This application should run under Mono on Mac, Linux, and Windows.  If you are on Windows,

and do not have Mono installed, you can install [GTK# for .NET](http://www.mono-project.com/download/#download-win),

without the need for installing Mono. On Mac or Linux, download and install the [Mono runtime](http://www.mono-project.com/download).

### Set Up a Profile

The first time you run Desert Paint Lab, it will prompt you to make a profile.  You may either create a new profile, or import an existing PracticalPaint reactions.txt file.

### Start Testing!

Add two ingredients to your paint bench.  Select those same ingredients in Desert Paint Lab.  Then, with the Pigment Lab dialog unobstructred, select the **Capture** button.  Once you are satisfied with the result, click the **Record** button.  The data will automatically be added to your profile.

### Clipped?  Huh?

Occasionally, you will see a warning dialog that informs you that a "Reaction clipped."  That means that one or more of the color components moved outside of the testable range.  This makes it impossible to calculate the reaction from these two ingredients.

You can solve this by doing a three-way test.

1. In your clipped reaction, let's call your **1st** ingredient **A** and your **2nd** ingredient **B**.

1. Select a **non-catalyst** ingredient **C** for which you have already tested **C + A** and **C + B**.  It is OK if there was a reaction in those earlier tests.  Desert Paint Lab can work out the math.

1. In Desert Paint Lab, select ingredients as follows:

    1. **C**

    2. **A**

    3. **B**

1. Add the ingredients in your Pigment Lab _in exactly that order_.

1. Capture.

1. Record.

For clipped reactions, your **C** ingredient should be one that corrects for the clipped color.  Here are some suggested **C** ingredients for clipping correction:

Clip Color  | Clip Direction | Correction | Suggested "C" Ingredient

------------|----------------|------------|---------------------------

Red         | Low            | +Red       | Carrot (224) or Red Sand (144)

Red         | High           | -Red       | Silver Powder (16) or Toad Skin (48)

Green       | Low            | +Green     | Earth Light (240) or Copper (192)

Green       | High           | -Green     | Red Sand (16) or Silver Powder (16)

Blue        | Low            | +Blue      | Earth Light (224) or Copper (192)

Blue        | High           | -Blue      | Red Sand (24) or Clay (32) or Carrot (32) or Silver Powder (32)

In many cases, it may be easiest to go back and do these three-way tests after you have finished all of your other testing.

### Catalysts

For catalyst to catalyst reaction tests, follow the three-way instructions, as above.

### Finishing Up