Get help with creating your t-shirt graphics. Discuss t-shirt design software, special effect techniques, or other topics related to creating a t-shirt design on your computer.
Last spring when we decided to really get into this field I spent an enormous amount of time polling and asking on every forum that I could get on what software to start and learn from. I was never told that Corel was easy, but I was told it was the best.
We started with X3 and haven't regretted it for a moment. We still aren't pros by any means, but learn something new all the time. I'm going to look into sending my girl for a couple days of classes or something to really learn the ins and outs.
I think it's all in what you get used to. For us, it was a good decision.
Software is only a tool. Most people don't care how you did what you did to produce the shirt. It is also your commitment level. I'm not a fan of the high ended stuff or the cheapest stuff, some where in the middle. The open source stuff of the these programs are on the newer side of things. So, the outwardly view of the open source is that it cann't do what it says it can. How many damaged looking can goods do you buy. Not many I'm sure. B/C of perception and expectations the open source will not get a first look, not to mention a second one.
I just found this free software... Artweaver.... open source Artweaver :: the artist way
I use PShop but i am going to try artweaver to see how it is...
and all these programs... money or not... are only as good as the person using it... so practice...practice
and have fun...
Your time must be totally worthless if you would spend as much time as it would take to write code over just paying for some commercial software. Now, if you are coding for another purpose then great, but just to save a few dollars...
The T-Shirt business is a graphics-oriented business. Really, if you can't lay down $129 for Corel Suite x3, then maybe you need to rethink your business plan / entrance into the T-Shirt market. I am an Illustrator/PhotoShop fan, but Corel or Serif products are great and will grow with you as your business grows. Plus, there is no end to the tutorials out there for mainstream softwares.
I understand keeping costs down, but this is what you do. . .graphics. Don't skimp on software.
And as for the guy who said he hadn't touched his guitar since he started working: Shame on you. Take some time tonight and go pick up your guitar and apologize to the old girl. She's just sitting there waiting. She'll forgive you, she always does.
After much frustration with inkskape, I got CorelDRAW X3 on e-bay for 80.00. Worth every penny and more.
Now with the AWSOME Powerpack training bundle from Advanced Artist, I feel like I have no limits on my potential. I could not find any instructional resources on inkskape that even came close to that found for CorelDraw.
How much time do you want to spend/waste figuring out free software on your own? Time is money.....just something to consider.
P.S. I think it was Roy Orbison who once said, "Music is my Mistress and she plays second fiddle to no one".
__________________ "It's not the shirt on your back, but what's on the back of your shirt!"
After much frustration with inkskape, I got CorelDRAW X3 on e-bay for 80.00. Worth every penny and more.
Now with the AWSOME Powerpack training bundle from Advanced Artist, I feel like I have no limits on my potential. I could not find any instructional resources on inkskape that even came close to that found for CorelDraw.
How much time do you want to spend/waste figuring out free software on your own? Time is money.....just something to consider.
P.S. I think it was Roy Orbison who once said, "Music is my Mistress and she plays second fiddle to no one".
Been there done that. Corel makes life so much easier. Still trying to understand why so many love Illustrator. Granted I'm not trained in it, but with Corel I haven't found anything I needed to do that I couldn't and was able to figure out most things without any help.
As a programmer, I think there is plenty of room for both commercial and open source software.
Perhaps a good metaphor is using inkjet t-shirt transfers instead of hiring a pro. It'll the job done but you're not getting the same level of quality or service.
Other great alternatives to the Adobe monopoly are the web-based graphics tools from Aviary. Their Raven app allows you to open, edit, and export SVG vector files.
Someone above said something like if you can make a good Product no one cares what was used to make it. I agree and I will open myself up to total embarrassment here. When I first got my PC it was to be used to design print ads. The soft ware that came with it was Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Digital Imaging Pro. Being technologically challenged, I didn't know any better and taught myself how to combine the two to do just about anything anyone else can do in any other graphics program. I can use vector graphics, I can use most anything designed for Corel. I can't draw a lick anyway. I use graphics I've bought ot free graphic or bits and pieces of them. The only thing I can't do is make vector artwork. I've found its not that important. I can make a 300dpi png to print shirts with and I make a 2400dpi pdf that make things up to big enough to put on a tractor trailer.
To me the point is what ever works best for you, what is easiest to master for you, that's what's best for you.
It's a nice idea that somehow, all software is created equal and that everything is up to the skill of the user, but it's far from realistic. Maybe only the first step, designing art, is being considered in this discussion. There are a lot of other steps and that's where the professional software is needed. You can't run a print shop with all the freeware and low cost apps combined, but you can with just Illustrator and Photoshop.
I would agree that Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator are excellent tools for creating artwork for t-shirts. In fact, despite how high tech they are, I learned how to use them both in less than about 1 month by going to Tutorials - Online Training - lynda.com and taking their online training classes for only $25 per month with NO contract. If you choose to, you can pay $25 for one month and take as many classes as you want (including classes for many other software applications). It is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME, AWESOME AWESOME. I have become somewhat of an expert user when just 8 months ago I didn't even know what or who Adobe was.
Oh and after I bought the Adobe CS4 software, Tutorials - Online Training - lynda.com offered me access to ALL of their classes FREE for a few weeks. They also offer several of their classes FREE under each topic. If you're interested just go to their website and check out their list of classes. There are so many that you can't even count them. Best wishes.
I had a year membership to Lynda.com. It's very good. I learned Flash, or at least the basics from Lynda.com. The problem for me though was that I simply didn't have the time and I didn't spend nearly the time I should have/could have. It would have been much smarter to do it the way you did it, but I suppose I was greedy. LOL.
Oh my god, that was crazy helpful dann. I'm so glad i found this forum! I was just about to sick some bread into Adobe Photoshop atleast. Was gonna try for Illustrator, but...$600+...Wow!...i can't do that right now. Ebay has em' all for less, but after reading your post, HOLY$h*T! Very cool. I'm new to silkscreening, but hopefully, with trial and error i will conquer. And esp. thanx to your post i don't have to waste $.
are these opensource programs like landscape, gimp etc. dangerous for your computer? can they cause any harm to your computer in any way??? usually the free stuff like that come with exceptions like bugs...
Re: Thinking of buying software? DONT! 
