guess i posted this in the wrong place…hope this is the correct place… i’m looking to make decals using a mini mac and would like to know which app would work best? there are more than a few graphic programs to choose from and wanted to know if anyone has found one that worked better than the others? i’m looking to use clip art and make my own decals. i also restore old die cast toys mostly in 1/64 scale and would like to copy and reproduce decals for these as well…thanks for the help
I have an IMac and use a number of different graphic programs. If you simply want to scan (copy) existing decals and print them you can simply import them into Pages or Word and print on decal paper. I’ve had decent luck doing this. However, if you want to create your own decals I’d recommend a vector graphics program i.e. CAD program simply because you can resize vector graphics without losing any detail as opposed to bit mapped graphics. There are a number of free ones around but the learning curve can be steep. Other options include: Adobe Photoshop and illustrator are very nice but expensive. TurboCAD Mac, ViaCAD are two less expensive ones. Corel Draw and Paint Shop Pro are others. That said, you can usually downsize clip art somewhat without too much trouble, enlarge too much and you get jaggies. The best is the one that works for what you want to do.
Amen to “the best is what does what you want to do.”. I do technical illustration with VISIO (for 13 years). There is a less expensive version of photoshop that would probably work for pictures. You could look for an older CORELDRAW that usually includes a paint program. I just reloaded 9 on my backup bunker laptop. I would avoid a CAD program as they tend to not have the amount of color and font selection you may need. I like CORELDRAW better than ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR but use but use both and PHOTOSHOP more than CORELPHOTOPAINT. All have learning curves and “paint/photo” programs are a different thought process than “vector draw” programs. You probably don’t need the latest version for what you want to do. 5 or 6 versions lower would work for what you want to do and should be quite inexpensive.
thanks.I appreciate the assistance. there are so many programs out there , i don’t mind paying for one but i don’t want to buy one, only to find out there was something better i should have tried.
I use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop by default (graphic designer), yes, pricey, but very good at what they do. Check out “GIMP”, it’s a Photoshop-like software package that is one of those freeware/open source deals. From what I’ve heard it does much of what Photoshop will do, but, uhh… free-er. 