I have to agree. I;ve never tried Testors decal making software, but I make decals using Photoshop to correct colors and perspectives, PowerPoint to actually create the decal, and an Epson Stylus to print them.
Personally, I have a term for something that gives you extremely limited functionality and requires an additional investment to get to where you really want it: ripoff. It's ok to withhold some really desireable features for an upgrade, but when the basic functionality is useful to no one (which sounds like the case here), that's just wrong.
FWIW, I do use Testors decal paper and decal fixing spray.
DLM, in response to your question, if I need to make white letters for a dark car, I use WHITE decal paper and print the background as close as possible to the car (or building, or whatever) color as possible. The match usually isn't perfect, but with a couple of test prints I can get close enough that you don't see the difference unless you look for it. (Test print on scrap paper, not the decal sheets).
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
Screen capture program? I just hit the PrtScn key and then "Paste" into my Paint Shop Pro program.
I'm fortunate to have an ALPS printer but in terms of printing white, I'm wondering if anyone has ever tried to print an outline around the white instead of actually printing it. So, for instance, you set your type for dimensional data in black font on white background. Then, you reverse the black and white so that you have white letters on a black background. Print this and trim close to the edges and it "should" work for a black car. The same process should work for other colors but it may be more difficult matching the outline color.
dlm
Add a screen capture program and you can do just about anything. Except print white letters...
Bob
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trnj I have also made many decals from this and similar decal paper, both clear and white. I use WordPerfect graphics and an Epson printer (the ink is resistent to water). In my first attempts I used too much "sealer" which is like Dull Coat. A little experimentation will reveal how thick to make the sealer. Yellows and light colors do not transfer well to dark surfaces, however. TRNJ
I have also made many decals from this and similar decal paper, both clear and white. I use WordPerfect graphics and an Epson printer (the ink is resistent to water). In my first attempts I used too much "sealer" which is like Dull Coat. A little experimentation will reveal how thick to make the sealer. Yellows and light colors do not transfer well to dark surfaces, however.
TRNJ
A prefessional ametuer friend of mine reccomended layering light decals, but that only works to a point. If you do so, do it on the decal paper, not the dark surface. And if you need more than 3 layers, yu need to redo the decals.
-Morgan
I use an Internet browser, MS Word and MS Paint. The browser lets me capture images, like old advertising signs and billboards. I use Paint to clean up the images or add or remove borders. I use Word to format the page, size the images and create lettering, using WordArt (part of Word) for effects.
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I will let someone who has actually used the software comment on it. I will add this though...there is no magic software to make railroad artwork for decals. The magic comes from the mind of the artwork creator who uses basic programs such as Adobe Illustrator/Corel Draw or Photoshop. I print thousands or decals/year and all of the work starts with research then is hand drawn in illustrator and finally printed.
I bought at Hobby Lobby for around $10. Claims "Make Custom Decals" on the box. Cd rom only has a few flames and strips for I assume 1/25th scale car models. Anytime I try to browse images it wants me to pay more $$ for software upgrade. Anyone try this one yet?? I'm just looking to throw a few logos or signs on buildings and rolling stock, nothing complicated.
PS I did notice they have "white" decal printing paper that's what got me started because right now I can't afford an Alps printer.
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