JP4790164B2 - Metallic paint color determination device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a main metallic coating color, and more specifically, a sample composed of, for example, a metallic coating color (a coating color including flake pigments such as aluminum flakes, metal oxide-coated mica pieces, and plate-like iron oxide). Converts and records the book into visual computer graphic images and computer searchable digital data, distributes it to the customer, assists the customer in creating color planning materials, and reduces man-hours until the color is determined In addition, a digital sample book database of metallic paint colors that supports the creation of prototypes by creating actual paints based on the paint composition that has been made public, and a paint color determination device for industrial design products using them About.
[0002]
[Prior art and its problems]
Currently, the following methods are generally used in the field of color planning and color selection of industrial products for design, and preparation of paint color samples in electronic catalong materials.
1. A customer's product designer creates a three-dimensional model from a design drawing of his / her product using drawing software on a personal computer.
2. Color planners (color specialists) or product designers paint with imagination based on their own experience. Or color the sample book personally.
3. Or, add photos of other industrial products to supplement the transmission of color texture.
4). Give output media to paint company sales.
5. The sales of the paint company is handed over to the paint designer of the paint company.
6). The paint color designer chooses a color that meets the customer's request from the company's stock colors and proposes it to the customer.
7). If necessary, go to the customer and decide the color.
[0003]
The above is the current procedure for determining the color of the industrial design product. There are currently major problems with this procedure. That is, when 2-6 customer color planners and product designers meet with paint company color designers, there is no specific color and texture ruler or standard color chart, and they are determined based on mutual sensitivity. It is. Therefore, it takes a long time to make a decision, and if the colors imagined are different from each other, the procedure of 2-6 is repeated many times, and the paint color determination is extremely inefficient. To that end, paint companies have created standard color sample books as much as possible and asked for color determination using the color sample books. In addition, metallic paint colors that change color depending on the viewing direction are preferred due to recent improvements in the design of industrial products. This further makes it difficult to communicate color and texture between paint companies and customers.
[0004]
As a sample book widely sold by paint companies, Japan Paint Industrial Color Paper published by Nippon Paint Industry and Autocolor for Automobile Top Coating can be purchased by anyone with a fee. The Nikkiso Color Sample Book is a solid color (sorted by hue and tone) arranged chromatically. Another auto color sample book is published by the Japan Paint Industry Association and contains the top coat colors of all automobiles sold in Japan that are sold by each paint manufacturer.
[0005]
Currently, various color sample books are sold by paint companies and printing companies, many of which are solid color sample books. A solid color is a sample book consisting of only organic and inorganic pigments, and the color does not change depending on the viewing direction. A solid paint digital sample book is commonly used in the printing field, and is incorporated in the software as a color palette for drawing software often used by designers, for example.
[0006]
However, at present, there is no standard color sample book of so-called metallic paint color containing a flake-like glittering material at home and abroad. The reason for this is that for flake-like glitter materials, a macroscopic and microscopic texture that mixes various glitter materials with chromatic color classification is important, but scientific measurement and organization of this texture is not possible. That's enough, so there is currently no metallic color sample book on the market. However, there is only a color sample book with metallic paint distributed in Japan and overseas. It is a color swatch book with a metallic paint on top of automobiles, and in Japan it is called auto color.
[0007]
The auto color chart that is sold in Japan is a sample book of top coat colors of domestic and imported cars issued in March every year. Since it is a sample book for automobile top coat colors, most of them are metallic colors and there are very few solid colors. At present, the auto color sample book is the only metallic color sample book that is widely available. For this reason, it is the only color chart that can be seen by hand for color designers of general industrial design goods other than the automobile top coat designer, and it is gaining popularity.
[0008]
This auto color is released every March. The collection is a collection of strips of portable samples, focusing on the new colors of the cars released up to the previous year. One booklet has the name of the car manufacturer, the date of coating, the color number of the car company, the color name (Kana and English), the car model name and colored paper (metallic color created with paint) on the back. The paint formulation of each paint maker is printed on.
[0009]
Thus, auto color is unique as a metallic paint color sample book, and there is an advantage that the state in which the paint color is actually painted on the actual vehicle can be visually confirmed.
[0010]
However, there is no color search function. Because auto color is currently sold only on paper media and is recorded mainly on new colors every year, if you search for multiple years, we have a sample book of auto color for each year, You have to find the manufacturer and car model name or paint color name by hand. Since this work is extremely difficult, there has been a demand for improvement from color designers of general design industrial products.
[0011]
Also, even if you have a pre-determined paint color and you want to collect colors that have the same color and different texture, or you want to collect variations that have the same texture but different colors, the creation of color charts is chromatically And it was impossible because it was not created by texture analysis.
[0012]
In this way, despite the fact that there are various incidental information and color charts and combinations of automobile paint colors (mostly metallic paint colors), it is possible to respond quickly to the designer's sensory desires because it was made without a search function. could not.
[0013]
Let's talk about creating an image. Recent designers create product designs from computer CAD data from 3D simulation images, and capture hand-drawn sketches with a scanner. Color designers use computer graphics software while having product images for these pictures. Color.
[0014]
At that time, the designer finishes the product image by adjusting the color tone of the digital palette so that it is close to the color chart color, but in the case of metallic paint color, the color differs depending on the viewing direction, so the product image is colored. He needed considerable experience and was drawing with his senses. For this reason, accidents that often resulted in the production of prototypes (prototypes) that differed greatly from the actual paint color occurred, leading to wasteful work with paint companies and customers.
[0015]
Software that renders 3D simulation images of products from CAD data and renders colors and reflections of surrounding scenery using simulation based on the spectral reflectance of the paint color is available due to recent computer development. Yes (Japanese Patent Application No. 9-246185). It has been announced that this method can be used for scientific coloring and rationally determine the color of the product.
[0016]
However, the price of the device is high, and there is a restriction that the three-dimensional CAD data of the product, the angle change spectral reflectance of the metallic paint color, and the ambient light conditions are aligned, and it can only be operated in a specific computer simulation environment, It is not a system that makes it easy for everyone to simulate paint colors on product images.
[0017]
Therefore, in the present invention, it is easy for general design industrial designers (called color planners or product designers) to determine the color of products, and various designs that run on any computer software currently used by design industrial designers. We have devised a mechanism that allows you to color the 3D simulation image of the paint color using a digital palette on the drawing software.
[0018]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In light of the above-described situation, the present invention creates and distributes (distributes) an auto-color digital version, which is the only sample book for metallic paint colors, using colorimetry technology, color science, and communication technology of personal computers and the Internet. ) And can quickly search for paint colors in various ways for designers who decide the paint colors of industrial designs, and can also determine the colors visually using computer graphic images of paint colors. Is to provide a support tool for widely determining the color of industrial design, which can be reflected in the design image created and can create an actual paint from the blending information obtained at the same time.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, it has been shown that the above-described problems can be solved by the following three means.
[0020]
The first means is means for creating digital data that can be retrieved by an auto color computer, which is a sample book for automobile overcoating colors. This is a job done by a company that creates digital sample books.
[0021]
(1) Means for measuring the metallic paint color First, the multi-angle spectral reflectance is measured using a multi-angle spectrophotometer capable of measuring the metallic paint color of the stored metallic paint color. The number of the colorimetric angles is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 or more between 10 degrees and 110 degrees (expressed as a declination angle when the angle of specular reflection light is 0 degrees). The multi-angle spectral reflectance data is converted to XYZ by the method of JIS Z8701, and then converted to Lab * by the method of JIS Z8729.
[0022]
(2) Means for calculating and storing the first texture parameter of the metallic paint color From the measured value XYZ, the first texture parameters of IV, SV, and FF representing the shadow feeling of the highlight and the shade are expressed using the following equations. To produce. Here, IV represents the brightness of the highlight, and is generally represented by the brightness Y value in XYZ of the highlight colorimetric value. SV is called the brightness of the face angle, and generally corresponds to a Y value of 0 degree under the -45 degree incident condition. The FF value is the contrast between IV and SV, and can be calculated as FF = 2.0 * (IV−SV) / (IV + SV).
[0023]
(3) The macro-like texture parameter, which is the second texture parameter obtained from the colorimetric value, has a sense of depth as an important parameter. The sense of depth is a parameter that represents the image of a gem such as ruby or sapphire. The depth sense is not yet defined by the academic society, but in the field of automotive overcoating color, it has been discovered from many years of research that the depth sense can be calculated by the equation of saturation c * / lightness L *. It has a means to calculate the depth feeling from the representative color of metallic paint color.
[0024]
(4) The macroscopic texture parameter as the third texture parameter, that is, the glitter feeling related to the size and amount of the large and small flake-like glitter material included in the metallic paint color is an image of the paint color measured at a low magnification. From JP-A-2000-65750, a method for calculating the IPSL value (grainy feeling, particle feeling) and BV value (shiny feeling), which are parameters for quantification, is used.
[0025]
(5) Furthermore, using the method for determining the representative color of the metallic paint color described in JP-A-11-211569, one representative color that is most uncomfortable for humans is determined from the metallic paint color that changes depending on the angle. A CIE Lab * value, an Lch * value, and a Hue-Tone value often used in the design field are obtained and converted into a color classification code described in the patent.
[0026]
(6) The computer graphic image of the paint color is predicted by using the method described in JP-A-10-10045 to predict an arbitrary spectral reflectance at a wide angle from the highlight of the metallic paint color to the shade, and from this, the conversion formula of JIS Z8701 Is used to obtain the tristimulus values XYZ. The conversion from XYZ to RGB can be calculated by using a determinant from XYZ values obtained by measuring the emission luminances of R, G, B and WHITE of the monitor with a spectral radiance meter. Further, in order to carry out more accurately, it is necessary to obtain and correct a function of light emission luminance with respect to the R, G, B input voltages of the monitor (this is called a γ function). The conversion from XYZ to RGB may measure the characteristics of the monitor used directly in this way, but for the sake of simplicity, the CIE (International Lighting Commission) will publish as an approximation to the NTSC color coordinates that the monitor often uses on televisions. A conversion formula may be used.
[0027]
The digital data obtained in (1) to (6) above, and the name of the automobile manufacturer, Nikko coating number, the color number of the automobile company, the color name (Kana and English) and the car model name already described in the auto color sample book After the paint composition is registered using database software, it is stored and stored in an internal storage device (hard disk) and an external storage device (CD-ROM, MO disk) of the computer. In addition, it is now possible to distribute data in real time simultaneously with creation of data using a wide area WAN such as the Internet.
[0028]
Second, when a design industrial designer temporarily determines a target color, the peripheral color is quickly searched for an approximate color of the metallic paint color and displayed on the screen. In the field of processing human sensory information, such as design, it is better to look at the computer graphic image (CG) of the paint color and imagine the condition of the color and texture rather than the calorimetric numerical parameters. Often suits. If an approximate color can be searched in this way, it can be narrowed down to a better target color. In this method, the color difference is calculated from the Lab * value of the coating color using the color difference formula described in JIS Z8730, and the smallest color is the closest color. However, since the color measurement value of the metallic paint color varies depending on the angle, it is desirable to calculate the color difference using a multi-angle Lab *. In the present invention, good results can be obtained by using a weighted color difference formula in which the weight of the color difference is adjusted according to the angle described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-54409 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-259398 ) . If the number of paint colors to be searched exceeds 10,000, it takes time to calculate approximate colors. In this case, the calculation object is narrowed down in advance for each color group described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-54409 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-259398). There is means for calculating and rearranging the weighted color differences from small to large and displaying the results on the computer screen.
[0029]
Third, since this computer graphic image is a general-purpose image, this image can be placed on a product image diagram being created by a design industrial designer using computer software. Specifically, an image can be arranged at an arbitrary position on a computer screen by Cut & Paste equipped with any computer system. In addition, if you use the fact that color information at an arbitrary position in the placed image can be extracted using the color extraction function provided in normal drawing software and reflected in the color of the product on the drawing, this can be done with metallic paint. It can be used as a digital palette of colors. Thereby, the computer image of the paint color can be reflected on the product image being drawn, and the precision of the paint color simulation is improved.
[0030]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A specific embodiment of a system for supporting the selection of a coating color in color planning of a design metallic industrial product A system configuration of a computer and a measuring instrument for creating digital data of a sample book FIG. 1 will be described in detail. .
[0031]
First, a sample book for each year's version of Auto Color is purchased from a paint manufacturer. The sample book 101 can be obtained for a fee from paint manufacturers selling automobile repair paints in Japan and overseas.
[0032]
Next, the auto color color chart is measured by the multi-angle spectrophotometer 102. For example, when MA68 (-45 incident / 15, 25, 45, 75, 110 degree five-angle light reception) of US X-RITE is used, a five-angle spectral reflectance can be obtained quickly.
[0033]
From the measured spectral reflectance, using the method described above, Lab * value at 5 angles, Lch * value, IV, SV, FF, depth, metallic representative color Lab *, Hue-Tone, color group symbol, CS An image is calculated, created, and stored in an internal storage device of the computer.
[0034]
The colored paper is photographed by the CCD camera 103 under the uniform light illumination device 104, with the photographing magnification of 1 mm on the coated plate of 90 to 100 pixels, and this image is captured by commercially available image processing software (for example, Mac). Scope) is used to calculate and store the IPSL and BV values.
[0035]
The automaker's name, date coating number, car company color number, color name (Kana and English), car model name and paint composition listed in the auto color sample book are digitally recorded by OCR reading equipment or manually entered. Store.
[0036]
The above data is stored in commercially available database software (for example, file maker pro) using the search key of the computer as an automobile company name symbol + paint color name.
[0037]
The created database is recorded on the CD-ROM 106 using the CD-RW of the personal computer 105. At this time, the document of the file maker pro is created as a runtime document using the file maker pro developer version sold separately. In this way, the database can be moved even if the software of the file maker pro is not owned when distributed to the designer who is the customer.
[0038]
In another form, it is also possible to search for a paint color via the Internet 107 by operating the file maker pro on the server using the WEB distribution function of the file maker pro.
[0039]
Next, a flowchart for determining a paint color by a customer color planner using this digital sample book will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0040]
Whether the customer uses a CD-ROM or the Internet, the customer can input the digital sample book into a computer system used by the customer and create an environment for free use (201).
[0041]
Next, it is possible to search for a color freely by using incidental information such as a paint color name and a car model name, color texture, and composition as a key (202).
[0042]
Further, the temporarily determined color can be searched as a standard color using the approximate color search function, and candidate colors can be displayed on the screen together with several color CG images in order of close color texture (203). What is important here is that the color texture can be visually judged using CG.
[0043]
The customer's designer determines whether the color he desires by looking at the searched CG image of the paint color and the colored paper of the actual color sample book (204). If it is not the desired paint color, the reference color is determined from the paint color CG image already output on the computer screen, and the approximate color search is performed again.
[0044]
Browsing with the CG image on the computer and visually confirming with the color paper of the actual sample book, the final determined CG image is output (205).
[0045]
Finally, the customer's color planner cuts and pastes the displayed CG image on the product image being created by the customer (206).
[0046]
Furthermore, if there is a place in the product image where it is desired to change the color, after masking that portion, two arbitrary colors (for example, highlight color and shade color) of the CG image are extracted, and then commercially available image processing software A simple realistic product image can be drawn by gradation processing using.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
By using the present invention, it is possible to quickly select a coating color in the color planning of a design-like metallic industrial product, and electronic images can be obtained by incorporating a CG image of the attached coating color into a product image. A color sample book can be easily created, and if a CG image is used as a palette, a simple realistic product image after painting can be quickly created.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram constituting an apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for determining a paint color.
[Explanation of symbols]
102 spectrophotometer 103 CCD camera 106 CD-ROM
107 Internet

Claims (4)

Color code of metallic paint color sample book produced by automobile top coat paint; incidental information consisting of one or more information items of car manufacturer name, paint color name, registered year, painted car model name; Angular colorimetric value; texture parameter that is color micro-texture data including visual amount of glittering and rough metallic paint color; image based on colorimetric value calculated from spectral reflectance obtained from multi-angle colorimeter A recording means for recording a digital paint book database of a metallic paint color including a computer graphic image of a paint color and blending information;
Communication means for distributing information of the digital sample book database stored in the recording means to the customer;
Means for retrieving corresponding information from the digital sample book database stored in the recording means, using the color code and the accompanying information as a key;
A display device for determining a metallic paint color, comprising: a display for displaying the retrieved result together with a computer graphic image of the paint color.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording means is a computer internal storage device (hard disk) and an external storage device (CD-ROM, MO, etc.), and the communication means is a wide area WAN.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the colorimetric values calculated from the spectral reflectance obtained from the multi-angle colorimeter is a Huttone value and a Munsell value calculated from a colorimetric value of a representative metallic color. .   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for retrieving corresponding information from a digital sample book database stored in the recording means using a multi-angle colorimetric value, a texture parameter, a computer graphic image of paint color, and blending information as keys. .

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