I use a graphic drawing pad. I also use photo shop. To make my stencils etc.. when it come to tshirt stencil I do not know if illustrator matters because it needs be in transparent with the black parts for the stencil. However, If you are using a multi press then a nice rip software and going IN RGB mode is nice.. I use separation studio it is really nice but i have only one press. My idea of multi color is adding several color to the screen and squeegee away or block out with tape the one i want a different color and use some squeegee again i do this for a hobby and not for profit .. If it were the later then i will buy a 4 -6 press station.. Hope this helps
Need help choosing graphic design program
Hi there, I'm looking to create some designs, and was wondering which program I should use. I currently use Photoshop CS3, and am versed in it to a certain extent, but I'm considering switching to Illustrator CS5. It seems like a good choice for graphic design, mainly because of the "don't loss quality when enlarging/etc" thing. I'm very artistically inclined, and don't mind taking on a learning curve. However, I generally hand draw everything, then scan it and go over it with a tablet in Photoshop. Is this possible in illustrator? As well, what are your guys opinions on Illustrator CS5?
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You can't go wrong when it comes to Adobe stuff. Illustrator is as good as it gets and Photoshop has no competition. In particular, Illustrator has the very best brush rools for drawing and painting of any of the popular vector programs. If you're planning to do a lot of drawing then Illustrator is great.Hi there, I'm looking to create some designs, and was wondering which program I should use. I currently use Photoshop CS3, and am versed in it to a certain extent, but I'm considering switching to Illustrator CS5. It seems like a good choice for graphic design, mainly because of the "don't loss quality when enlarging/etc" thing. I'm very artistically inclined, and don't mind taking on a learning curve. However, I generally hand draw everything, then scan it and go over it with a tablet in Photoshop. Is this possible in illustrator? As well, what are your guys opinions on Illustrator CS5?
If you're on a PC I would also recommend you try out Serif DrawPlus X5. It's a vector program that also excels at drawing and painting but it's not the total package like Illustrator and Photoshop. For under $100, it's really surprising how much modern features they've packed into it. I do all my drawing in DrawPlus on my tablet PC. Illustrator has no touch support so it's not as good for the tablet PC but great if you're using a Wacom tablet.
Photoshop is a raster program. A graphics program for photographic images. You can draw vector illustrations(images) with photoshop too.
Illustratator is a vector program. Images are defined by coordinates which is why they don't lose quality even if zoomed to large sizes. Think of cartoon characters and logos. However, you could make some reasonably real like images too.
Most people use both of them although some rely on only one. There are printers who are also members in thsi forum that rely exclusively on photoshop and don;t do vectors. I would think there are people who rely only on a vector program.
I think "don't loss quality when enlarging/etc"is a poor reason for switching but there is no reason why you should not try a vector program (illustrator or corel draw) to expand your horizons.
If you import a scanned image into a vector program, you have to trace it into a vector program. Some trace it first with a stand alone tracing program which does a better job. But if you will be tracing any image that looks like a photograph or has gradients or is 3D in nature, at the very least, you'll have one hell of a job recreating your original image.
My advise is to download a trial version of illustrator and tinker with it for a while. You can also try corel draw. My guess is you don's need nor want to switch but just use another graphics program.
Illustratator is a vector program. Images are defined by coordinates which is why they don't lose quality even if zoomed to large sizes. Think of cartoon characters and logos. However, you could make some reasonably real like images too.
Most people use both of them although some rely on only one. There are printers who are also members in thsi forum that rely exclusively on photoshop and don;t do vectors. I would think there are people who rely only on a vector program.
I think "don't loss quality when enlarging/etc"is a poor reason for switching but there is no reason why you should not try a vector program (illustrator or corel draw) to expand your horizons.
If you import a scanned image into a vector program, you have to trace it into a vector program. Some trace it first with a stand alone tracing program which does a better job. But if you will be tracing any image that looks like a photograph or has gradients or is 3D in nature, at the very least, you'll have one hell of a job recreating your original image.
My advise is to download a trial version of illustrator and tinker with it for a while. You can also try corel draw. My guess is you don's need nor want to switch but just use another graphics program.
Thabks for the reply! I probably should've mentioned that im going to.be using a fufillment service (probably print mojo), so im not sure if im going to need to do color seperations. Also i'll check out drawplus, it sounds pretty good! Although i do have a wacom (a 4x6 bamboo to.be specific) so i might just stick to illustrator.
Being very new to vector art though, do i have to draw in shapes? Or can i create lines with the tablet then do colour fills?
Excuse any spelling/grammae errors, I'm ryping this on my phone
edit: Good info James, thanks, i suppose that is true, I guess i just want to try vector. also I just feel creating consistent and smooth designs would be easier in illustator as opposed to photoshop.
Being very new to vector art though, do i have to draw in shapes? Or can i create lines with the tablet then do colour fills?
Excuse any spelling/grammae errors, I'm ryping this on my phone
edit: Good info James, thanks, i suppose that is true, I guess i just want to try vector. also I just feel creating consistent and smooth designs would be easier in illustator as opposed to photoshop.
Also play with Inkscape. While not as robust as the current generation of Adobe and Corel products, I find it much better than Illustrator 8, which is what I learned on (especially regarding alignment tools, which Illustrator 8 was horrible at). At least you'll get a feel for how things work, though Illustrator is a whole different ballgame these days.
Vector programs are nothing like raster programs, but yes, you can draw a shape/outline, then tell it what color you want it stroked/outlined with, and what color you want it filled with. I would definitely recommend finding some online tutorials, at the very least.
Vector programs are nothing like raster programs, but yes, you can draw a shape/outline, then tell it what color you want it stroked/outlined with, and what color you want it filled with. I would definitely recommend finding some online tutorials, at the very least.
I'll definently try inkscape too, and find some tutorials. Aweaome! Vector art is beginning to sounds infinitly better then raster xD
Inkscape is free but you can do most of the t-shirt designs out there.
better really depends on what you are trying to do or what you specialize at. Like I said, there are members here that use photoshop exclusively. I forgot his name but we did exchange some PMs and he does high end jobs.
But for me, if I have to absolutely choose only 1 program for t-shirt designs or for screen printing, I'd choose a vector program(corel draw, illustrator, even inkscape) rather than photoshop.
better really depends on what you are trying to do or what you specialize at. Like I said, there are members here that use photoshop exclusively. I forgot his name but we did exchange some PMs and he does high end jobs.
But for me, if I have to absolutely choose only 1 program for t-shirt designs or for screen printing, I'd choose a vector program(corel draw, illustrator, even inkscape) rather than photoshop.
cats pit production he has a link to all the kewlest art software that are free
Free Graphic Software Downloads; Photo Editing, Vector, Bitmap clik on this link they have serveral
Free Graphic Software Downloads; Photo Editing, Vector, Bitmap clik on this link they have serveral
I've seen a couple of his videos, I'll check it out for sure.
When you look at the incredible work people are doing in Photoshop, you're looking at work that can not be done in vector programs. One is an apple and the other is an orange. One is not better than the other. They each have huge advantages over the other and some degree of overlap. Don't underestimate Photoshop. There's a reason that it is a household word.I'll definently try inkscape too, and find some tutorials. Aweaome! Vector art is beginning to sounds infinitly better then raster xD
Free and best is inkscape
I've seen a lot of vector art in the past 5 years or so that you wouldn't be able to tell it was done in Illustrator and not Photoshop. There are things that are traditionally raster that are better off being done in vector. For instance, a comic strip. Done in Illustrator with a brush that simulates whatever drawing implement the artist uses, it wouldn't be too hard to make it look the same, be easier to color and halftone, and then the artwork could be resized for shirts and posters if a particular strip "really hits it off with the readers". I have also seen artwork much, much more detailed than a comic strip. I have seen people completely stop using Photoshop for anything other than actual photo editing. But yes, both programs have their appropriate uses, and personally I find myself using Photoshop more, since I'm really not good enough with Illustrator to do some of the amazing things other people do (also I'm not really an artist by any stretch of the imagination).
Despite all of this, I like to see people using traditional media. I'm not one of those art snobs who thinks digital art "isn't as real" or "is cheating" (just because undo is cheaper than new paper and Copics!) but I really like hand drawn art, and I have seen less and less people doing it in the past decade or so.
Despite all of this, I like to see people using traditional media. I'm not one of those art snobs who thinks digital art "isn't as real" or "is cheating" (just because undo is cheaper than new paper and Copics!) but I really like hand drawn art, and I have seen less and less people doing it in the past decade or so.
I've seen a lot of vector art in the past 5 years or so that you wouldn't be able to tell it was done in Illustrator and not Photoshop. There are things that are traditionally raster that are better off being done in vector. For instance, a comic strip. Done in Illustrator with a brush that simulates whatever drawing implement the artist uses, it wouldn't be too hard to make it look the same, be easier to color and halftone, and then the artwork could be resized for shirts and posters if a particular strip "really hits it off with the readers". I have also seen artwork much, much more detailed than a comic strip. I have seen people completely stop using Photoshop for anything other than actual photo editing. But yes, both programs have their appropriate uses, and personally I find myself using Photoshop more, since I'm really not good enough with Illustrator to do some of the amazing things other people do (also I'm not really an artist by any stretch of the imagination).
Despite all of this, I like to see people using traditional media. I'm not one of those art snobs who thinks digital art "isn't as real" or "is cheating" (just because undo is cheaper than new paper and Copics!) but I really like hand drawn art, and I have seen less and less people doing it in the past decade or so.
Some of those are definitely good reasons to use Illustrator. I would disagree with halftoning and coloring being easier in Illustrator though. Both are equally easy for me. In the end, Illustrator may go 15 to 20 percent into what Photoshop can do. And that doesn't even begin to go into what other advanced raster programs like Corel Painter can do.
I do agree that habd drawn art has gone to the way side . however the problem may be in scanning and transfer of the image digitally. on a personal note my art medium of choice is clay
. while i can draw practclly anythi.g i dread doing so. but when in a pinch i just go at it with photoshop
Sent from my SGH-T959V using T-Shirt Forums
. while i can draw practclly anythi.g i dread doing so. but when in a pinch i just go at it with photoshop
Sent from my SGH-T959V using T-Shirt Forums
Generally i like traditional art and mainly only do it (pencil then ink then prismas). But illustrator just seemed like a good choice for graphic design (especially for t shirts) and digital is big medium to not take advantage of (i plan to go to a fine arts school for illustration/character design, by the way). I dont doubt photoshop can do amazing things, ive seen it all over dA. i just ment for clothing graphic design, illustrator is seeming like the better of the two.
Quick question, is it possible to screen print gradients? (for example, solid red rising sun stripes that fade to white at the outward end).
Quick question, is it possible to screen print gradients? (for example, solid red rising sun stripes that fade to white at the outward end).
Yeah, you can do it with either Photoshop or Illustrator.Generally i like traditional art and mainly only do it (pencil then ink then prismas). But illustrator just seemed like a good choice for graphic design (especially for t shirts) and digital is big medium to not take advantage of (i plan to go to a fine arts school for illustration/character design, by the way). I dont doubt photoshop can do amazing things, ive seen it all over dA. i just ment for clothing graphic design, illustrator is seeming like the better of the two.
Quick question, is it possible to screen print gradients? (for example, solid red rising sun stripes that fade to white at the outward end).
Yeah, I know that, I meant is it possible to have the gradients done in PS/IL screen printed? Or do screen prints have to be solid tones.Yeah, you can do it with either Photoshop or Illustrator.
Gradients are simulated typically in screen printing with dots (halftones). Dots can be screen printed. There are also other methods such as direct to garment continuous tone. Essentially, inkjet print directly onto shirt. No halftone (gradients) necessary. Then there are other techniques that use different kinds of dots such as the square dot printing technique. Everything can be printed.Yeah, I know that, I meant is it possible to have the gradients done in PS/IL screen printed? Or do screen prints have to be solid tones.
Hi all,
Does anyone have experience with Procreate Painter Classic?
Is this a software you'd recommend using for designing work to tshirts? I know its not a vector based art program but more in line of a raster program like Photoshop. Just wondering if anyone has used it for DTG printing and does it allow PNG export.
Thank you
Does anyone have experience with Procreate Painter Classic?
Is this a software you'd recommend using for designing work to tshirts? I know its not a vector based art program but more in line of a raster program like Photoshop. Just wondering if anyone has used it for DTG printing and does it allow PNG export.
Thank you
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