Tony-B...
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 8:06am
Post Subject:
Boat painting
Although I would use a vector graphics program because all lines and colour fills can be "undone" at any stage a bitmap program is perfectly usable. As far as I know you still get Windows Paint or its successors free with Windows, look under Start - Programs - accessories. I am sure Macs have similar and with Linux there are many choices in the Repository (called different things under different versions of Linux). Just remember that unless you have colour calibrated your screen, and that requires special equipment, the colours shown will only be approximations but it should show how the colours look together. However you then need to get a paint colour code from the screen colour and that is easier said than done. I have just ordered a combined RAL & BS colour swatch from http://technicalpaintservices.co.uk/ral.php
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for just over £20 including VAT & postage. That would allow you to match the RAL/BS paint numbers to screen colours. If you are using a more professional drawing/design program it may give you the Pantone number of the screen colour and there is an on-line Pantone to RAL colour converter. However all this is prone to variations in tint etc.
If you do use Paint or similar draw the outline of your cabin side using rectangles to provide areas you will later fill with colour. Then add a rough approximation of the hull. Save that. Now you can load the blank outline, give it a new name and fill the rectangles with colours. The reload the original and repeat with different colours. There are many programs for the PC, but I doubt ant are dedicated to boat painting. You may have Paintshop Pro. Coral Draw, Visio, or one of Serif's offerings. There are many more choices, some far more expensive.