Top Sheet Design Software

[jnorms]

Wondering if you guys can help me?

I am currently designing my topsheet layer in SnowCadX. My friend has said to me why don't I use Adobe Illustrator CS5 instead.

What is the best programme to design your topsheet on?

Cheers

James

[OAC]

I draw mine in OpenOffice (Draw) -> export to pdf -> print
Easy as h-l, but don't forget to change "page setup"

[twizzstyle]

Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop will certainly give you the most power.

[a.badner]

Do you guys print your graphics on regular paer and then put it in on the lay up?
if so, how does it work? well?

[chrismp]

regular paper doesn't stick to the topsheets, so if you want to go that way, you'll have to press without a topsheet and apply some UV-resistant clear coat.
mind you need a printer that supports roll paper! (i'm using an Epson 2100...great printer! and very lightfast inks)

we're planning on printing on a light canvas (you have to iron it onto freezer paper so you can print on it with a regular inkjet printer) so we're able to use the topsheets we bought.

with both these methods i strongly recommend coloring the layers underneath in white so the graphics don't darken. we use white epoxy pigment right on the core, but you could also stain the core before layup.

[a.badner]

Freezer paper? you can get that in rolls? what ever it is.
thanks anyways

[chrismp]

yep, you can get it in rolls depending on where you live. just google it.

[grace ski]

Go with Photoshop if you want raster outputs and Illustrator if you want vector. Raster is faster and vector more correct but gets larger file sizes.
They work great together and with Auto CAD etc. Let me know if you need help with this as i own them both...as well as auto cad.

[ironmonkey]

is any one using some free software shareware for graphics

[Skammy]

Might try GIMP ? if you want something free

[chrismp]

yep, if you want free GIMP is the closest to Photoshop you can get.

[hjfast]

hey, if you want some one to put some graphics together for you I'd be happy to help out. I've got ~5 years of graphic design experience in Photoshop and Illustrator. Just PM what you're looking for, I've got a lot of down time right now. This goes for anyone.

-h