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pwinder · February 2nd, 2008

I currently am new to the t-shirt thing, I just have a whole load of ideas for great t-shirts. I was wondering, which software is best to bring my ideas to life, to make what I think in my head a picture exactly how I want it. I want to be able to take pictures and use the background as a part or my design/creation or use an object in the pic as a part of my design/creation. Which software would be best??

nrmetson · February 3rd, 2008

Has to be illustrator for me. Vector graphics, means you can easily adjust the size of your design without losing quality.

nrmetson · February 3rd, 2008

But then again if you are taking photos then photoshop would be a much better idea.

charles95405 · February 3rd, 2008

for me...and I have both...Corel is easier than Illustrator...both will do vector drawings...photoshop is for bitmap, jpg, raster image manipulation

Chani · February 3rd, 2008

I have both Illustrator and CorelDRAW, too, and CorelDRAW is much more intuitive, yet just as powerful.

But for photos, you want Photoshop.

CorelDRAW come with a raster program in its suite, but it's not near as powerful as Photoshop.

splathead · February 3rd, 2008

I vote Corel. The only reason I have Illustrator is it came in the Suite when I bought Photoshop.

You should have both, in my opinion. Photoshop is a must, plus either Corel OR Illustrator.

r_batista1 · February 3rd, 2008

I think the one that you learn to use first will be the easiest. I have used illustrator and photoshop for years. I have tried corel but didn't like it. It took me a couple of months to figure out the tricks. But once you have it figured out it's a breese!

Chani · February 3rd, 2008

I don't want to get into an argument over which one is better, but for me, I learned on Illustrator in school and always hated the way it worked. I downloaded the trial version of CorelDRAW, and I picked it right up. I learned the concepts on Illustrator and my 3d program, but CorelDRAW X3 was just the most intuitive program I've ever used.

scuba_steve2699 · February 3rd, 2008

Corel is much easier. IMO

Uglysign · February 3rd, 2008

No, WE don't want to get into an argument over which one is better for YOU......DOWNLOAD the trial versions of BOTH, and try them. Otherwise it's going to be a long thread and you'll still be wondering what to use. If you're looking for cheap... CorelDraw Suite is the way to go.

Lava Ink · February 3rd, 2008

For the vector software, it depends on which you know the best. They basically do the same thing. I love using Illustrator, Freehand and Corel... but Corel is the most versatile.

Use vector software for anything that was drawn and written on screen (ie. by using lines and fonts) and is still in that format. This will allow you to make crisp positives for better screen printing. For anything made up of pixels like photos or scans you must use Photoshop.

So my advice is to do tutorials (which are available with the software and online) for whichever vector software you decide on and definitely do tutorials for photoshop. You will need both vector and photo software for your t shirt printing.

Chani · February 3rd, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uglysign


	No, WE don't want to get into an argument over which one is better for YOU......DOWNLOAD the trial versions of BOTH, and try them. Otherwise it's going to be a long thread and you'll still be wondering what to use. If you're looking for cheap... CorelDraw Suite is the way to go.

The part about downloading the trials is the best advice for issues like this.

Just make sure you set aside time to REALLY get into these programs BEFORE you open them for the first time. Once your trial starts, it starts, and for Illustrator you have 30 days to become familiar with it, and for CorelDRAW you have 15 days to become familiar with it.

I also suggest trying them out at different times. Don't try to learn both at the same time when you're dealing with the trial software.

Chani · February 3rd, 2008

Also, don't forget about the free programs out there! If you don't need to run a plotter with your software, you might get great mileage out of Inkscape or Gimp.

Big Al · February 3rd, 2008

Coreldraw Graphics suite everytime for me, then when you progress to embroidery you add on CorelDrawings and you are away.

digifacmp · February 3rd, 2008

Hi!
If you want to DESIGN with your own concept, please use Illustrator. But if you want to vectorize art thats already there to get it possible to screenprint, use CorelDraw.