Pixel Joint Forum: DB's 16 Color Palette v1.0

Message

So, dear friends, I have wasted some time lately with my obsession for 

palettes. It's been tackled before but I felt there was (and is?) more 

work to be done with designing a great multi-purpose 16 color palette 

(I'll avoid any talk of "perfect" or "ultimate" as there simply isn't 

such a thing for a limited palette).

Property wish-list:

* Archetypical colors common in games/pixelart

* Real world colors (RGB-space brightness-axis "colorcigarr")

* Good coverage of the spectrum

* Great coverage of the brightness range (a must for any useful palette)

* Max combinatory possibilities: Interpolations, simulations, dithers etc.

* ...and if possible; colors that may work as subtle varitations: rust, dirt, textures.

But as with all small palettes, some things had to be sacrificed: This 

palette is very weak in magentas (as that is a rarely used area). It 

also lack much in turquoise - but at least they can be simulated by 

combining the many blues & greens.

This is public version 1.0 (v9843.7 to me ;))

Some notes:

* The dark register is dominated by blue/violett commonly found in shadows/dark waters etc.

* The lower-medium register has the weight on green and browns; found in vegetation, wood etc.

* The upper-medium register has much blues and orange/pink to handle skies, sand and skin.

* The bright register has the lone yellow and the effective pink & 

cyan that  are complimentary colors that span around the spectrum and 

can be mixed to a very good grey!

* Red is slightly violett - I wanted a red that contrasted the other 

colors rather than being another shade of brown/orange. Still good 

enough to use in some skin-shades I hope.

Here's some mockups (shamelessly inspired by the Alien Breed games and various mockups found at PJ) testing the palette:

Outstanding issues:

* The optimal(?) global brightness/contrast level...these can be 

adjusted quite easily without affecting the internal relationships of 

the colors very much - so if you have any feelings about this lemme 

know.

* The dark register: is there a better combination/structure of colors here?

Comments & questions are welcome! :)Here's the RGB-values:

20 12 28

68 36 52

48 52 109

78 74 78

133 76 48

52 101 36

208 70 72

117 113 97

89 125 206

210 125 44

133 149 161

109 170 44

210 170 153

109 194 202

218 212 94

222 238 214

And yeah...feel free to use this palette.

Edited by DawnBringer - 09 July 2012 at 5:13pm

Author	Message
DawnBringer Commander DuskTaker's Twin Joined: 20 August 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 269	Topic: DB's 16 Color Palette v1.0 Posted: 19 August 2011 at 12:53pm
	So, dear friends, I have wasted some time lately with my obsession for palettes. It's been tackled before but I felt there was (and is?) more work to be done with designing a great multi-purpose 16 color palette (I'll avoid any talk of "perfect" or "ultimate" as there simply isn't such a thing for a limited palette). Property wish-list: * Archetypical colors common in games/pixelart * Real world colors (RGB-space brightness-axis "colorcigarr") * Good coverage of the spectrum * Great coverage of the brightness range (a must for any useful palette) * Max combinatory possibilities: Interpolations, simulations, dithers etc. * ...and if possible; colors that may work as subtle varitations: rust, dirt, textures. But as with all small palettes, some things had to be sacrificed: This palette is very weak in magentas (as that is a rarely used area). It also lack much in turquoise - but at least they can be simulated by combining the many blues & greens. This is public version 1.0 (v9843.7 to me ;)) Some notes: * The dark register is dominated by blue/violett commonly found in shadows/dark waters etc. * The lower-medium register has the weight on green and browns; found in vegetation, wood etc. * The upper-medium register has much blues and orange/pink to handle skies, sand and skin. * The bright register has the lone yellow and the effective pink & cyan that are complimentary colors that span around the spectrum and can be mixed to a very good grey! * Red is slightly violett - I wanted a red that contrasted the other colors rather than being another shade of brown/orange. Still good enough to use in some skin-shades I hope. Here's some mockups (shamelessly inspired by the Alien Breed games and various mockups found at PJ) testing the palette: Outstanding issues: * The optimal(?) global brightness/contrast level...these can be adjusted quite easily without affecting the internal relationships of the colors very much - so if you have any feelings about this lemme know. * The dark register: is there a better combination/structure of colors here? Comments & questions are welcome! :)Here's the RGB-values: 20 12 28 68 36 52 48 52 109 78 74 78 133 76 48 52 101 36 208 70 72 117 113 97 89 125 206 210 125 44 133 149 161 109 170 44 210 170 153 109 194 202 218 212 94 222 238 214 And yeah...feel free to use this palette. Edited by DawnBringer - 09 July 2012 at 5:13pm
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lucas_irineu Commander Joined: 09 June 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 706	Posted: 19 August 2011 at 1:31pm
	Well, that's just awesome. I was in need of a limited color palette...Yours looks like it will fit quite perfectly for my needs. Thank you!
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Mrmo Tarius Commander Joined: 30 October 2006 Online Status: Offline Posts: 271	Posted: 19 August 2011 at 2:37pm
	While looking at the mockups, I have to constantly remind myself that: a) all the mockups use the same palette, and b) there are only 16 colors. It looks so very... colorful. And Amiga-ish :D
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divtag Seaman Joined: 06 August 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 21	Posted: 19 August 2011 at 3:02pm
	interesting really..... let me dive into this a litle bit more...
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jalonso Rear Admiral Joined: 01 December 2005 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9739	Posted: 19 August 2011 at 9:05pm
	A-friggin-mazing I would hate to see this thread buried away. To be sure it gets exposure I'm copying to the color thread too. *Can't find the color thread :'( Edited by jalonso - 19 August 2011 at 9:28pm
	Image Specs Latest Pixelart
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KittenMaster Midshipman Joined: 09 August 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 80	Posted: 19 August 2011 at 10:52pm
	Looks more overpowered than the C64 palette. Needs a nerf in the next patch.
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DawnBringer Commander DuskTaker's Twin Joined: 20 August 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 269	Posted: 20 August 2011 at 4:02am
	@Jal: Bottom third of page 2 - http://www.pixeljoint.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10695 - Don't see why we can't get sticky with that thread (hehe) even if it's not perfectly organized, it's better with a good plan today than a perfect one tomorrow. Btw. I didn't explain much of the process of creating the palette as I did describing it (as I greatly rely on analytic scripts in Grafx2). But If there's any interest I could try to summarize a few keypoints and basic strategies.
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neofotistou Commander Joined: 27 June 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 133	Posted: 21 August 2011 at 8:01am
	Dawnbringer, yes please! This palette looks awesome, I'd love to hear your tips
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kevink Midshipman Joined: 16 August 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 62	Posted: 21 August 2011 at 10:21am
	Lovely palette. I just messed around with it for a minute or two. And I think I'll be doing a mockup with this palette in the near future as well.
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ChrisButton Commander Joined: 10 September 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 369	Posted: 25 August 2011 at 5:29pm
	I'm interested in the process!
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Cilein Seaman Joined: 24 May 2010 Location: Ireland Online Status: Offline Posts: 32	Posted: 02 September 2011 at 8:19am
	I'd like to hear more about the creating process too! Beautiful palette!
	-Building an engine-
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DarkUranium Seaman Joined: 27 September 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Posted: 27 September 2011 at 10:11am
	Hey, sorry for bumping, but I just have to say it - these are incredible! Sadly, I am not much of an artist, so I don't know if I'll be able to make anything good out of this - I sure as hell will try though! For the Gimp folks, here is DB's palette in the Gimp Palette format: GIMP Palette Name: DB's Palette Columns: 8 # 20 12 28 Dark1 68 36 52 Dark2 48 52 109 Dark3 78 74 78 Dark4 133 76 48 Dark5 52 101 36 Dark6 208 70 72 Dark7 117 113 97 Dark8 89 125 206 Light1 210 125 44 Light2 133 149 161 Light3 109 170 44 Light4 210 170 153 Light5 109 194 202 Light6 218 212 94 Light7 222 238 214 Light8 (EDIT: Yeah, I know the naming is... Not very creative. If you have a better idea on how to name these, tell me and I'll update the post :P ) Edited by DarkUranium - 30 September 2011 at 4:22pm
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bobowitzbob Seaman Joined: 22 February 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 14	Posted: 16 October 2011 at 8:51pm
	Can I use this palette for a game I'm making?
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DawnBringer Commander DuskTaker's Twin Joined: 20 August 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 269	Posted: 16 October 2011 at 9:25pm
	Of course, it's totally free. :)
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Mindiell Midshipman Joined: 07 November 2005 Location: France Online Status: Offline Posts: 48	Posted: 10 November 2011 at 9:14am
	Here is the file for Grafx2 users (it will load an empty image with the palette) JASC-PAL 0100 256 20 12 28 68 36 52 48 52 109 78 74 78 133 76 48 52 101 36 208 70 72 117 113 97 89 125 206 210 125 44 133 149 161 109 170 44 210 170 153 109 194 202 218 212 94 222 238 214 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 192 192 192
	Mindiell French n00b
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shampoop Commander Joined: 26 July 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 187	Posted: 10 November 2011 at 10:11am
	Could you explain this file? what extension should it have? .pal? how would you load it into Grafx2? I use windows 7. Thanks
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DawnBringer Commander DuskTaker's Twin Joined: 20 August 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 269	Posted: 10 November 2011 at 10:31am
	Yes, the extension is ".pal". You just load it as if it was a picture, but it only replaces the palette and not the current image.
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Ails Midshipman Joined: 16 March 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 72	Posted: 20 November 2011 at 9:55pm
	GraphicsGale file: JASC-PAL 0100 256 20 12 28 68 36 62 48 52 109 78 74 78 133 76 48 52 101 36 208 70 72 117 113 97 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 89 125 206 210 125 44 133 149 161 109 170 44 210 170 153 109 194 202 218 212 94 222 238 214 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 255 255 255
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DawnBringer Commander DuskTaker's Twin Joined: 20 August 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 269	Posted: 30 December 2011 at 5:58pm
	Testing. Testing. This thread disappeared after spam-cleaning...
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Dusty-Drake Seaman Joined: 21 March 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 22 March 2012 at 10:39pm
	I hope this isn't too bad of a bump, but I really do enjoy this palette. My only two images (both of which are awaiting approval) use this palette. I do have some issues finding decent intermediate red shades and purple shades in general, but I'm still fairly new to the pixel art scene.
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killman13 Seaman Joined: 09 December 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Posted: 27 March 2013 at 5:24am
	Can I use this palette in my game? I'm beginner in pixel art, so I will add some colors, because I don't now how draw with that palette.
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jalonso Rear Admiral Joined: 01 December 2005 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9739	Posted: 27 March 2013 at 5:46am
	*Originally posted by killman13* Can I use this palette in my game? I'm beginner in pixel art, so I will add some colors, because I don't now how draw with that palette. I'm sure you can use them. Lately everyone has. Give credit to Dawnbringer, k. You will learn much if you force yourself to use just this palette and add nothing. See Dawnbringer's gallery and check out his mockup where he uses his palette as a guide.
	Image Specs Latest Pixelart
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Elriks Seaman Joined: 29 December 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Posted: 31 March 2013 at 1:18am
	Impressive ! But I don't understand, how do we download this software? thanks
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DawnBringer Commander DuskTaker's Twin Joined: 20 August 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 269	Posted: 31 March 2013 at 5:30am
	Software? It's just a palette - a list of RGB values. Simply grab one of the images on this page and start painting with (only) the present colors.
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zaua Seaman Joined: 08 April 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 8	Posted: 14 May 2013 at 7:09am
	I wanna use it. I suck at making palettes.
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