Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2012 10:43:09 GMT -5
I have recently been working hard to develope my decals. Tough I work on graphic tools at work, they are not the type of tools that you would do graphic arts on. This means I needed to find a new tool and learn it.
So this tip is on cheap graphic tools as in free. ;D
Inkscape - this is a very good vector graphics tool. The type that will make the printing ready artwork.
Photoscape - this is a very basic photo manipulation tool.
Just do a search online and you can find them. I have downloaded them and have been using them a lot.
Brian
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Post by iomalley on Aug 28, 2012 10:54:52 GMT -5
If you need a hand Brian lmk, I use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop daily. I also send artwork to Jim at Highball regularly so I know how he likes it set up.
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sgoti
Chairman
Posts: 459
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Post by sgoti on Aug 28, 2012 14:15:26 GMT -5
GIMP is a very good (free) photo manipulation program.
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Post by bdhicks on Aug 29, 2012 1:02:51 GMT -5
I used Inkscape when I did my Minnesota Commercial decals through Highball Graphics. Jim couldn't get the SVGs that Inkscape natively saves as to work, but I was able to just export to PDF and that worked fine. GIMP is good for photo-based stuff, but if you want to do something art-based like a railroad logo it's better to use a vector graphics program like Inkscape or Illustrator since those will scale without getting pixelated.
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sgoti
Chairman
Posts: 459
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Post by sgoti on Aug 29, 2012 1:23:56 GMT -5
I used Inkscape when I did my Minnesota Commercial decals through Highball Graphics. Jim couldn't get the SVGs that Inkscape natively saves as to work, but I was able to just export to PDF and that worked fine. GIMP is good for photo-based stuff, but if you want to do something art-based like a railroad logo it's better to use a vector graphics program like Inkscape or Illustrator since those will scale without getting pixelated. Very true. I only mentioned GIMP since Brian was also mentioning (free) photo manipulation programs.
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deez
Chairman
Midland Belt Railway
Posts: 949
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Post by deez on Sept 7, 2012 14:15:13 GMT -5
Idk how he did it but Sean S. (iomalley) just sent me the finished work he did for my freelance decals. They came out perfect and look beautiful. Exactly what I wanted in just a few short emails. I should be ready to get them to Microscale very soon. Thanks so much Sean!!
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Post by iomalley on Sept 7, 2012 14:29:16 GMT -5
Thanks Mark, it was my pleasure! Don't send them out yet, lemme size them up proper for you as it will save you tons of $$ than having them do it. (or send it to Highball for even cheaper) As far as photo manipulation software, it is more often than not raster based which severely limits the resolution of the output. You really should use software like Illustrator or Coreldraw as they are vector based software with perfect resolution at any size, especially with text, and layering. File sizes can get huge with hi res raster images too. Here's an example of the difference... upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Orc_-_Raster_vs_Vector_comparison.pngLayering is necessary for decals because most of the coloured artwork (except black) must be white-backed to look proper on a dark model. It's not to say that you CAN'T use raster software, its just that if you're serious in developing a collection of manipulatable artwork (IE small logos for HO scale trucks, large logos for building sides etc) than vector is the way to go.
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sgoti
Chairman
Posts: 459
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Post by sgoti on Sept 7, 2012 15:37:35 GMT -5
I give high marks to Highball! Very friendly, courteous, and fairly quick turnaround time. It helped that I was able to send artwork that was completely ready to go- That is key whomever you are dealing with.
Sean was right on the money with his above comments. It ain't rocket surgery, but there are special considerations when designing decal artwork.
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Post by antlorch on Sept 7, 2012 17:56:41 GMT -5
I had Highball do all my decals for the Kansas Pacific and they are great. I like that I can order 1 sheet at a time whenever I need them. And at less then 10 dollars a small sheet you just can't do wrong.
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questor
Probationary Member
Posts: 6
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Post by questor on Dec 7, 2012 15:19:07 GMT -5
6axlepwr said: "I have recently been working hard to develop my decals. Tough I work on graphic tools at work, they are not the type of tools that you would do graphic arts on. This means I needed to find a new tool and learn it."
I had a similar similar problem with decals years ago... I could reproduce the exact decal in Adobe Illustrator and shrink to the correct size, but print shop prices here were crazy for water transfer decals at 50 cents per 8x10 sheet with a minimum qty 500!
I decided to make my own custom decals to scale and purchased the following software and equipment off eBay:
Adobe Streamline software to convert Photoshop image to rough Illustrator vector image Adobe Illustrator software to clean up vector graphics templates Solid color "Oracal adhesive vinyl for signs" to cut decals from template Roland PNC-1100 plotter equipment mounted with 45 deg blade to cut custom vinyl templates Flexi-Sign Pro software used to cut custom Illustrator graphic image on adhesive vinyl
The results look great with overlaying colors are correct and very impressive. (no pun intended!) As an added benefit, I am now experimenting with making custom high detail brass etched parts from vinyl adhesive templates cut on the plotter.
BTW, an EXCELLENT book about brass etching was published in 1990 in England by Wild Swan Publications and called "Etched Loco Construction"...
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