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sign making software

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  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Canada
  • 1,284 posts
sign making software
Posted by wickman on Sunday, January 10, 2016 5:46 AM

Hi 

Can you tell me what programs you's are using for making signs? Editing signs for store fronts, resizing etc.

Thanks

  • Member since
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  • From: Franconia, NH
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Posted by dstarr on Sunday, January 10, 2016 7:39 AM

I use Word for Windows.  It  has all sizes of letters, lets you set color of letters and background, it will even do a vertical sign, and it has all sorts of different typefaces. 

  • Member since
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  • From: NW Pa Snow-belt.
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Posted by ricktrains4824 on Sunday, January 10, 2016 7:44 AM

For most I use Photoshop. (MS Word also works well.)

(I already had Photoshop thanks to my other hobby, photography. It is quite expensive if using only for model sign making......)

Street signs however.... Software from Evans designs. But that is a different question and thread......

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

  • Member since
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  • From: Canada
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Posted by wickman on Sunday, January 10, 2016 8:13 AM

Good info guys. This morning although its taken me a couple hours I've managed to download and install some 1920's fonts and got correct font size in ms works and then  not realizing (  or not thinking ) I was going to transfer the sign lettering to paint to make a border to fill the background of  the sign. Did not know I could possibly  do  all this in ms  works.  I  use to use photoshop on a daily business and had gotten real good at it, never thought of using this  either. So I guess I don't have to run out and buy print shop.

  • Member since
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  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
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Posted by RR_Mel on Sunday, January 10, 2016 8:38 AM

There are several freeware photo programs out there by doing a Google search.
 
 
Be prepared for a learning curve, some programs can be very intensive.  I use LView Pro, it isn’t freeware but the price is right, $30.  It is older software (32 & 64 bit) and installs easily in Win 98 to Win 7,  with some tweaking I have the 64 bit program running in Win 10.  I have never been able to get any technical support for LView, it has a so so built in help to get you going. 
 
 
They offer a free trial
 
 
Photoshop is one of the very best programs available but very pricy and for me a major learning curve (old dogs can’t learn new tricks).
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
  • Member since
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  • From: Ontario Canada
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Posted by Mark R. on Sunday, January 10, 2016 10:32 AM

These are fun ....

http://www.signgenerator.org/

Mark.

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern California
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Posted by Lone Wolf and Santa Fe on Sunday, January 10, 2016 5:58 PM

I use Photoshop and or Pagemaker. Pagemaker is better for fonts because image formats can make them look jagged. I make the picture in photoshop and then import it into pagemaker.

Modeling a fictional version of California set in the 1990s Lone Wolf and Santa Fe Railroad
  • Member since
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  • From: Clinton, MO, US
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Posted by Medina1128 on Monday, January 11, 2016 6:32 AM

Another hint for sharp, crisp signs; print them on glossy photo paper. The edges don't get fuzzy like they do when printed on regular copier paper. Spray the signs with Dullcote to kill the sheen. You'll be amazed at the difference.

  • Member since
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  • From: North Dakota
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Posted by BroadwayLion on Monday, January 11, 2016 7:16 AM

Lone Wolf and Santa Fe

I use Photoshop and or Pagemaker. Pagemaker is better for fonts because image formats can make them look jagged. I make the picture in photoshop and then import it into pagemaker.

 

PageMaker! That is ancient history! Adobe has a new program that replaced it, although I have forgotten it's name. Problem is Adobe no longer sells anything. All of its product is by monthly subscription.

LION is anamoured of the Serif line of products. These are PagePlus, PhotoPlus, DrawPlus and WebPlus. Him this stuff uses for everything. True the list price of the latest is about $100 each ie PagePlus X9; but PagePlus X8 can now be had for about $15. LION has been using Serif products ever since PagePlus 3. (X8 would be Page Plus 18).

I think it shows font sizes down to 4 point, But if you want 2 point type it will do that too, just type it in yourself. LION has some very small warning signs at the ends of the platforms, and they look just liike NYCT signs, unless you actually read them. "No Geese beyond this point" Geese being the deragatory name for passengers. Or how about "Do not piss on the platforms". Nobody has ever caught out these signs yet, becaues nobody can get close enough to read them.

LION osmetimes prints out signs of him on lable paper, makes installation easy. Can also print on clear label medium pretend it is a decal! LION ses the same program to print walls, many buildings of LION are simply printed on paper this way and attached to a styrofoam block.

Serif is located in Nottingham England, Kinda like the Serif of Nottingham!

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by Steven S on Monday, January 11, 2016 9:12 AM

Inkscape is free.  Being a vector-based program, you can do things with it that you can't do with most other drawing programs, such as manipulating the shape of letters. 

https://inkscape.org/en/

In the pic below, all the letters started out like the 'M'.  You can change the shape of each one by moving control points around.  After typing and selecting your text, go to Path: Object to Path to convert the text to a path that can be edited.

 

Steve S

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