What's the best way to select colors?

[Dan Dixon]

What's your favorite way of selecting colors?

Can you provide links or screenshots of your preferred color selection tool?

Currently Universe Sandbox uses the built in Windows color selection dialog box. I'd like to replace this with an easier to use color selection tool. Before I take the time to develop this, I want to make sure I've selected a good approach. Any ideas?

[atomic7732]

Swatches and the below pic

[Chaotic Cow]

Pretty much what NS posted.

[deoxy99]

NeutronStar and Chaotic Cow, Universe Sandbox already uses that.

[Bla]

Same as NeutronStar. I think it would be very useful if we could also edit the RGB values as numbers.

[atomic7732]

And hex

[Bla]

Yes, I don't think hex is as user-friendly though. It's more simple to tell what color you'll get based on three normal decimal numbers. But if you could have both hex and decimal, no problem...

[matt.1886]

Something like this would be nice, simple but effective.
 
http://www.colorpicker.com/

[atomic7732]

Hex is simpler to me than RGB. Who uses base-256?

Hex is simple because you do the same base-256, in base-16. FF FF FF (255.255.255)

[Bla]

Hex is simpler to me than RGB. Who uses base-256?

Hex is simple because you do the same base-256, in base-16. FF FF FF (255.255.255)

True, it's also simple to me and I can get used to it quickly if I have to use it. But to most people I just think decimal is more simple. The people who use Universe Sandbox are probably more clever than the general population, but swapping from the normal decimal system to a hex system easily makes you lose the idea of how dark or bright the color you're writing really is. I think most people feel that way, but I don't know it. I don't think saving three letters outweights the less clear relation to the color.

[atomic7732]

a hex system easily makes you lose the idea of how dark or bright the color you're writing really is.

Kinda helps actually.