Digital tips and tricks?

MOO

I don't even know if I know how to formulate this question...or if I know enough to ask using the right vocabulary :-)...etc. But, here goes:

I am learning to use Inkscape and GIMP together. I know that Inkscape is a vector program (like illustrator) and GIMP is not. I'm not sure about sizes and so forth and resolution. I usually want things 8.5 x 11 so that I can scan and print them on a standard machine, etc.

The end result I want is to have images that are 300dpi and 8.5 X 11 (at the biggest) that I can easily put into a KDP book format and be acceptable for printing the first time I send it,

How do I mix these two programs together properly so I don't lose resolution or turn something jpeg instead of vectorized (is that the right word?)

Maybe the simple question is, what is the process you would use to go from a traditional drawing, upload and add to, adjust or clean it up digitally and then export as a PDF?

Hopefully this is clearer than mud. Thanks to anyone that might be able to help me out. Thanks!

Jim Algar

While I use different software, if I needed both raster and vector elements in a piece I'd go about it like this:

Do the traditional illustration work first, and scan it into the computer at high resolution as stated in your post.
Next, I'd do any raster artwork you need in GIMP. Export the image from GIMP, again, at high resolution.
Import the artwork into Inkscape and do your vector work.
Export the artwork as a PDF from Inkscape, and any vector work you have should remain vector.

I hope this is useful.

Geoffrey Gordon

Hi @Marsha-Kay-Ottum-Owen

Not to throw a spanner in the works, but jave used bith gimp and inkscape. I recently moved to clip studio and I am in love... this have both vector and raster layers in the same programe. I know that affinity designer also has the same combo of both...... I meation both as they are paid products but no that expensive each cost abut 49 dollars and have way more features and ease of use than gimp and inskape.

MOO

Thank you! useful. very ,Yes

MOO

Somehow that sentence came out backwards! Hmm..

jdubz

Can I ask what you're specifically doing with GIMP? Is it digital painting as a substitute for Photoshop?

MOO

@Geoffrey-Gordon I actually have Clipstudio but I can't get my tablet to work with it. I didn't realize it was raster and vector! I pretty much am a real beginner with doing anything but cleaning things up digitally.

MOO

@jdubz To be honest, I have used GIMP to clean up my traditional images. I got inkscape because I thought I needed to have a vector program. I can't really draw on inkscape but thought I could do text and then put it on my images after it was in GIMP. I haven't done a lot of drawing or artwork on GIMP. I made some adjustments on some pencil images I did for my current project so I wouldn't have to redraw them. Trying to figure out what to use, and how, to make my work easier while still working traditionally.

jdubz

Ok gotcha!

Yeah that's a tough one. I guess it's a double edged sword that there are a lot of Photoshop alternatives.

If you were doing a lot of digital painting I might suggest checking out Sketchbook by autodesk. It's been made free since I think last year, and I REALLY enjoy drawing and painting in it. It is a very capable app for digital work.

It sounds thought that you're using it more for post production. I'd check out the Affinity line by serif. Both Affinity Photo and Designer have raster and vector support, but they both have more focus in that area (Photo is a lot like photoshop and designer is alot like illustrator). They're like $40 for a license and you own it forever, so it's a huge bonus. Personally I like Affinity Designer better than Illustrator. A lot easier to work with and it's faster by far.

The digital brushes on Affinity Photo are actually pretty good. And I think I'd put the out-of-the-box photo editing against Photoshop any day.

I'm not sure how helpful that is but it might give you a couple more things to look at

MOO

@jdubz Thanks, it's always good to hear about good software. Maybe, if I ever start bein more fully digital, I will check those out Right now, I'm just playing arond I guess.