SureThing decal maker- anyone have some tips?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Decaling
1

I purchased the standard edition software, and have spent the last couple of days playing around with it. I have also read thru some of the tutorials, but am having problems with a few things. I am wondering if anyone has some tips, or know where I can look up how to do a few specific things like:

  1. How does one determine the font they need for a specific piece of artwork, short of trying every single font then re-typing the text? For instance, what font was used in WWII for U.S. Navy aircraft stencil numbers?

  2. How do you resize the image you have brought up? I have a scan of the decals I want in 1/48 and want to resize to 1/32.

  3. Can you trace out an image and crop it to just what you want?

TIA, it sure looks like a cool program to use once you figure it out!

2

Daywalker, It’s best that you use photo editor software before you set them up on Surething. You can get a free photo editing program called Picasa which is every bit as good as Paint Shop Pro, Corel Draw, or Adobe Photoshop. Google offers this program free online Just download and install.

http://picasa.google.com/

Here are a few links to military fonts for download:

http://www.bobsyouruncle.net/font-types.htm

http://hans.presto.tripod.com/fonts/stencil.html

http://www.dafont.com/theme.php?cat=114

You want to add and arrange lettering of fonts on images with photo editor software then use Surething to scale then down and print them to decal paper. The first link has fonts used by the Air Force and Navy but also WWII style fonts used the RAAF and Germany. The other links go to sites that show some fonts used for stenciling by all branches.

Best way to get an image to scale is test print on plain paper, cut it out and lay the image against the actual model then go back to the photo editor program and edit with or resize untill it look right to you. This may take several test printing before it looks to scale. Others will take a picture of model to scale and use the photo editor software to impose the image to be made a decal over the picture of actual model to scale it to size. I prefer the first method. Its up to you which way you choose.

Hope this helps.[:D]

3

Rand-

Thanks for the tips! Looks like I have some work to do. [8-]

4

Another question:

I downloaded the fonts I wanted, and they were saved as a .TTF file. How can I turn those into an image so I can edit them? Or, is there any way to load those fonts into the decal software so that they show up as available fonts?

5

Frank,

Use the photo editor program and create an image just using the font and edit as you need. (Make sure fonts are in their appropreate folder on your computer so the program can access them from your fonts folder.) When your satisfied with the look of the font image save it as a .tiff or .jpg file, this lets you access the file anytime you need. When your satisfied open Surething make a template for the decal and save that also. Now you can use that template to add more images to make sets, resize a single decal to scale, and printing the decal or set at any time. Your going to need to tinker with both programs till you learn what they do and when you feel confident using them print your decals.

  1. Create and edit image with photo editor program and save file.

  2. Use Surething to create decal templates from the images, resize to scale and print.

It’s that simple! [:D]

If you need more help there are online tutorals you can check out. Web search for Picasa tutorals or Paint Shop Pro tutorals. These tutorals show you how to use and create graphics.

Good Luck!

6

Oh, boy. Me thinks I am in over my head on this one. [V]

7

How do I convert a Tru Type Font File to an image I can edit in Picasa?

8

It doesnt quite work like that but I’ll try to walk you through the steps. First open Picasa.

  1. Click in File> New> or New Image… wait for blank image window to load.

  2. On toolbars look for the capitol “A” button and click it, this open up tool menu for adding font.

  3. Select the type font you want to use from the menu tool bar.

  4. After selecting font click on image and type your font, you should see a small dialog box open, type font text into that box and click accept or OK program will paste font text into the new image. It will look vectored or floating and while it doing that you can move it and positition by holding down the right mouse button while cursor is over the font text.

  5. Now on top toolbar click “Selections” and open the menu, look for the “none” option and click it. This will set font text on image and you can now save the image to file. (if no selection tool option is there on top toolbar, left click on mouse to set font text in place)

If you did it right it will look like this…

Images above were made into decals using Paint Shop Pro 9, Surething Standard edition and used on my Revell 1/48 F/A-18C.

I hope this clears things up for you Frank, just keep tinking until you get what you want.

9

Thanks, but how do I get the newly downloaded fonts to show up in the list on the menu toolbar? I downloaded a few today from those sites you listed, but don’t see them in the list on Surething. Is there a specific spot in the computer those have to be saved to so that they show up in the decal making software? Sorry to ask so many questions. I really appreciate your help on this!!!

10

Dont use Surething to add text, it does not show fonts from your PC. ONLY use Picasa for that and save the image for use on Surething.

When you get used to Picasa I’ll tell you how make fonts Italic. For now dont worry about Italics on fonts texts.

Make separate folders for your templates and decal images in an easy to find place on your computer. I put mine My Documents> My Pictures with a sub folders named Decal Images and Decal Templates.

11

OK, I understand that part. The only problem is the fonts I downloaded are not showing up as images, only .ttf files. I can look them up, view them, but I cannot save the file as an image for editing. All I can do with them is view and print. Should I print them, then scan them back into the computer as an image?

12

You need to do all editing with Picasa before saving them. Just use Surething for sizing to scale, test printing and final print on decal paper.

13

To be able to use the fonts you downloaded you have to install them. If you are using Windows go the the Control Panel and select Fonts after the font window comes up select File and Install New Fonts. Select the drive and directory you have the new fonts in and install.

14

[#ditto] And sorry I forgot to mention this. This is why you cant see the font they MUST be in your windows font folder.

15

Ah-ha, that worked! OK, now I have 'em installed on my computer (most, anyway as I hit my download limit!). Still playing with Picasa to figure out how to edit.

16

WTG Frank![tup] Looks like your on your way now.[^]

17

Woohoo! I’m on my way now, thanks Rand!

18

I found this Program/System a real pain until, I figured some things out. I also bought BOTH Programs.

1st) The measurements are in “REAL” 1/32". That means all of the little lines between the numbers are 1/32". I’m sure your figured that out. Sorry, I just want to make sure you know that.

2nd) I believe all of the “Program Decals” are Re-sizable. The only hitch is… it doesn’t matter which way you try to Shrink or Expand them (Horizontally or Vertically) the Decal will change size in Both Directions at the same time. At times it a Blessing, other times it’s a pain.

3rd) As far as “Fonts” are concerned… you have to just go through the list supplied in the Program. Keeping in mind, SOME “Fonts” are Named differently but, are ALMOST Identical. The difference is, How They WILL Change in Size. Yeah, it really is a big pain. Once you find the “Font” you like… make sure you save it in the Program.

4th) You can “SAVE” your work in the Program but, start keeping a Notepad. Poo happens.

5th) You can (Pretty much) Copy and Paste almost anything into the SureThing Decal Maker.

All you have to do is… open the Program, it should automatically open the “New Project Wizard”. If it doesn’t, Click on the “New” Button. That WILL open it. You’ll see a Bold Lettered “Select Your Decals”. Under that is “Decal Selection”. In that list, Click on the “Freeform Half Sheet”. Then just Paste what you want, re-size it, add text and/or have your way with it.

For additional help, there are Free “Scale Calculators” online. This one worked for me, (webpages.charter.net/…/sd_scalecalc2.htm .

The only real problems with the SureThing Decal Maker are… it has a looooooooooooooonngg Learning Curve, I have yet to see ANY Updates or Upgrades, you CAN’T print the Color White on Clear Decal Material and you have to keep trying things. Make sure your Ink Cartridges are New or Re-manufactured by someone that backs up what they sell. Don’t refill them yourself.

I’ve actually made Fram Oil Filter Decals to put on 1/24 and 1/25 scale Oil Filters, made the British Roundels for a 1/28 scale Spad XIII, Traffic Signs and plenty of others. I can’t show them here unfortunately.

You can Google, Bing or whatever “Snoopy’s Spad XIII” to see some of my decals.

Have fun.

19

I have planned on attempting making my own decals. This thread was very helpful. Thanks.

I hope you are able to post some pics Daywalker, I’d be interested to see your final results with that software.

Gordy

20

I can’t figure out how to post pictures here. I tried using the Insert Image (Sarcasm Alert) It may have been better if it asked me what color socks someone in another State is wearing. I give the same answer… DUH?

I’ve seen my Lee’til Mule Toter Truck, Snoopy’s Spad XIII and My Killer Bee on Google Images. I just checked again and can’t find my Kill Bee. It’s a good thing it’s in the Model Cars Magazine Reader’s Gallery. Have a look. The Mule’s decals were made using the SureThing Decal Maker, some Pictures from the Web. They’re actually made up of layers… sort of.

Lets try this;

  1. Open your SureThing Decal maker.

  2. Click on “NEW”. You should see the "New Project Wizard Window.

  3. Click on the “Freeform Half Sheet”.

  4. Click on “Finish”. You should see a Blank Decal Sheet Template in the Middle of the Page. There should be a Blue Boarder. (I left my Decal Maker the Colors it first Opened in.) In the Upper Left of the Blue Boarder there are (3) Three Buttons, “New”, “Open” and “Save”. In the Center are (4) Four Buttons, “<<”, “Add”, “Del”, and “>>”. In the Upper Right are (3) Three Buttons, “Print”, “Preview” and “X”. 5) On the Far left of the Page there are (3) Three Icons with what they’re for written directly under each Icon. Check them out and just try using them. It’s fun and helpful. At the very bottom Right are (2) Two very small Icons. The First is for Program Options and the second is for turning the sounds On and Off. At this point, Don’t Bother with them. 6) At this point you should be familiar with the Tools and Icons at the very top of the page. What your interested in is Making Your Own Decals.

Let’s skip using the Program’s Decals for Now and find something Cooler on the Web. Leaving The SureThing Decal Maker RUNNING, Minimize it NOW. 1A) Go to your Google, Bing, Internet explorer and type in… psycho chihuahua. Click on “Search” 2A) Go to “Images” and look around. There should be a Picture of a Window Cling that has “Cling Chihuahua” by “Link Artwork”. Click on it. 3A)There’s two was to go here. You can Right Click on the Picture and “Copy” it now or you can Right Click and Click on “View Image”. I usually try to “View Image” first because, some times it turns out to be larger Picture. It’s easier to shrink a Larger Images than it is to make a small Image Larger. 4A) Right Click and Click on Copy Image. 5A) Expand your Decal maker and Right Click on the Decal Template and Click on “Paste Object”. There is your Decal to do with as you will except sell it. You can’t sell your Decals made from Pictures on the Web. 6A) Now you can change the Size, add Text and/or get rid of the Black Border.

Lets start by finding a Model Car Window or the like to fit this to. Remember, This Is A Window Cling. If your going to actually put this on a Model Window, you should USE CLEAR decal Paper BUT, unless your InkJet Printer can Print White… anything White WILL be Clear. ie: Teeth, Whites of the Eyes and etc. Yeah it’s a pain. Lets just concentrate making a Decal. 1B) Figure out the Size you need. The picture is a little over 2 Inches Wide by 4 and 1/32 inches Tall. That’s with the Black Border and the Silver/Grey Frame. 2B) Lets shrink the picture first. To keep things as simple as possible I’ll try to keep things in round numbers. There are 3 Magnifying Glass Icons just above the Blue Border I mentioned earlier. the 1st. has a “+”, the 2nd a “-” and the 3rd is to Reset. Click on the “+” until the picture is at the Maximum size. Click on the Picture. Move it to the Left and Top of the Template watching the lines in the Rulers. It’s easy to get them to the First line of Both Rulers. You can use the Direction Arrows on your Keyboard to make it easier. (It works for me) 3B) Now it get a little Tedious. Using the Direction Arrows on your Keyboard, move the picture as far Left as you can go WITHOUT losing ANY detail and Mind the Shadows. Do the same at the top. 4B) Move your Mouse to the Left onto the Ruler. Hold the Left Button Down as you move your Mouse back to the Right. NOTE; A Red Line will be attached. It’s supposed to do that. It turns Green when you lift off the Left button on your Mouse. Move that Line to the 1 in the 1 Inch in the Ruler at the top. 5B) Do the same at the top Ruler. Bring that line down to the Center of the 2 in the 2 inch mark of the Ruler on the Left. I should’ve mentioned that there should be a Red Border around you Picture. If isn’t there, don’t worry. Just move your Mouse to the Picture and Click the Left Button. It will show up. 5C) Left Click on the Red Line and Hold the Button down and move to the your Mouse to the Green Line you left there before. This Green line makes it easier to get the Red perfect. You have to use the Mouse for this. 6C) Now it gets Tedious. Some Pictures will actually move a little as you try to Shrink them. Its Not a big deal. You just have to Adjust it by moving it back to the right and moving the Red line back to the left. Like I said, Tedious. Not all Pasted pictures Shrink exactly the same but with this one, I got lucky. With the exposed Black Border at the Bottom and the Right side with same sides of the Silver/Grey Frame, the picture is now 1 and 1/32" by 2 1/32". I can live with that. Now we can hide the Border and Frame. 7C) Click on the Preview Button in the upper Right Blue Border. You should see your Decal Framed on the Left and Top with Red X’s. No worries. You’ll move it in a couple of minutes. 8C) Lets get rid of the Green Lines by bringing your mouse to a Blank part of your Template. Don’t try to move it ON the Picture. You’ll move your picture at the same time. Just move the lines back to where you got them. 9C) Now, making sure you picture still has the the Red Border around it, you can use your Mouse or the Keyboard Direction Arrows. Lets move it as if your going to make actual Decals. You should only have to move it 2/32" to the Right and 2/32" Down. Watch the Lines in the Rulers. Pretty cool so far? Lets hide the Border and frame. 10C) The Icon that has “Adding Text” on the left of your Template is what your going to Click on… Now. The top of the list says “Create New Text Frame”, Click on it. A Text will pop up on your Template. It should say “Your Text Here”. Don’t Panic. Right Click on it, set it on “Text Mode” then making sure your Cursor is at the last letter of the word “Here” and hit your “Backspace” button. Yeah there’s an easier way but I’m more interested in having you make some Decals. 11C) Now that your Text frame is empty, we have to make sure it’s not Transparent. Right click on it and set it to “Object Mode”. Move it to your Picture. If you can see any part of it through the “Text Frame” You have to fix it. Right click on it and click on “Shades”. When it opens make sure the “Shades” is set to “Custom” and the “Foreground” and “Background Colors” are set to White. Click on OK. You now have a Cover to hide the unwanted bits of your Decals. Once you’ve made one, all you have to do is Copy and Paste as many as you need. You can adjust adjust the sizes depending on where you need it. I used 6 to hide the Border and Frame. 12C) Print it to a piece of regular paper and be amazed. No Text Frames will show up in the Paper.