Guest gracewriter Posted March 22, 2008 I have this idea for my first vinyl project, that is when I'm proficient enough. I want to take a pic. or find a pic of my husband's car. I'd like to figure out how to get it into sign blaze with just the outline of the car and windows in black and white. Then I want to try and see what kind of graphics would look neat so I can show it to him then cut some decals for him. I figured I'd do both our cars, then offer the neigbors when I'm ready and make sure they keep my business cards in their glove boxes. I figure it would make a great advertisement if my neighbors were driving around town advertising for me. This way I could get some great experience and start building a portfolio. I also have a doge pick up I want to do the same thing with. Anyone know how to do this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeCamaro 11 Posted March 22, 2008 Yes it can be done. You need to take a pic of the cars and past it in a vector program then trace it. The best way to do this is by tracing it by hand as you only need the outlines. I have done it before. You can try with autotrace, but I dont think the results are going to be the best. Or you can ask for your vehicle template in the graphic request section Here is an example of one I did. Joe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gracewriter Posted March 22, 2008 Thanks Joe! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeCamaro 11 Posted March 22, 2008 I just added the pictures. See what I mean? dgreenh is going to love this! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gracewriter Posted March 22, 2008 Cool pic.! This might be easiest for me to just take the pic. and hand trace on transfer paper. Anytime I used a draw feature , like in paint, I always have jagged lines. I can't imagine how anyone can trace using a computer program. But I guess I need to start learning. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeCamaro 11 Posted March 22, 2008 We have 3 options 1 Use the auto trace option most programs have. It will make it automatically and you can play with the values until you are satisfied. 2 Use the Pen Tool and trace by hand, adding point by point forming the curves and lines as you want. 3 Post a reques in the Vectorizing section of the forums and see if someone can help. Joe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gracewriter Posted March 22, 2008 thanks. I have a few programs Signblazer and MGI (which I have no clue how to use) and Inkscape (which I also don't know how use) But I'm willing to learn. The question is,which of these programs would I use to try to do what you are saying? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gracewriter Posted March 22, 2008 This is way cool. I imported the jpeg and am doing the graphics right on top the colored photograph. It's way better and looks awesome. Much better to take a snap shot of the car and lay the graphics over it. Gives you a really good idea of exactly what the finished product will look like. I think I'll take pics. of all my neighbor's cars and lay out some graphics then show them the pics of the really cool car I saw the other day that was the same model as theirs, and not tell them it's their car. Would be really funny if they said, wow I wish I had that on my car!!! That's when I say, "Well, you know, I can do that for you... Too funny! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tservice 3 Posted March 23, 2008 Joe you just had to use it as a example. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beardown 0 Posted March 23, 2008 Ok why noy just take an jpeg photo and open it in illustator or coral draw and layer your graphics ontop on the photo ...? ie photoshop ....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cutrix 0 Posted March 25, 2008 Oh no, not the gremlin. Hey that reminds me. I caught one in our house the other day. Nope, just our dog. LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haumana 1,220 Posted March 25, 2008 Hey, my dog used to look like your dog when she was a puppy. Now she just looks naughty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgreenh 9 Posted March 27, 2008 Gremlin It just won't die Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeCamaro 11 Posted March 27, 2008 dgreenh, were have you been my friend? I knew you were going to love it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgreenh 9 Posted March 27, 2008 I thought if I left for a while the gremlin would die. I guess it is immortal. Just working all hours day and night. I just hate it when work interferes with fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CyberSultan 6 Posted April 25, 2008 Found a place online that will sell auto templates for individual cars (instead of having to buy a whole CD like 'Pro Vehicle Outlines'). The template for my car would cost me $15. Nice if you don't do enough cars to justify a more expensive library of templates. Templates go a couple years back. http://www.sign.com/SAi_Clip_Art317.asp?cmd=browse&browseTable=0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites