Effect Finish Module

The Effect Finish module characterises coatings containing metallic, effect pigments by measuring sparkle, graininess, waviness, gloss and RGB colour, so you can control how dynamic, coarse and colourful the finish appears under real viewing conditions. It links image-based sparkle metrics with conventional gloss measurements to describe effect finishes in a way that closely follows human visual perception.

Purpose of this module

  • Quantify the key visual attributes of effect coatings, including sparkle density and visibility, graininess, waviness/orange peel, gloss and colour, under defined geometries.
  • Provide perception-aligned parameters for effect finishes, helping formulators and OEMs specify and agree on target appearance for metallic and pearlescent systems.

Where this module can be used

  • Automotive and commercial vehicle exterior and interior parts using metallic or pearlescent basecoats, tricoats or coloured effect layers.
  • Consumer electronics, appliances, packaging, cosmetics and other products that rely on controlled sparkle, graininess and overall surface character to support branding and premium appearance.

What this module measures

  • Sparkle metrics (Density, Area, Brightness, Visibility in RGB channels at 10° and 45°) that describe how many sparkle points are visible, how large they are and how bright they appear from different angles.
  • Graininess, waviness, gloss and RGB colour, giving a combined description of coarseness, orange peel and overall reflectivity/colour of the effect finish.

How to use this module

  • In Appearance Elements, select the Effect Finish module, choose the appropriate fixture or stand for your sample geometry, and perform the recommended calibration on the supplied reference standard.
  • Place the Aesthetix sensor over the area of interest, trigger one or more measurements, and store the results in the relevant job, batch or template for later comparison.

How to interpret the results

  • Use sparkle Density, Area, Brightness and Visibility (at 10° and 45°) to judge how intense, coarse and angle-dependent the sparkle effect appears compared to target or reference panels.
  • Combine graininess, waviness, gloss and RGB data to determine whether the overall coarseness, orange peel and colour of the effect coating fall within agreed appearance specifications for your application.