What graphics software are you using

[Wild Turkey]

I got me some laser decal paper to do some good graphics without the images smearing
I mainly download images & add text , very simple with great results

 although this one smeared quite a lot  

I had the trial version of Corel Draw for a while & found it really easy to use
but dont get on with the others I've tried, Gimp  & a few others as their way over my head
Im sure theres a lot of people looking for similar
So What are you guys using & how do you find it ?

[dodido]

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[Wild Turkey]

Thanks Dodido
Thats a good video
 Just reloaded Gimp & will give it a second go !

[Vince]

I use Magix graphic designer. It has the same features as Gimp but it seems that the more basic features are at the forefront making it appear easier to get a grip of.

http://www.magix.com/gb/xara-photo-graphic-designer/

[Wild Turkey]

Is it  free version you got or did you pay ?

[Vince]

eeerm.... I may of..... umm ...... pirate downloaded it....

[Wild Turkey]

"Say nothin till ya hear more"     as we say over here  

[JaviCAP]

Another one using Gimp. Many years ago I learned to use Photoshop, but i ended up tired of.... "not exactly legal copies", codes and so on, so changing to Gimp was easy... and cheap.

BR

[smoss469]

Gimlet doesn't look compatable with Windows Vista.

[GoranP]

Wild Turkey wrote

I got me some laser decal paper to do some good graphics without the images smearing

Are you saying that inkjet decals bleed ink? Even if you clearcoat them before submerging in water?

[Wild Turkey]

I find when you separate them from the base paper the laquer can crack causing the ink to smudge/ run
& also if you over spray with laquer  
Havent used laserjet so not sure on its flaws

[GoranP]

I still haven't gone down waterdecal route but I do have about 10 pieces of it. I need to spend those before I invest in the laser variation.

Please inform us if they are any better!

[Vince]

I use inkjet waterslide decals with great success. Bog standard Epson Printer. One thick coat of spray lacquer. Let it dry thoroughly. Put and hold it down in the water for about 30 seconds to a minute... leave it until you can feel it separate from the backing paper and apply. Dab it with some tissue to absorb the water and gently slide out any bubbles, let dry, apply another thick coat of lacquer. I thick coat because I find it dries kind of bumpy with thin coats. You get a smooth finish with a thick coat.

Also I find your printer setting has a major part to play. I find setting mine to glossy it bleeds too much ink so I have mine set to 'photo' and 'matte paper' and it comes out razor sharp and perfect.

Check a little sample

[Ross]

I do my drill templates in Adobe Illustrator, and then export a .png to Photoshop to do the artwork. Most of my graphics are done on transparent waterslide decals, as most pedals I make for others are pre-powdercoated. Pedals built for myself tend not to have any art and Sharpie labeling.

[smoss469]

I stand corrected, gimp will work on Vista. Got it installed, now to learn how to use it!

[Wild Turkey]

I always set the printer to Glossy, would have never even thought of that !

[Signal Electrix]

Agreed that GIMP is great for photo type editing and effects.  I actually find it easier than photoshop.

But, for laying out graphics and lettering, take a look at Inkscape.  Its a vector graphics program, but you can bring your jpegs bmps in too, that you may have worked on in GIMP.  

These two progams together you can do almost anything. For free!

[Wild Turkey]

Thats what Ive come to use in the end back & forth between Gimp & Inkscape
I find lettering  & easier in Inkscape

[alex.s]

I don't use photos on my pedals so I'm happy to use scribus (poor man's illustrator), as well as inkscape every now and again when I need to trace vectors from images.

[Madferret]

I'm a Photoshop guy through and through, I've got plenty of time for Gimp but I just find using Photoshop a little quicker and easier to get the desired results. Plus there are thousands of great tutorials for designs and lettering ideas using Photoshop.