Color Palette Builder: Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ provides answers to common questions about using Color Palette Builder, from installation to advanced functionality. If you have a question not listed here, please contact support at colorpalette@force5dev.com.
General Questions
- What is Color Palette Builder?
- Color Palette Builder is an application designed for developers and designers to manage color schemes, whether for web design, game development, or other digital projects. It allows users to store, categorize, and retrieve color values with ease.
- Who is Color Palette Builder for?
- It’s primarily aimed at professionals who work with colors regularly, such as web designers, UI/UX designers, and game developers. However, anyone interested in color management can benefit from it.
- Where can I download Color Palette Builder?
- Color Palette Builder is available on the Windows Store. You can search for “Color Palette Builder” or use this direct link for easy access.
- What does 'Beta' mean?
- The beta version is a nearly complete version of the app but still may have some bugs and incomplete features. The purpose of beta testing is to gather feedback to improve usability and functionality before the final release.
Installation & Setup
- How do I install Color Palette Builder?
- Download and install the app directly from the Windows Store by searching "Color Palette Builder" or following direct link. Follow the installation prompts on your device.
- What are the system requirements?
- Color Palette Builder requires Windows 10 or later. The app is designed to be lightweight, but may require updated .net packages upon installation.
- How do I set up a default save location for palettes?
- [This feature is currently non-functional but will be implemented in a future update to allow users to choose a default folder for saving their color palettes.]
Using Color Palette Builder
- How do I add a color to my palette?
- Use the color picker tool within the app to select a color, then click 'Add' to save it to your palette. You can also name the color for easy reference.
- Can I edit a color after adding it?
- Yes, select the left pointing arrow next to the color in your palette and adjust in the color picker tool, once satisfied, click the right pointing arrow next to the color to update, or any other element. Additionally, you can select Add to create a new color entry with the adjusted color. At any time you can rename it, or assign it to a different category or group.
- How do I create and use categories and groups?
- Under the 'Category' section, create categories like Element States or Element Groups, then assign colors to these categories for easy filtering and sorting.
- How do I use filters?
- Apply filters by selecting a specific category or group from the filter menu to display only certain colors. Clear the filter to return to the full color list.
- What is the “Wrap Text” option?
- Wrap Text is an option for long notes associated with color entries. If enabled, notes will display across multiple lines for easier reading.
- How do I save my palette?
- Click the 'Save' button to manually save the current palette. Auto-save can also be enabled under Settings to periodically save your work.
- How do I load a previously saved palette?
- Use the 'Open' option in the main menu to load an existing palette file. Navigate to the file’s location and select it to open it within the app.
Working with Images
- How do I add colors from an image?
- Drag and drop an image into the color selector tool, or use the browse button to locate an image on your computer. Then use the color picker to select colors directly from the image.
The color selector tool opens in a separate window. For efficient use, organize the windows side by side. When you click an area of the image the color picker is updated in the main window. Make any adjustments to fine tune the color then click Add or a right pointing arrow on an existing color element. You can repeat this process for rapid color selection and adding to your palette. - Can I remove the image after selecting colors?
- Yes, click the 'Clear Image' option to remove the loaded image from the color selector tool.
Shortcuts & Customization
- How do I copy color codes in different formats?
- Use the copy shortcut buttons provided for hex (with or without hashtags) and RGB values (with or without alpha values). Customize the settings for each format in the app's Settings section.
- What are code snippets?
- Code snippets are predefined or custom templates for quickly adding color codes to your projects. You can set these up in the Settings menu under 'Code Snippets'.
- How do I create my own code snippet?
- You can customize any of the pre-set options or use the custom option in the drop down in the settings window. Follow the included instruction to create your own snippet. The program will use any text as entered except the specific code values of '$' then a letter 'a, r, g, b' for the corresponding RGB-Alpha values. Example: MyCustomColor($a, $r, $g, $b).
Backup & Restore
- How does auto-save work?
- Auto-save periodically saves your palette at intervals set in Settings. A small icon appears in the title bar when an auto-save occurs.
- What is the backup feature?
- The backup feature saves a secondary version of your palette in case of unexpected data loss. This backup file is located in the install directory on your computer. Currently, the back-up feature is not functioning due to unforseen deployment issues.
- How do I restore from a backup?
- [Currently, there is no built-in restore option. To restore, manually locate the backup file, rename it, and open it in Color Palette Builder. Further restoration instructions will be included in future updates.]
Troubleshooting & Feedback
- I’m experiencing a bug—what should I do?
- If you encounter an unexpected behavior, please report it to colorpalette@force5dev.com. Include details about what you were doing when the bug occurred, any error messages, and if it’s repeatable.
- How do I provide feedback?
- We welcome feedback on the app’s usability and feature set. For suggestions, please email colorpalette@force5dev.com or use the feedback form provided in the beta testing instructions.
- The app crashes when I use certain features—how can I avoid this?
- Some known issues may cause occasional crashes. Please update to the latest version to ensure you have the most recent bug fixes, and avoid repeated actions in areas known to be unstable.