[Paul_R]

I'll admit that I am a little technologically challenged, and even here where things are relatively easy to find, I have lost my way.:blink:
I am looking for information on the software that allows a person to take a picture of a room, download it to a computer, and then change the color of the walls, etc. I know that one of the big guys here uses something like it, maybe it is Slickshift or Prowallguy.:thumbsup:
Anyway, there was a post where someone mentioned it, but they did not have a printer in their truck to print out contracts and such. I thought that it might be a great marketing tool if you could go to the prospective customer with the capability of presenting a "slide show" of sorts. And I don't claim to be the originator of the idea, I just want some help finding the software. One last thing, is the software limited to colors that are provided by only one paint company, or is it a universal program, only requiring the proper formula of the paint to be used?:sorcerer:

Happy painting, Paul.

 

[ProWallGuy]

All the big paint companies have their own software. I use Ben Moore's Personal Color Viewer. I think it was for sale for $15 at the store, and my rep comped me.

Click here to see all of them.

 

[Paul_R]

Thanks a bunch!!

 

[ProWallGuy]

I neglected to read to the bottom of your post, but yes, each software is exclusive to its own manufacturers colors. My BM software only allows me to pick BM colors. So I would suggest using the one whose paint you spec.

I never try to do this on site, I'm still not that fast with it. I offer it as an add-on service for the wealthy clients who want help making up their mind. For $250, I will take pictures of (up to) 3 rooms or areas, and give them the option to pick 3 color combos per area. I take the pictures at the estimate, then at home, I load them up, and pick the best ones to use. It takes maybe an hour or so after you get the hang of the software, and then I put them in a zip file, and email them back to the customer. BTW, I get paid upfront for this.

 

[Paul_R]

ProWallGuy: Have you ever been formally educated, or self taught in regard to all the ins and outs of the color wheel, hue, value, and all that stuff?:confused1:
I know that I probably sound like some red neck, but I was just wondering how many guys actually have education in the color schemes.:smartass:
It seems that most of my customers already know what color(s) they want, but ocassionaly there are a few who ask"What do you think?", and I usually reply with a polite"Gee I like that/those colors.":yes:

Thanks for your help.

Comments? Thanks, Paul.

 

[ProWallGuy]

Funny you asked that because I have been chatting with a color consultant, and will most likely be getting accredited soon. I plan on charging for all that "what do you think of this color" time I spend with a customer.

 

[Tmrrptr]

If you use brand X painting software most decent paint stores can mix you up colors of any major manufacturer, even in my two horse town.

Computer's a computer's a computer.

 

[ProWallGuy]

True that, but you need the color Suzy Homeowner wants to see to be in your copy of the software. If I'm using BM software, and she wants to see a preview of SW colors, I can't do it.

 

[Joewho]

Paintshop pro and adobe photoshop are some stand alone choices.
Both are major programs with a learning curve, and quite expensive. I have them, shoot me a pm if that's the way you want to go.

Something worth checking out, is the newer hardware to use with this type of program. It's a wand or something to that effect. You use it instead of a mouse. Much more precise.

Don't ask. I don't use them and haven't used them or proprietary software for a long, long time. I simply haven't needed them.


I better go back to the likes/dislikes thread and put software on the dislikes list.

 

[Paul_R]

Mr. Tmrrptr, is that a picture of you just after being arrested, or, just after being released from prison?:laughing: And don't tell me a computer is a computer is a computer. I have a Dell in my downstairs basment "office", but most of the time I just sit here in the kitchen (where everything is closer) and peck away at my wife's MAC. Well let me tell you it is not as user friendly, and just try to open up the disk drive! I may be challenged , but this thing is DIFFICULT!

Joewho, I appreciate your input, but I don't think I could afford the fancy stuff. I do have a son who could help me figure out how to use the program, he has a laptop and does his own "beats" what ever that is. Background noise for rap from what I remember. He is a good kid though.

I am going to learn the basics of color, though. Education never hurt, even if you don't make a lot of use of it, helps me to be more well rounded.:yes:

Thanks for the input, I am on a path of continuous improvement. Paul