Using ColorBlender

ColorBlender is a web-based tool for creating color palettes (here referred to as "blends") for web design and other types of digital design.

The main feature of the tool is to have a complete "blend" of 6 matching colors created when choosing only one "base" color.This makes it very quick and easy to create a color scheme for e.g. a website, as you can instantly use the colors for text, backgrounds, links, border etc.

Fine tuning colors

If you want to fine tune your colors – or simply edit the colors completely arbitrary – you can change to "Direct Edit" mode. In this mode you can click each of the 6 color swatches to edit each color individually.

If you have just the slightest experience with graphic applications like Adobe Photoshop or the like, everything should be dead easy to use.

RGB vs. HSV

When editing a color, you may choose to edit it by using RGB (Red/Green/Blue) or HSV (Hue/Saturation/Value) sliders. The former tends to be the more "digital" approach, while the latter is very useful if you are familar with the "color circle" terminology. Try it out, and see what you like the best!

Getting the colors out of ColorBlender

When you are satisfied with your "blend" you can save it so you can access it later. This requires your browser to accept cookies. All saved blends are stored on our server, and only an ID is saved on your computer.

Clicking the "Photoshop Color Table (.ACT)" button will let you download the blend as a small file that can be imported into Adobe Photoshop (see the FAQ for more info).

"Send blend by email" will give you a single URL to open your current blend directly. This let you "bookmark" the blend in your web browser or even send the blend via email. In this way, the recipient can view your blend, and eventually fine tune it, export it, etc.

F.A.Q.

Q: Can I access my blends from multiple workstations?

A: Yes, you can set up multiple machines to access the same set of saved blends. Simply follow the guidelines at the Cookie Copier page.

Q: What is the purpose of the "Suggest PANTONE® match" button?

A: By clicking this button, the tool will calculate the PANTONE® spot color number that has the RGB-simulation closest to the current color. Please be aware, that this is no more than a rough estimate (even though it seems to get very close most of the times).

Q: How do I use the Photoshop *.ACT file?

A: In Adobe Photoshop, open the Swatches palette. In the upper right corner menu of the palette, choose either "Replace Swatches..." or "Load Swatches...". From the file dialog, be sure to select the "Color Table (*.ACT)" file type, then locate the *.ACT file you just saved. Click "Load". The colors of the blend will now be loaded into the Swatches palette, ready for use in Photoshop!

Q: How do I use the *.EPS file?

A: Quite a few programs can load colors (aka "Swatches") from EPS files; e.g. Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign. For example, in Adobe Illustrator CS go to Window > Swatch Libraries > Other Library ... and pick the EPS file you saved from this site. In Adobe InDesign CS; from the Swatches palette create a New Color Swatch, in the Color Mode drop-down pick "Other Library ...", then choose your EPS file.

Q: What algorithm is used to do the color matching?

A: The algorithm is based solely on my personal preferences.

Q: Why is this tool free?

A: Because I enjoy making stuff like this. If you use the tool, you may show your appreciation of my work by making (even just a small) donation via PayPal.