GCU Forum - What "tools" do you use for making your cards?

Ed_133653

Junior Member
artist

Posts: 78

What "tools" do you use for making your cards?
Jun 23^rd, 2008, 11:02am

Hello, all
My cards are mostly made using photographs, but sometimes I feel the need to embellish them with drawings. I'd even like to try doing cards with cartoons, etc.
Does anyone (or everyone) use Wacom tablets ? Which model ? And what is the software of choice ? Would one of the Corel products be good ? Thanks for your help ! ~Ed

Back to top

Greetings from Ed:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/GreetingsFromEd

IP Logged

Sandra_133229

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 787

Re: What "tools" do you use for making your cards?
Reply #1 - Jun 23^rd, 2008, 11:24am

I use a wacom intuos tablet for my cards. I love the extra touch sensitivity it has. I have not used any other one, however. I use it with photoshop and Illustrator. It came with Corel, but I haven't used it yet - as these two seem to have a never ending supply of things to learn!

Good luck. I love your photography. A tablet is really easy to use - it doesn't take long to learn at least the basics. Like the above mentioned programs - there is great depth to a tablet. I haven't discovered all of the ins and outs - just what I need so far.
Sandra

Back to top

Sandra Rose Designs:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/SandraRoseDesigns

IP Logged

Maryann_132542

Junior Member
artist

Posts: 66

Re: What "tools" do you use for making your cards?
Reply #2 - Jun 23^rd, 2008, 11:26am

Hi Ed
I use Wacoms Intuos 3 graphics tablet. I've had it a few years now and absolutely love it. I often wonder how I ever drew with a mouse way back when! I use a very old version of Adobe photoshop. Unfortunately I have never used Corel software so I'm not so much help there.
Happy creating and have a great day

Maryann

Back to top

MANolan's Card Store:
http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/manolanscardstore

IP Logged

Ed_133653 Junior Member artist Posts: 78	Re: What "tools" do you use for making your cards? Reply #3 - Jun 23^rd, 2008, 11:55am Thanks to you who respond to my query. I forgot to ask, what size is suitable ?
Back to top	Greetings from Ed: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/GreetingsFromEd IP Logged

Teri Francis_131425

Senior Member
artist

Posts: 326

Re: What "tools" do you use for making your cards?
Reply #4 - Jun 23^rd, 2008, 12:00pm

Hi Ed,

I use a wacom tablet -- small Graphire 4x6 and I love it. I use both CorelDraw12 and Adobe Illustrator for drawings ... I much prefer Corel and only use Adobe when I absolutely have to ... even then, I usually cheat by doing my original artwork in Corel because it's so much faster for me, and then I import the file into Adobe for the final touches. I also use both CorelPaint12 and Adobe Elements 5.0 for photo editing ... both work about the same for me, but I do like the image quality output from Adobe E5 slightly better. I definitely think Corel is worth a try ... much more reasonably priced and easier to learn than Adobe if you're just getting started with illustrating. Hope that helps. Beautiful photography on your cards! Look forward to seeing some illustrations from you in the future! : )

Teri

Back to top

Squirrel Hugger's Card Store:
http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/squirrelhugger

IP Logged

Ernestine_131365

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 853

Re: What "tools" do you use for making your cards?
Reply #5 - Jun 23^rd, 2008, 11:32pm

I like to scan in original drawings, (as well as objects and collages), to Photoshop, and then go from there with layers. I also import vector drawings from Illustrator (sometimes using a wacom tablet) as well as using digital photos of my paintings. I'm always experimenting with "real" media and digital techniques.

Ed- Like your filter use on the Cades Cove Cabin pixs.

Ernestine

Back to top

Ernestine's Easel:
http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/ErnestinesEasel

IP Logged

Richard_134256 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 9	Re: What "tools" do you use for making your cards? Reply #6 - Jun 30^th, 2008, 4:20am i will be scanning negatives and slides mostly and then run them through photoshop and/or paint shop pro for any correction or manipulation. i will also add digital photography as time goes on.
Back to top	Rizzo Designs: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/rizzodesigns IP Logged

Delores_132508 Gold Member artist Posts: 978	Re: What "tools" do you use for making your cards? Reply #7 - Jun 30^th, 2008, 7:12am I use my digital photography plus some older scanned images and process them with photoshop.
Back to top	Grandma Dee's Cards: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/GrandmaDee IP Logged

Pauline_134381 Junior Member artist Posts: 61	Re: What "tools" do you use for making your cards? Reply #8 - Jul 29^th, 2008, 7:04am I love to read about how others design their cards! I use a Wacom, intuos3 tablet and Ulead PhotoImpact 9. The wacom is one of the best investments I ever made. Can't imagine life without it. Pauline
Back to top	Crickwater Cards: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/crickwatercards IP Logged

Angela_134247

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 761

Re: What "tools" do you use for making your cards?
Reply #9 - Jul 29^th, 2008, 12:34pm

Funny you asked this question, I've been wondering myself. The few original designs I have have all been using my photo program's freehand painting method. I mostly just use a photograph of my sister's. (she does the photography, I figure out the design and caption). But since she has absolutely no christmas pictures yet, and I really want to get some up there, I've been trying to figure out how to draw my own. I'm an o.k. artist and I would like to get some of my stuff on there. What media do you scan-and-load artists use? And do some of you use free art clips from the internet?

Back to top

FairyGirl Cards:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/fairygirlcards

IP Logged

Ed_133653 Junior Member artist Posts: 78	Re: What "tools" do you use for making your cards? Reply #10 - Aug 6^th, 2008, 2:48pm Thanks to all for your good advice. I'm considering it all before making up my mind.
Back to top	Greetings from Ed: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/GreetingsFromEd IP Logged

Sheryl_133470

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 705

Re: What "tools" do you use for making your cards?
Reply #11 - Aug 10^th, 2008, 4:51pm

Hi, I am using a Wacom Bamboo tablet. I wasn't sure if I would like it at first, but decided to buy it and try it. I love it and can't believe I waited so long to get it. I rarely use a mouse any more. Use the tablet and pen most of the time. It didn't take me long to get use to it. I didn't get the smallest one, I got the next size up. It is great for me.

Sher

Back to top

Sheryl Kasper Card Store:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/SherylKasperCardStore

IP Logged