3D visualization software captures appearance of metallic flake and automotive paints so digital prototypes are more true to life

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — October 11, 2010 — X-Rite, Incorporated and Autodesk, Inc. are offering industrial designers a new way to more accurately render the complex highlights of effect paints in their digital prototypes.

Autodesk Showcase Professional 2011 3D visualization software can now accept and manipulate data measured from real material samples with X-Rite's MA98 spectrophotometer. The MA98 is specifically made to measure metallic flake paints used by the automotive, appliance and other industries.

Previously, designers have used a trial-and-error method to attempt to display true to life paint color on digital prototypes; a lengthy and labor intensive process that often delivered less than satisfactory results.

With the MA98 and a new, easier-to-use “click and render” function in Showcase Professional 2011, industrial designers can measure real-world surfaces to more accurately capture and recreate the material characteristics of metallic flake that can then be applied to digital prototypes in just minutes.

"Designers and engineers can now apply very realistic, high quality representations of effect paints to their 3-D digital models, enabling product development teams to efficiently review projects and make better informed decisions," says Brian Teunis, X-Rite Industrial Market Manager.

Teunis says X-Rite's proprietary software and advanced MA98 instrument puts the power of "click and render" in the hands of designers who want to develop realistic color impressions of measured materials using Autodesk's Showcase product. The MA98 instrument measures more angular information of test surfaces than any other competitive handheld instrument. Using the MA98 data, X-Rite's material models and X-Rite shader modeling software that are integrated directly into Autodesk Showcase generate authentic and accurate renderings of effect paints and other materials on digital prototypes.

With global headquarters in Grand Rapids, Mich., X-Rite is a leading manufacturer and designer of instruments and software for color measurement and communication. Its MA98 spectrophotometer is a hand-held instrument that provides reliable, consistent data on effect coatings that were formerly impossible to measure.

Using dual illuminators and sensors that measure more in-plane and out-of-plane angles than any instrument in its class, the MA98 is the only device that meets the ASTM standard (E2539) for measuring effect pigments, the recommended international standard for quality control for automotive companies.

For more information on Autodesk Showcase Professional 2011 software and X-Rite's MA98 instrument, please refer to www.xrite.com/autodesk.

About X-Rite

X-Rite (NASDAQ: XRIT) is the global leader in color science and technology. The company, which now includes color industry leader Pantone, develops, manufactures, markets and supports innovative color solutions through measurement systems, software, color standards and services. X-Rite’s expertise in inspiring, selecting, measuring, formulating, communicating and matching color helps users get color right the first time and every time, which translates to better quality and reduced costs. X-Rite serves a range of industries, including printing, packaging, photography, graphic design, video, automotive, paints, plastics, textiles, dental and medical.

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