Matrix Games Forums

I think I need a little advice on photo editing. My goal is to be able to create good overlays/plans for the game and also to create decent AAR’s with minimal shuffling between programs. I’ll spare you the details of my current procedures (I’m sure some of you would get a good laugh)- I’ll just say that I use 3 different programs to get the job done.

I’m hoping that there is some streamlined method/program to accomplish my tasks. I’ve searched C-net and the like for a decent program, but don’t want to spend 500 bucks, or for that matter, 50 bucks on something that I already have (or don’t need).

If I need to buy something, that’s fine, I just want to hear that it’s good from real people. I need to keep it reasonable though; if I spend 5 hundred on something like this, my wife will immediately go buy something for 6 hundred-so that’s out.

ORIGINAL: 06 Maestro

if I spend 5 hundred on something like this, my wife will immediately go buy something for 6 hundred-so that’s out.

LOL!

I'm a fan of Adobe Illustrator. I use version 9.0, which I've seen on e-bay for less than $100.

The overlay on this page was done in Illustrator: http://www.wargamer.com/articles/cota_aar/page2.asp

The graphics look fine. (BTW, I read that AAR-very good stuff-professional even). Does A.L. 9.0 have a photo comprssion and resizing tool also?

I use Jasc PaintShop Pro. It's pretty good value. It's basically a paint program but supports vector layers and you can merge these to output a flat bitmap file ( eg jpeg ). You can resize etc.

Thanks, that sounds good too. I'll shop for it.

You might also want to check out GIMP, it's a freeware photo-editing program. Haven't used it myself but you can't argue with the price[:)]

http://www.gimp.org/

Thanks for the link- I like the price, I've gotta try it.

I tryed GIMP-it's an open code system. It appears to cover all area of interest, but is a little complicated for me. It looks like something designed by photo geeks who hate the big companies. Nothing wrong with that, but the program is too deep for me. I'' keep it on my system and perhaps fiqure it out sometime latter.

I'm leaning to Corell right now; cheaper and good reviews.

Illustrator 9.0 let's you "Save to the Web" with easy to do settings for compression and size - either gif or jpg. 
 
The nice thing is that when you make a line, box or circle, it's vector based so you can manipulate a dozen different ways it before you output to a bitmap image.
 
For the truly ambitious you can also construct fancy arrows and graphics a la the image at the bottom of this page: http://hedgerowmod.blogspot.com/2004/09/screens-aar.html
 
 

That sounds very useful, but I just bought Corels' Paint Shop Pro XI. I think it'll do the trick. I'll comment on it later-just got the message for the "done deal".

Hello Maestro,

The Gimp may arguably have a steep learning curve but it is really an excellent program . I said arguably because I do not think it is more complicated than other softwares. I have used it to create screenshots and overlays for the AAR I have posted on this forum a while ago. It is definitely worth the effort (and you also save money that you can more productively spend on BFTB [:)]

Cheers,

RedDevil

I used Gimp for the Httr map graphics mod. Indeed, it has a steep learning curve, but it can do everything and you can't beat the price. 

ORIGINAL: RedDevil

Hello Maestro,

The Gimp may arguably have a steep learning curve but it is really an excellent program . I said arguably because I do not think it is more complicated than other softwares. I have used it to create screenshots and overlays for the AAR I have posted on this forum a while ago. It is definitely worth the effort (and you also save money that you can more productively spend on BFTB [:)]

Cheers,

RedDevil

I will make an effort to master Gimp when I have some extra time-next summer. It will be interesting to compare it.

I'll also be purchasing BFTB as soon as it's released. It sounds like there will be a couple of nice UI upgrades and I easpecially like the added component of obstacles/engineer missions. Wasn't there something about "smoke" also?[;)] That would be something. Without it, CBT Engineers will get creamed.

Microsoft Paint works just fine and its free!
 
 

I don't think Gimp is really more complicated than photoshop, which is THE reference, so I still think this is the best for non professionals. It's FREE so think about it.

ORIGINAL: Trigger Happy

I don't think Gimp is really more complicated than photoshop, which is THE reference, so I still think this is the best for non professionals. It's FREE so think about it.

Too late to think about it. Now it's time to learn a new program. Corel Paint Shop has a lot of tools.