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Cool Colour Selector Including Hue, Saturation, and Lumination

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3.67/5 (14 votes)
9 Nov 2006MIT1 min read 86.5K   2.3K   29   21
This colour selector helps to make selecting colours more efficient

Image 1

Introduction

When I created this colour selector I was creating a 3D graphics program; I was using the standard windows common colour selection dialog box however it became a bit tedious selecting the "Define Custom Colours >>" button to select custom colours. So I designed this colour selector which I find much easier to use.

Using the code

All colour boxes can be dragged and dropped onto the custom colour boxes. Custom colour values are automatically restored each time the dialog box is displayed. The colours can all be dragged onto the "New Colour:" box to select that colour.

Clicking on the "Current Colour:" colour box will select the original colour again. However it is not possible (without modifications) to drag a colour on-top of the "Current Colour:" colour box as that would defeat the object of having it.

It is possible to change the colour reference, hue value, saturation value, lumination value, red value, green value, and the blue value.

I hope that this is of some use to you.

// declare a variable to store our color
COLORREF rgbColor = RGB(255, 0, 0);
 
// create an instance of the color selector
CSelColorDlg dlgSelColor(GetRValue(rgbColor), GetGValue(rgbColor),
                         GetBValue(rgbColor));
// display the color changing dialog box
if(dlgSelColor.DoModal() == IDOK)
{
      // select the new color
      rgbColor = dlgSelColor.GetColor();
      // change the background color
      Invalidate();
}

Points of Interest

Most of the visual appearance of the colour selector has relied on the use of GetBitmapBits() and SetBitmapBits() to save on processing time. When the colour images are generated the image is stored within a CBitmap object; then later to be drawn as usual.

History

  • Fixed major bug regarding desktop colour depths.

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The MIT License


Written By
Software Developer Rotorz Limited
United Kingdom United Kingdom
I have been fascinated by software and video games since a young age when I was given my first computer, a Dragon 32. Since then I have experimented with numerous methods of development ranging from point-and-click type packages to C++. I soon realized that software development was what I wanted to do.

Having invested a lot of time into programming with various languages and technologies I now find it quite easy to pickup new ideas and methodologies. I relish learning new ideas and concepts.

Throughout my life I have dabbled in game and engine development. I was awarded a first for the degree "BEng Games and Entertainment Systems Software Engineering" at the University of Greenwich. It was good to finally experience video games from a more professional perspective.

Due to various family difficulties I was unable to immediately pursue any sort of software development career. This didn't stop me from dabbling though!

Since then I formed a company to focus upon client projects. Up until now the company has primarily dealt with website design and development. I have since decided that it would be fun to go back to my roots and develop games and tools that other developers can use for their games.

We have recently released our first game on iPhone/iPad called "Munchy Bunny!" (see: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/munchy-bunny!/id516575993?mt=8). We hope to expand the game and release to additional platforms.

Also, check out our tile system extension for Unity! (see: http://rotorz.com/tilesystem/)

Comments and Discussions

 
QuestionHow can I implement this application using slider instead of spectrum. Pin
rajesh_kapure22-Nov-07 1:40
rajesh_kapure22-Nov-07 1:40 
QuestionSuggestion: Alpha values? Pin
Jerry Evans10-Nov-06 3:04
Jerry Evans10-Nov-06 3:04 
GeneralGreat stuff - but some bugs. Pin
_gl8-Nov-06 14:39
_gl8-Nov-06 14:39 
GeneralRe: Great stuff - but some bugs. Pin
Lea Hayes9-Nov-06 9:18
Lea Hayes9-Nov-06 9:18 
GeneralRe: Great stuff - but some bugs. Pin
_gl9-Nov-06 10:53
_gl9-Nov-06 10:53 
GeneralRe: Great stuff - but some bugs. Pin
_gl10-Nov-06 3:52
_gl10-Nov-06 3:52 
GeneralRe: Great stuff - but some bugs. Pin
Rick York13-Nov-06 12:17
mveRick York13-Nov-06 12:17 
GeneralI like it Pin
StrayJay9-May-06 3:10
StrayJay9-May-06 3:10 
QuestionHow to include in project Pin
craig.miller2-Sep-05 10:48
craig.miller2-Sep-05 10:48 
AnswerRe: How to include in project Pin
StrayJay9-May-06 3:02
StrayJay9-May-06 3:02 
GeneralRe: How to include in project Pin
Lea Hayes9-May-06 3:21
Lea Hayes9-May-06 3:21 
GeneralRe: How to include in project Pin
StrayJay9-May-06 3:40
StrayJay9-May-06 3:40 
GeneralWindowsCE Compatability Pin
mutpan21-Nov-04 7:18
mutpan21-Nov-04 7:18 
Generalvb code Pin
david28078331-Oct-04 19:24
david28078331-Oct-04 19:24 
GeneralRe: vb code Pin
Lea Hayes31-Oct-04 20:32
Lea Hayes31-Oct-04 20:32 
Hi,

I will have a go at converting the colour selectors code from c++ to VB for you over the next few days and then send it to you via your email address. I am only too pleased to be of any assistance.

Thanks for taking an interest in my work, it is much appreciated! Big Grin | :-D

Best Regards,
Lea Hayes
GeneralExcellent Job Pin
Ken Mazaika12-Jul-04 17:01
Ken Mazaika12-Jul-04 17:01 
GeneralVery bad example Pin
ardell.yandex27-Jun-04 12:44
ardell.yandex27-Jun-04 12:44 
GeneralRe: Very bad example Pin
Lea Hayes27-Jun-04 20:23
Lea Hayes27-Jun-04 20:23 
GeneralRe: Very bad example Pin
ardell.yandex27-Jun-04 22:39
ardell.yandex27-Jun-04 22:39 
GeneralRe: Very bad example Pin
Lea Hayes28-Jun-04 6:54
Lea Hayes28-Jun-04 6:54 
Generalnice Pin
Livid21-May-04 14:16
Livid21-May-04 14:16 

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