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Instructions for using LakesideBoat's Design Customizer 2
What does the Design Customizer 2 do?
The Design Customizer gives you a preview of what your boat will look like after it is painted. It is completely free of charge for everyone! Here at Lakeside Boat, we want to be completely sure that your boat will meet your satisfaction.
When I try to use the program, it gives me a dialog asking if I want to install Java. What do I do??
The Design Customizer 2 uses a computer language called Java to use do it's graphics. You may have to download and install Java to your computer in order to use the Design Customizer 2. This process will happen automatically the first time you try to run the program and you only have to do it once. If you are having problems getting the program to work, please let us know and we will do everything we can to assist you!
Why do I have to login to use the Design Customizer?
The Design Customizer 2 uses a user-tracking system that allows you to retrieve your designs from anywhere. Creating an account is easy, we don't even ask any personal information! All we require is that you make up a username and a password. Get started here.
How do I use the Design Customizer?
Step 1: Click the "Next Pattern" and "Previous Pattern" buttons until you reach your desired pattern.
Step 2: Click on the boat or the numbers in the bottom left to select the section you want to paint.
Step 3: Click on the color palette on the right to set the color.
Repeat steps 2-3 until finished. Feel free to experiment with color schemes until you find a scheme you like!
How does the "Save" feature work?
Simply press the Save button and your patterns will be saved to your username. You can then access these designs from any computer anywhere in the world just by using your username and password. Please save often!! We can't retrieve a design for you if you don't click save.
The program runs too slow! Can I speed it up?
Older computers can't handle some of the graphics that the Design Customizer 2 uses. One way to speed the program up is to go to your Account Options (at the bottom of the program screen) and set Animations to Disabled.
What's the difference between the Basic and Advanced color palettes?
The Design Customizer 2 supports two color palettes: Basic and Advanced. The basic color palette shows you the 40 basic colors that are available to paint boats with. The advanced palette offers a virtually infinite number of colors; however, many of those colors can not be perfectly matched by the factories doing the painting of your boat. Be aware that if you use the advanced color palette, you cannot be guaranteed that your boat will match the screen exactly. You can modify your color palette in the Account Options section.
Gradients
What is a gradient?
A gradient is a way to mix colors. For instance, here is a red-blue gradient:
How do I use gradients?
Step 1: Select the section you want to use by clicking on the boat or the section numbers in the bottom left corner
Step 2: Click the "Make Gradient" button
Step 3: Select either the "Left" button or the "Right" button.
Step 4: Select a color from the color palette.
Repeat steps 3-4 until you find a scheme you like.
What does "Scale" do?
Scale adjusts how the gradient is applied. If you want a shorter gradient, set bar to the left. If you want a smoother gradient, set bar to the right. The easiest way to determine your scale is to try sliding it around and see the effects.
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Thanks for using the Design Customizer 2! Please send any comments to Chris Silhan. (Design Customizer 2 written by Randy Ficker)