Datacolor PAINT Users Guide
Datacolor PAINT Users Guide
Changes are periodically made to this information and are incorporated into forthcoming versions.
Datacolor reserves the right to make improvements and/or changes in the product(s) and/or
program(s) described in this material at any time.
© 2007 Datacolor. Datacolor, SPECTRUM and other Datacolor product trademarks are the property
of Datacolor.
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and/or other countries.
To obtain information on local agents, contact either of the offices listed below, or visit our website at
www.datacolor.com.
Support Questions?
If you need help with a Datacolor product, please contact one of our top-rated technical support
teams located around the world for your convenience. You can find contact information below for the
Datacolor office in your area.
Americas
+1.609.895.7465
+1.800.982.6496 (toll-free)
+1.609.895.7404 (fax)
[email protected]
Europe
+41.44.835.3740
+41.44.835.3749 (fax)
[email protected]
Asia Pacific
+852.2420.8606
+852.2420.8320 (fax)
[email protected]
Overview
Datacolor PAINT is a color-matching program designed for use in retail locations
that provide custom color matching. Three different offerings of the program are
available:
• Datacolor PAINT EFB. This system is limited to retrieving formulas
from your electronic formula book. No instrument is required, and no
physical samples are measured. See also Using Datacolor PAINT,
Matching Colors, Formula Book Matching for instructions to operate this
software option.
• Datacolor PAINT CCM. This system will calculate a formula using your
materials to match a color from a competitor’s fan deck. No instrument
is required, and no physical samples are measured. See also Using
Datacolor PAINT, Matching Colors, Color Card Matching for instructions
to operate this software option.
• Datacolor PAINT. This is an in-store custom color-matching program.
It formulates matches to new colors, and can retrieve formulas from the
formula book or from a competitor’s fan deck. Datacolor PAINT
includes a correction feature that provides suggestions for correcting a
mistint, and a formula storage option that allows you to store and
retrieve customer formulas.
For all three programs offered, the program has been designed to allow you to
selectively enable and disable program features, and customize the content of
screens and buttons.
NOTE
A separate user’s guide is available for Datacolor COORDINATE and
Datacolor DECORATE.
Main Window
NOTE
The window displayed depends on the setup selected by the manufacturer.
Regardless of the configuration, you will always see the Color Match button
along with the Minimize, Options, and Exit tabs.
• Color Match Button. This button opens the matching and correction
options. From this button, you can calibrate the instrument, match a
physical sample, retrieve a color from a fan deck or retrieve a formula
previously stored for a customer. You can also correct mistinted
batches.
• Slideshow Button. The slide show is typically a promotional
demonstration created by the manufacturer. If there is a slide show
included on your system, this button will launch it.
• Options Tab. Provides access to hardware and software settings.
Using this button, you can view and edit system settings such as
instrument type and location. The manufacturer’s settings determine
whether this page is available, and the program features included. See
also Options Page for a limited discussion of the features accessed
through this button.
• Minimize Tab. Moves the program to the task bar at the bottom of the
screen. This allows you to keep the PAINT program open while working
with other programs.
• Exit Tab. Closes Datacolor PAINT.
All color matching functions are launched from the buttons on the Measure Color
Sample window:
Along the left side of the window are several
program buttons:
• Formula Book. Used to look up formulas in
your formula book.
Instrument Calibration
Instrument calibration is a function that you perform on a daily basis. This routine
compensates for any changes to the instrument that can affect the accuracy of
the measurement. You should calibrate the instrument every eight (8) hours. The
calibration procedure requires a minimum of two (2) measurements, and you will
need the black trap and white tile to perform this procedure.
NOTES
When the calibration has expired, you will automatically be prompted to calibrate
the instrument if you click on the Measure button.
The screens shown in this section are taken from the default Datacolor PAINT
configuration, using the Datacolor PAINT native driver. If you have installed the
Datacolor SPECTRUM driver, the procedure and screens will be slightly different.
See also Appendix, Instrument Driver Installation and Configuration for
instructions to install and configure the Datacolor SPECTRUM driver.
1. Select the Color Match option from the main menu. The Measure
Color Sample window displays:
This window displays the date and time of the last calibration.
You will see the status message again. When the measurement is
completed, you will see the following message:
4. Click Leave. The window closes and the Measure Color Sample
window displays.
Matching Colors
Once you have calibrated the instrument, you can begin measuring samples and
matching colors. To start matching colors:
• From the PAINT main screen click the Color Match button:
The navigation tools on this window include buttons on the left side of
the windows and tabs at the top of it.
NOTE
In this example, Measure Color Sample is the default option when
Color Match is selected form the main screen. Your system may
default to a different option.
NOTES
If you are going to measure a sample, the color measurement can be started
directly from this screen.
If you have bought only the Formula Book or Color Card options, you will not see
all of the buttons on the left side of the window.
The remaining buttons on the left include options to access the customer formula
storage and retrieval options. See Customer Formula Storage and Retrieval for
details on these features.
NOTE
If you are in a correction screen, the New Formula tab keeps the current
standard, and rematches it using changes made by the user.
NOTES
Some of the fields shown here may not be included on your screen.
Some of the fields shown here may have different names on your
system.
See Other Function Buttons in this section for an explanation of these buttons.
1. From the PAINT main window, click the Color Match button.
3. Place the sample at the port and click the Measure button.
NOTES
If you are working with a textured sample, you should make a series
of measurements and average them. To do this, enter a different
number in the Number of Reads field before clicking the Measure
button.
6. Tint Base. Auto Select directs the program to select the correct
base to be used for the match. However, you can specify a base to
be used:
NOTE
Auto Select is typically used unless you are out of stock for a
particular base(s).
NOTE
This screen may also include customer information. This allows
you to enter the customer information prior to matching.
9. When all of the fields are completed, click on one of the formula
buttons to begin matching:
NOTE
Depending on your system configuration, you may not see both
formula buttons.
Formula Output
• Single Formula. The program will display one formula, which is the
best match to the sample, using the product selections you have made.
NOTE
The screens in this example are based on a generic, default
configuration. Your system may not display the information exactly as it
is shown here. However, your screen will include the same basic
information.
NOTE
Color card matching is a feature that is enabled/disabled through the
manufacturer settings. The manufacturer settings also determine which
competitive fan decks are offered.
Procedure
1. Select the Color Card option from the buttons on the left. The
window below displays:
2. Select Brand. Click on the down arrow and highlight the brand:
-OR-
Click in the Spyglass icon on the left side of the field. . This is
a feature that searches for a color name based on text you enter.
The window below displays:
The program will search all fan decks included in the Brand
selection, and display all color names that include the text entered.
5. The program selects the first color in the list. Scroll through the list
to highlight a different color, and click Okay. This window will close,
and the Color Card window will display. Click Cancel to close this
window without selecting a color.
7. Once you have made all of the selections, click on one of the
formula buttons to begin matching:
Formula Results
Regardless of the source of the formula (sample measurement, formula book or
color card), PAINT can provide a single formula or a group of formulas as a
match to the color selected.
NOTE
From this screen you can also add customer information and store the
formula in the customer file. See Customer Formula Storage and
Retrieval for details to store the customer information.
• Change Info Tab. Provides access to another group of fields that can
be changed.
NOTE
If you are viewing a formula from a multiple formula output, you must
click on the Change Info tab twice to get to this window.
• Click in the field to make the desired edit(s). Changes to these fields will
require that the formula be recalculated.
• When you have completed the selections, click on the Formulate
button. The screen will refresh and a different formula will be displayed.
The details regarding store location and contact information that are included on
the label are configured by the manufacturer, through edits made to a settings file
used by Datacolor PAINT. Contact your system administrator to configure or
edit this information.
Dispensing Formulas
Formulas can be sent electronically to dispensers included in the following
screen:
NOTE
The features accessed by these buttons can be selectively enabled/disabled from
the system. If a button does not display, the feature is not enabled for your
system.
NOTE
This button displays only if you have purchased Datacolor
COORDINATE or Datacolor DECORATE. Refer to the Datacolor
COORDINATE User’s Guide for details on this feature.
2. On the Formula Results screen, click the Adjust button. The window
refreshes.
As you move it left (lighter) or right (darker), the ingredient amounts will
change to achieve the desired change in lightness. In this example, the
sample has been made lighter.
From this screen you can do the following with this formula:
• Dispense Change. Add material to an existing can. If you have
dispensed the original formula, you can adjust this formula to the
preferred lightness by dispensing only the change amounts.
• Dispense Total. Dispenses the colorant amounts displayed in the
Totals columns. This assumes you are making a completely new
formula, and using the base and can size called for in the original
formula.
• Record. Record the formula in the customer file.
• Label. Prints a label containing the formula. The formula printed is the
formula displayed in the Totals section.
The store contact information included on the label is customized for each
system. Please contact your System Administrator to create or change this label
information.
Dispense
If you have a dispenser connected to your computer, the formula can be
transmitted directly to the dispenser. The dispensing options are enabled during
the installation of the dispenser program. When enabled, a Dispense button is
displayed on the formula screens:
NOTE
To install the dispenser drivers at any time, launch the Datacolor PAINT
installation menu and select Install Dispenser Drivers.
Formula Correction
Datacolor PAINT includes an option to correct a mistinted batch by adding more
colorant to the can. To run this option you need a sample of the mistinted paint,
and the original formula must be stored in the system.
The program offers two approaches to correction. Autocorrect instructs the
program to calculate the best add possible, using the ingredients selected.
Datacolor PAINT also provides the user with the option to shade the batch
manually.
NOTE
Access to these correction features is controlled by the system configuration.
Some manufacturers choose to disable some or all correction features.
To correct a mistinted batch, you can use the Correct button at the bottom of the
formula window.
Two different correction types are available:
• Correct By Adding. This approach adds colorant to the existing can.
• Reformulate. This approach assumes you are starting with a new can.
As a result, reformulate may produce a formula containing a smaller
amount of a colorant than was included in the original formula.
Reformulate lets you “take out” some colorant, as needed.
NOTE
The Reformulate correction type is not enabled in a default
configuration. The default configuration enables Correction (Correct by
Adding), and only one correction button displays.
Procedure
Below are the steps to perform a correction.
NOTE
The target color and formula can be generated through the matching options, or
retrieved from a customer record.
2. Click on the Correct button on the formula screen. The program will
prompt you to re-measure the target sample.
Place the sample at the port and click Measure. The window will
refresh and the original formula will be displayed:
NOTES
Systems can be configured differently to run a correction. On some
systems, a single Auto Correct button may be displayed. Other
systems may include two correction buttons, Correct by Adding
and Reformulate.
NOTE
The formula in this example is expressed in fractional parts of an ounce, rather
than decimal equivalents. Dispensers commonly used with Datacolor PAINT
often dispense colorant in fractional parts. The precision of the fractional parts
amounts is critical to the quality of the color match.
Match Quality. Information about the match quality, before and after the
correction, is also provided:
Manual Add
You can adjust a formula manually to correct a mistinted batch.. This is done on
the correction screen by manually entering ingredient amounts in the Change
columns, and evaluating the effect on both the color quality and the cost of the
formula.
• The Total columns display the final formula. These amounts include the
original formula and the change amounts for each colorant.
To change the amount for one/several colorants, click in the Change
column for the ingredient amount to be changed, and enter a different
amount.
NOTE
Auto-Correct considers can size limitations when calculating an add.
This adjustment improves the Delta E by 2.53, and produces a color difference of
0.49.
The computer-generated add always tries to make the best match in terms of
color quality. While color quality is very important, sometimes the cost of the add
must also be considered. In this example, the user-generated add may be an
acceptable solution in terms of color quality, and lowers the cost of the add.
Overview
You can store formulas for individual customers. Once stored, they can be
retrieved to make additional quantities as needed, to be rematched or to develop
a color scheme using Datacolor COORDINATE.
The group of buttons on the lower left section of the formula window includes
functions for storing, editing, or printing formulas in the customer file:
Record Button
This button is used to store the formula in the customer file. To store this formula
at the time it displays, do the following:
1. Complete the Customer Name and Phone Number fields. You can
enter up to 40 characters in the Customer Name field. Entering a
name is optional. For most system configurations, you must enter a
phone number. If you want to configure your system so that a
phone number is not required, see your System Administrator.
2. The Color Name and Color Number fields will be empty if you have
measured a sample as the target color. If these fields are empty,
enter the appropriate information.
Details Button
This option allows you to add more information to be included in the formula
record. To access this option, do the following:
(3) The user text section is optional, and is printed on the label.
See your System Administrator to enable or disable the user text
option.
− If the customer record already exists, click on the down arrow in the
Customer or Phone Number fields and highlight the customer
information.
− If this is a new customer, enter a customer name and phone
number.
NOTE
Entering a different phone number creates a new customer.
3. Enter the information about the product. You must provide a can
size, paint type, product line and base selection:
− Click on the down arrow next to each field, and highlight the correct
selection.
5. When you have entered all of the information, click Record to store
the formula.
Formula Retrieval
When you store a customer formula, you can recall it at any time. Once retrieved,
the formula can be used in the following ways:
• Dispense additional batches using the original can size
• Rescale the formula to a different can size
• Rematch the standard using a different product
• Fix a mistinted batch
NOTE
Formulas can be retrieved either by customer name or phone
number. Each customer can only be assigned one phone number.
A new phone number creates a separate customer record.
3. Click on the arrow in the Color Name field. The colors stored in the
customer record are displayed:
The program displays the stored formula. From this window, you can make
changes to the stored formula including:
• Rescale the formula
• Rematch the color using a different product
• Correct the formula
• Adjust the formula
• Edit the formula
• Print labels for additional cans that you are making
• Dispense the formula
These options are accessed through buttons at the bottom of the window.
2. Click on the down arrow in the Can Size field, and select a different
container. The window will refresh and a new formula will be
displayed.
Depending on the formula and the new can size, you may receive
the following message:
TIP
This quart formula will fit into the can size selected. However, it will
not be an exact match to the gallon previously made. If the new
and old paint will appear side-by-side, the customer may want to
consider purchasing the original gallon can size to ensure an
accurate color match.
The new formula name will appear in the Color Name selections:
Overview
The Options tab at the top of the main program window accesses system
configuration options.
NOTE
The buttons in the middle of the screen (e.g., Instrument Setup, Spectro
Diagnostics, MS Agent Setup, etc.) provide access to program options that can
be selectively disabled and enabled. The display of these options is typically
configured by the manufacturer. Contact your System Administrator for
information on the selections that appear on your Options page.
The buttons at the bottom of the window are always displayed. An explanation of
these three function buttons are provided in this section.
3. Click on the icon that identifies the type of display you are using,
LCD or CRT, and click the Accept button.
Printer Setup
This option is used to select the correct print size and type, and to direct the
output to the correct printer.
• Your current POS printer. The name displayed should match the
printer connected to the system. Click on Select Printer to change the
printer selection.
• Your Current Printer Size. Identifies the paper size currently selected
for the printer. Reports may be formatted for different printer sizes.
Click on the down arrow in the field to view the choices, and highlight the
correct size.
• Your Current Report. Displays the report selected for printing.
Change Appearance
These options control the appearance of the Datacolor PAINT main screen, and
the font sizes used for the buttons that appear on the screens.
1. Click on the down arrow to view the scheme choices, and highlight
your selection. If you choose any scheme except DPDefault, you
can customize the font size of the buttons used in the user interface
and preview the result.
3. You can customize the shape, size and button contents for the user
interface provided with the program, using the fields in this section.
Make your selections and click the Okay button at the bottom of the
window. When you return to the Datacolor PAINT main screen, the
new scheme will be displayed.
Configuration
The default Datacolor PAINT installation loads this driver.
Advantages
• If the only Datacolor program you are running is Datacolor PAINT, you
can use the Datacolor native driver. It is installed automatically during
the program installation.
• No additional program configuration is required to activate the Datacolor
PAINT Native driver.
• Simple to use.
Disadvantages
• Does not support Datacolor SPECTRUM products. If you are using any
SPECTRUM products, you must also install and use the Datacolor
SPECTRUM driver.
Configuration
• The SPECTRUM driver can be installed on a system that also has the
Datacolor PAINT native driver.
• It is installed and configured separately, after Datacolor PAINT is
installed.
• You must use the SPECTRUM driver for all other Datacolor
SPECTRUM products.
Advantages
• You can use both instrument drivers. You use the Datacolor native
driver with Datacolor PAINT, and the Datacolor SPECTRUM driver for
all other Datacolor SPECTRUM products.
• For systems using multiple Datacolor programs, you can configure
Datacolor PAINT to use the Datacolor SPECTRUM driver, eliminating
the need for the Datacolor PAINT native driver. This configuration
eliminates the need to perform every instrument calibration twice.
Disadvantages
If you use the Datacolor native driver for Datacolor PAINT, and the Datacolor
SPECTRUM driver for all other Datacolor programs, you must complete every
instrument calibration twice.
NOTES
You must provide the white tile calibration data to complete the instrument
configuration procedure. This data is provided by Datacolor on both a diskette
and CD, and is shipped with each instrument.
NOTE
If the Datacolor SPECTRUM driver is on the system prior to the installation of
Datacolor PAINT, you must still perform the driver installation from the Datacolor
PAINT installation menu. This procedure assigns the use of the Datacolor
SPECTRUM driver to the Datacolor PAINT program. If you do not include this
step, Datacolor PAINT will default to the Datacolor PAINT native driver.
1. Place the Datacolor PAINT CD into the drive. The installation menu
displays:
NOTE
You must configure the SPECTRUM Driver to recognize the
instrument model you are using. See Instrument Configuration
Procedure below for instructions to complete the driver
configuration.
NOTE
The instrument configuration options can also be accessed from a
program option on the system. Click on Start, All Programs,
Datacolor Spectrum, Datacolor Spectrum Utilities, Configure
Instrument, and go to step #3 in this procedure.
6. In the Serial Number field, enter the serial number from the white
calibration tile.
The program will default to the diskette drive (A:). If it does not find
a disk in this drive, it will prompt you for the disk location:
8. Browse to the correct drive, highlight it and click Open. Two files
will be displayed:
You can calibrate this instrument directly from this option, or you
can calibrate at a later time.
10. Click Calibrate to calibrate the instrument. You will need the black
trap, white tile and green tile from the instrument tile box to
complete the calibration. See Instrument Calibration for
instructions to complete the calibration.
NOTE
The Datacolor SPECTRUM driver prompts you for a green tile
measurement at the end of the instrument calibration:
11. Click Cancel to close this window. The Windows Desktop will
display. You can now launch Datacolor PAINT.
This option can be disabled or enabled at any time. To disable this option:
2. From the group of tabs in the middle of the screen, click on General
Options.
4. On the right side of the window in the field, Perform diagnostic tile
test after instrument calibration, click on the down-arrow. The
choices below are displayed.
A F
Adjust, 34 Formula Adjustments, 35
Formula Book, 15
Formula Book Lookup, 3
C Formula Book Matching, 16
Calibrate Display, 62 Formula Book Window Buttons, 19
Change Appearance, 63 Formula Calculation, 3
Change Info Tab, 31 Formula Correction, 3, 37
Color Card Lookup, 3 Formula Results, 28
Color Card Matching, 24 Formula Retrieval, 49, 54
Color Cards, 15 Formula Storage, 49, 50
Color Match Button, 8
Color Schemes, 34 H
Correct, 34
Customer Formula Retrieval, 15 Help, 10, 16
Customer Formula Storage, 3
I
D Ingredients Amounts, 44
Datacolor COORDINATE, 2 Instrument Calibration, 10
Datacolor DECORATE, 2
Details, 34
Details Button, 51
L
Diagnostic Tile Test, 75 Label, 34, 36
Dispense, 34
Dispense Change, 36
Dispense Total, 36 M
Dispensing Formulas, 32, 37 Main, 10, 16
Main Window, 8
E Manual Add, 44
Manual Formula Entry, 52
Enable Skinning, 65 Matching Colors, 14
Exit Tab, 8 Measure a Color Sample, 15
Measure Color Sample, 19
Measure Color Sample Window, 9
Minimize Tab, 8