Coloring settings

The Inside and Outside tabs of the Layer Properties tool window select the inside and outside coloring algorithms. They also contain additional coloring settings.

These coloring settings specify how the index value returned by the selected coloring algorithm is interpreted by the gradient.

Color Density

Specifies how quickly the colors in the gradient follow each other. Values larger than 1 increase the color density. Values below 1 decrease the color density. The color density must be larger than 0.

The index value is multiplied by the color density.

Transfer Function

Selects a transfer function that translates the index value, multiplied by the color density value, to an entry in the gradient.

  • None returns the solid color, ignoring the coloring algorithm.
  • Linear directly returns the index value.
  • Sqr squares the index value. When the index value increases, the color density appears to increase as well.
  • Sqrt returns the square root of the index value. This decreases the apparent color density as the index value increases.
  • Cube cubes the index value. The color density increases faster than when using Sqr.
  • CubeRoot returns the cubed root of the index value. The color density decreases faster than when using Sqrt.
  • Log returns the natural logarithm of the index value. The color density decreases even faster than when using CubeRoot.
  • Exp calculates eindex. The color density increases even faster than when using Cube.
  • Sin returns the sine of the index value. The result never exceeds -1...1 and it repeats itself when the index value increases.
  • ArcTan returns the inverse tangent of the index value. The result approaches ½ pi when the index value becomes very high
Solid Color

Specifies the solid color, which can be used for special purposes. See Solid color.

Gradient Offset

Specifies an optional offset in the gradient. This value is added to the index value after applying the Transfer function. Since the gradient contains 400 entries, the offset value can range from 0 to 399.

You can achieve the same effect by rotating the gradient, but the offset can be specified for Inside and Outside coloring algorithms separately.

Repeat Gradient

Specifies if the gradient must be repeated. When checked, the index value will wrap around when it reaches 1. So, index values of 0, 1, 2, and 3 all map to the same gradient index. Otherwise, the index value is limited to 1, so all colors in the gradient are only used once.

Next: Solid color

See Also
Coloring algorithms
Working with coloring algorithms
Gradients