Northwest Airlink logo

Don, you might be able to come pretty close with a font that is already on your computer. I google for images of the logos I need, and try to find one that is as close to a direct-on shot as I can get, then download that image. (Airliners.net is an excellent resource) Then you can import the image to your drawing program and try different fonts until you find one that comes close enough.

A lot of the time, though, you just can't find anything. For example, the Comair logo is custom drawn, so in that case, I'll use my web image as the background layer in my drawing program (I'm using Macromedia Freehand), and trace over it on another layer. I can enlarge the image enough to work with it, although when you enlarge to a certain point, the downloaded image turns into a bunch of unrecognizeable pixels.

Then, you have a vector-drawn copy of the logo that you can size to any scale you need. Just takes a lot of time!

I am finding that the simple Times Roman is not bad. I have to adjust the stroke width a bit, but it is reasonably close.  I have not been able to find any good picks with enough resolution for the Airlink portion to use a photo, so need to adjust fonts.

Don,

Is this the logo you are referring to?

If so, that is too low res, but I think you'll find that the font is closer to Arial Bold, but is stretched out a bit. Times New Roman is a serif font, and the NWA logo is definitely sans-serif.

If you can open eps files, try this!

Bgrigg

Don,

Is this the logo you are referring to?

If so, that is too low res, but I think you'll find that the font is closer to Arial Bold, but is stretched out a bit. Times New Roman is a serif font, and the NWA logo is definitely sans-serif.

If you can open eps files, try this!

No, the one I am trying to duplicate has Northwest spelled out, and the airlink is a serif font in italics.

It was used on their DHC-8 and RJ-85 planes (mesabi owned).

Don,

What software are you using for making the decals?  If you have an OK quality JPEG image of the logo and you have access to software such as CorelDraw 14, Corel has a Raster to Vector trace conversion that works really well.  Also, I have an awful lot of fonts at my fingertips and although I cannot put a name to the font you are looking for, I am sure I have seen something in my own collection that is almost identical.  The Northwest does indeed look something like Times New Roman and the Airlink font face I may have.

If you have a good quality logo, PM me and I will see what I can do for you!  I will also have a look at my fonts this evening for you to see if I can pinpoint it.

RODC

Don, seeklogo.com is a search site for corporate logos, there are others like that. The provide vector based .eps files. You'll need a program like Corel Draw, Illustrator or Photoshop. GIMP will open them, but you need to install Ghostscript and create an environmental path to it. Not the easiest thing to do. Can you post an image of what you are looking for, so I know, and I'll see what I can find.

rodc

Don,

What software are you using for making the decals?  If you have an OK quality JPEG image of the logo and you have access to software such as CorelDraw 14, Corel has a Raster to Vector trace conversion that works really well.  Also, I have an awful lot of fonts at my fingertips and although I cannot put a name to the font you are looking for, I am sure I have seen something in my own collection that is almost identical.  The Northwest does indeed look something like Times New Roman and the Airlink font face I may have.

If you have a good quality logo, PM me and I will see what I can do for you!  I will also have a look at my fonts this evening for you to see if I can pinpoint it.

RODC

I use Paint Shop Pro X2, but I also have PS Elements.  My wife uses PS, so I have access to that.  Both PSP and PS supposedly can mix vector and raster layers. I have never tried that but am aware they are supposed to allow it.

Hi Don.....

Had a look through my fonts.  Closest I can come is a Belwe font for the Airlink but it is not exact.  For "Northwest", Times New Roman will work but I think Cambria is a better fit. You should also think about getting a copy of CorelDraw.  I too use Corel Photo-Paint and it is an OK program for photo work as is PhotoShop, but I find CorelDraw far superior for doing logo work.  At least when things is in vector, you can easily tweak colors........

Good luck with the Airlink build.........

GO CANADA.....

Thanks, rodc.

I'll try them both and see which is best match.