Design Software

The depictions of coats of arms
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Larry Snyder
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Location: Lake Oswego, OR, USA

Design Software

Postby Larry Snyder » 18 Dec 2014, 06:21

For years I have been using Paint.Net as my graphics program for my heraldry work. It is pretty sophisticated and did everything I required. I have just bought a new computer, changing from windows Vista to Windows 8.5. Paint.Net has a new version so I started the download to the new computer. This appears to be available only from third party download services and they insist that you first download something called “Zip7”. In hitting OK it then tried to push a bunch of other programs all of which I declined. To my dismay I found that those unwanted programs, and others had been downloaded anyway and my registries were infected. I was able to control the damage although I had to uninstall and reinstall one of my browsers. Needless to say, I did not proceed with the Paint.Net down load.

I’d like to know if others have had this experience or if you know of a truly “safe” download site. What are others using? I’d like to avoid the $500 cost of Coreldraw Graphics Suite. Are there other less expensive alternatives.

Your advice and comments are welcome. Thanks.

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Chas Charles-Dunne
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Location: England - TL 80102 93862
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Re: Design Software

Postby Chas Charles-Dunne » 18 Dec 2014, 09:36

I am slowly teaching myself Inkscape.

https://www.inkscape.org/en/

Inkscape is a professional vector graphics editor for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It's free and open source.
Regards
Chas
IAAH Fellow

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Martin Goldstraw
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Location: Shropshire, England.
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Re: Design Software

Postby Martin Goldstraw » 18 Dec 2014, 10:26

Martin Goldstraw
Cheshire Heraldry
http://cheshire-heraldry.org.uk

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Mark Henderson
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Joined: 24 Nov 2014, 07:42

Re: Design Software

Postby Mark Henderson » 18 Dec 2014, 13:25

If you are interested, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free substitute for Adobe Photoshop. I would download it at http://www.gimp.org to avoid problems.
Regards,

Mark Anthony Henderson
IAAH Fellow : Former Design Assistance Request Team Artist

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Chas Charles-Dunne
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Location: England - TL 80102 93862
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Re: Design Software

Postby Chas Charles-Dunne » 18 Dec 2014, 13:54

This is from Adobe -

http://www.adobe.com/downloads/cs2_downloads/index.html

Go through the hoops to create a profile and then finally you will come to the complete CS2 range (for Win and Mac) with the authorisation codes. The whole lot is about 3Gig, but you can download what you need.

Once you have it - it is yours to do with what you will. I would advise copying onto a cd/dvd in case of comuter change at a later date.

There are also many free to download add-on (filters, brushes and the like) available on the net - Google is your friend.
Regards
Chas
IAAH Fellow

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Ryan Shuflin
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Re: Design Software

Postby Ryan Shuflin » 22 Dec 2014, 02:38

I also use inkscape.

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RBeste
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Location: Texas, United States
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Re: Design Software

Postby RBeste » 06 Jan 2016, 19:08

My choice has been Coreldraw vers. 5 through 16. I'm still using windows 7 until they come out with a windows 11 (which should fix most of the problems others are having with ungrades). Then I will move to Coreldraw 17 or whatever. This package gives you both vector and bitmap capabilities with a large variety of file conversion options.

Bob
Robert C. Beste, PG
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Chris Green
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Re: Design Software

Postby Chris Green » 06 Jan 2016, 19:18

You do realise that there isn't going to be a Windows 11?
Chris Green
IAAH President

Bertilak de Hautdesert

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RBeste
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Re: Design Software

Postby RBeste » 06 Jan 2016, 19:29

Chris Green wrote:You do realise that there isn't going to be a Windows 11?


Chris
I'm sure it will have another name then, because there are lots of problems with that one (But not as bad as windows 6) :D
Robert C. Beste, PG
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Chris Green
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Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Re: Design Software

Postby Chris Green » 06 Jan 2016, 20:10

I quote The Verge:

Microsoft has altered the way it engineers and delivers Windows, and the initial result is Windows 10. Instead of big releases, there will be regular improvements and updates. Part of this is achieved by splitting up operating system components like the Start Menu and built-in apps to be separate parts that can be updated independently to the entire Windows core operating system. It's a big undertaking, but it's something Microsoft has been actively working on for Windows 10 to ensure it spans across multiple device types.
Chris Green
IAAH President

Bertilak de Hautdesert


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