CompuServe Thread

#Drawing Programs

20 messages in this thread
#30477From: Software EtcJul 29, 1991 9:36 PM
Hiya, Hiya, I just got Pagestream 2.1 about a week ago. Great, I love it. I've recently realised that without a structured drawing program, I'm going to be very limited in my designs. I've heard good things about both ProDraw 2.0 and Pro Vector. My questions to you is what are your opinions on either of these products. I'm leaning towards Pro Vector right now becuase I've heard it's quite fast. That's important since I'm using a stock 68000. I am disapointed that is does not have an auto-trace like ProDraws. All comments on these two products would be appreciated. Craig Glaser (Software Etc Milwaukee) – via Whap!
#30548From: Michael GerardJul 30, 1991 8:43 AM
Craig: Be sure to ask SoftLogic when their structured drawing program is going to come out, and specifically ask about a trace utility. – Whapping from the North Coast Michael
#30604From: [F] ArnoJul 30, 1991 8:42 PM
Hiya Craig: I'm going to try to sell you on ProDraw! Text to curves etc..ProDraw is a comprehensive drawing program for producing high quality drawings and illustrations It combines a wide variety of flexible drawing tools with color special effects, and ease of use. Drawings may be created by tracing over exsisting bitmap images or from scratch. PDraw outputs at the highest resolotion of the device-from dot matrix to laser typesetters. Output can be printed in up to 4096 colors or color seperated in mechanical or 3 and 4 color process separations. Pdraws auto-trace is a powerful feature for scanning in logos to be included in layouts for ads or for retouch. You can also use our Clipmap utility to convert the Structured format(PDraws clipart format) back to IFF format. I hope that this info is a bit helpful. Should you require ffurther info please send me Email or call us on our Helpline. Best regards Darlene McLean Gold Disk Technical Support
#30611From: Michael GerardJul 30, 1991 9:28 PM
I have been using ProDraw 2.0 for some time now, and it really does a great job for me. But what is this Clipmap utility that you referred to? There is no mention of such a utility anywhere in my 2.0 manual and I don't see a command from within ProDraw or TRACE that says that it converts clips to IFF format. Where is it?
#30644From: Richard RosenbloomJul 31, 1991 10:37 AM
Darlene! Ditto – never seen or heard of it!. Anxiously awaitng a reply. RichardNY
#30654From: Roy PahnkeJul 31, 1991 2:04 PM
Darlene, was just a slight bit mistaken – ClipMap does not come with the ProDraw 2.0 package (unless they have change that since we all updated our copies to v2.0). The Clipmap utility for me came with the "Structure Clip-Art" package that GD sells separately. Maybe by now ProDraw v2.0 is shipping with Clipmap. Maybe she can send yous guys a copy.
#30681From: Michael GerardJul 31, 1991 7:36 PM
A little mistaken?<g> Have you used ClipMap? How does it work?
#30968From: Jim HalleyAug 4, 1991 12:25 AM
I don't have ProDraw but I have purchased the ClipArt referred to earlier. I believe the ClipMap utility is useful for converting your structured ClipArt back to IFF for those times when you want to refer to your ClipArt before using it in your DTP program. In other words, you can convert all your ClipArt to IFF, and put it all on a disk, so that you can view it with a program like superview to decide what Art you want to use before actually being in your DTP program and having to bring it into the program. That way you can save time in your DTP. Am I making sense here? :^) Jim H. – via Whap!
#31124From: Michael GerardAug 6, 1991 8:19 AM
Jim, Yes, Clipmap does make sense. I'll have to pick up the ClipArt pack. – Whapping from the North Coast Michael
#31072From: Roy PahnkeAug 5, 1991 9:56 PM
Mike – I guess I have used it once or twice, but it's been quite some time. It's simple to use, like some of the other utilities GD provides. It just take a xxx.clip file and makes a Bitmap out of it. (The reverse of TRACE) One has a few choice as to resolution and number of colors and screen size. – Roy Pahnke – Casper, Wyomin' – Crazy Mountain Software –
#31125From: Michael GerardAug 6, 1991 8:19 AM
Roy, Thanks for the info on clipmap. Will Clipmap work on a clip created by TRACE… allowing import into PgS for outout to a non-postscript printer? – Whapping from the North Coast Michael
#31140From: Roy PahnkeAug 6, 1991 12:08 PM
Don't Know, Mike – I suppose it will. Allowing that it makes a standard IFF file out of a ProDraw.clip file. – Roy Pahnke – Casper, Wyomin' – Crazy Mountain Software –
#31302From: [F] ArnoAug 8, 1991 8:38 AM
Michael:Clipmap will work on a "CLIP" created by trace. It is still considered a structured clip no matter if you traced it or created it in Pdraw. Clipmap will convert it back into IFF standard. All the best. Darlene McLean Gold Disk Technical Support
#31330From: Michael GerardAug 8, 1991 2:32 PM
Thanks again for the info Darlene… sure is nice to have you around <g> – Whapping from the North Coast Michael
#31064From: [F] ArnoAug 5, 1991 8:51 PM
Richard:Clipmap is a utility that comes with the Structured Clipart package. Presently it is not available on it's own. I am trying to push for it to be available on it's own. I may be able to work out a price for just the Clipmap utility. The structured clipart package currently sells through us at 59.95US I believe.. It may be 69.95 I can find out for sure if you are interested. The Clipmap utility came after the fact and this is why you find no mention Hope this info proves helpful. Best regards. Darlene McLean Gold Disk Technical Support
#31138From: Central Coast SoftwareAug 6, 1991 11:43 AM
If you are looking for a fast (and very easy to use) structured drawing program, check out DesignWorks (from our company, New Horizons). James Bayless New Horizons Software, Inc.
#31190From: Software EtcAug 6, 1991 10:55 PM
I've considered that one as well. Now I hear that Pagestream is comming out with one soon. I'll probably wait until the Pagestream one comes out (if it's within a month or so) and check out all the reviews I can of the Big Four? now. Lets see….ProVector, Prodraw, design Works and the Softlogik mystery program. Hmmmm. Competition is so nice (for the consumer at least) <G> Craig Glaser (Software Etc Milwaukee) – via Whap!
#31215From: Michael GerardAug 7, 1991 6:34 AM
Eric: If you end up doing any extensive graphics stuff, I'm sure you'll end up like most of us here and buy ALL of the drawing programs available!<g> – Whapping from the North Coast Michael
#31546From: Soft-Logik Tech SupportAug 11, 1991 8:49 PM
Craig: Art Expression from Soft-Logik does not have a release date set at this time. SL Tech
#31395From: Gary BrusanowskiAug 9, 1991 5:01 PM
James: While we're on the subject, does DesignWroks support PostScript in any way? I was under the impression it didn't. Also, does it have it's own font format? Just fishin, 🙂 Gary – Mirror Image Prod. (416) 495-7469, via WHAP!