Water Storage Tank Design is Just a Click Away with Online Tank3D Tool from Tnemec


One of the most advanced interactive tools that allows users to customize elevated and ground potable water storage tanks with a wide palette of colors, graphics, text and even logos is now available from Tnemec at www.tnemec.com/tank3D. "With Tnemec's Tank3D, it is possible to visualize how a water tank will appear using variable design elements and Tnemec coatings," explained Doug Hansen, director, Water Tank Market. "Using this technology, more than 100 color options and countless graphic enhancements can be explored in minutes rather than hours or days."

With more than 40 years of experience as a manufacturer of protective coating systems for the water tank market, Tnemec has actively encouraged aesthetic, creative and innovative tank designs through the sponsorship of its annual Tank of the Year competition. "Most water tanks today incorporate graphic designs, such as the name of the town, or a logo or mascot," Hansen acknowledged. "With the development and introduction of Tank3D technology, we are making it even easier for tank owners, engineers, fabricators and painting contractors to use Tnemec coating systems in designing water tanks that are a source of community pride."

In addition to its color selection and graphic functionality, Tnemec Tank3D offers users the ability to zoom and pan around their customized tank, as well as view a pre-programmed "fly-by" that shows the tank from different perspectives. Printer-friendly PDFs and color swatches are also available using the new technology.

"This is the first truly interactive tool of its kind that offers such a wide range of functionality," according to Jessi Bixler, electronic marketing manager, who directed the creation and development of Tnemec Tank3D. "Existing applications for this market are little more than color guides with very minimal functionality."

The program operates on all Web browsers, including Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari and Chrome, and is both Mac and PC compatible, Bixler explained. "The technology is activated by downloading a plug-in, which usually takes just a few seconds," she observed. "The user can then select their style of tank, the colors they want to use, along with text, logos and other graphics, so the final design will closely resemble the actual finished project. By varying the color, engineers and architects can determine which colors work best with other design elements such as logos and lettering."

Tank3D was introduced at this year's AWWA Annual Conference and Exposition in Washington, D.C., where it attracted immediate interest among attendees. "During our live demos, everyone was impressed with how quick and easy the program was to use, along with the fact that it allowed them to customize their design with logos and text using different typefaces," Bixler noted.

Tnemec coating consultants will be introducing their customers to Tank3D and its design features over the next several months. "The program is out there for people to use and experiment with and we encourage them to use it," Bixler added. Tnemec will continue to make enhancements to the tool for even more design options, such as new tank styles and different backgrounds.

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