration requires a compatible Calman license. PatternSpace Pro supports ColourSpace, CalMAN, and PGenerator emulation; PatternSpace Remote provides an open WebSocket/JSON interface.
- Display tools: PatternSpace includes display and preset diagnostics plus a pattern library of more than 100 items across six categories.
- SDI and LUTs: PatternSpace adds supported DeckLink SDR patch output as a separate purchase and a LUT Tools workbench. LUT file export requires Pro, and LUT Tools is in beta.
- ICC profiles: Patterns for Mac paired with Calman can generate a measured display ICC profile. PatternSpace has its own SDR ICC profile builder and VCGT tools; its builder uses supplied display values and does not measure the display. Writing a generated profile requires Pro.
Calman-Centered Workflow
Portrait Displays documents Patterns for Mac as a pattern source and display device for Calman workflows. Manual RGB patches can be entered through its web interface without Calman. Patterns for Mac is sold separately from Calman, and Calman-driven calibration requires a compatible Calman license. Portrait Displays currently lists Patterns 2.05.1, macOS 10.15 or later, HDR on macOS 10.15.3 or later, and Calman 5.13.1 or later; check its current requirements before setup.
More Calibration Paths in PatternSpace
PatternSpace Pro can be driven by ColourSpace, CalMAN, or software that speaks the PGenerator protocol. PatternSpace Remote is an open protocol for scripts and custom controllers. The app also includes diagnostics for output preset, transfer function, encoding, display profile, and HDR headroom.
PatternSpace's added color tools are separate from pattern generation. Its ICC tools create and manage SDR display profiles and VCGT curves. LUT Tools can inspect and combine supported LUT formats, apply adjustments, and prepare conversions. PatternSpace does not apply an exported LUT to a display; the receiving application or hardware must support that transform.
Precision Claims
Portrait Displays describes Patterns as using a 32-bit floating-point internal path and offering partner integrations up to 16 bits per component. PatternSpace renders through 16-bit floating-point Metal targets and accepts protocol patch values up to 16 bits per channel. These figures describe different points in the pipelines; they do not establish a direct precision or accuracy winner. Display accuracy still depends on the full signal path and requires measurement. See Portrait Displays' precision description and PatternSpace's technical specifications.
SDI Output
PatternSpace can send supported SDR solid and window patches through compatible Blackmagic DeckLink hardware. SDI is a separate purchase with SDR in progressive 720p and 1080p, 10-bit YCbCr, Video (Legal), BT.709 / gamma 2.4. With Pro and the SDI purchase, compatible HDR devices add 1080p/UHD PQ and HLG with static metadata, subject to single-link support. Library patterns remain unavailable on SDI. Portrait Displays offers other products for SDI workflows; this comparison covers Patterns for Mac.
Sources and Guides
See Portrait Displays' Patterns for Mac overview, product details, and current download requirements. For PatternSpace output limits, see the DeckLink SDI guide, ICC profile tools guide, and LUT Tools guide.
Try PatternSpace on Mac
PatternSpace is free to download from the Mac App Store. Pro unlocks calibration automation, advanced Mac display HDR controls, ICC export, and LUT export. DeckLink SDI is a separate one-time purchase. See the current feature and pricing details before choosing the tools for your setup.
More Comparisons
Compare PatternSpace with LightSpace Connect, pgen_client for Raspberry Pi, or ColourSpace direct PC output.