A method that includes obtaining, using a processor, image data from a target coating. The method also includes performing, using the processor, an image analysis to determine at least one sparkle point from the image data, and performing, using the processor, a hue analysis to determine a sparkle color from the sparkle point. The method further includes calculating, using the processor, a sparkle color distribution, and generating, using the processor, a coating formulation that is the same or substantially similar in appearance to the target coating.

A computerized method for displaying matches of a paint sample to various proposed paint coatings includes receiving one or more coating texture variables of a target coating from a coating-measurement instrument. The method also includes displaying, on a digital display device, effect texture ratings for multiple respective proposed coating matches on a digital display device, wherein the effect texture ratings indicate a similarity between the one or more coating texture variables of the target coating and respective coating textures variables of each of the respective proposed coating matches. In addition, the method includes ordering the proposed coating matches, wherein the ordering indicates a strength in similarity between the target coating and each of the proposed coating matches with respect to the effect texture ratings.

The color strength of a colored batch containing effect pigments can be measured and corrected using one or more non-uniformly weighted factors to determine, at a plurality of combinations of illumination angles and measurement angles, and at one or more wavelengths, the color and intensity of light reflected or absorbed by a coating film made from the batch in comparison to a reference color strength. Based on such comparison, let-downs or batches may be passed, rejected, mixed or otherwise dispersed. The composition of such let-downs or batches may also or instead be adjusted by adding non-effect pigments, effect pigments, binder, carrier, binder, or non-effect or effect pigments dispersed in either or both of a carrier and binder, in order to correct the let-down or batch color strength to within a desired tolerance of the reference color strength.

Systems and methods for determining illumination angle and viewing angle in color observation are described. The system includes an optical capturing device to acquire an image of its surroundings and a processing unit. When operated, the processing unit executes the following steps: identify a position of a light source in the image acquired by the optical capturing device; identify a position of a viewer in the image acquired by the optical capturing device; determine a first angular position of the light source with respect to the optical capturing device and a second angular position of the viewer with respect to the optical capturing device and provide the first angular position and the second angular position to define an actual viewing geometry.

A computer system for analyzing a paint sample and generating values that describe various attributes of a proposed matching color can comprise instructions for receiving from a coating-measurement instrument one or more coating variables of a target coating. The system can also comprise instructions for calculating coating texture ratings for the multiple respective proposed coating matches. The coating texture ratings can indicate a similarity between the one or more coating texture characteristics of the target coating and respective coating texture characteristics of each of the respective proposed coating matches. Additionally, the system can comprise instructions for sending instructions to generate a user interface that depicts overall rankings of at least a portion of the proposed coating matches. The overall rankings indicate a similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the proposed coating matches with respect to the coating texture ratings.

An aluminum can wherein, when the light reflected by the outer surface of the body portion of the aluminum can is evaluated based on the LCH method by using a multi-angle spectral colorimeter, the aluminum can features a ratio C.sub.15h/C.sub.15w of 0.6 to 1.4, the ratio C.sub.15h/C.sub.15w being that of a saturation value C.sub.15h of the light reflected at 15 degrees in the direction of height and a saturation value C.sub.15w of the light reflected at an angle 15 of degrees in the circumferential direction based on the light regularly reflected from the light that is incident at 45 degrees in the direction of height and in the circumferential direction.

A multi-angle optical characteristic measuring device and an optical unit therefor include: an illuminating portion that irradiates a measurement point with an illuminating light beam; a plurality of reflecting mirrors that are arranged facing the measurement point at a plurality of different observation angles, and modify traveling directions of measurement light beams emitted from the measurement point in response to the illuminating light beam; one light receiving optical system that receives the measurement light beams from the plurality of reflecting mirrors; and a two-dimensional detecting portion that detects the measurement light beams received by the light receiving optical system, and the plurality of reflecting mirrors modifies the traveling directions of the measurement light beams such that the two-dimensional detecting portion detects the measurement light beams at different positions on the two-dimensional detecting portion.

A mobile device for measuring reflectance properties of a surface includes a first imaging device comprising an image sensor and a lens characterized by an optical axis; a first illumination source having an optical axis disposed at an angle of 45 with respect to the first imaging device lens' optical axis; a second imaging device comprising an image sensor and a lens characterized by an optical axis; and a second illumination source having an optical axis intersecting the first imaging device lens' optical axis where the first illumination source intersects the first imaging device lens' optical axis, the optical axes of the first imaging device and the second illumination source defining a second measurement plane. The mobile device further comprises a computer processor and a non-volatile memory comprising computer-readable instructions to acquire data from the first and second imaging devices and derive reflectance information of the surface of interest.

Using an image capturing device, multiple images can be obtained at different angles with respect to a surface of a target coating. In one computer-implemented embodiment, a method involves using a filtering technique to perform an image analysis on the obtained images to determine the presence of sparkle points within the images. A color attribute analysis can then be performed to determine various color attributes associated with the determined sparkle point. A sparkle color distribution can then be calculated in response to the color attribute analysis. A coating formulation can then be generated, in association with the calculated sparkle color distribution, which is the same or substantially similar to the target coating.

A method that includes obtaining, using a processor, reflectance data from a target coating and calculating, using the processor, electrostatics data from the reflectance data. The method also includes generating, using the processor, a coating formulation that is the same or substantially similar in appearance to the target coating.