need a program for decals

[akulaman]

Hello all, I am going to be starting on a project {CVN-77}. Basically Trumps 1/350 scale Nimitz and converting it over to a 2011 G.H.W. Bush. Well in 2011 the Bush was in the Med. Sea and Arabian Sea with CVW-8 [AJ]. With this particular Air Wing I am unable to find any decals so I will have to try and make them on my own. To make a long story short, does anyone know where i can get a program {preferably free} that will help me make the decals in 1/350 scale. Thanks to all for any help in advance, Jim.

[tea monster]

I'm not sure how you make your own decals (as in wet transfers). I've seen it done in the past but I can't remember how it was done. I think you have a 'blank' base and you paint on top of it. No doubt it's all done digitally nowadays.

As for graphics apps, Paint.net is probably the best. If you want a desktop app, GIMP is OK for image manipulation. A good one is Inkscape. It's a vector art app (think Adobe Illustrator with no price tag). It will give you ridiculously clean and crisp lines, but you have to 'draw' your shapes.

http://www.getpaint.net/
www.inkscape.org
www.gimp.org

Owen

[rouyax]

Best thing is to use a vector graphics program as you're set to create very small decals. Avoid programs as gimp or paint, you're going to end with dots instead of beautiful graphics when sizing very small.
Inkscape is OK as it is free, but I use Coreldraw and it is worth the price.

[actech80]

Which CorelDraw software program do I need to draw and print decals for 1/700 to 1/350 US navy carrier aircraft. I looked at the site and there are many. Prices star at 59.00 and go as high as 600.00.
I really only want to purchase what I would need to make carrier aircraft squadron decals.

Thanks
actech80

[DrPR]

I have designed fairly complex decals with DesignCAD. It is under $100.00. A one month demo is free and the user forum is free.

https://www.turbocad.com/designcad/desi ... -2016.html

It is a CAD program so if you have never used one there is a learning curve. But guys on the forum will be glad to help yu get started.

http://forum.designcadcommunity.com/

Once you have the decal design you can print on decal paper with an inkjet printer.

Phil

[PetrOs]

I used CorelDraw for drawing decals for my resin or PE kits. If you plan to let them be printed by professionals, you better ask them for guidelines, how to handle white, etc, they usually have them handy.

No need for newest version there - I bought my CorelDraw copy new which was 2 versions back for just 5 Euro in a computer store. More then enough

[Jon]

Corel Draw is the one I use. Been using it for over 20 years. I would say anything Corel Draw X (10) or up is fine. Even files I created in Corel Draw X still open well in 16.

Use Youtube to learn how to use this fine program.

I've used it to draw decals (that I've used myself) and to draw two photo etch sheets that went into production.

[Derrils]

Another one I recommend is Adobe Photoshop Elements. While the full-blown Photoshop is the gold standard of image editing programs, it is very expensive and its cheaper cousin, Elements, is fully adequate for decal design. At the time I wrote the article, Paint Shop Pro X4 was out, but full of bugs, and I couldn't recommend it, so I recommended trying to find X3. However, they have since come out with X5, which got rid of the bugs in X4, so I can now recommend the latest version. Both Elements and PSP X 5 are in the sub-100 buck range, typically about 60 to 100, depending on store and whether they are on sale.

Another option is a cheap CAD program, like TurboCAD, but they do not handle imported pictures as easily. The advantage to CAD programs is that they are easier to do a precise resizing to fit the scale of your modeler. Image editors do allow good resizing, but it is just a bit easier in CAD.