Systems and methods for paint match simulation

A method that is carried out by one or more processors for displaying one or more images to select one or more matching formulas to match color and appearance of a target coating of an article, said method comprising:

• retrieving, by the one or more processors, one or more preliminary matching formulas from a multitude of repair formulas from a first memory storing a first database, wherein the first database comprises interrelated repair formulas, color characteristics, and appearance characteristics;
• selecting, by the one or more processors, one article or a three-dimensional mapping of a geometry of one article from a second memory storing a second database and marking a part of a surface of the article as a marked section, wherein the second database contains identification information of at least the one article, a three-dimensional model of the at least one article or the three-dimensional mapping of the geometry of at least the part of the surface of the at least one article, and wherein the article comprises a vehicle;
• generating, by the one or more processors, individual matching images containing the marked section and an unmarked section adjacent to the marked section, wherein the individual matching images are generated in the marked section based on the color characteristics, the appearance characteristics, and the one article or the three-dimensional mapping of the geometry of the one article selected from the second database;
• and
• displaying the individual matching images on a display device, wherein displaying the individual matching images comprises displaying a true three-dimensional geometry of the vehicle.

A system for computing one or more images indicating one or more matching formulas to match color and appearance of a target coating of an article, said system comprising:

• a first processor configured to receive input signals from at least one data input device;
• a memory that stores a first database containing interrelated repair formulas, color characteristics, and appearance characteristics;
• the memory storing a second database containing identification information of at least one article, a three-dimensional model of the at least one article or a three-dimensional mapping of a geometry of at least a part of a surface of the at least one article;
• and
• a computer program product that is accessible to the first processor and performs a computing process comprising:
• retrieving one or more preliminary matching formulas from the interrelated repair formulas of the first database based on the input signals;
• selecting the one article or the three-dimensional mapping of the geometry of the one article from the second database and receiving a marked section of the surface of the article;
• generating individual matching images containing the marked section and an unmarked section adjacent to the marked section, wherein the individual matching images are generated in the marked section based on the color characteristics, the appearance characteristics, and the one article or the three-dimensional mapping of the geometry of the one article selected from the second database and interrelated to each of the one or more preliminary matching formulas;
• and
• transmitting the individual matching images for being displayed on a display device.