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SSD Page Layout Software?

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 1:20 am
by Captain Nebula
Does anyone happen to know what software program is used to make the full color SSD layout for FedCommander SSDs? I've been working one up in MS Word, but if there's a simpler way to do it using an already developed toolkit or a color scheme I could follow, that would be great!

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 2:13 am
by OGOPTIMUS
I don't know what ADB uses, but I have used Macromedia Freehand, MS Powerpoint, and MS Word. Freehand is the most flexible, but it costs money and it takes some getting used to. Powerpoint works just fine.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 3:04 am
by Captain Nebula
Thanks!

I have PowerPoint, but have no idea how to use it. I just downloaded the freeware Scribus (which is supposed to be similar to Quark Xpress) and I think I'm going to give that a shot.

I'll post my results.

I'm a little stuck right now with MS Word. I've got a really nice top-view render of Enterprise-A from one of the FASA sites and I've got all of the check boxes/blocks in place across the picture. I'm just using the basic box layout that came with the First Missions Heavy Cruiser for practice. MS Word isn't precise enough to place the boxes exactly where they should be. But now I can't figure out how to overlay any of the text above each box. I'm thinking I can just use the Tables like I used for the boxes and remove the table lines and have No-Fill for the background.

CQ

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 3:10 am
by Wolverin61
I've used MS Paint, it's crude but effective.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 4:50 am
by dharras
CaptainQuirk969 wrote:Thanks!

I'll post my results.

I've got a really nice top-view render of Enterprise-A from one of the FASA sites and I've got all of the check boxes/blocks in place across the picture
No. Please don't post your results if it involves the Enterprise-A - it'll cause all sorts of trouble with regards to licensing and copyright.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:45 am
by Jean
It will cause problems with Paramount and with FASA copyright holders. Posts of the renders or links to the renders would have to be deleted so as to be legal.

Jean
WebMom

Re: SSD Page Layout Software?

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 1:44 pm
by Scoutdad
CaptainQuirk969 wrote:Does anyone happen to know what software program is used to make the full color SSD layout for FedCommander SSDs? I've been working one up in MS Word, but if there's a simpler way to do it using an already developed toolkit or a color scheme I could follow, that would be great!
Since ADB uses Macs, I'm sure they are done in Pagemaker or possibly AI.

I use CorelDraw 10.0 for any that I do for my own use.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 3:43 pm
by Alex Knight
I used OpenOffice Draw for my Fed DHD from CL... whatever that number was. Turned out nicely, I think.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:36 pm
by Steve Cole
I use Freehand 8 on my Mac to create ship cards.

Petrick uses DeskPaint on his Mac to create SSDs.

We then import them (and just about everything) into Pagemaker to generate the PDFs that actually go to the printers or print engines.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:47 pm
by ericphillips
CaptainQuirk969 wrote:I have PowerPoint, but have no idea how to use it. I just downloaded the freeware Scribus (which is supposed to be similar to Quark Xpress) and I think I'm going to give that a shot.
Scribus, Quark and InDesign (oh, and PageMaker which is a dead program) are page layout programs, used to make a finished book or magazine. Its not what you want.

I use Photoshop and get great results.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 6:48 pm
by ssgbryan
Steve Cole wrote:I use Freehand 8 on my Mac to create ship cards.

Petrick uses DeskPaint on his Mac to create SSDs.

We then import them (and just about everything) into Pagemaker to generate the PDFs that actually go to the printers or print engines.
Wow, so you guys don't use anything from the 21st century?

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:29 pm
by Captain Nebula
Thanks for all the great responses!

I finally got MS Word to cooperate. Kinda...

Here's a question: Can I post SSDs with the movie era ships offsite and have a link for people who still use the FASA minis?

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:39 pm
by Scoutdad
CaptainQuirk969 wrote:Here's a question: Can I post SSDs with the movie era ships offsite and have a link for people who still use the FASA minis?
I'd be willing to bet that'd be a no. ADB can not condone anything (imagery or links to imagery) that would violate its licensing agreement.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:20 pm
by Jean
Scoutdad is correct. Doing so violates our license and we cannot condone such actions or allow them to be mentioned on our Forum or BBS.

Let's end that line of discussion right here.

Jean
WebMom

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:36 pm
by Captain Nebula
Fair enough.

It's too bad, tho. Even my Dad said what I was working on looked pretty sharp.

I'll see if I can find a really good Constitution render and swap the pic.