DCW Version 2.1 User Guide
This release has all the features of TCS Digital Color Wheel version1.1 plus new modules. The following is an "overview" of the basic features of Version one and includes added features of DCW version two.
As the program opens, note the single menu bar with familiar names and a new one, Color Tools. Select either Getting Started, Digital Color Wheel, Color Tools or Education and a second menu bar opens. This reveals additional options from which you can choose a function. These menus are flexible, you can move about either the first or second bar to select a program function.
The best way to learn the functions is to use it. Move about in the program and watch the results.
First, open the "Digital Color Wheel / then "Color Wheel". Stepped instructions are in the upper left corner of the screen. Next to the TCS ID. (bottom of screen) "L" and "T" tabs, Paint or Mix / YES or NO. These function with the brands database of color names which is included. You will know right away if there is a paint name for that TCS identifier.
Once you have selected a color scheme, click Design Previewer and select a template. Choose any color with mouse from Dominate (D) and or Sub 1, 2,3 colors. You can choose Four (4) more colors with C1,2,3,4.
Then "paint" colors on the design using the mouse pointer. Finally, you can choose a background (B) and view your color scheme with different background colors.
Expanded Color Scheme:
After choosing a color scheme from the Digital Color Wheel, this feature displays the dominate color, suggested shade and highlight display beside the dominant color. The chosen sub colors are on this same screen also with suggested shade and highlight beside the dominant color. You can select different backgrounds to view all these colors at the same time. This allows you to see as many as twelve (12) colors with your choice of background on one screen in proportionate amounts……..all with TCS identifiers.
Design Previewer: The Design Previewer includes twenty-One (21) designs, so you can "paint" with your selected color scheme.
You can print any template along with the TCS identifiers when completed. It does not offer "scanning in a design" to be painted.
A New Set of Color Tools: Color Table, Paint Lookup, & Color Converter
Color Table:
From the Digital Color Wheel, each TCS identifier is sent to Color Tools / Color Table function by clicking on "T". The Color Table allows the user to "see" a visual comparison of colors within color families and hues. For instance; RE-5 (RE equals red color family and 5 is pure red hue) displays 81 color squares on two 1 to 9 scales representing different choices of clarity and value.
If a paint name exists for any one of these 81 color squares, it is shown with a dot in the box. In the example of RE-5-1-5, there are 12 TCS #'s with corresponding paint names. Make another selection, then click "Color Tools / Paint Lookup" to see the names. There you will find up to 21 acrylic and oil standard or mixed colors. You can choose an adjacent color from the color table if you do not find an acceptable choice.
By returning to the color table, you can change the hue to RE-6 and find 32 more choices of color names in different brands. By using this process you have complete visual control over your color choices. This feature offers hundreds of choices for your review.
Modifying Digital Color Wheel Selections: Once you have chosen a color scheme on the Digital Color Wheel screen, you can note colors that have "Paint Names" associated with it. These appear as a Yes or No on the Paint or Mix line. Clicking on "T" tab next to each TCS #, will automatically take you to the "Color Table" for that color family and hue. There you will see 81 different representations. If you wish to choose a different color, you can "send" that back to the Digital Color Wheel by clicking on the "To Wheel" arrow dialog box in the lower left-hand corner. If you change Color Family or Hue on this table, you cannot export changes back to the wheel.
This feature allows you to choose a color scheme which you know has equivalent paint names or mixes before you send it to the Design Previewer or Enhanced Color Scheme functions.
These selections will stay while you move to different functions within the program. When you are ready to dispense with this color combination, you can reset the wheel to its default or starting position.
Resetting Digital Color Wheel: Since the above feature allows modification of the original selections, the "Reset Wheel" button in the upper right corner will place the wheel in its "Home" position for a fresh start.. Home position is Complementary color scheme with Yellow as dominant, Hue, Clarity and Value set at 5-1-5
Paint Lookup:
The Paint Lookup display reveals text with paint names and/or mixes matching your selected TCS identifier. It is a screen display of 24 brands with either a standard color name or possibly a mix including mix ratio. Since the database is in color order, you can choose "Next" or "Previous" from this screen to see other color names in different brands.
The screen shows Company / Brand, Standard color name or mix and Manufacturers number, if any. Some brands will not always display an entry because an equivalent mix has not yet been created for that brand, but always at least 10 brands will have content.
These two features allow the user to choose either by brand paint name or by on-screen visual display of color choices.
Color Converter:
TCS identifiers are based on hue, clarity and value of thousands of colors. In printing and other automated technology fields, different forms of color measurements have previously been established. This module allows users to find color equivalencies between five (5) different color measurement systems. For instance, using RE-5-1-4 as a TCS identifier for these paint names;
Genesis Oils = Genesis Red and
Winsor Newton's = Bright Red and
Americana's = Calico Red and
Ceramcoat's = Opaque Red
While these are the same color in different paint brands, if I wanted to print this color (inks measurement) I would use CMY of Cyan = 0, Magenta = 163 and Yellow = 163. To display this color on my computer screen, say for a web page, I would use the RGB value of Red = 255, Green = 92, Blue = 92 or even a Hex value of FF5C5C. And vice versa, the user can key in an RGB value and find a close equivalent in a paint name through the TCS identifier screen.
Even if you are not interested in these measurement table conversions, the traditional artist can learn greatly from just "playing" with this colorful module. It includes several color table displays to show how different colors affect each other.
This feature is a "powerful educational tool" if you are an artist, graphics designer or software developer. It is an unbelievable tool for anyone desiring to learn about color. You must see it to appreciate it.
Your Feedback: We want to hear of your experiences with this program. Please let us know what you think!! Suggested improvements are welcome. We believe this is a great tool for anyone who likes creating color combinations and desires to learn more about using a color wheel. For those who ask about it, be sure and tell them to review the website www.gotcs.com/colorwheel
Neal & Bobbie Pearcy
Tru-Color Systems, 64 E. Marion St., Danville, IN 46122
Ph: 317.745.7535 Fax: 317.745.1886 E-mail: comments@gotcs.com
*** TCS - Industry Standard Color Matching Solutions ***
www.gotcs.com/colorwheel
Rev. 5, 4-16-2003