Randy Ayers Nascar Modeling Forums

[Dennis O]

I'm trying to learn to use this technology and I am struggling. I'm a retired computer geek so technology is not a problem, I just can't seem to have that "AHA" moment. I'm currently messing with Inkscape. I don't think it's the software, but me. Is this a trial and error learning curve? Books?

Anyone got a graphics file they could share with me so I could play with it?
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Dennis
Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity.......

[DaveVan]

I'm a retired Sr system analyst. I wanted to learn graphics and bought then new CorelDraw3.....they are on V16 now.
It was the toughest learning curve I have ever faced. I just made tons of errors and kept learning. I can't speak to Inkscape but AI is just as tough or worse. You can be self taugh...I did any one can.....check Youtube for some hints.

[Dennis O]

Thanks Dave....After messing with this software I am feeling really stupid. For 40 years I unraveled many messes on computers large and small but this is kicking my butt.
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Dennis
Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity.......

[Hitman51]

i started with www.getpaint.net program. to me it was easier to use that photoshop and can do some pretty amazing stuff with it. id say its a step above microsoft paint but with the ability to add layers, remove backgrounds, etc.

Its free.

Now i use a combination of paint.net and illustrator. when i need to get some really smooth lines or skew a number or a font, i will do it in illustrator and export it to work with in paint.net.

[Rob de Bie]

[23Malibu]

I have taught myself to use inkscape over the last 7 or so years. I find it very useful and mostly user friendly, but I had to discover it's abilities on my own. It was a slow progression but I'm pretty good with it at this point. I use it for model car decals, my 1:1 race car decals and I design wrestling belts as a side hustle. I'd be happy to provide inkscape help if anyone needed it.

[Firefly]

If you are talking VECTOR - which is the best method to create and edit race car graphics, there is no simple 'a-ha' unfortunately.

I taught myself Adobe Illustrator many years ago, when it was simple, just strokes and fills. All I can say to help someone starting out is: practice noodling with the pen tool. Notice how the curves change when you adjust the point handles. This is the essence of vector artwork. You can move on to compound paths, masks, pathfinder tools and keep going further, but just remember the basics: strokes and fills, and understanding the pen tool.
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Bill Jobson is my real name.

[Dennis O]

I just seem to have a mental block.....I have managed a few simple shapes but some stuff I see folks doing makes my head hurt.
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Dennis
Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity.......

[bangor boy]

You make that sound like a bad thing.

Surrender, Dorothy, and lend your support - moral and financial - to the skilled graphic artists who can make NASCAR magic happen.

Happily. Willingly. I do.

[Retro_Racing_Replicas]

Was making decals way back but later found out that .jpg and other low res
photos were not going to print well.

that was late 90's...I saw an ALPS printer but when it was costing more than a few months car payment, I bought the HP printer.

Later I found the Corel Draw software and Vector graphics do not lose their resolution when applied to a decal and they could scale higher and lower size.

Clicking on the vector image and adjusting the numbers on the height and length sizes, and finding out some tricks, like a rounded logo similar to the curved goodyear logo with youtube tutorials.

I still need to learn a lot on Corel, but I can make a basic decal sheet like an Iroc decal with Arial fonts and basic one or two tone cars.

fonts in .png are great and .tif would work as told by a co-worker in a print shop but have not seen files other than .png recently.

Steve