Hey Mike - thanks for that In-depth explanation. You might have them go w/Ted's PSP suggestion. I honestly don't know that program enough.
When you 1st put out the request - I was wondering. Who is looking to use this SW - and what for. Generally speaking, as you mentioned below - a lot of the programs are complex and have a big learning curve. Yeah - they could probably do what they want all in Photoshop Elements. They could even do it in layers - and keep the common stuff on one layer. And the stuff that must change (photo, Serial#, price) on a different layer - or even have the photo on its own layer. This way, they could copy that file - and put in different text and photos for each different version of the file. But, still seems like a LOT of work to me. As someone mentioned - sounds like you need a Mail Merge kinda thing. I was even thinking - what about some simple kind of VFP application that you could make for them - and then the database has the list of photos(or links to the photos on the HD) and the prices & SKU, and then you generate it all as a report. Maybe they use some other program, like PS Elements to manipulate the images, in preparation for usage. Also - they don't Completely change ALL the images/SKU#/Prices EVERY Sale - right? I mean - they don't sell out ALL the items - and start with a NEW set of items EVERY Time there is a sale. Or am I wrong. Anyway - those are my thoughts & YMMV... -K- -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Copeland Sent: Friday, July 13, 2012 3:08 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [NF] Grahpics design software for Windows platform Thanks Kurt! You obviously have some experience... I have a client that is using Paint Shop Pro(phylactic) and the stuff they are doing is getting so complex that the program (I use the term loosly) is getting slow and can sometimes just crash. The problem, as I'm sure you have experienced, is that they don't know the difference between vector or bitmapped, and they also don't grasp the difference in what is required to edit those two different types of primitives. What they are wanting to do is stretch, warp, compress, drag-n-drop, change color, etc. They are creating up to 8.5 x 11 color print outs that are used in a retail environment. Each page will have different product information, prices, but similar graphics treatment. They set up a base page with the graphics "theme" (i.e., "4th of July Sale!") that is used for all 300 pages, then they add (preferably with a mail-merge type of solution) the brand, model # (SKU), and price. For example "GE Refrigerator #KSO883GH1V $995.00". These output pages will then be taped to the product on the display floor for the duration of the sale...usually 4 days...then discarded. They start with a clean slate each "event" and reinvent the wheel to come up with a totally new look...the only constant graphic element is their logo. I've watched them play with their current app and they think you should be able to insert a photo, slide it over to that corner, make it a little narrower, then add a string of vector text in a funky font, make it red, spread it from top left to top right corner, make it shorter, insert a string of text under that in blue and green stripes, etc.,etc.,etc. They would also like to be able to crop photos, change the colors in a photo, and even add three-d shadows and depth to type, etc. I've tried to explain to them that it takes people months, if not years to become proficient with Illustrator and Photoshop to the point where they can produce professional graphics for publication in a magazine, for example, and the response was "Oh, I'm sure there's something out there that makes it easy enough that anyone can do it." Yeah. Okay. Right. I agree with you on Gimp...it's got the chops, but it's not very intuitive. Of course I used to work with Corel Draw years ago, spending as much as 6 to 8 hours a day in it and the LAST term I would use for Corel would be "intuitive." I'm thinking they really want to either take the dive for Illustrator (cost, learning curve) or Corel (lower cost, same learning curve) and stick with vector. Editing bit-map images gets very technical very quickly. Thanks for the feedback! Mike -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [NF] Grahpics design software for Windows platform From: Kurt Wendt <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Date: 7/13/2012 1:47 PM Hey Mike - sorry for the slow response - but, I'm glad to see you brought this up. Since, when I'm not wearing my VFP hat - the other hat is a 3D CG one. But, I also work w/other 2D SW besides just 3D. In regards to Photoshop - you should get Photoshop Elements. I've been using it for YEARS now. Its basically a Cut-down version of Photoshop. And, depending on what you need to do - it will probably be completely sufficient for your needs. Many of the larger computer stores - and even BestBuy - carries it for like $99. I've actually tried Gimp - but, I really didn't like it. Also, just to note - I haven't upgraded my PS Elements in a number of years now. But, the version I had - it was based upon Photoshop - but, based upon an older release. Now, as for Illustrator - that's really Vector based (as opposed to Photoshop which is bitmap based). I've really never had a need for a Vector based program - so, never really bothered with it. I did, a good number of years ago - work with Flash at this co. in NJ - where I was working with a team of Freelancers going 2D animation Clean-up(which totally SUCKED as a Job - and the place was setup like a CG sweatshop - very strange indeed!). If you really want a Vector based program - you might do a search on the Net for one that is OpenSource. Just curious to know what you are looking to do with the SW? -K- -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Copeland Sent: Friday, July 13, 2012 12:47 PM Anyone have any advice for which software to look into for Graphics Design on the Windows platform? I'm looking for something in the realm of Adobe Illustrator...Adobe Photoshop, but without the price tag. Not necessarily free, just less $. About the only ones I'm familiar with is Gimp and Corel Draw. Any others? Thanks in advance for any feedback! Mike Copeland [excessive quoting removed by server] _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/289ea162f5642645b5cf64d624c66a140e260...@us-ny-mail-002.waitex.net ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
