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Post by Mike H "Chugosh" on Feb 26, 2014 18:39:46 GMT -9
I have a few questions that probably belong in different sections of the board, but I ganged them all up here.
What do you need, program wise, to create layered pdf documents?
What is a cheap or free drawing program for making good miniatures with. Something where I could see the mini and a scale at the same time. Something fairly easy to learn, or hard to learn but worth it.
Any good ideas about sealing paper models? I am at the point that whatever else may happen, I am not fond of the idea of my models being destroyed by the first tipped coke at the table.
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Post by Vermin King on Feb 26, 2014 19:21:00 GMT -9
As I have just about given up on designing anything for a while, I can't help you with those questions
I always hit my templates with a light coat of Krylon clear before I do anything. Then I will give the model several more coats when built. Depending on the type of model determines whether I use clear matte, clear satin or clear gloss.
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Post by mesper on Feb 26, 2014 21:48:04 GMT -9
What is a cheap or free drawing program for making good miniatures with. ... Something fairly easy to learn, or hard to learn but worth it. The problem with "fairly easy to learn" is that when you mastered this easy, low entry-level program, you might quickly discover that you need some more functions / features / tools etc. In such case you have 2 options: - stick with non-efficient, below your needs/expectations tool and so limit your creativity - or switch to something new and better And in second case usually you have to repeat learning process - which is pure waste of time (not mentioning money)!. Then backward compatibility problem might occur (for example in some cases you will have to use special / non-native file formats to export and then import older jobs). Some habits you gained as well as tools, styles or features you learned in older software might be not easily applicable or not existing in new one so assuming that you want achieve the same results/effects in new software as in old one, you will have to figure out how to come round such issues - which is kinda developing the wheel for the second time;) So even in case of free program you are wasting time and risking some sort of non-continuity of your projects. =>>>So I'd rather opt for "hard to learn but worth it" solution. But the major question is what are you looking for: - vector drawing (free & OK: Inkscape) - raster graphic (free & OK: GIMP) - free drawing - emulation of natural media painting programs (like Corel Painter but there are many good and funny programs around - vide ArtRage available for iPAD (4.99$) or even iPhone (1.99$) but seriously - Autodesk's Sketchbook PRO 6 (26$ Amazon bot PC/MAC platform)
Here is complete video how to draw some graphics which is very close to paper mini:=>>>How to Draw Cherry Pinup - YT tutorial- or perhaps you are looking for some good tracking software for converting sketches into vector linearts? Well, some packages contains all above mentioned features and more - but do you need these all and have enough spare time to learn all these features? In fact your art-style and preferences should be considered. For example: - do you want/prefer draw on paper and then scan your job for further CG processing? - or perhaps you would like to skip "pen-paper-eraser" stage using tablet or some touch-screen device? I'm afraid that in fact it's like with cars: you have to answer what are your primary needs and expectations: family van, fancy roadster, 4WD truck, classy limo or perhaps some small hybrid - but wait, perhaps motorcycle would be enough?
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Post by WackyAnne on Feb 27, 2014 0:20:45 GMT -9
Mesper's response is a far better one, but I'll give my quick answer. I've been playing around with GIMP, almost exclusively for modding others work, but also some original stuff. I can import existing graphic files (minis, terrain, photos, textures, scans of drawings), and resize/rescale/recolour/rework/rearrange/combine many things. I've read a little on it, but mostly just fiddled. You can use many layers in the graphic itself, but you can't export as a multilayered PDF. I think you'd need a copy of a true publishing program for that. GIMP is free for both PC and Mac, and is small enough for my ittybitty laptop.
As for strengthening paper minis and tiles, I've been using transparent film I picked up at the dollar store, the kind you can use to protect shelves, or wrap around books. While it's rather shiny, it's not obstrusive on the vertical minis, and I've now found some matte Contact Paper-brand stuff to try out, especially for the horizontal tiles. I've only tried out that stuff on inkjet prints, initially because my laser jet was out of toner and I wanted something water resistant and sturdier. My fear that it might make cutting more difficult was unfounded - in fact it made things easier, as I could now cut with embroidery scissors without worrying about too much wear and tear with the handling of the paper. It's cheap, easy, only a little slower than untreated paper minis, and much more durable method for making paper minis and tiles. It's a great solution, especially for the ones I'm making for my kids.
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Post by bravesirkevin on Feb 27, 2014 1:36:38 GMT -9
If you want to create layered PDFs you need to author them and save them as Adobe PDFs in Adobe Illustrator. You can also achieve it by exporting to PDF from Adobe InDesign.
There may be other ways of doing it, but these two are the only that I've ever come across. Even Acrobat Professional does not allow for the creation of layered PDFs on its own.
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Post by gilius on Feb 27, 2014 4:01:58 GMT -9
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Post by cowboyleland on Feb 27, 2014 4:40:38 GMT -9
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Post by hackbarth on Feb 27, 2014 5:13:38 GMT -9
I use two free, open-source, programs: Inkscape to draw vector graphics, these type of program draw images that are independent of resolution, and you can fine tune the line drawing of you figures. GIMP to color and apply textures, GIMP edits bitmap images, and allows for working in layers, so that you can every piece of the figure in one layer and treat each one independently from the others.
None of these is able to generate layered PDFs.
I print my minis in photo revelation machines (i don't recall how they are called in there, the type of machine that print photos from digital cameras). They are soda-coke-pop-proof.
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Post by mproteau (Paper Realms) on Feb 27, 2014 5:55:38 GMT -9
I use Scribus, and I continue to need to make the manual fix. It's not that much of a bother - a simple macro in a reasonable text editor takes care of it. They key is remembering to do it.
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Post by squirmydad on Feb 27, 2014 7:29:35 GMT -9
If you want to create layered PDFs you need to author them and save them as Adobe PDFs in Adobe Illustrator. You can also achieve it by exporting to PDF from Adobe InDesign. There may be other ways of doing it, but these two are the only that I've ever come across. Even Acrobat Professional does not allow for the creation of layered PDFs on its own. I export png files for my layers into InDesign and make the layered pdf from there. I can also make layered pdf's from Vectorworks, my 3D program, but they lack the finesse of InDesign. Neither of those are cheap though. Canvas ver.8, a vecot drawing program like Inkscape, was given away for free years ago and I've recently begun applying myself to working with it. I like it loads better than Inkscape.
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Post by glennwilliams on Feb 27, 2014 7:31:43 GMT -9
I'll second Adobe Sketchbook, although I just use it for quick sketches of ideas. It's easy to use and learn. I started with CorelDraw but was able by circumstances to upgrade to Photoshop. While I use the "big" version, my understanding is that Photoshop Elements will handle most of our needs. At roughly $100, Elements might be a little rich, you can work with layers very easily (NOT export layered documents, though). My new Samsung tablet came with a "touch" version of Photoshop--essentially free. I've done the tutorials but haven't actually used it to author anything.
All that said, GIMP is probably your best way to go because it does almost everything Photoshop does.
Layered pdfs I can't help with.
For protecting minis on the cheap, the wide transparent tape that looks like packing tape-sized Scotch tape works just fine--and it's really cheap. I have used the Scotch brand "packets", but I have no idea where our iron is anymore, so don't use them. The tape is thin enough it won't distort the One Monk style bases, another plus.
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Post by glennwilliams on Feb 27, 2014 12:03:57 GMT -9
You might also look at autodesk sketchbook. Odd interface but well done and easy to learn. Works best with a graphics tablet.
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Post by aaron on Feb 27, 2014 12:51:11 GMT -9
you have already been given a lot of advice on this board so anything I say here will probably only be repeating what others have already said. I use photoshop cs5 here's a little tutorial about how I do it cardboard-warriors.proboards.com/thread/5702/temporum-toutorial?page=1&scrollTo=57145... it's not really all THAT hard and with PDF maker I can do some pretty amazing things. Neither of those is Cheap or particularly easy but definitely worth it.
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Post by Mike H "Chugosh" on Feb 27, 2014 13:34:55 GMT -9
Thanks for the great information, guys!
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Post by glennwilliams on Feb 27, 2014 14:51:05 GMT -9
I also use photoshop cs5. It IS a fantastic program, but the only reason I bought it was because I got a faculty discount. If you can get a legal copy at a discount, go for it.
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