Representing colors as three numbers [color graphics]

• Published in: IEEE computer graphics and applications Vol. 25; no. 4; pp. 78 - 85
• Main Author: Stone, M.C.
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States IEEE 01.07.2005; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Algorithms; Bridges; CIE color specification; Color; Colorimetry - methods; Computer Graphics; Computer Simulation; Data Compression - methods; Digital cameras; digital color; Displays; Filtering; Image converters; Image Enhancement - methods; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Measurement standards; Models, Theoretical; Multilevel systems; perception; Permission; Phosphors; Pixel
• ISSN: 0272-1716; 1558-1756
• DOI: 10.1109/MCG.2005.84

RGB in graphics is both a way of specifying color and a way of viewing color. Graphics algorithms manipulate RGB colors, and the images produced by graphics algorithms are encoded as RGB pixels and displayed on devices that render these pixels by emitting RGB light. Colored images are also used to specify color in graphics. Most computer graphics texts and tutorials provide a description of human color vision and measurement as defined by the CIE tristimulus values, XYZ. Often missing, however, is an in-depth discussion of the relationship between the different applications of RGB and XYZ, and any discussion of color models beyond trichromacy. The goal of this tutorial is to provide a complete, concise analysis of RGB color specification and its relationship to perceptual and physical specifications of color, and to introduce some models for color perception beyond tristimulus theory.