AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands ? AkzoNobel's Performance Coatings business has launched a digital color tool plug-in for designers and architects. The new tool enables real colors to be selected from its Interpon^® Powder Coatings range when using popular programs such as Photoshop, AutoCad, Archicad and Sketchup.

The free plug-in means that users can now apply the company's stock colors to their designs, confident in the knowledge that any they choose are readily available.

"This is a significant leap for our Powder Coatings business in the increasingly digital world," explained Russell Deane, Global Specification Manager for Powder Coatings. "The tool also suggests available colors that complement the ones you choose, so we're effectively offering our color expertise online." 

Early feedback has been very positive, with a representative from French applicator Metacolor saying, "We are often asked by our customers for certain colors that we don't have visuals for. This new color palette helps a lot and allows us to direct customers to well-defined choices."

The new software can be downloaded from the Interpon website.