Color Pickin'

Choosing the right color palette is essential when working on a graphics project. Usually, editors come with their own integrated color picker but if by any chance your editor of choice is not equipped with such a tool, then a third-party one is a must. Color Pickin' is one of the cost-free options out there.   The application comes in two flavors. While you can download and install it on your computer, keep in mind that there is also a portable, setup-free tool available. Obviously, not using the portable edition for such a tiny and sole-purpose utility is not justified.

Color Pickin' displays a simple interface that is split into two separate sections. The left-side panel includes the color picker and the small preview area for you to see the color you are selecting. To pick a color, simply drag and drop the picker tool to any area on your screen. It may be the desktop, another running application, a picture or the browser window. Essentially, the application allows you to select a hue from wherever.

As you move the color picker around the screen, the preview area displays the color under the mouse pointer and the color codes in the left-side panel are updated automatically. The following color values are displayed: RGB, HTML, Pascal, C++/Java, CMYK and numerical.

Interestingly enough, you can create a color palette by adding selected colors to the right-side panel. Here, you will be able to build combinations of colors that create a harmonious image and go well together in a graphics project or a design. Unfortunately, it is not possible to save a color collection for later reference.

What would add to the application’s value is being able to identify and extract a color palette from a picture. This would save users the trouble of having to manually select all the colors to get their corresponding codes.

Color Pickin' is one of those simple but useful tools you might often need to have around, especially if you are a graphics designer or a developer. It works with multi-DPI monitors and it is easy to use, so it can be easily used by anyone. While it could improve in the future, it does provide exactly what it promises: an uncomplicated color picker.