Pixel Joint Forum: DB16

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.

Author	Message
DawnBringer Commander Joined: 03 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 566	Topic: DB16 - DawnBringer's 16 Col 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.
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ellie-is Commander Joined: 12 September 2021 Online Status: Offline Posts: 706	Posted: 19 August 2011 at 1:32pm
	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: 12 February 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 367	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 3:03pm
	interesting really..... let me dive into this a litle bit more...
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jalonso Admiral Joined: 29 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13537	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
	PJs FAQ <•> Sticky Reads
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KittenMaster Midshipman Joined: 23 November 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 83	Posted: 19 August 2011 at 10:53pm
	Looks more overpowered than the C64 palette. Needs a nerf in the next patch.
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DawnBringer Commander Joined: 03 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 566	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: 07 September 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 175	Posted: 21 August 2011 at 8:02am
	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: 61	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: 371	Posted: 25 August 2011 at 5:30pm
	I'm interested in the process!
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Cilein Seaman Joined: 26 June 2021 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 8:52pm
	Can I use this palette for a game I'm making?
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DawnBringer Commander Joined: 03 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 566	Posted: 16 October 2011 at 9:26pm
	Of course, it's totally free. :)
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Mindiell Commander Joined: 05 October 2015 Location: France Online Status: Offline Posts: 52	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: 12 January 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 202	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 Joined: 03 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 566	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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7Soul Midshipman Joined: 10 April 2021 Online Status: Offline Posts: 87	Posted: 20 November 2011 at 9:56pm
	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 Joined: 03 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 566	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 10:40pm
	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 Admiral Joined: 29 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13537	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.
	PJs FAQ <•> Sticky Reads
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Elriks Seaman Joined: 29 December 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 31 March 2013 at 1:19am
	Impressive ! But I don't understand, how do we download this software? thanks
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DawnBringer Commander Joined: 03 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 566	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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KingGorillaKong Midshipman Joined: 29 June 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 55	Posted: 29 June 2013 at 2:41pm
	DB, maybe you could further explain more aspects to your palette. I see you have the 16 colours across the top. My knowledge on colour theory and defining a palette is quite limited, this might be why I'm confused as to why you have 9 sets of 3 colours further down (described as Wood, Metal, etc) for a total of 27 colours. What did I miss here?
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StoneStephenT Commander Joined: 08 April 2021 Online Status: Offline Posts: 252	Posted: 29 June 2013 at 3:35pm
	*Originally posted by KingGorillaKong* I see you have the 16 colours across the top. My knowledge on colour theory and defining a palette is quite limited, this might be why I'm confused as to why you have 9 sets of 3 colours further down (described as Wood, Metal, etc) for a total of 27 colours. What did I miss here? Those color combinations from the 16-color palette mimic those specific types of colors/textures/etc. when used together. And for the record: the palette image only has the 16 colors of the palette in it (I checked). Any other colors you think you see occur as a result of your brain blending the palette colors together.
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DeciusR Seaman Joined: 27 July 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Posted: 27 July 2013 at 8:20pm
	Thanks for the wonderful limited palette! I'm... only just now starting on any pixel art, and rather awful at it, but at least I'm trying. For now, I'll be using this limited palette in a rather small game based upon surviving in the wilderness-- Using the BYOND programming language. Not sure how it'll go, but I've made a few from it, and hope I haven't disgraced it too badly. For those curious... The actual 'hub' of the game. http://www.byond.com/forum/DeciusReln/BasicSurvival The source code of the game. https://github.com/ByondDevelopment/WildernessSurvival And, finally-- My post on the hub's forums giving credit and thanks to you for having made and made this public. http://www.byond.com/forum/?post=1336874 Thanks!
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neofotistou Commander Joined: 07 September 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 175	Posted: 10 January 2014 at 7:27am
	Hate to be the one to necro this post again, but! DawnBringer, we're still waiting for your process, if you're still up for it!
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pyxl Seaman Joined: 22 January 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 21 November 2014 at 10:14am
	figured i'd save someone some time... ; DB16 Palette File for Paint.Net ; save this code into a file here: ; C:\Users\<username>\Documents\paint.net User Files\Palettes\db16.txt ff140c1c ff442434 ff30346d ff4e4a4e ff854c30 ff346524 ffd04648 ff757161 ff597dce ffd27d2c ff8595a1 ff6daa2c ffd2aa99 ff6dc2ca ffdad45e ffdeeed6 Edited by pyxl - 21 November 2014 at 10:23am
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DeadlyDad Seaman Joined: 27 December 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Posted: 12 April 2016 at 3:21pm
	Hey, everyone. I thought that I'd post a version that I did with named values. ; DB16 Palette File for Paint.Net ; Colors slightly changed and named by 'http://mkweb.bcgsc.ca/colornames/namethatcolor/?rgb={red},{green},{blue}' (Decimal Values) ; Changes by Keith 'DeadlyDad' Olson, December 2015 ; save this code into a file here: ; C:\Users\<username>\Documents\paint.net User Files\Palettes\db16.txt ; If the folder doesn't exist, then, in Paint.NET, click on the dropdown button in the 'Colors' tool, and choose 'Open Palettes Folder'. ff17111D ; very_dark_violet ff4e4a4e ; shadowy_lavender ff716E61 ; flint ff86949F ; regent_grey ffD7E7D0 ; peppermint ff462428 ; red_earth ff814D30 ; root_beer ffD3494E ; faded_red ffCD7F32 ; bronze ffD4A798 ; birthday_suit ffE3CF57 ; banana ff333366 ; deep_koamaru ff5D76CB ; indigo ff7AC5CD ; cadet_blue ff215E21 ; hunter_green ff71AA34 ; leaf
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Magic105 Seaman Joined: 22 April 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Posted: 27 July 2016 at 11:21pm
	What is that big image joined with palette image? How to use that? And what is that? I am new, so explain me. Thanks.
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DawnBringer Commander Joined: 03 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 566	Posted: 28 July 2016 at 9:01am
	Exactly which image are you referring to?
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Magic105 Seaman Joined: 22 April 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Posted: 29 July 2016 at 6:16am
	http://goto.glocalnet.net/richard_fhager/db16_v1_analyze.png this image. What is it? And which software did you used to generate it?
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DawnBringer Commander Joined: 03 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 566	Posted: 29 July 2016 at 4:11pm
	It's an analyzis of the palette. Mostly different Hue-Brightness diagrams, as those are the most informative to the human eye. Some of the content is done by hand, some is generated by custom scripts in GrafX2.
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Magic105 Seaman Joined: 22 April 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Posted: 30 July 2016 at 7:31am
	What a newbie try to draw with your DB32 palette?
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PixelHearts Seaman Joined: 30 January 2023 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Posted: 01 February 2023 at 8:09pm
	Hi DawnBringer - The game Hop and Bop by Flip Industries uses your lovely palette! Its retroey delicious!
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