[TheForge] software

[Ries Niemi]

I have used corel draw. I found it pretty funky and non-intuitive, but it did work to take a drawing and convert it to DXF.

I use a mac, and that could be part of it- Adobe is just much better integrated to Macs.

But also, as an artist, I keep photoshop running every day- to me, its a basic need.

For instance, if I take photos of my work, I drop the digital image into photoshop to crop it, color correct, adjust contrast, and remove shadows or background objects I dont like. 
I then edit my images in photoshop to make them the standard size and format to enter competitions or shows. 
I use photoshop to edit my images before uploading them to Blurb, for the books I have been making about my work.
I use photoshop, either drawing directly in photoshop with a stylus, or tracing scanned or imported photos or line art, editing and and erasing and polishing up, before I save these line images as either bitmaps for my embroidery machine, or DXF's for my waterjet guy. 
I also make posters, do postcard art for shows, design and print tear sheets about projects or individual products. 
I just use it everyday for all kinds of stuff.

And, with two kids in college right now, its no problem for me to get student pricing.

ries


On Jun 17, 2012, at 6:28 PM, Mark and Sylvia Mondloch wrote:

> I have been looking on-line and Corel Draw does DXF. Amazon has the X5 
> version for $175. Has anyone used Corel Draw?
> 
> 
> 
> Mark and Sylvia Mondloch
> Silver Creek Pottery & Forge
> mondloch at silvercreekpottery.com
> www.silvercreekpottery.com
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Ries Niemi
> Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2012 8:17 PM
> To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] software
> 
> DXF is a vector format. Word never offered vector formats or conversions.
> 
> In industry, most people use Autocad for this, and its a big pain.
> 
> ries
> 
> On Jun 17, 2012, at 6:06 PM, Bruce . wrote:
> 
>> Back in the Windows 95 or 98 era, I bought a version of Windows Office (or
>> some such name) that had a program similar to Word, but under another
>> name.  This program featured "word art" which allowed you to do exactly
>> what you're describing.  As I recall, it was pretty easy to use.
>> 
>> If you open Word (for Windows 7 in my case) and click on the "insert" tab,
>> toward the right is a group called "text" that includes Word Art.  This is
>> similar to what I remember, and could possibly be of use.
>> 
>> However, Word is limited in its output file types, and in particular DFX
>> does not seem to be one of them.  You might check whether any of the 
>> others
>> will do.  Or you might check on PowerPoint, which also supports WordArt.
>> 
>> On Sun, Jun 17, 2012 at 12:53 PM, Mark and Sylvia Mondloch <
>> mondloch at silvercreekpottery.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> I have been finding a need to do some lettering for signs. I want the
>>> ability to use different fonts and curve the words. Also would want to be
>>> able to have the files compatible with my laser cutter.Also would like to
>>> be
>>> able to scan leaves or pictures and trace for laser cutting. Any
>>> suggestions?
>>> 
>>> Mark and Sylvia Mondloch
>>> Silver Creek Pottery & Forge
>>> mondloch at silvercreekpottery.com
>>> www.silvercreekpottery.com
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Bruce
>> NJ
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