• Introduction
  • Need for RGBs
  • Sample RGB
  • RGB Animations
  • RGB Products
  • RGB Applications
  • Using RGBs Operationally
  • About the Module
• About RGB Colors and Products
  • RGB Color Model, 1
  • RGB Color Model, 2
  • A Simple Example
• Creating RGBs: A More In-Depth Look
  • Natural Color RGB
    • The Process of Creating RGBs
    • Step 1: Determine the Purpose of the Product
    • Step 2: Select Appropriate Channels or Channel Derivatives
    • Selecting the Actual Channels
    • Step 3: Pre-Process the Images as Needed
    • Step 4: Assign Colors
    • Selecting the Best RGB Combination
    • Additional Information
    • Dealing With Ambiguities
  • Dust RGB
    • Step 1: Determine the Purpose of the Product
    • Step 2: Select Appropriate Channels or Channel Derivatives
    • Step 3: Pre-Process the Images as Needed
    • Second Input: A Difference Image
    • Third Input: Another Difference Image
    • Step 4: Assign Colors
    • Step 5: Review the Final Product
    • Using RGBs in Different Situations
• Advantages & Limitations of RGBs
  • Advantages
  • Limitations
• Anticipating the Next Generation Satellites
  • Spectral Channels
  • VIIRS Capabilities
  • VIIRS Day Night Band
• RGB Applications
  • Overview
  • True Color
  • Natural Color
  • False Color
  • Visible & Infrared
  • Nighttime Visible
  • Air Mass
  • Cloud Over Snow
  • Convection
  • Dust
  • Volcanic Ash
  • Day Microphysics
  • Fog & Low Clouds, MSG
  • Fog & Low Clouds, NexSat
  • Fog & Low Clouds, GeoColor
• Summary

Selecting the Best RGB Combination

Let's see how we use this information to build the natural color RGB. Each of the three input channels could be assigned to any of the three colors, which means there are six possible combinations for building the natural color RGB. All of the combinations contain the same information since they are based on the same three input channels. But they have radically different color schemes.

Which combination produces the most natural looking product, one in which vegetation is green, deserts are brownish, and low clouds are white? View the products by clicking the six View RGB product links. Then select the most natural looking product by clicking the radio button beside it and clicking Done. Click here to review RGB color theory.

a) View RGB product #1

b) View RGB product #2

c) View RGB product #3

d) View RGB product #4

e) View RGB product #5

f) View RGB product #6

The correct answer is F.

With its white low clouds, brownish desert, and green vegetation, combination #6 is the most natural-looking option. We'll discuss this RGB more on the next page.