Setting Up Custom Palette Tip

[hseiken]

I was getting annoyed working with colors on my current project with trying to set up a palette. I'm not especially good at such things and needing a way to change things like gradients quickly is useful for me. In my pixel-art software, you can pick two colors and have the program 'fill in' the transitions. Xara doesn't have anything like that, at least contextually to the palette. Then I remembered the Blend Tool! So I set up the amount of colors I wanted to use for my palette's gradient and then I could easily adjust the colors and test them out quickly by selecting them and using the eye dropper.

I've included a screenshot to somewhat illustrate it. And depending on your needs, using a multi-blend allows shifting hue through the gradient as well. I think some folks who end up fiddling with colors a lot may find this tip useful.

[gwpriester]

Good tip. Blends are a very good way to get a range of colors.

Also, you can blend two of the same color with the Alt Rainbow option to get in between colors with the same value and saturation.

[hseiken]

Good tip. Blends are a very good way to get a range of colors.

Also, you can blend two of the same color with the Alt Rainbow option to get in between colors with the same value and saturation.

I don't think I've ever used that option. Thanks.

I also forgot to add it's useful to play around with the attributes curve as well. It may be handy depending on how you're using the colors for shading and such.

[Chris M]

There's a reason you are using the Blend Tool and not the Fill Tool, but I can't think why. Something to do with the number of steps?

[gwpriester]

Chris - You could use the Fill Tool but blending is creating a palette of individual colors.

I did a XaraXone Workbook back in June 2005 http://archive.xaraxone.com/webxealo...tml/page_1.htm that shows how different Hues relate to metallic colors. I used blends of pale and dark versions of the same color to create a range.

[handrawn]

the blend tool gives you a quick way of fixing intermediate colours - it's a good tip

[Chris M]

Chris - You could use the Fill Tool but blending is creating a palette of individual colors.

I did a XaraXone Workbook back in June 2005 http://archive.xaraxone.com/webxealo...tml/page_1.htm that shows how different Hues relate to metallic colors. I used blends of pale and dark versions of the same color to create a range.

Still don't get it, but this is out of my typical Xara usage. I'll have a look at the workbook for enlightenment.

@handrawn: You can add nodes onto the Fill line to change intermediate colours. It's not the how, it's the why. I'm missing a piece of knowledge, and I'd like to understand.

[Egg Bramhill]

Just to throw some extra carnage into the debate

[Chris M]

I had a quick look at the Workbook and fired up XWDP to have a play...no Blend Tool. I do have access to XDP, but not unfettered access, so I'll thank everyone for their comments and bow gracefully away from the stage.

[handrawn]

ive not watched the video - the blend tool gives you fixed steps - with the fill tool you are winging it