What software for designing inlays? Suggestions please!

greihart · #1 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 03:42 PM

Hey all...

Sort of a newbie here...been lurking and reading and reading and reading...and have enjoyed everything and everyone so far. Because of the reviews, I'm the proud owner of both a set of Kem's (pre-buyout, later models, not so great quality) and a set of Copag's (OUTSTANDING!)

Well now I'm ready to start toying with this idea of custom chips for my local Saturday night games...but I'm kinda stuck in a rut. I've already chosen my ASM design and colors as shown below (provided it shows up,) but of course now I need to do a custom inlay. Naturally I have a few ideas in mind, but I'm not getting very far with the design process by using Paint Shop Pro 9, which is the only image editing software I have so far. Now granted, this may be my fault due to lack of graphic arts experience, but it seems like it would be easier than it is given the power of the program. I guess I'm wondering if it's the ideal software for the task at hand...

So I guess my question is, is there an overwhelming favorite out there that all you folks are using to design your inlays, something that's easy to use, or are you all just that talented? I guess by easy of use, I'm looking for things like being able to place/move graphics, write and wrap text around arcs (the circle of the inlay in particular,) change colors, etc.

Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Thank you!

Brent · #2 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 03:55 PM

I assume most people use Photoshop for graphic designs around here.

Also, those edgespots (4D14) in your chip mockups are not currently available from ASM (pokerchips.com). Right now, until the end of the month you can order 3D14 edgespots though (a minimum order of 500 chips).

You may also want to check out this thread for details on the ASM 1/4 edgespot group buy happening until the end of the month: Group Buy Thead

Spaceman Spiff · #3 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 04:30 PM

It seems most people use Photoshop, but I would think PSP 9 would be more than capable. I've used PSP 7 for years now for a few things here and there and have always felt I was just scratching the surface of what it could do. I would think 9 would be even more powerful. It may just be a matter of messing around with the software and getting a feel for how to work everything.

austin5string · #4 (**permalink**) 01-28-2006, 03:40 AM

PSP is definitely a capable program.. I use a combination of Photoshop and Illustrator..

~John

Spaceman Spiff · #5 (**permalink**) 01-28-2006, 09:35 AM

austin-

Not to hijack here, but it seems like you have experience with all of these. What all can Photoshop and Illustrator do that put it above PSP? Or is it just that they're the big player and used by more people? When I went with PSP, it was mostly because it was $50-60 and Photoshop was $400+. I've never done anything remotely approaching professional design work, so it was good enough for me. One of these days I will get around to a custom inlay, so I'm just wondering if there's something I'd really be missing out on by not using Photoshop.

Fins · #6 (**permalink**) 01-28-2006, 09:43 AM

Photoshop & Illustrator combo here.

JM · #7 (**permalink**) 01-28-2006, 04:57 PM

I think its more illustrator than photoshop. You get the vector based output with illustrator and that's what Sandy at AMS said she'd prefer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff

austin-

Not to hijack here, but it seems like you have experience with all of these. What all can Photoshop and Illustrator do that put it above PSP? Or is it just that they're the big player and used by more people? When I went with PSP, it was mostly because it was $50-60 and Photoshop was $400+. I've never done anything remotely approaching professional design work, so it was good enough for me. One of these days I will get around to a custom inlay, so I'm just wondering if there's something I'd really be missing out on by not using Photoshop.

austin5string · #8 (**permalink**) 01-28-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff

austin-

Not to hijack here, but it seems like you have experience with all of these. What all can Photoshop and Illustrator do that put it above PSP? Or is it just that they're the big player and used by more people? When I went with PSP, it was mostly because it was $50-60 and Photoshop was $400+. I've never done anything remotely approaching professional design work, so it was good enough for me. One of these days I will get around to a custom inlay, so I'm just wondering if there's something I'd really be missing out on by not using Photoshop.

JM is on the money. Illustrator is the big difference with the vector art. As far as PSP vs Photoshop, in the right hands, either program is perfectly fine. I used PSP for a long time, actually, before going w/ Photoshop - and for the same reason - the price. Bang for buck, PSP is a much better deal.

`ash · #9 (**permalink**) 01-29-2006, 09:12 PM

i use PSP 8 to touch up my images. Then i use Microsoft Publisher for the layouts of text and colors etc etc.

Cin0s3 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-05-2006, 09:56 AM

If its any help, I have used PSP7.2 for about 2 years now to do all of my label designs (about 5,000+) and there has never been anything that I couldnt do in it that I needed another program for. But I do have PS, AI and a bunch of others on hand for people that submit their own work.