Paint inventory and cross reference software

There's already a widely used cross-reference app out there: http://paint4models.com/ It's not perfect, but it's a ready "go to".

Phil_H

There's already a widely used cross-reference app out there: http://paint4models.com/ It's not perfect, but it's a ready "go to".

Phil, thank you for the quick answer.

I am aware of it and use it but I have no idea how the cross-reference was built because they do not match what the manufacturers are saying. But I do want to create something similar but were we can use the data more effectively.

Joeviz,

Thank you so much for your answer. I'm aware of ipmsstockholm as well as paint4models because there are the two databases I'm using for my models.

I'm aware that no matter what, the result will have mistake. As for official sources there is some available, for example for Model Master I have a book published by them called the "Modeler's Technical Guide" which have a bunch of cross reference table. If you go on Vallejo's website you have a bunch of cross reference table available as well and so is Humbrol (So far I haven't got any further).

My goal was to take all those cross reference tables, put them all in database format and link them all together. Not to do any guesses on what color from one brand match which FS number or other brand.
Just taking the different tables available and linking them together to be able to compare everything at once.
I'm not planning to include any paint chips because they differ so much from one place to another. For example in my MM book I have paint chips for all the MM enamels but the paint chips for the same product on Testor website are totally different.

Like I said earlier there will be mistakes. For example in another post in the aircraft forum somebody asked what is the MM acryl and Tamiya for FS36118. For MM it is easy a quick search on Testor's website will bring you Gunship Gray #4752 which have believe is accurate. Tamiya doesn't have any equivalent but in my MM book it does says that MM Enamel 1723 which is the same as 4752 or FS36118 equal to Tamiya XF50 Field Blue. As Phil H pointed out in the post this is not correct but that is what MM officially said in their book.

Finally, because of the lack of response I got on this forum I doubt there is a real interest in this tool so I will certainly spend more time modeling than developing that tool.

I think it is a good idea. I did the same sort of thing using Microsoft Access. I have all the tables I could find loaded and I put in a check box so I will know if I have the paint. All tables are cross linked so I can do a lookup query on any of the paints n the database. Works good for me and is close enough...only drawback is that I am bad about keeping it up to date with what I have.

Good luck with your project

Hercmech

I think it is a good idea. I did the same sort of thing using Microsoft Access. I have all the tables I could find loaded

Hermech,

What table (brand of paint) are you using?

I am using Valleijo, MM, Fed Std, RLM, RAAL, Gunyze, Tamyia, and Revell

Thanks

Something I've wanted to do...and may do in like 40 years when I have the time...is create my own paint chips out of all the various paints I have, scan them into the computer, and then convert the color values to hex codes. Do the same with the various FS, RLM, AMT, ANA, etc color standards. Then be able to compare and contrast, determine closest matches, etc. 

I've got an iPhone app, iModelKit, that includes a nifty little paint mixer feature...but the colors are limited to web samples from the major paint brands. A tool like that, combined with the ability to scan your own chips, etc, would be perfect.

Sound like maybe we need to collaborate and give this a shot.  What say you?  I'm game if ya'll are.

Or, we can just wait for jlaporte to finish and coast off his hard work,that is if he shares. LOL

How about LifeColor?  Its popularity has been growing lately and I am one of their fans now.  This sounds great!

Doogs, the reason that I'm not going to work with paint sample is that the one provided by website are totally innacurate and to do something correct you would need to have every colors from every manufacturer, paint the chip at the same time and scan all of them at the same time. (at least in my opinion that would be how to get something very accurate)

It would be almost impossible to do and very costly. But if it's something you want to do go for it. At first it was kinda my original idea but when I discover all of the different interpretation of colors available everywhere on the web it got me dizzy.

Deafpanzer, I will look if I can find info about life color. That is why I started this thread in the first place to figure out what people want. Not sure if I will do it but it is good to have different ideas