I have a question about software

[Tana]

I am looking for some software to go along with my new wishblade other than what came with it I have nothing else. Any ideas on what the best software is to buy? I do lots of sport pages & school related pages any help would be appreciated I am really new at this I have only used my machine a couple of times & wasn't sure if I had to use all the products just sold through xyron or if I could get some clip art cd's to use with it.
thanks
Tana

[Shirley803]

I have a suggestion . . . have you done the Inkscape tutorials. Many people use it and it is completely free. Once you learn how to use it, you might decide you want something more, but you might decide Inkscape does all you need! Also, as you are hear more and hear more about more programs, you might decide one of those programs is for you! My preference is Inkscape, but it definitely isn't for everyone. Others prefer Corel Draw, but I didn't particularly care for that one. Others love it. I hear a lot of good things about WinPC, but I am sure there are some that don't like it. My suggestion is this . . . get to know your cutter. Take the tutorials for your cutter as well as for Inkscape. Then branch out for more. It can get very frustrating learning your new machine as well as a new program. Someone else might have another suggestion, but this is mine! ;)

Shirley

[jadkinsmd]

Shirley,
Do you use any programs outside of inkscape or CR/WB? I know a lot of the designers use adobe illustrator or winpc.

[Shirley803]

I am sold on Illustrator. It is not an easy program but it is well worth the time and effort you put into it! I have just scratched the surface and think it is top notch!

Shirley

[jadkinsmd]

I think I may have found a location to purchase one of the last few remaining adobe bridges for WB and was trying to decide if it was worth it.

[Paperthreads]

If you use Illustrator, it is completely worth it! But, if you have never used Illustrator, and if you have time, I would recommend you first download illustrator, and go through the tutorials! Then decide!

[jadkinsmd]

I've never used illustrator but I use photoshop and GIMP and inkscape pretty well. I "play around" and teach myself mostly but I will look through the tutorials. Is Illustrator available for a free trial?

[Paperthreads]

It is, you can get it at www.adobe.com

BUT, if you don't already have the program, then i wouldn't recommend it. Because you would have to spend $99 or more for Illustrator, and then another $99 for the bridge to be able to cut with your machine directly.

Your better option is WinPC Sign for Scrapbooker. Because you pay $99 for that, and you can cut directly to your machine with this software.

It is a great software, with all in one features. I don't think it's as robust as Illustrator, but Illustrator takes a couple of years of instruction to REALLY learn it. What we do with the program for our needs barely scratches the surface! Many colleges offer several levels of courses for this program!

WinPC Sign for scrapbookers also comes with a training video, and is fairly easy to learn and use. You will have all the flexibility you are looking for!

[Connie]

I'm also new to Wishblade. I would really enjoy making pop-ups for greeting cards. What software would you suggest? Can pop-ups be made using strictly WB software? One of your designers has been terrific about answering some of my questions, but I would appreciate knowing what the Paperthreads Administrator and others might suggest. Thanks.

[Paperthreads]

first, for pop ups, I would recommend you visit your local library, or book store, and look up ORIGAMIC ARCHITECTURE. That is the basis for pop up designs.

You can also go to the Pop up card section here, there are several links to places where there are pop up information...

I love making pop ups, but it took many hours of studying patterns, reading books, etc, to get to the point where I could properly configure a pop up that worked!

[Connie]

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I have a few books on pop ups and understand the basics and the math of what I want to do. It's the Wishblade that I'm wondering about. Is the WB software sufficient or would I be better off with Inkscape or Illustrator or...something else. I'd like to know where to find the tutorial or general information on:

HOW to draw the lines that extend beyond the words.
HOW to define the colors and types (straight cut or dash) of lines.
HOW (or if it is possible) to get a colored dashed line to remain a colored dashed line for more than one line.
Is it better to draw a dashed (fold) line at the top and bottom of your alphatext and then go back and change the areas to be cut as cut lines...or...is it better to draw each little segment (cut, dash, cut, dash...) separately.

A lot of questions, I know. Thanks for any input.

[Paperthreads]

In order to do a pop up with words, you will have to use a more flexible program, such as inkscape or illustrator. OR, you will need to manually trace the project in WB.

You can go through the WB tutorials, they teach you how to change the line colors, and how to indicate if they are dash line cut or solid line cut.

You will also have to draw the lines separately, and then indicate they are dashed line by changing color, etc. If you drew it all as one piece, it will ACT all as one piece :)

[BigRed]

Since Inkscape is free, I would download it and work through the tutorials here on the forum. Then you will know if it will do what you need before you pay for expensive software. After you have done the tutorials I think you could work with it to get the results you are looking for with pop-ups.
Happy cutting...
Sally

[Connie]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate your input and will do as you suggest.

One last question:

For my own clarification, when I'm creating a line that contains both cut and dash (fold) lines, would I use a polyline and then just create anchor points at each change? Do I assign color as I go or after the entire line with anchor points is created?

Again, thank you so much for your input and earlier suggestions.