Color classification can be approached in several ways, depending on the context. We can categorize colors based on their formation, their perceived qualities, or their application in specific fields.
Color Classification by Formation
This system focuses on how colors are created by mixing primary colors.
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Primary Colors: These are the base colors from which all others are derived. Commonly, these are red, yellow, and blue (RYB) in the subtractive color model used in painting and printing, or red, green, and blue (RGB) in the additive color model used in screens and digital displays. Adobe notes that RYB is a common basis for understanding color mixing.
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Secondary Colors: These are created by mixing two primary colors in equal amounts. In the RYB system, these are orange (red + yellow), green (blue + yellow), and purple (red + blue).
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Tertiary Colors: These result from mixing a primary color with an adjacent secondary color. Examples include red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, and red-violet.
Color Classification by Application
Different fields use color classification systems tailored to their needs.
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Government and Industry: Astro UXDS mentions that in some government and industrial contexts, color coding mirrors physical labels and workplace standards. Color is used for classification and control markings.
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Image Processing and Analysis: In image processing, as discussed in Image.sc forum, colors are assigned to represent different probability levels or features in an image.
Color Classification by Perception
Color can be classified based on how humans perceive them. This is a subjective approach, but some common categories exist:
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Warm Colors: These evoke feelings of warmth and energy, and typically include reds, oranges, and yellows.
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Cool Colors: These are associated with calmness and serenity, often including blues, greens, and purples.
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Neutral Colors: These colors are less vibrant and often include grays, browns, beiges, and whites and blacks.
Color Classification in Specific Contexts
Various specialized color classifications exist, such as those used in:
- Animal studies: A scientific journal notes methods for measuring and classifying colors in animal studies.
- Hydrogen production: National Grid uses color to categorize different types of hydrogen.
- GIS and mapping: A QGIS Reddit post illustrates the use of colors for data classification in geographic information systems (GIS).
- CloudCompare: CloudCompare forum and another CloudCompare forum show examples of setting and using classification colors in this software.
