I just got a handful of adobe programs. I've toyed with Photoshop a bit. Now I want to do a layout for some simple magnetics and am at a loss. How can one make a simple layout? Sheeeesh I've got no control over this sucker! Any tips???
Posted by TransLab (Member # 470) on :
I've been using photoshop on and off for about 6 years, it still sometimes makes me go AAAARGHH !! Corels photopaint has come a long way over the years, and is much easier to learn. However there are some things that photoshop does extremely well, better than Corel's Photopaint, but I've found the learning curve a little rocky.
I don't think either one to be the tool I would choose to use to do a complete sign layout with. Adobe Illustrator or Coreldraw would be a better choice for the layout. Use photoshop or photopaint only for editing or creating the bitmapped elements of the layout.
Posted by Airbrush Bobby (Member # 5) on :
I just installed Illustrator 8.0.... any tips on that?
Posted by AdrienneMorgan (Member # 1046) on :
Bobby, PhotoShop's not really good for layouts, I use Corel 8 for sign layout and design. I use PS for photo retouching.
A:)
Posted by Philippe JACQUES (Member # 664) on :
I visit your website to learn what you was already able to produce. Wonderful airbrush artwork ! Take the time to learn your software as you are mastering your airbrush and you will produce dreamful job.
Do you have the official CD of Adobe ? If so, take the time to practice the tutorials. In Photoshop, concentrate your efforts on the selection tools and on the effects. In Adobe Illustrator, concentrate your effort on the pen tool. Learn how to scan some picture (like your previous artxork), to select some part in Photoshop, transform the selection into path and then transform those paths. Not in one day, but start with easy project. like your "bloody superman" logo.
Or buy some books with tutorial on those products.
Considering your production, I would recommand you to upgrade your licence to AI 10 (mainly for distorsion tools). But this supposes you check first if your PC is strong enough to run this software.
I keep at your disposal for any further info.
Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
Bobby, I agree with the posts above that you need to use the vector program for layouts - it'll go much faster. I've been forced to use Illustrator in the past, after already being proficient in CorelDRAW. The same tools are in there, but called completely different things, in different places, and you use them in different ways. It's been a few years now, and I was never happier to get back to just one program I already knew. Illustrator is a good and fully featured program for vector drawing. I wouldn't say it's any harder to learn than Corel, but it's like painting left handed for me, so I wouldn't be able to help you with any specific questions about how to do a task. Finding an Illustrator-savvy pal would be highly recommended for those desperate phone calls to do something stupidly simple. Good luck.
Posted by Lettercraft (Member # 268) on :
I KNOW YOU'LL ALL THINK I'VE COMPLETEWLY LOST IT...BUT.....I WOULD RECOMMEND FINDING A COPY OF THE DISCONTINUED INSPIRE PROGRAM (TRY WWW.SIGNTRADER.COM). IT SHOULD BE PRETTY CHEAP. THIS PROGRAM DOES ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! BITMAP; VECTOR; PRINT; PRINT/CUT; CUT; DISTORT; IMPORT-EXPORT....IT REALLY IS AN AWESOME PROGRAM! I ALSO USE COREL, PHOTOSHOP, CASMATE, FLEXI. INSPIRE DOES MORE THAN ANY OF THEM! MY OWN 2 CENTS!
Posted by Lettercraft (Member # 268) on :
I KNOW YOU'LL ALL THINK I'VE COMPLETEWLY LOST IT...BUT.....I WOULD RECOMMEND FINDING A COPY OF THE DISCONTINUED INSPIRE PROGRAM (TRY WWW.SIGNTRADER.COM). IT SHOULD BE PRETTY CHEAP. THIS PROGRAM DOES ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! BITMAP; VECTOR; PRINT; PRINT/CUT; CUT; DISTORT; IMPORT-EXPORT....IT REALLY IS AN AWESOME PROGRAM! I ALSO USE COREL, PHOTOSHOP, CASMATE, FLEXI. INSPIRE DOES MORE THAN ANY OF THEM! MY OWN 2 CENTS!
Posted by Dave Johnson (Member # 2535) on :
If your help menu doesn't have a tutorial, try going to http://www.adobe.com/products/tips/photoshop.html. You'll have to fill out a simple registration form.
Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
Bobby, Photoshop has a really steep learning curve, but it is worth the effort if you are into this sort of thing. Many community colleges have night courses that can help you get started. The CD tutorial that is in the box is also very helpful.
Screensavers last night had a sneak preview of the latest Photoshop upgrade, I forget the number.
It has a feature called the healing tool. It is sort of like invisible mending on a good suit. The program looks at all the technicals of the surrounding features and makes a best guess at the missing information. Similar to the clone tool, only better.
Another new feature is a bitmap firehose that is far advanced over similar products. You set a bunch of variables. Say you are spraying leaves, they rotate, scatter, shift color and texture, based on your settings, to produce a truly random looking tree full of leaves.
Have fun! Vic G
Posted by AdrienneMorgan (Member # 1046) on :
Victor, that sounds like fun! I wish I had the patience to learn all the cool stuff PS and Corel can do...but I want instant gratification.
I've found the PS for dummies book real helpful when I want to learn just one feature at a time. I'm going to look into that firehose thingy though! A:)
Posted by Philippe JACQUES (Member # 664) on :
There are tons of resources about Photoshop and Illustrator on the net.
I appreciate the responses. I just wasn't sure how some of you did the great Layouts I sometime see here. I used to use a print shop program for layouts. I have an old corel 5 program but haven't used it since it was 2 years old. I read some past posts and Joe (OP) liked corel 7... well should I get a new corel or the old 7.. I'm running win 98 although I have 2000NT Pro but removed it.... made my puter crash.
[ March 21, 2002, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: Airbrush Bobby ]
Posted by Ken Morse (Member # 1799) on :
Bobby, Pay someone around you to tutor you in Corel as the time spent being self taught is enormous. I have showed others how to do the basic vector moves and then we move on to bitmap imaging. It is simple but not easy, you know the old saying practice, practice, practice. I have Corel 10/CoCut, Photoshop6, Wacom tablet, Sign Lab, Flexi, tons of photo and vector clip art, Eye Candy 4000, Xenofex, Corel Knockout and out of all of these tools I use Corel 10/CoCut the most. On this note the learning curve is not that bad, but if you expect to click and go forget it, if it was simple everyone would be doing it.
[ March 21, 2002, 10:32 AM: Message edited by: Ken Morse ]
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