IPPJ- Introduction to Color Lesson

Introduction to Color

We know that a computer screen is made up of tiny dots called pixels. Each pixel represents a color. The color model used for digital devices is called the RGB model to represent a red, green, and blue value. The red, green, and blue use 8 bits each, which have integer values from 0 to 255. This makes 256*256*256=16777216 possible colors.

A black and white or gray scale picture would only have one value (parameter) ranging from 0 to 255.

0 represents black and 255 represents white. 

A color pixel has three values that represent the amount of red, green, and blue needed to produce a specific color.      

RED           255, 0, 0     Full red, no blue, no green

GREEN       0, 255, 0     No red, full green, no blue  

BLUE         0, 0, 255     No red, no green, full blue

Processing makes it easy to find the RGB value for a specific color by providing a Color Selector. Click on the Tools in the menu and click on the Color Selector. It will bring up a color chart for you to find the RGB values and create a specific color.    

Functions for Creating Color

Processing has pre-defined methods for applying color.  Review these carefully.  You will be using them in many upcoming assignments!

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION