ANSWERS FOR YOUR WORKBENCH

Frequently asked questions about ScaleBrush

From your first target colour to your own project: find answers about the app, your paints and your account.

Getting started and choosing colors

How do I get started with ScaleBrush?

First, choose the color you want for your model. You can search for a color, browse the color library or select a shade from a photo. Then choose which paint lines ScaleBrush should compare or use to calculate a mixing recipe.

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Can I try the app without an account?

Yes. You can use color search, the library, photo analysis and color calculation without signing in. You need an account to save colors and recipes or manage your model-building projects.

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What is a target color?

A target color is the shade you want to achieve, such as a color on your reference model or a specific catalog color. ScaleBrush finds matching single colors or calculates suggested mixtures from your selected paint lines.

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What is the difference between color search, the color library and photo analysis?

Color search helps when you know a color name, color code or brand. The color library lets you browse brands and their paint lines. Photo analysis lets you select a shade directly from an image.

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Can I select several target colors at once?

Yes. You can collect several colors in your target selection. Open the selection to review them, remove individual colors or continue to calculation.

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Brands and the color library

What is a paint line?

A paint line is a related range of products from a brand. A brand may offer several paint lines with different properties. The paint line details include the cataloged colors, mixability and suitability for different model types.

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Where can I check whether a paint is suitable for my model?

The color or paint line details include a recommendation for RC and static models. This is often based on container size and typical paint requirements; it is not a definitive statement about whether a paint can be used.

For example, you can also paint an RC model with Vallejo paints. For larger surfaces, however, larger containers, such as those from Schmincke, may be more practical. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidance on surfaces, primers and application.

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How do I compare two specific colors?

Open a color and select Direct comparison. Then choose the second color. Use the comparison slider to compare the two digital shades side by side.

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What should I do if a color is missing or its details are incorrect?

Use the support form with Brands, paint lines & colors as the subject. Include the brand, paint line and color code if possible, and describe what is missing or needs correcting.

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Photo analysis

How do I select a color from a photo?

Open Analyze a photo and take a photo or choose an existing image. Detect the colors in the desired area or use the eyedropper to select a specific shade. Then add the colors you want to your target selection.

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How should I photograph my reference for a useful result?

Light the object evenly with a neutral color temperature. Avoid strong shadows, colored light and shiny reflections where you want to sample a color. The photo provides a guide; testing a physical mixture on your model is still useful.

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What is the white reference photo for?

The white reference helps assess and compensate for a color cast in the image. Use matte, unprinted white paper under the same lighting as your reference object. For an existing photo without a matching reference, you can skip this step.

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The app mainly detects the background. What can I do?

Zoom and move the image so that your model fills the desired area. You can narrow down the relevant area and analyze it again. You can also use the eyedropper to select a specific point directly.

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Why are “Photo”, “Normalized” and “Used” different?

Photo shows the color value sampled from the image. Normalized shows the value adjusted by the lighting correction. Used is the shade you actually select for the subsequent comparison or mixture calculation.

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Are my photos uploaded during analysis?

Photo analysis processes the selected image locally on your device. Project photos are separate: when you save images in a project or post, they are uploaded and associated with your account.

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Which paint lines should I select?

Choose the paint lines whose colors you want to use or compare, such as a range you already use. Selecting a paint line does not mean that ScaleBrush knows which individual paints you actually own.

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What are base colors and what does “Base colors only” do?

Base colors are the colors marked in ScaleBrush as a basis for mixing within a paint line. You can check whether a color belongs to this set under “Base color” in its details.

Enable “Base colors only” in settings to restrict calculations to these colors. This lets you work with a smaller selection of paints, although some target colors may be harder to match. The base colors can differ between paint lines.

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What is the difference between “Find similar colors” and “Calculate a mixture”?

Find similar colors searches for ready-made single colors that are as close as possible to your target. Calculate a mixture also creates suggested mixtures from suitable, mixable paint lines. This lets you decide whether to use a ready-made paint or mix your own.

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Are paints from different brands mixed together?

Suggested mixtures are calculated within each selected paint line. Selecting several paint lines produces separate results. This lets you compare the options without automatically combining different paint systems in one mixture.

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Why am I not getting a suitable match or mixing recipe?

Not every target color can be achieved with every paint line. Mixing recipes are also only available for suitable paint lines. Check your selection and try another paint line if needed; a similar match can still be a useful starting point.

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What does “Perfect match” mean, and what is ΔE00?

The rating describes how closely the digital color values of the target and result match. ΔE00 is the calculated color difference: the lower the value, the closer the colors. A perfect digital match does not guarantee an identical appearance on the painted model.

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Why should I still make a test mixture?

Real paints can look different from their digital comparison values. The surface, primer, paint thickness, sheen and lighting all affect the result. Mix a small test batch first and assess it on a suitable surface once it has dried.

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How do I calculate a recipe for the amount I need?

Open Adjust amounts in the mixing recipe and enter the total volume you need. ScaleBrush adjusts the ingredient amounts accordingly. To display amounts in drops, you can also set the volume per drop; actual drop size depends on the paint and how it is dispensed.

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Account and saved content

How do I create an account?

Open Account and choose to register. Enter your details and verify your email address using the code sent to you. You can then save colors and recipes and create projects.

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Where can I find bookmarked colors and saved mixing recipes?

In Account, you will find the Colors and Recipes tabs. You can reopen your saved entries there. Make sure you are signed in to the same account you used to save them.

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I forgot my password. How do I regain access?

Select Forgot password and enter your account email address. Enter the code from the email in the app, then choose a new password.

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The email with the verification code has not arrived. What can I do?

Check the email address you entered and your spam folder. Use the resend option to request a new code. Then use the most recently requested code.

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How do I delete my account?

You can delete your account yourself in the app: open account management, select account deletion and confirm with your password. Your account and its associated saved content will be permanently deleted.

Alternatively, send us a short message through the contact form requesting account deletion. Include the email address associated with your ScaleBrush account so we can identify it. If necessary, we will first confirm that the account belongs to you. You do not need to send us your password.

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What does the Official Supporter award mean?

As an Official Supporter, you are one of the people actively helping to shape ScaleBrush. This special status is our way of thanking you for recognised contributions – such as suitable paint samples or reviewed measurements. The ScaleBrush team grants the award, which is recorded in your account.

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Why is my supporter status not showing yet?

Your status appears in your profile once the ScaleBrush team has recognised you as an Official Supporter. A submission alone is not enough to receive the award. After it has been granted, reopen your Account page to refresh your profile. If the award is still missing, contact us through Support and include your ScaleBrush account email address and details of your contribution.

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Projects and build journal

What can I use projects for?

A project brings together information about a particular model. You can attach photos, colors and mixing recipes and document your build progress in posts. This helps you find which colors you used for each stage later on.

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What is the difference between a project and a post?

A project describes your model as a whole. A post records an individual stage, such as priming, painting or weathering. You can save relevant images, colors and mixtures with that post.

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Will attached colors be lost if I delete them from my collection?

Colors and recipes you have already attached remain in the project or post as saved copies. Likewise, removing an attachment from a project does not delete the original entry from your personal collection.

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Can other people see my projects?

Projects are currently only visible in your own account. A setting for a future public view is already available, but it does not publish your project yet.

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Help and transparency

How do I report a bug in the app?

Open the bug report form and describe what you were trying to do, which steps led to the problem and what happened instead. Technical logs are only included if you leave the relevant option enabled and submit the report.

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How can I become an Official Supporter?

The Contribute section explains how to submit measurements or send paint samples. Please use the email address associated with your ScaleBrush account so we can identify your contribution. After reviewing and recognising your contribution, we can award you Official Supporter status. A message or submission alone is not enough to receive the award.

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Are the illustrations in ScaleBrush AI-generated?

Yes. The decorative illustrations are AI-generated and used for visual design. They are not authoritative color or product references.

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About ScaleBrush

How long has ScaleBrush been available?

ScaleBrush has been available as an official app in the stores since late 2026. Before that, the software was developed and used privately for around two years. During that time, it grew step by step and was continually improved.

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What new features are planned?

A major community update and a completely new model library are planned. Subscribe to our newsletter if you would like to stay up to date with these additions.

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When will ScaleBrush be complete?

The community update is planned for the first quarter of 2027. The model library is intended to launch alongside it if possible, or shortly afterwards. This would complete the currently planned set of features for now. Development will continue beyond that, with ongoing improvements, bug fixes and other changes delivered through app updates.

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Is ScaleBrush paid by brands to influence search or calculation results?

No. ScaleBrush is independent and is not paid to favor particular colors or brands in search or calculation results. Results are based on your selections and the available color data.

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I am a manufacturer and do not want to be listed in ScaleBrush. What can I do?

Please email [email protected] from an authorized email address at your company. Specify the brands, paint lines or products concerned and describe your removal request. We will review your request and get back to you.

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Can I advertise in ScaleBrush as a manufacturer or retailer?

ScaleBrush is currently completely ad-free. If you have an offer that would provide real value to our users, we would still be happy to hear from you. Please contact us at [email protected].

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