# Introduction

Waypoint pathfinder allows you to specify a series of waypoints through which `SpyPal` will generate a color gradient.

The output colors will be evenly spaced in the color space selected in the color space dropdown. CIELuv and CIELab are both (nominally) perceptually uniform, so colormaps generated in these colorspaces should be smooth, lacking sharp "breakpoints" where the color changes quickly. If there are more than two waypoints, the spacing between colors will be "tweaked" slightly so that each waypoint is included in the output.

# Controls

- Auto
- Force Gamut
- Go
- Path Type
- Space Waypoints Evenly
- Steps

## Auto

If selected, the colormap will automatically be regenerated each time a waypoint or option is changed. If not selected, the user must press "Go" to generate a new colormap. `SpyPal` may become unresponsive if "Auto" is selected and a complicated colormap is being worked with, especially if Force Gamut is on.

## Force Gamut

Frequently, the path described by the waypoints will pass through colors that are not possible to represent in RGB colorspace, or even imaginary colors. If force gamut is off, `SpyPal` will generate the path with equally spaced colors, then clip it to the RGB colorspace. This may result in undesirable sharp breakpoints in the color if the path is severely clipped. Force Gamut causes `SpyPal` to clip the path to RGB colorspace, <emph>then</emph> generate equally spaced colors. This typically generates a "smoother" colormap, but is much slower. Note that below each color in the colorbar at the bottom of the dialog is a black border if the color has not been clipped, or a red border if clipping is occuring.

## Go

Generate a new colormap. Not needed if "Auto" is selected.

## Path Type

This controls the shape of the path through colorspace `SpyPal` uses between waypoints. If set to "Straight Line", `SpyPal` will generate a direct path between the two waypoints (but see Force Gamut). If set to "Clockwise" or "Counterclockwise", `SpyPal` will generate a spiraling corkscrew where the luminosity, the distance from white, and the hue all ramp smoothly. <emph>This is only meaningful in CIELuv, CIELab, CIEXYZ, and CIExyY colorspaces.</emph>

## Space Waypoints Evenly

If selected, the waypoints are placed at equally spaced positions in the output, rather than at positions determined by the requirement that the color varies smoothly. For example, if 300 steps have been requested and there are 3 waypoints, the waypoints will be the first, 150th, and 300th color in the output if "Space Waypoints Evenly" is selected, while the middle color's position will be adjusted to make the colormap uniform if it is not selected.

## Steps

Control how many colors are in the output colormap.

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