Replacement for windows color picker?

Eric Chadwick

I wish I was a programmer, so I could convert this MSDN code into a replacement for the Windows default color picker!

http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/03/07/GDIColorPicker/#S9

If it was possible to replace the crappy default picker, then a painting app like Photoshop could use it.



Any programmers interested in a quickie side-project? I'd donate for something like this.

So simple, and yet, so far!

funshark

interesting idea.... if we can find how to replace the defaut one.

About the color picker, i think it's better to have something like painter.. imho.

Eric Chadwick

Oh yeah, I'm all for a better UI than this. But this has source code, ready to go as-is. What I'd really love is something more like the Cool Picker max plugin.
http://boards.polycount.net/showthread.php?t=39059
The color wheel is great, and the Mixer tab is also really handy.

I talked with Chris about porting it to Photoshop, but it was too much of a pain to get Adobe's SDK.

CrazyButcher

you may have overread the line

...to create a component that makes it possible for your OWN applications to provide...

I dont think one can simply replace windows gui widgets...

Illusions

CrazyButcher wrote: »

you may have overread the line



I dont think one can simply replace windows gui widgets...

Which begs the question, why if they can write a better color picker than the one they already implement, are they still using it...?

CrazyButcher

legacy... backwards compatibility...

Eric Chadwick

dang

arrangemonk

if noone is interestet, in about 2 jears am at a level in programming, to be able to try such things (atm i can only do crappy console java and c things)

Eric Chadwick

Well it looks like Adobe is planning some improvements to both the color palette and the color picker.

Hopefully they will add something like the Painter color mixer...

... not just Adobe's swatch-maker Kuler.

If they don't get it right, yes, I would love a new PS plugin. Here's a great article about programming for PS.

In the meantime, here's the method most of us use, if I'm not mistaken. Splotches of paint on the border, or a separate image.


I've been spending too much time on this.

pior

Well the painter mixer actually blends colors together just like pigment paint - something that Photoshop is nowhere near to be able to do with its current brush engine!

Eric Chadwick

Yup. Even if they added something like CoolPicker's mixer, I'd be happy.

arrangemonk, you can get full source for CoolPicker on Chris' site:
http://www.idigitalhouse.com/Tech/dh_tech.html

arrangemonk

böh, 3,8mb... i think ill have to pick that at the uni... iv'e got a 12mb/day limit at home
thats also the reason of my lagg at presence

funshark

CrazyButcher wrote: »

you may have over read the line
I don't think one can simply replace windows gui widgets...

No, but we can add color picker plugin into photoshop; like

The photoshop sdk works like this :

-You can only create plugin you add into the adequate folder.
like : filter, color picker, file format,...

-Each plugin has to stay on top ( you cannot do anything else in photoshop until the plugin is closed )

Eric Chadwick

They have to be modal? Yuck. Well, a replacement for the modal color picker would still be great. I'd love to to have a better palette tab, can move it off to another monitor with the rest of the tabs. I guess mixing paint in another image window will just have to do.

funshark

eheh yush... that's why the sdk sux* and developers have difficulties to implement new functionalities... ( ie. enzo3D... )

I've posted some note on the developer's blog you've given...

The must have for me ( and for ages ), is :
- large color picker but still open... ( even if it's CURRENT ONE !!... but it seems they can't do such simple features... )
- SIMPLE color swatches and tools management ( I mean with group, and better layout... )