what program to create template?

[Herzog]

Artwork is finished on a Majors only deck. The originals are of slightly various dimensions and I need to make them all uniform. I need a program to create a template for exact card size 2 7/8" x 4 1/8".

I am using GIMP to color correct, but cannot figure how to use this program to create templates.


Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[canid]

I use FreeHand.

 

[aja]

Traditionally....what one would use would be a page/document layout program like Quark or InDesign.

If you had to use a drawing/coloring program (like Photoshop..or Elements) I know how I would approach it (not that I know how it applies to the program you're working with.....):
- create the template at the correct size and any common 'theme' (border, place for name, etc) on its own layer
- have a flat (1 layer) version of the image.
- copy it
- paste it onto a layer that is underneath the border layer
- resize/rescale image to 'fit' the template
- finish particular details for that card
- "Save as" the card

This may or may not work for you...but perhaps there something there you might be able to work with....

 

[Golden Moon]

AutoCAD is pretty good at working with templates. I've made my own tamplate.

 

[canid]

PhotoShop is an image manipulation program, pixel oriented, FreeHand & Illustrator are vector based, meant to do layouts ie pull everything together, while Quark was created for multiple-page documents. FreeHand & Illustrator are basically the same thing, I just prefer FreeHand because I've been using it since '86 & I know it inside & out. Although, working as a graphic designer for printers & using both programs, FreeHand is much easier to learn & use than Illustrator. You CAN do it in PhotoShop, but the text is NOT vector based so will be pixelated.

 

[Herzog]

Thanks for the info.