Process for generating a computer image of a three-dimensional object provided with a special-effect coating

A process for the generation of a computer image of a three-dimensional object having a special-effect coating thereon, comprising the steps of, in appropriate order:

• a) coating a test panel with a uniformly thick special-effect coating;
• b) taking calorimetric measurements of the coating at more than one angle;
• c) storing the colorimetric data in a data-file with assignment of the corresponding angles;
• d) faceting the visible surfaces of a three-dimensional object by computer into a sufficient number of flat polygonal areas each being sufficiently small for the sufficient accurate description of the surface topography;
• e) assigning the calorimetric data to each individual polygonal area by computer as a function of the position of an observer and at least on illumination source;
• and
• f) assembling the polygonal areas into a computer image of the three-dimensional object with a visually perceptible special effect coating thereon.