Excellent!

A couple years ago I did a presentation on GIMP and Inkscape. Until now, I have not seen anything on either and have not had the time to dig into raster image graphics to do a proper intro to GIMP. Great job!

Inkscape is also a "free to use" graphics program that uses vector images, whereas GIMP is raster based. The difference in image types is simple. Photos are raster based where the image is composed of individual pixels of color. Vector images are like CAD drawings where your shapes are dictated by lines and curves. I prefer vector myself and have made some acceptable designs with Inkscape and CorelDraw, both are similar to Adobe Illustrator. With a break in work coming, I will be assembling something on Inkscape before long. 

If you are looking for CAD software for items other than layout design, check out DoubleCAD XT and Draftsight. Both are free to use, but are only 2D. There are some 3D CAD programs that are free, but I have not used them. An inexpensive 3D package out there I have used is Alibre. With both 2D and 3D CAD you can design at 1:1 and scale accordingly. I should mention that the CAD packages I mentioned are targeted for professional users, but I know many that have learned how to use them without a fancy college degree, so it is worth trying if you are interested.

Recently, in a conversation on another group, I found out a member will make custom graphics for a low price. He is using quality printers that can generate finer detail than many of our home printers can. You can check out his decal info here:  http://www.shawmutcarshops.com/customdecals.html

Regards,

Stogie

fascia signs

This was an excellent article and idea. I do decals from artwork I create in CorelDraw and recently did a full size multicolor sign on vinyl for a gasoline pump restoration. I'm thinking the peel and stick nature of them and excellent properties might be another way of doing such signs.

Jerry Glow

aka Calflash

http://home.comcast.net/~jerryglow/decals/

Building signs

I see no reason why the author specified a raster program and NOT vector. I use CorelDraw for model RR decals and everything has to be vector for my printer service (I have them commercially printed). But when home printing a program like CorelDraw which is vector will let you import bitmapped images as necessary but create lettering etc in vector and it will all print.

Jerry Glow

aka Calflash

http://home.comcast.net/~jerryglow/decals/

Raster vs. Vector

Jerry -

Thanks for the comment. 

My goal for this article was to use an app that anyone could get for free.  Professionally, I use the entire Adobe CS suite of products, but I think a lot of readers would rather spend those dollars on trains rather than software. 

I also wanted to use a raster based app in that they typically have a fairly shallow learning curve.

Again, thanks for the post.

Ken

GIMP

Stogie –

Thanks for the comments.  The concept for the article was to produce credible signage for the budget minded model railroader.  It was also designed for the hobbyist  that might not be computer comfortable with the vector based art world.

Vector programs are good for

Vector programs are good for text and line drawings. They're terrible for artwork. Many of the painted on signs included images which are easily scanned or represented in jpg format. A raster editor is what's needed for these.

For signs that are text only, vector output is great because it can be infinitely scaled without introducing "jaggies" on any lines that are not perfectly vertical or horizontal.

The right tool for the task...

Charlie

Vector for artwork

Not sure I follow you Charlie. If using a program to edit existing, I would agree that raster is the way to go. 

Making something new, you could go either direction, and I have made some decent artwork with vector software. I have also seen outstanding artwork using vector graphics. Also, if making something new, vector graphics allows you to do various blending techniques to run one color into a second. Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, and to some extend Inkscape will trace a raster image and vectorize it. 

I have also seen other modelers go in either direction. Some prefer raster, others prefer vector. I just wanted to mention the vector artwork that is also free to use.

Stogie

Excellent article!! One

Excellent article!! One Question, I have been searching for the small drink Coca Cola sign that you have displayed on your one building. Could you supply me with the source or link for that particular sign. Much appreciated.

Artwork source

I would like to send you the source for the artwork, but checking back tonight, the link I used is broken.  I found that particular image on eBay.  Someone was selling a small metal sign with the logo.  When looking for a specific sign or logo, I usually do a Google Image search, with terms like, "antique," "old," "logo," and the company or brand name. Change the search terms a little and you will get varied results.  In general, I will be shrinking the image, so I try to start out with as large a picture as possible [300 x 300 minimum]. 

Hopes this helps.

Ken

Google is your Friend

Geez guys Google practically hands this one to you

Coke sign

Thanks Alan.  Just did a quick Google search and didn't hit on it.

Quality Article

Lots of good advice and practicle ideas. As a graphic designer, the most straightforward advice I can give for preparing artwork, is vector-based artwork whenever possible, photographs or continuous tone images being the exception.

Did you look in images?

You have to look in images - the normal Google search won't find a lot of images like a deliberate Google images search will.

Good article Ken

Picked up some new techniques that I will try in the future.

One thing I do when making signs on my printer is to spray the sign surface with something like dullcote and then I remove most of the paper backing by dipping my finger in water and slowly removing the majority if the 'backing paper'. This makes the sign easier to work into the brickwork and not stick out from whatever surface it is on. You do need to be careful/patient with larger signs, but I find the end result to be worth the effort.

Don Tanner

One step further

Spot on plus.... knowing Coke's favorite color is red resulting in millions of hits of red images and that your sign is predominantly white I used the Google images search refinement of white color. Your image was on the first page at the top of the search results. Could not have been easier or faster.

Outstanding

Outstanding article and great link. I'll certainly be giving this a try. Thanks,

Roy

Printing white with the transparent option

I wanted to say thank you for the article and well done.  I do have a question or maybe it's just a comment.  When you created the transparent images and pasted them on the building you show a white border.  Is that border a result of the velum you used as there is no control over the printing of white with a ink jet printer.

Thanks,

Dave

White Border

Dave -

You are right when you talk about printing "white."  I just sized the artwork so there would be a white border around it.  With the vellum, you still can still force the brick pattern into the paper, and since it is translucent, you get a little of the brick color through the medium. 

If you want a good solid while border, I would suggest making your sign first, then mask your building wall and paint the space where your sign will go a solid white. When dry, apply the sign as before.  Good luck!

Ken

Signs for Buildings

Wow Ken, what a great article! I took a computer design class several years ago at the local junior college, and this brought back several points I had forgotten. I am going to give this a try.

Thanks for the great tutorial!

Dan Harriman 

modeling the GTW circa 1976ish in

Orange Texas                                                                                                                        

Signs

I have not used this process for making signs, but it looks fantastic.  I have glued signs to buildings with the purpose of making them appear painted on.   To achieve this, I sanded the paper down till it was very very thin.  I used 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper  on a piece of plate glass.  It was a slow process as I recall to sand the paper, but the signs sat down in the groves of the block building very easy.    Sorry I don't have any photo's handy but trust me, the thinner the paper, the easier it is to work with.  Hope this tip helps.

Don