Making Pattern's

[hendrick1]

I have a question to all the pattern maker's that I see on here... What program or software are you using to make these? Is it Coyote? I have tried coyote but cant for the life of me get such smooth lines that Grandpa and Messman turn out on a regular basis. I would really like to try making patterns, but its frustrating. To all the pattern makers out there, you all do great work!! If its a secret I understand that you don't want to give it away, but any help would be appreciated.

Dan.

[grampa]

Hi Danial, I use Photoshop but a lot use Gimp, its free and you can get it here in the Village plus tutorials follow them and you will be nocking out patterns in no time.....Paul

[hendrick1]

Thanx, I will give it a shot... then I wont have to bug you when ever a pattern is needed.

Dan.

[Messman]

I use a number of different programs, but I would start off with Gimp and/or Ink Scape. Both are free. Gimps interface is very much like Photo shop's, I believe that they used photoshop as their guide (if you will) when they made Gimp, please correct me if I am wrong on that (anyone). The classes that are posted for gimp will be very helpful for you. Never be afraid to ask for help here cause we will all help you out as much as we can. One of the things I did as I started getting into making patterns would be to post a picture for my "mentors" to pattern and compare it to what I did. See what the did different, see what was close to the same, pick the styles I liked and then redid my patterns to improve my skills. Every once in awhile I will post a picture still because it is giving me a fit and see what the others did.

 

But as to answer your question as to what programs are used, it is a matter of choice. I use Photoshop 7 as my work horse program, but I will also use Corel Painter Essentials 4, Gimp every now and then, procreate painter classic, and I always use Inkscape to "wash" my patterns in. What determines which program I use comes down to what I want to accomplish, style, and the picture its self. Sometimes one program just does not do what I am looking for so I will try a different program.

 

I hope I didn't confuse you.

[Barry5180]

Hi Dan,

 

Chris said it best I think. Depending on the type of pattern and what you are trying to accomplish with it will ultimately determine what software to use. I use GIMP and Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 and Corel Photo Painter Essentials 4. I find myself for most portraits of people that I do, Photo Painter Essentials 4 does a great job at the initial conversion without much modification of the original first. Then I finish it with GIMP.

 

I would highly recommend starting with GIMP and going through the excellent tutorials Travis has created here on the site. From there, you will discover what works best for you in what situations.

 

Barry

[Vector01]

I use GIMP for portrait and landscape patterns then Ink Scape to change it to grayscale. I find it easier to cut in gray. If it's clocks, bases, crosses, etc; I use Inkscape.

[hendrick1]

Thank you all for your advice and helpful tips, this is truly a great site with people like you to give a helping hand! I think I will start with gimp and take the tutorials to get my feet wet then move on from there. Thanks Messman, if I have any questions I will be sure to shoot you all a question, and maybe I will ask to send a picture to you so I can compare my pattern to yours... I think that would help out alot!

Dan.

[Messman]

I am so glad we could be of some help. Go ahead and send me what ever you want when you have the need to. As far a questions go make sure you ask, cause as you can tell you are going to get some type of answer.

[amazingkevin]

Very good information gang. My question is a little differant but i need this answered before i can use the answers you handed out in this post.I have customers for muscle cars right now.i see lots of photos of factory cars,not cartoons or drawings that i like.what is the fine line of using a picture of one of thousands of chevys on the net to do a simple shadow line of car.Like the camaro grampa did of other cars i see on the net.The background and colorscheme are not being used.Do i need to take my own picture of the car?There's 10's of thousands of these cars all the same being produced from the factores. I just don't know how to go about it all.any help is appreciated.Please and thank you

[grampa]

I use material from copyright free/public domain sites like Wikimedia just check the licence before you use it ,most of the time the author just requires attribution........Paul

Very good information gang. My question is a little differant but i need this answered before i can use the answers you handed out in this post.I have customers for muscle cars right now.i see lots of photos of factory cars,not cartoons or drawings that i like.what is the fine line of using a picture of one of thousands of chevys on the net to do a simple shadow line of car.Like the camaro grampa did of other cars i see on the net.The background and colorscheme are not being used.Do i need to take my own picture of the car?There's 10's of thousands of these cars all the same being produced from the factores. I just don't know how to go about it all.any help is appreciated.Please and thank you [attachment=0]2000 camaro 003.JPG[/attachment]

[amazingkevin]

You are the man of the hour!You allways come through even if i just think about something,there you are with the needed thought or image .Your good like that.What a majic wand you have!Blessing too you!