Graphics editing, etc.

[msbuck]

OK, I'm no graphics editor and can't even find my way around Paint very well.  I'm trying to set-up a shop at cafepress and all of the images I've gotten from here are either too small, or of the wrong format.  I also have the flag designed in Word and would love to convert it to a png so I can use the image.  

Anyone out there with expertise that can give me advice, recommendations, etc?  

[nhmaf]

Somewhere around here I thought that I had an older copy of software called "PaintShop Pro" which could do lots of file format conversions, etc. which *might* do what you need.
I've been trying to locate it but no luck yet - I think that there are some shareware versions on the net - may look there next.

[ambrose78]

Paint isn't really the program to use. There are a few software packages round which will easily do what you require but they can cost quite a bit to buy

Alternatively there is free software available that can do lots of image manipulation. May be not a smooth to use as the Adobe suite or some of the other ones but they are free to download. Two popular ones to google are "gimp" that is able to make all sorts of image/photo formats and modifications and "Inkscape" which is similar to Adobe Illustrator for layouts and graphic based images.

[suraklyn]

I'd recommend a program called Paint.NET.  It's free.  It's lightweight.  It's easy to use.  I use this for all of my image editing needs at home and at work.

There's not a lot you can do to work with images that are small; a pixel is a pixel, and you can't make it any bigger; regardless of what you see on CSI, there's nothing out there that will enlarge the image without pixelation.  Either the pixelation is something you can live with, or you have start over somewhere else.

You want an easy way to convert your Word file into a PNG file?  Take a screenshot and paste it into your image editing program (i.e. Paint.NET).  Then you can save it as whatever file format you want.

[nhmaf]

I think that part of the problem is that the word file page size for one of the "images" is much larger than most folks' monitors.  And, zooming out to get it to fit thus decreases effective resolution, and thus introduces pixel errors when trying to expand again.  IDeally, we'd want a "virtual printer" driver that would take the printer bit-stream or HPGL output and save it as a 1:1 sized  BMP or PNG image file.  Adobe provides this sort of thing for making PDF, but they won't create other types.   Hmm, donm't have enough time to research and write one of these puppies right now.. but it seems like it might be a useful product idea...

[msbuck]

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I have paint.Net, but I'm afraid I'm COMPLETELY lost in it.  Unfortunately I have NO graphics experience except the hunt and peck kind.  I cannot even make sense of the program and I'm usually pretty good at picking things up.  I've also tried a free online program called Zumo.  I've heard alot about Gimp as well, so I might check into that.  Anyone know of any tutorials out there that are any good for learning graphics software?

I like the idea of a screenshot for my word doc.  I'll give that a try.

I think that part of the problem is that the word file page size for one of the "images" is much larger than most folks' monitors.  And, zooming out to get it to fit thus decreases effective resolution, and thus introduces pixel errors when trying to expand again.  IDeally, we'd want a "virtual printer" driver that would take the printer bit-stream or HPGL output and save it as a 1:1 sized  BMP or PNG image file.  Adobe provides this sort of thing for making PDF, but they won't create other types.   Hmm, donm't have enough time to research and write one of these puppies right now.. but it seems like it might be a useful product idea...

 Uhhh...you lost me here...I understand most of the words.... :-/

[Justin B.]

Don't worry, you weren't expected to understand that, he's speaking "nerd"...  

[nhmaf]

For the image quality we need for most of these items, the zoom in/out screen capture method will probably be fine.  

I just finished a big project for FujiFilm at the end of April, and as that 20-month project was all about faithfully reproducing high resolution images on large (think movie poster/highway billboard size) at  600 DPI or better, we had to get considerably more 'sophisticated' about manipulating images.. sometimes it is hard to turn that 'off'!
 

[suraklyn]

I think that part of the problem is that the word file page size for one of the "images" is much larger than most folks' monitors.And, zooming out to get it to fit thus decreases effective resolution, and thus introduces pixel errors when trying to expand again.IDeally, we'd want a "virtual printer" driver that would take the printer bit-stream or HPGL output and save it as a 1:1 sizedBMP or PNG image file.Adobe provides this sort of thing for making PDF, but they won't create other types. Hmm, donm't have enough time to research and write one of these puppies right now.. but it seems like it might be a useful product idea...  

There's a really easy to work around for that.  Take multiple screenshots and piece them together into one larger image.

I think you over engineered this one.

[montmil]

Reading all these posts, written in what Justin refers to as "nerd speak", I'm reminded of why, after 32 years in the industry, I retired from the graphic arts field. Whew... my brain hurts!

Ya wanta custom T-shirt, kiddo?  In the really early 60's, I earned my walkin' 'round money by setting up shop on the sidewalk in front of the local barber shop doing Big Daddy Roth and Rat Fink-style hot rod T's. All custom hand work. You bring me the 'T' and five bucks.

I generated enough kid wealth at that time to support my Allstate moped and a Vespa GranSport. Naturally, as the years and professional education passed, things got outta hand...  

Monte

[msbuck]

After re-reading Mike's post and trying to do the screen shot, I understand what he's talking about!!  I thought about taking multiple screen shots and putting them together, but I'm not that good with Paint.net just yet.  I did get a smaller version that works.  I'm going to work with Paint.net a little more when I have more time and see what I can learn.

However, I do need a higher resolution for the Yard Sign or Banner.  I tried to put this one on and it was only about 4 inches big in the middle of a big 'ol 21 x 14 in. sign....  They are recommending 200 dpi at 4200 x 2800.
  http://www.cafepress.com/content/help/img/templates/206_H_F.jpg
 The Banner is even bigger at 42 x 28 in.  with a recommendation of 200 dpi at 8400 x 5600.
  http://www.cafepress.com/content/help/img/templates/208_H_F.jpg

Monte, it sounds like you da man I need to help me with this!!  

But then, I'm not getting much interest in the shop,  so I may just abandon the project.  I just thought it would be an easy way to get flags or banners available to those overseas.  Either way, I'm using this as a learning experience.  It's a poor day when you don't learn something new!  

[nhmaf]

Aha !

At least Aida (a fellow musician as well) understands me and doesn't consider me a total dweeb!!!  (Thanks, Aida I'll hafta send ya a 20 from our next gig;)

I think that there will be more interest in the store as people realize it is there, and, we won't always be able to impose upon Justin's good nature and the timing of shirt/cap orders - so in the long run I think that your idea still has alot of merit.   If you can solve the problem with the flag or banner, there is a pretty good chance that a number of folks will buy them, I think, as long as CafePress doesn't force an exorbitant price for them.

[msbuck]

You're not a "dweeb!"  Can't be if you play a Sax,  that makes you Groovin'!!  [smiley=beatnik.gif]   (But I'm still gonna have to research HPGL... some kind of Hyper Picture Graphics Language?)

I'm not putting ANY markup on the prices - so they are just cafepress prices.  Some of them are OK, others, not so much.  ($14.99 for Yard Sign, $40.99 for Banner - not so bad.) I figure if I get everything worked out, I'll put as much stuff out there so folks have a choice.  Unfortunately, no BMW rondels allowed, so I've adjusted for that.  I think what I've come up with so far is ok - just wish we could use the roundel.

I will use this as a learning experience as I've wanted to pick up some graphics arts knowledge for some time now.  I just might have to break down and take a class....

[nhmaf]

HPGL - "Hewlett Packard Graphics Language" a cryptic sequence of bits and bytes that HP graphics capable printers used to print out graphical content/images - it was one of the earliest and became the defacto standard for  alot of graphics laser printers of today.

[Bob_Roller]

If you are looking for a BMW logo banner, check out eBay in the collectible section, they usually have 3 ft x 5 ft banners for $20-30 .