Topic: Q: for all you graphics (computer) guys.....

[Steve F]

I'm looking for a relatively easy to learn/use graphics program that can be used to draw with.  I have and old version of CorelDRAW!, and I hate it.  I guess I must be too accustomed to AutoCad or something, as I think the Corel program sucks.  I'm probably going to use this program once, so it would be nice if it were cheap too.    I need to re-design the logo for our city's Emergency Services Agency (I'm the assistant director), and the typical "graphics" software doesn't cut it.  I need something way better than MS"paint" so I can get lettering to follow radii or curves and be able to freehand and fill objects.  Oh, and it should be able to make .jpeg and .gif files.  Am I asking for too much?

[clarkjh]

Try Paint Shop Pro, you should be able to get a demo to try.  We use it in one of the Distance Ed courses that high school students have access to.

James

[emmaus777]

How 'bout GIMP. I think it will do everything you ask... and it's free!

http://www.gimp.org/

[heffay]

for that type of designing you need a vector based drawing program.

[Steve F]

Thanks for the replies guys,
At work this morning (yes, Saturday  ), I discovered this little program that comes with Windows XP Pro called MS Publisher.  I played around with it for a few minutes, and it looks like it will work for what I need.  Is this a vector based program?  Not sure if it'll save in the required format(s) though.
I'll give the "gimp" a try, and look into the Paint Shop Pro. 
Local "big box" stores had nothing in the graphics software, so I'll check out the internet if this MS Publisher won't work.

[heffay]

Thanks for the replies guys,
At work this morning (yes, Saturday  ), I discovered this little program that comes with Windows XP Pro called MS Publisher.  I played around with it for a few minutes, and it looks like it will work for what I need.  Is this a vector based program?  Not sure if it'll save in the required format(s) though.
I'll give the "gimp" a try, and look into the Paint Shop Pro. 
Local "big box" stores had nothing in the graphics software, so I'll check out the internet if this MS Publisher won't work.

not really a quality vector based (if it is, it is super-simplified)... but, if it suits your needs then, who cares? right?
it is very microsoft-word-like though, so most people will be able to recognize that it came from a specific program i.e., microsoft publisher.
it doesn't really sound like you'll have to have a vector based for your minimal usage, now that i re-examine your need.  but, if you were going to repeatedly use the program for this type of work... vector based would ease operations drastically.
what i like to do is use photoshop and illustrator (illustrator is the vector based of the two) in conjuction to maximize design capabilities.  obviously, those are programs that you will pay out the nose for though. 

if you get a file that you can't get into the format that you need... send the file to me and i will convert it to whatever format you need.

[ieism]

IMO MS Publisher is just another bad joke by Microsoft.

I also don't agree that you don't need a vectorbased progam to design a simple logo. I doubt that a jpeg file will do you any good either, if you need to get stuff proffesionally printed, you can't really use pixelbased files for stuff like letters or logo's. It will look crap when blown up big. . 
Since you've worked with Autocad already, it will be relatively easy to learn a program like Illustrator.

I use QuarkXPress, Adobe Illustrator & Indesign, but Macromedia FreeHand would also be an option for you. These area all expensive programs though.
What I would do is look around in the local ads for a secondhand version of Illustrator. Unlike MS Publisher, Illustrator gets a major update every year or so, but even the older versions (7 OR HIGHER) are more than enough for what you need to do, and will be cheap.

[heffay]

to help you understand...
vector based is:
a system of points that relates to lines and polygons... yes, that was my best attempt   

if you want more info than you could possibly digest... go here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_graphics

[jabbadeznuts]

Adobe Illustrator. Period. It's the industry standard and can do just about anything you'd ever want.

[Rocking-M]

OK. I want something real simple I can do decals with.

[heffay]

OK. I want something real simple I can do decals with.

a program will not make you a designer...

decide what you want... then make it.

[CrisPDuk]

You could cheat like I do

I sketch it on a piece of paper with a pencil, then get one of my Thai buddies at work to finish it it hyperspeed, on some software that I don't have a clue how to use

[Rocking-M]

Ok Heffay, I suppose I could brag on some of my past designs. The last piece of furniture I did before
ditching dealing with rich folks brought 20k. The one before that 18k.  So I reckon I can design. Dun bragging.

I'd just like to find a simple program that lets me do some simple decals. I don't have access to
any program guru's i the woods where I now work or I could hand draw them and go that route.
It seems that now a days computers can print these decals out and it would be simple route to
go but maybe not.

[GoatBaSS]

ADOBE is the answer, as has been stated.
Vector = math  then smaller file size. Can be scaled for diff apps and no image diistortion, for eternity.
Raster is most of photoshop unless you indicate vector. Photoshop has the ability but it would be a bit more involved in the paths section. CS2 will allow easy conversion in bridge.
As for cheap and easy you can get a 30 day trial download from adobe. Done.

[heffay]

Ok Heffay, I suppose I could brag on some of my past designs. The last piece of furniture I did before
ditching dealing with rich folks brought 20k. The one before that 18k.  So I reckon I can design. Dun bragging.

I'd just like to find a simple program that lets me do some simple decals. I don't have access to
any program guru's i the woods where I now work or I could hand draw them and go that route.
It seems that now a days computers can print these decals out and it would be simple route to
go but maybe not.

cool... my point was really that all the programs in the world won't help you at all if you don't have the design already dreamed up.  (unless of course your point was to play on the computer)  because, once the design is in your mind's eye it is most likely that you could bring it to fruition with a number of different programs.  (plus, i was tired and felt like posting wierdness  )

photoshop and illustrator really are industry standard but, as far as easy to learn?  not terribly.  (they are pretty extensive in the amount of capability they have.)  but, if you don't need to know all the ins and outs, the basics can be learned in an hour or two.

decals?  i'd make them in adobe and go the zazzle.com route.  yea, shipping is a little pricey but, you could order only one decal if you wanted or 1,000.  the price drops drastically the more you order.  zazzle is easy enough for monkeys and what i've seen so far is quality stuff.

[Rocking-M]

Sounds like a good route for me to go. Since monkeys can do it

So you know I ain't blowing smoke here are some pics of my past.







This was my last piece, took 700 hours to build, my design based on the 1800's design.
Completely hand carved, hand cut dovetail draws, etc............
 I then became tired of dealing with the clients one has to deal with
in that world.

[Bob Wessner]

Very nice pieces!

[Rocking-M]

Thanks Bob. I hadn't look at those pictures in years. I was 31 then.
I sure look younger   I went to logging
right after that. I must say, 17 years later I really like being in the woods better.
Yea, I'm a kook

[Bob Wessner]

I'm a kook

Aren't we all, at least a little bit to be here? 

[clarkjh]

Very nice, hope you still do some for your self.

James