Create An Account
You can begin designing with Exterior FX® online without creating a user account. However, when you are ready to save your designs, forward them to a friend, or send them to a contractor or dealer, you will need to set up an account. Simply click on the “Create an Account” button at the top, enter your e-mail address and some basic information, and select a password. Any information you provide will be handled in accordance with the Owens Corning Privacy Policy and will not be sold to other companies.
Log In To Your Account
Once you have set up an account, you can access your projects and designs by logging in. Simply enter your e-mail address and the password that you created. If you happen to forget your password, click the “Forgot Password?” link and your password will be sent to the e-mail address you have on file.
Create A Design
The first step to creating a home design is to select the style of home to which you would like to apply products. There are several styles to choose from and you can use different homes for different designs if you like. Once you’ve found the home style you prefer, click the “Design Using This Home” button and you’ll go to the Design screen.
You can apply products to your design as a complete Collection or create a Custom Design by choosing individual products. Use the tabs on the Product Selection panel located on the left side of the screen to switch between the Collection and Custom Design modes.
Apply Collections
Collections are groups of pre-defined color palettes, each designed to bring a different feeling to your home Heart of the South, Traditionally American, Small Town Charm, or Woodland Retreat. Simply pick a Collection, select a color palette within that Collection, and then click “Apply Palette”. All colors and products for that palette will then be applied to your design. If you want to make a change, you can either select another Collection or Palette, or you can change individual product selections by switching to the Custom Design mode.
Apply Individual Products/Colors Custom Design
If you prefer to select products and colors individually rather than as a palette, click the Custom Design tab to switch to the Custom Design mode. Using the menu at the top of the panel, select the surface area on the photo that you want to apply products/color to Roofing, Siding, Stone, or Paint. Once you’ve selected a surface, a list of the available products will appear. Choose the product you prefer by clicking on it.
The product you selected will be highlighted with a pink frame and a list of available colors for that product will appear in the space below. Click on the color you prefer and it will be applied to the home design.
When you are working on a Siding surface, you have a choice of applying either siding or stone to that area. Use the selection buttons directly below the surface menu to choose whether to apply siding or stone.
When applying paint colors, you can use the selection boxes to choose which trim areas to apply each color to – Doors, Windows or Trim. If you select “Apply to All,” the color you choose will automatically be applied to all three areas. Note: the paint colors displayed are not specific to any particular manufacturer. Your contractor or paint dealer will be able to help you select a similar shade of your preferred paint brand.
Learn More About Products
The products/colors that you add to your design are displayed in the Applied Products area directly below the design. To learn more about any of these products, click on the “Info” button below the listing. This will open a screen showing a larger view of the product image. Use the “View Product Page” button to go to the product web page where you can find more detailed information. The zoom tool lets you get an even closer view of the product color/texture. Click the “Return to Design” button to close the window and continue working on your design.
Save Design
Once you’ve created a design you like, you can choose to save it by clicking the “Save” button above the design area. You’ll be asked to name your design and select which project you would like to save it in. If you haven’t already logged in or created an account, you will be asked to do so prior to saving your design. This allows you to come back to the site at a later date and access your saved projects and designs.
Print Design
You can choose to print your Exterior FX® design by clicking the “Print” button above the design area. The print-out features a large image of your design, the project name and the design name. The products and colors that are featured on the design are also listed for easy reference.
Compare Designs
You can compare the design you are currently working on with other designs you have created. At the bottom of the design screen, you will see a “Compare With” selection menu. Simply select the design from the menu that you would like to compare to your current design. You will be taken to the Compare Designs screen where the two designs will be shown side by side. You can then use the Design and Project menus on each side to select other designs you wish to compare.
If you want to return to one of the designs to work on it further, click the “Edit Design” button below it. You can also choose to forward either of the designs to a contractor or dealer by clicking the “Forward to a Contractor” button below it.
E-mail Design to a Friend
Once you’ve created a design, you can e-mail it to a friend to show off your creativity and get their input. Simply click the “E-mail A Friend” button above the design area. Enter the name and e-mail address of the person to whom you want to send the design along with a brief message. Any information you provide will be handled in accordance with the Owens Corning Privacy Policy and will not be sold to other companies.
Forward Design to a Contractor
Once you’ve completed your design, you’ll naturally want to see what the products and colors will look like on your own home. To do so, simply click the “Forward to a Contractor” button. You will be asked to answer a few simple questions about your project, indicate how you would like to be contacted, and select which of your designs you would like to forward. You can include as many designs as you’d like, but it’s usually best to narrow it down to one or two.
Based on your project description, you will be presented with a list of contractors or dealers that specialize in the type of work you require. You can then select up to three companies to whom you can forward your project information. Please refer to the symbols next to each contractor/dealer listing to determine which companies have been certified in the use of Exterior FX® software and the work that they specialize in.
Your selected designs and the project information you have provided will be shared with each of the companies you select. You will receive an e-mail confirming the names and contact information for the contractors or dealers you selected.
You should typically expect to receive a response to your request within 10 days. If you have not heard from your selected contractors/dealers within that time frame or have any other concerns regarding this process, please call 1-800-GET-PINK (1-800-438-7465) or e-mail us.
Manage Your Projects
All of your Exterior FX® designs are organized into projects. Most users will only have a single project, but others may want to divide their designs into multiple projects. You can set up as many projects as you need and can put as many designs into those projects as you like.
To manage your projects, click the “My Projects” tab in the top navigation menu. It will open to the last project that you worked on and display each of the designs in that project. To continue working on a particular design, simply click the “Edit Design” button positioned directly above it.
When you’re in the My Projects area, you will see a second set of navigation buttons displaying the options for managing your projects. The functions that are available include:
- Change to Allows you to switch to another project using the menu selection.
- Start New Project Creates a new project space with a name that you designate.
- Edit Account Lets you change or update the user information you provided such as your name, address, phone, e-mail address or password.
- New Design Creates a new design in the project that is currently open.
- E-mail Design Allows you to select a design from your current project to e-mail to another person. Use the check boxes to select the design you want to send.
- Print Project Lets you print all or selected designs in your project. Use the check boxes to select the designs you wish to print.
- Manage Projects Allows you to rename your project, copy designs to a new or different project, or remove designs from your project. Use the check boxes to select the designs you want to copy or remove.
Report Problems
We welcome your feedback regarding your experience with the Exterior FX® Design Visualization Software. Click here to access our online survey. If you encounter any problems with using the Exterior FX® software, please call 1-800-GET-PINK (1-800-438-7465) or e-mail us.