Method and process for virtual paint application
First Claim
1. A process for virtual paint application comprising:
- capturing an image in a digital form, said image containing one or more portions onto which virtual paint or graphics shall be applied; and
utilizing a photo editing software program capable of utilizing layers having transparency properties with a computer to manipulate said image in a digital form; and
creating a matte shape layer with said photo editing software, said matte shape layer having a copy of said original image and one or more matte outlines of said portions of said original image onto which said virtual paint or graphics shall be applied whereby layers below said matte shape layer are visible through an area bounded by said matte outline and an area of said original image of said matte shape layer outside of said matte outline is visible; and
creating a shadow layer below said matte shape layer, said shadow layer comprising a black layer having a matte created from an inverted grayscale representation of said original image having at least said portions of said original image which fall within said matte outline; and
saving said layers as described without said original image as a file in a format which is capable of carrying transparency; and
reading said file with an authoring environment program; and
utilizing said authoring environment program to place one or more virtual paint colors or one or more graphics or one or more basecoats or one or more topcoats or one or more fades or one or more masks below said layers whereby said virtual paint color or graphic or basecoat or topcoat or fade or mask is seen through said layers within one or more of said matte outlines.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and process for virtual paint application which allows a user to apply a virtual combination of paints and/or graphics to an object and visually observe and print the resultant object as if it had been physically painted. The method and process is especially useful for virtually painting vehicles with colors supplied from paint company charts and then allowing a user to print the resulting combination and thereafter allowing the user to supply the finished printout to a painter for physical paint application. The method and process is unique in its ability to preserve highlights and shadows of the original image to ensure that the virtual paint application is an accurate representation of the object after the physical paint is applied. The method and process further allows a user to supply a photo of a personal object such as a vehicle or house and after processing, apply the desired virtual paint to the object.
74 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A process for virtual paint application comprising:
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capturing an image in a digital form, said image containing one or more portions onto which virtual paint or graphics shall be applied; and utilizing a photo editing software program capable of utilizing layers having transparency properties with a computer to manipulate said image in a digital form; and creating a matte shape layer with said photo editing software, said matte shape layer having a copy of said original image and one or more matte outlines of said portions of said original image onto which said virtual paint or graphics shall be applied whereby layers below said matte shape layer are visible through an area bounded by said matte outline and an area of said original image of said matte shape layer outside of said matte outline is visible; and creating a shadow layer below said matte shape layer, said shadow layer comprising a black layer having a matte created from an inverted grayscale representation of said original image having at least said portions of said original image which fall within said matte outline; and saving said layers as described without said original image as a file in a format which is capable of carrying transparency; and reading said file with an authoring environment program; and utilizing said authoring environment program to place one or more virtual paint colors or one or more graphics or one or more basecoats or one or more topcoats or one or more fades or one or more masks below said layers whereby said virtual paint color or graphic or basecoat or topcoat or fade or mask is seen through said layers within one or more of said matte outlines. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for virtually viewing the application of paint or graphics to an object, the steps comprising:
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capturing an object image in a digital form which may be manipulated by a computer utilizing a photo editing software package; and creating a first layer with a copy of said object within said photo editing software; and creating a matte within said first layer which isolates only the object or portions thereof which require virtual paint applied, said first layer matte providing a hole through which layers below said first layer may be seen; and creating a second layer of substantially white within said photo editing software below said first layer; and creating a matte within said second layer, said matte having a grayscale representation of said object whereby portions of said grayscale which are more white allow more of the substantially white second layer to be seen more prominently through said first layer matte and portions of said grayscale which are more black allow the layers below said second layer to be seen more prominently through said first layer matte; and saving all of said layers including any attached said mattes as a file in a format which is capable of carrying transparency and is also capable of allowing an authoring environment program to place virtual paint or graphics on a layer below said saved layers; and reading said file with said authoring environment program; and utilizing said authoring environment program to place one or more virtual paint colors or one or more graphics or one or more basecoats or one or more topcoats or one or more fades or one or more masks below said layers whereby said virtual paint, graphic, basecoat, topcoat, or fade is seen on said object through said layers. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification