4.3.6.2 Colormap Tool

Colormap Tool Function:
The Colormap Tool provides a mechanism to visualize the current X color map. The tool displays a square showing the 256 entries of the color map. This square is active and can be used to find details of an individual color by picking the color desired with MB1. A smaller color square will show the color picked as well. The red, green and blue values for the color will be shown with the pixel value of the color. The hue, lightness and saturation of the color can also be shown.
RGB/HLS radio buttons:
These buttons toggle the displayed information for the picked color in either RGB intensity values from 0-255 or in hue values from 0-360 degrees, lightness values from 0-1 and saturation values from 0-1. The method used to visualize the color map is also toggled by this button. When HLS is chosen, two projections of the color map in HLS colorspace are displayed.
RGB Color Square:
The RGB color square shows the colors of the current color map in a 16x16 array of colors. By default the colors are ordered by the color map pixel value. A sort option is provided to organize the color representation in different orders. Each color in the color square is pickable to view the red, green and blue intensities for the color.
Hue-Saturation Projection:
A display showing hue and saturation provides a tool for analyzing the color balance of the color map. The HLS hexagon shows hues as an angle starting at 0 degrees for red. Saturation is represented by the distance from the center of the hexagon. An alpha version of the HLS adjustment tool for hue or saturation modification is availble by selecting the or toggle buttons. Choosing either of these buttons displays a representation of the average hue and saturation in each of the primary color sectors, red, yellow, green, cyan, blue and majenta. Hue rotation or saturation adjustment can be performed for a primary color sector by moving the handle for that primary. The overal average hue and saturation is shown as an open rectange and can be manipulated to adjust the entire gamut of colors. Note that this is an alpha release of the color modification tools and as such provide a view only capability.
Light-Saturation Projection:
A display showing lightness and saturation provides a view of the brightness of the image colors. The projection depicts the cone shape of the HLS space with lightness shown vertically and saturation as the distance from the center. The projection corresponds to the hue-saturation projection in orientation with red, yellow and magenta colors shown to the right and green, cyan and blue colors shown to the left of center. Selecting the toggle initiates the display of lightness adjustment handles which can be manipulated to perform a contrast stretch a brightness modification. The top handle represents the average lightness for colors with a lightness > .5 while the bottom handle if for colors <= .5. An open rectangular handle adjusts the overall lightness and is position at the average for the range of colors. Note that this is an alpha release of the color modification tools and as such provide a view only capability.
Pixel slider:
The pixel slider selects the color information shown by the following sliders. When HLS projections are displayed, the color chosen is outlined by a black rectangle.
Red/Green/Blue sliders:
Hue/Light/Sat sliders:
These sliders depict the color map information for the current pixel number selected. The sliders are also enabled to allow the modification of the color selection for viewing purposes only. The color modifications made will be overridden by the overall adjustments made by the Color Tool.
Sort Option:
The sort option provides a method the order the colors depicted in the RGB Color Square. The colors can be sorted by pixel value, red, green or blue intensity or by hue, saturation or lightness values. Note that only the colors depicted in the image are sorted.
Show Colormap List:
This option initiates the display of a scrolled list window which provides details on each color map entry. Information displayed includes the pixel number, red, green and blue intensities and hue, lightness and saturation values. The button toggles to Hide Colormap List to provide a mechanism to remove the color map list display.
Isolate:
The Isolate button provides a mechanism to view a particular color in the image by erasing all other colors. The Isolate button toggles to Restore to reset the color map to the proper values.
Undo:
The Undo button rolls back the latest modification to the color map. Pressing undo again, reapplies the latest updates.
Dismiss:
The Dismiss button hides the map tool window.