Guest kenya Posted April 19, 2009 I finally took the time today to layout a lettering job for my husband's work van. I took a photo, then used SB & Corel X4 to come up with this. I was wondering if you have any ideas or input about how it came out. Or do you have suggestions to make it better before I cut & install everything. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest fivestar Posted April 19, 2009 I think it looks great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James605 7 Posted April 19, 2009 Simple and effective Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kenya Posted April 19, 2009 Thanks David & James. Sometimes you look at your own work for so long, you don't really see something that might make it a lot better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Peabody 0 Posted April 19, 2009 Looks good to me - :thumbsup: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wwpro 1 Posted April 20, 2009 Maybe a black outline for the phone number only ? Look great as it is, but just an opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
painteddesigns 0 Posted April 20, 2009 This looks really good to me. The only thing I would change is to edit the phone # a little so the numbers are further apart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jayfil23 0 Posted April 20, 2009 i agree looks great except the spacing of the numbers! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smithmotorsports99 1 Posted April 20, 2009 You said you took a picture of the van and then built the lettering with a program right on the van before cutting? How do you do that? I'm interested in doing the same thing with my race cars and motorcycle. This seems like a time saving tool. I havce SB and Inkscape. Any help on this matter would be outstanding! Thanks Rick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aries58 0 Posted April 20, 2009 You said you took a picture of the van and then built the lettering with a program right on the van before cutting? How do you do that? I'm interested in doing the same thing with my race cars and motorcycle. This seems like a time saving tool. I havce SB and Inkscape. Any help on this matter would be outstanding! Thanks Rick I don't know what program you use but the one I use.I take photo,import to my program which is paintshop then add text where i want it,save when done..Hope this helps Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kenya Posted April 20, 2009 You said you took a picture of the van and then built the lettering with a program right on the van before cutting? How do you do that? I'm interested in doing the same thing with my race cars and motorcycle. This seems like a time saving tool. I havce SB and Inkscape. Any help on this matter would be outstanding! Thanks Rick I don't know what program you use but the one I use.I take photo,import to my program which is paintshop then add text where i want it,save when done..Hope this helps Yes, aries58 that's what I did. But I imported everything to Corel X4. You know exactly what you want it to look like Rick, before cutting. This helps greatly when needing approval from a customer, for the finished look. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kenya Posted April 20, 2009 Thanks everyone for the input.......... yeah, the spacing of the numbers needs work, maybe outlining would look much better too. I'll work on it. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mars 45 Posted April 20, 2009 Great looking job. I agree with the phone number spacing - up to you if you want to outline. As to using picture to design graphics. One thing you can do the get the size of the picture right is to put a yardstick in the shot. Then when you import the pic into your design program measure the yardstick with the dimension tool and then size the pic so that the dimensions of the yardstick are 36" long. Any graphic you design on this picture will be at rhe right size for the application. There is an application I saw that uses this principle with their software and target yardstick stickers for measuring for construction estimates. http://www.stickyyard.com/ -Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cutme 5 Posted April 20, 2009 nice job vette. when you are doing graphics on a vehicle like you did above, get a 12 inch square of sheet magnet and stick it on the side of the vehicle. that way you acan scale the graphics in the picture more easily. bb Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smithmotorsports99 1 Posted April 20, 2009 kenya Thanks for getting back to me. I'm going to have to look at getting that program. You are right, that would be very professional to show a customer before you go and cut everything. It will just take me some time to get used to it and learn it all. I can't tell you how many hours I spend on here reading about so many things and learning. Sometimes I leave the computer and my head is spinning! I just have to get cutting and learn from experience too. Thanks again! Rick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kenya Posted April 21, 2009 Thanks Mike & Bruce........ those are great ideas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kenya Posted April 21, 2009 Rick, when I first opened Corel X4, I thought- I'll never learn this. You find yourself exploring everything about the program. Also, I went on You Tube & watched videos about the program. There are some great videos included with Corel also. And for sure read about Corel here @ USC forum . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smithmotorsports99 1 Posted April 21, 2009 Kenya, I'm going to look into getting the program. Any advice if I go with ebay as a away of buying it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kenya Posted April 22, 2009 Just be careful who you buy from. I had an issue with a seller for my Corel. Ebay took him off, right after I used paypal to pay for it. I thought, oh great- I'm screwed. But the guy came thru. He never had the intention to scam anyone. Ebay removed all his listings because people were complaining & saying that the software must be pirated (it wasn't). We kept in touch & he was going to start his own online software business, but something must have happened- he never got it going. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nbeaton 1 Posted April 22, 2009 Aries, the paintshop is it the pro or just paintshop. I was reading this post and am interested in doing this. I have a 30 foot sign to make and it would be great if I could do this. Nancy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SynFX 1 Posted April 23, 2009 get any version of Corel or Photoshop FREE... www.thepiratebay.org - will need a torrent downloader like www.bitlord.com - great way to save money and get full versions for nothing. Here are my ten cents on the design, my perspective only: (5 years in the biz) 1) In the indented area I would would something like: " Offering Tailor Made: - Services - Services (use a dot or design for the 'bullet') This will make it easier to fit "shower doors" in its spot. 2) In my experience I would not put anything too low on the vans, it is hard for people who are in their vehicles to see this. While it is an important subject, this is something that could be a bit smaller. 3)Make the name a bit taller, maybe with a black band(or other color) behind the name to add and accent(plus paying yourself more if they like it!) Also, perhaps playing around with Myers at a 45 degree angle in a script, family name/hand written font larger than Aluminum & Glass. LLC smaller. ex. Myers Aluminum & Glass LLC. 4)Bring the number to about 55" and put in further left about 10" from the door gap. (Im working on the same van right now, HAHA!) ============================= Always remember to try them on outlines, layers add money to your job! I will upload from pictures of the design I am working on.. will have pictures for you to check out in a day or two! You have to remember the roll you play for other businesses. You are helping them represent themselves. It is your job to help them make wise choices when it comes to their advertising. You become their advertising mentor! Good luck with it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kenya Posted April 23, 2009 Cody, thanks for the wonderful tips. You have a good eye for layouts. Can't wait to see your finished job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SynFX 1 Posted April 24, 2009 TWID......... That's What I Do. And you are truly welcome! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites