Mix Inputs
Pick two colors, set weights, and choose the mixing space.
Swap A ↔ B
Randomize
Submit
Sample mixes you can replicate with the form.
Why RGB mixing matters for garden fixtures
Garden lighting often combines channels to balance ambiance and plant-focused spectra. When two colors are blended,
the visible output is not only a simple average; brightness perception and dimming curves influence the final look.
This calculator supports weighted mixing so you can model channel ratios such as 70/30 or 40/60, then export the
exact recipe for repeatable installations across beds, paths, and canopy zones.
Weighting ratios as practical power settings
Weights represent proportional contribution, similar to driver percentages or controller levels. For example, setting
Weight A = 80 and Weight B = 20 models an 80% emphasis on Color A. This is useful when tuning red/blue mixes for
different garden objectives. You can keep the total at 100 for clarity, or use any positive values; the tool normalizes
them internally to compute the blended channel output.
Corrected versus direct mixing outputs
Direct mixing blends channels in the display space, which may understate mid-tones when channels differ strongly.
Corrected mixing applies a gamma model: channels are converted to a linear domain, mixed, then converted back. In many
lighting previews, corrected mixing better matches perceived brightness. Use direct mixing when you want a fast,
straightforward blend aligned with raw controller math.
Using gain and clamping for safe previews
Gain scales the mixed result to simulate dimming, driver limits, or intentional overdrive testing. When gain is above
1.00, values can exceed the normal 0–255 range; clamping keeps the output within display-safe limits. For planning,
keep clamp enabled and use gain to compare fixture intensity scenarios without rewriting your base color inputs.
Documenting results for consistent deployment
Consistency improves troubleshooting and makes seasonal re-tuning faster. Exporting CSV captures inputs, weights, gamma,
gain, and the resulting HEX/RGB/HSL. PDF reports are helpful for installers and for sharing “lighting recipes” between
teams. Use the sample table as a baseline, then store your own combinations for vegetative emphasis, bloom emphasis,
warm pathway fills, and color accents near focal plants for audits.
FAQs
1) What do the weights represent?
Weights act like proportional channel power. The tool normalizes them, so 20/80 and 200/800 produce the same blend. Use them to model dimmer percentages or driver output ratios.
2) Which mixing space should I choose?
Choose corrected mixing for a preview closer to perceived brightness. Choose direct mixing for a simple, controller-style blend. If your result looks too dark in mid-tones, corrected mixing usually helps.
3) Why does gamma affect the result?
Gamma changes how channel values map to brightness. Higher gamma emphasizes darker steps less, affecting blends between saturated colors. A value near 2.2 often matches common display behavior for visual previews.
4) What is output gain used for?
Gain scales the mixed output to simulate overall intensity changes. Use it to compare brighter or dimmer configurations without changing your color inputs. Keep clamp on when you want a safe 0–255 output.
5) Can I enter both HEX and RGB?
Yes. Entering a valid HEX updates RGB fields, and editing RGB updates HEX. This helps when you receive manufacturer values in one format but need to export or match values in the other.
6) How can I share my mix with others?
After submitting, use the CSV or PDF download buttons. They capture both inputs and settings, so another person can reproduce the same blend by entering the same HEX values, weights, mixing space, and gamma.