> It helps me for one. I have a (much more difficult to answer) question: how
> about Fourier analysis of a rgb coded color?

I think there is a problem with this statement, or in my
interpretation of it.

Fourier analysis is based on the principle that for linear
systems, functions continuous to all derivatives can be expressed
as a superposition of sinusoids.  However, for functions
of unconstrained periodicity, it takes a superposition over all
possible wavelengths to do so optimally.

The fourier representation of a color of frequency f1 is a
color of frequency f1 -- this means that one cannot express
all colors in terms of RGB components : if sinusoids are
chosen as a basis function, you still need all of them to
do the job correctly.

However, the human eye happens to be sensitive to R, G, and B 
due to its limited capacity to perceive color.  If, like some
species, we had 4 color receptors, RGB displays would appear
as distorted as an RG display does to us.

So Physics can't be represented as a superposition of red, green,
and blue -- it requires a much finer sampling across the optical
spectrum to yield credible results in many cases.  Otherwise
rainbows would be red, green, and blue bands instead of a continuous
spread.

Dan
-- 
http://www.flash.net/~djconnel/

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