84 3D LIGHTING

F IGURE Subtractive.
4.23

COLOR MODELS
Color space is a range of possible colors arranged in a 3D coordinate system. The range of all
the possible colors is called a color gamut. Color space is a convenient way to display the spec-
ification of colors in a gamut.

H ARDWARE -O RIENTED C OLOR M ODELS

Hardware-oriented color models are geared toward their use with hardware, such as computer
monitors, printing presses, etc.

RGB
The red, green, blue (RGB) color model is used in monitors. The color gamut is projected on
a cube, with blue, cyan, magenta, red, green, yellow, black, and white positioned on the
cube’s corners. The black and the white are on the opposing edge and quadrant (Figure 4.24).
CHAPTER 4 COLOR AND MATERIALS 85

F IGURE RGB model.

4.24

CMY
The cyan, magenta, yellow (CMY) color model is the model used for dealing with printed
copies. The CMY model is also projected on a cube (See Figure 4.25).

F IGURE CMY model.

4.25
86 3D LIGHTING

F IGURE CMYK.
4.26

CMYK
The CMYK model is related to the CMY model and is used in the four-color printing
process. Black (K) is added instead of equal amounts of C, M, and Y to generate contrast and
tones. Refer to Figure 4.26

P ERCEPTUALLY O RIENTED C OLOR M ODELS

Perceptually oriented color models are based on artistic sensibilities about color. These are com-
monly found in 3D applications and image-editing software.

HSV
The hue, saturation, and value (HSV) color model is projected on an inverted hexcone (a six-
sided pyramid) with black at the bottom and white on the middle of the flat face and the col-
ors cyan, green, yellow, red, magenta, and blue on the six corners. Refer to Figure 4.27.

HLS
The hue, lightness, and saturation (HLS) color model is projected in a double hexcone (a dia-
mond) with black and white on both apexes (Figure 4.28). The edges of the double hexcone
are the colors red, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and magenta, assigned in a counterclockwise
manner.
CHAPTER 4 COLOR AND MATERIALS 87

F IGURE HSV model.

4.27

F IGURE HLS model.

4.28
88 3D LIGHTING

HVC
The hue, value, and chroma (HVC) color model is projected onto a distorted double hexcone
to account for the uniform distribution of the color space. See Figure 4.29.

F IGURE HVC model.

4.29

E MOTIONAL C OLORS
In animals, colors provoke a response; it is no different for people, although with animals,
color is a stimulus for behavior. When a chicken sees red, it pecks; stickleback fish attack and
defend their territory when they see red; and a red dot on an adult herring gull makes a chick
herring gull beg for food. So, in nature color is paired with a behavior as well as with a re-
sponse. People also respond to color, but their response is subtler and is evaluated within a
learned context.

C OLOR S YMBOLISM
For ages, color has been used to denote an affiliation, meaning, or significance. This tradition
is clearly demonstrated by the multitude of colors on flags of various nations as well as color’s
use on banners, in parades, and on holidays.
It is important for computer graphics artists to know the meaning and association of each