Description: The VGA palette is a set of colors used in VGA (Video Graphics Array) graphics to define and represent colors on computer screens. This palette is fundamental in the realm of computer graphics, as it allows designers and programmers to select and apply colors accurately in their applications and games. The original VGA palette includes a total of 256 colors, which are selected from a broader color space, enabling a rich and varied visual representation. Each color in the palette is defined using an RGB (red, green, blue) value, allowing for a mix of colors that can be used in different graphic contexts. The VGA palette has become a standard in the industry, especially in the early days of computer graphics, and its influence can be seen in many modern applications that seek to emulate the retro aesthetic of graphics from the 80s and 90s.
History: The VGA palette was introduced by IBM in 1987 along with its VGA graphics standard, which revolutionized the way graphics were represented on personal computers. Before VGA, graphics were limited in terms of resolution and color, but the introduction of this palette allowed developers to create more complex and colorful images. Over time, the VGA palette became a de facto standard in the industry, influencing the development of games and graphic applications in the following decades.
Uses: The VGA palette is primarily used in the development of retro video games and graphic applications that seek to emulate the aesthetics of the 80s and 90s. It is also employed in creating graphics in low-level programming environments, where precise control over the colors used is required. Additionally, some graphic design programs and image editors allow users to work with the VGA palette to create pixel art.
Examples: An example of the use of the VGA palette can be found in classic games like ‘Doom’ and ‘Commander Keen’, which used this palette to create their distinctive graphics. It can also be seen in digital art programs like ‘Aseprite’, which allows users to create pixel art using the VGA palette.
