Graphics program for lettering boxes?

gez · July 29, 2004, 03:52:59 PM

Does anyone know of any cheap/free graphics packages that are suitable for simple lettering of boxes? (and only lettering - nothing fancy)

I use MS paint and, for some reason, the resolution just isnâ€™t that good, I end up with a slightly pixilated look to everything. This is baffling because if I use the same fonts (and the same size) using another program, say Works, then the resolution is tip-top.

My printer is set for max resolution, just doesnâ€™t perform when documents come from paint.

Solutions anyone?

mikeb · July 29, 2004, 04:58:29 PM

Yes!

http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/download/index.htm

It's all that I use now for panels without pictures (in which case I use Adobe Illustrator).

Mike

gez · July 29, 2004, 05:28:08 PM

Mike, you're a star! Thankyou, I'm downloading it as we...er, type.

I'll let you know how I get on with it.

travissk · July 29, 2004, 05:29:25 PM

The program mike suggested is very good for lettering.

As for paint, some scaling might be going on, or maybe paint just isn't that great for printing. You can always use something like Paint Shop Pro (free trial), the Gimp (free), or Photoshop; these print just fine.

toneman · July 29, 2004, 05:51:02 PM

this is the same as Shaefer of Germany.
this is for *engraving* of the lettering on the panel.
these guys anodize the panel in a bunch of color choices,
engrave it with your file(font size, line size) and fill the
engraving with your choice of several colors.
a MOTM-sized panel, with minimal lettering is about $40US.
(blace w/white lettering)
i looked into these guys a while ago for building my synth
panels. Turn arround is quick. But for large panels (4U rack)
it can run $100 for *one* panel.
They *only* do panels, not (stomp)boxes.
(of course, they provide the aluminum)
afn
tone

gez · July 29, 2004, 06:43:00 PM

Mike, how do I print a design off so that you don't get the grey backing?! Is this possible, or is it like Eagle where they do this so that you have to use them?

Also, is there anyway that I can import my own fonts?

It prints off great, but it's not that intuitive to use. I'm willing to spend time on it though, but only if I can print stuff onto transparencies (no grey backing).

Edit: why is the word 'prints' underlined in yellow (or is it just me?). I didn't do this!

gez · July 29, 2004, 07:05:44 PM

Bugger, I seem to be getting loads of words underlined. If I put the mouse on them I get a pop-up ad. How do I get rid of this? I went over to the Gimp site, and seem to have picked it up there via a link. Either that or it came with the download.

HELP!!!!

mikeb · July 29, 2004, 07:14:18 PM

Use View->Outline mode to turn off the fill-in. Also, you can copy the objects inside the outline then paste them outside to get stuff printed without having the 'box' around it.

AFAIK you can't use any external fonts - you could import a HPGL object if you so wish.

Sounds like you need to download and run Lavasoft's Adaware (or similar)!

Mike

gez · July 29, 2004, 07:23:37 PM

Thanks Mike, I'll try that in the morning.

Found the little b*stard that was causing the problem and removed it (must have come with the download). I've got software to stop this sort of thing happening too! :roll:

Torchy · July 29, 2004, 07:31:54 PM

If you've seen the Vibe Thang I posted pics of, ALL of the box art was done completely with PaintShop Pro v7. Free trial d/l and excellent value if you buy it. Advantage is you can create text as vector objects and tha anti-aliasing is excellent (no jaggies :wink: )

niftydog · July 29, 2004, 08:13:19 PM

even better would be if you could come accross a vector graphics program, like Flash, Illustrator or Freehand. Scale all you like with these puppies and you'll still get perfectly straight lines!

black mariah · July 29, 2004, 08:58:50 PM

Free vector graphics package with a Windows version:
http://inkscape.org/
I like it well enough. There are some annoyances, but it's better than the Gimp for things like this. WAY better.

travissk · July 29, 2004, 09:36:10 PM

Unless you got The Gimp modified from a third-party site, it shouldn't have come with any "bad surprises" (malware). It's a open-source project provided free for end users.

gez · July 30, 2004, 03:59:55 PM

Got the panel designer image to scale down using Works, but the resolution deteriorated slightly when I flipped it. Still better than paint though so I'll use it for now, but I have a feeling I'll be paying a visit to the local computer shop soon to see what graphics programs are on offer.

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

mikeb · July 30, 2004, 04:35:43 PM

The Schaeffer ap is good (IMHO) precisely because it DOESNT have all the do-dads the other programs do, hence designing a layout is faster and everything is less cluttered. Also, the bloody thing starts up quickly and runs fast, something that can't be said for most / all of the alternatives.

BTW, you can do scaling at print time......

Mike

gez · July 30, 2004, 04:50:44 PM

Don't get me wrong Mike I like it, it's just that I couldn't find a way to flip the image so I had to do it using Works and it resulted in some deterioration.

I'll probably continue to use it, but I need something to do the flipping. I'll see if I can get some 'freebie' software from a computer mag, or something in the bargain bin at the computer store.

mikeb · July 30, 2004, 05:59:16 PM

What printer are you using? The drivers for my Brother laser printer allow me to scaling / flipping / rotating etc etc at print time!

Besides, it not enough to like it - you must LUURRRVE it! :twisted:

Mike

mugan · July 30, 2004, 07:57:25 PM

i use ms word...

i scan the hammond enclosure after the drilling, then import this image
in word, design the top using its design tools then remove it.

It's easy and u have an "image" perfectly scaled in a little time! give a try!

Gilles C · July 30, 2004, 10:33:00 PM

Quote from: gezDon't get me wrong Mike I like it, it's just that I couldn't find a way to flip the image so I had to do it using Works and it resulted in some deterioration.

I'll probably continue to use it, but I need something to do the flipping. I'll see if I can get some 'freebie' software from a computer mag, or something in the bargain bin at the computer store.

I use Irfanview for many things. It can flip easily.
It can also resize your pictures.

http://www.irfanview.com/

gez · July 31, 2004, 03:52:13 AM

Quote from: mikebWhat printer are you using? The drivers for my Brother laser printer allow me to scaling / flipping / rotating etc etc at print time!

Deskjet 350. It doesn't have those sort of options. We got it because it's minute, and so's our flat so it stays I'm afraid.

mugan, I don't have a problem with scaling it's with flipping.

Gilles, site you linked to was temporarily unavailable, but if it's just a viewer I'd have to create a GIF file (or sim) and I can only do that in programs that deteriorate the quality of the image. Back to square one!

As things stand, the results I've got are a lot better than any method I've tried in the past so I'm not too unhappy. There's a printers across the road to me which is always an option, but the last time I tried them they couldn't cope with inches (I was there for over an hour) and it was slightly out when they did manage it. :roll:

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