What graphics applications are modelers using?

I think the one time I tried custom decals, I used MS Paint, and it wasn't good. Poor resolution and the images were all blurry. I think if I were to try again, I'd have to get my hands on a copy of Adobe Photoshop or something similar and see how intuitive/user friendly that was, and what quality I could produce with it.

Otherwise, I'll just beg for help from someone here.

Irfanview, which is Freeware, works as well-- but I do use Photoshop here and there....

So no one else is using vector-based programs like Freehand, Illustrator or InDesign?

Paint Shop Pro is good.
You can also try Adobe PhotoShop.
If drawing something basic, MS Paintbrush is fast and easy.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Trigger74 So no one else is using vector-based programs like Freehand, Illustrator or InDesign?

Corel Draw 12 suite

I pretty much use paint exculsivly, but I'm usually altering scanned images.
What I like about it is the online tutorials, if it isn't in the help file its on the website.

My copy was given to me when a company switched over to Macs for graphics, so I have no complaints...the suite is expensive if you buy it. around $450-$500 American.

Corel, Photoshop and Adobe Illus.

Reason I ask is, I've received files from people before in Powerpoint or Word to be used as graphics and it's...difficult to say the least. I know that in many cases, this is all they have or can afford so I don't fault them. With as many people doing or wanting to make their own decals, I was curious as to how they're doing it.

Me? I'm a Mac guy right down to the bone and I use Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign all the way. I use them both at work and at home for freelance and they're awesome. The apps you guys listed, CorelDraw, Illustrator and Photoshop are all very encouraging!

Iroc - how are you enjoying the Mac so far?

QUOTE: Iroc - how are you enjoying the Mac so far?

LOL
Its my Brother-in-law's company that switched to mac's for graphics.
I wouldn't stoop to that myself
If I wanted a paper wieght I'd use a rock, at least it doesn't use electricity
Did I really say that out loud?

Ugh... for the sake of everyone's sanity and out of civility let's not go down that road.

QUOTE: Ugh... for the sake of everyone's sanity and out of civility let's not go down that road.

Ok...Its littered with the corpses of dead Macs anyway


Actually, you just triggered a learned response, from years of teasing one of our programmers who uses macs @ home...simply so we cant call him to work from home because macs wont talk to our system.

I've got about 5 yrs worth of mac-jabs...this thread could survive for years.

Not as long as you thinl - I've got about 10 years of Windows jabs. I switched in college when I went into the design program because I had to. Haven't looked back since. Make all the Mac jokes you want. I'll be smiling, enjoying crash-free OS X and all the goodness that comes with it!

And just for the record, it's not littered with dead Macs, just dead Mac Clones (THOSE were dark days.). Seriously, the war's over. Jobs and Gates both called it off in 1997/8.

Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and AutoCAD.

AutoCAD is one I never expected to hear! I used to work in an environment where I had to design graphics to be imported for renderings created in AutoCAD. That's very interesting you use that application for scale modeling Dwight; how are you using it?

Adobe Photoshop Elements for me.

Darren

QUOTE: Originally posted by Trigger74 AutoCAD is one I never expected to hear! I used to work in an environment where I had to design graphics to be imported for renderings created in AutoCAD. That's very interesting you use that application for scale modeling Dwight; how are you using it?

In scratchbuilding things...I draw plans in AutoCAD and scaled them down to whatever scale I want.

That's awesome Dwight!