The paper toy network

Tools (Software)

As we have several people here that were asking about what software to use and stuff like that, I thought it might be nice to have a thread with links to software.

Now, we all know that it's possible to download software illegally and/or crack them. This thread is not for those links. This one is for FREE software, and/or shareware.

Here's my list:
The GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program)
GIMPshop (A version of The GIMP made to look as much as Photoshop as possible)
Inkscape Free Vector drawing program
DrawPlus 4 (DrawPlus 6 is $9.99. Same site)

Sketchup Really easy 3D program. Very basic.

Blender 3D program. Hardcore 3D.

Pepakura (Limited Shareware) Program to "unfold" 3D data into a paper model.

Feel free to add your own!

Tags: freeware, open source, software

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Matthijs Kamstra aka [mck] on December 29, 2008 at 2:23pm: After downloading the latest papertoy of Matt Hawkins, I asked myself why he chose to release snomoe in 3 pdf files?

It's possible to join two or more pdf files with Adobe Acrobat. I do it all the time: design in two different Illustrator files, export to pdf and join the two pdf files in Acrobat. The only downside is that it's commercial software.

So without even finding out why Matt uses 3 files I searched the internet for free/open source software to combine/merge/join two or more pdf files.

1. PDF Split and Merge: A free open source tool to split and merge pdf documents
This one will work on all platforms (Window, Mac, Linux), there are two versions but the basic version will be enough.
(read lifehacker.com and makeuseof.com for more info)

2. CombinePDFs
Works on Mac OS X 10.3.9 or newer.

3. PDFTools: PDFTools is a PDF management application. It can encrypt, decrypt, join, split, stamp, create and rearrange a PDF file.
Window only

4. PDFill pdf tools: PDFill PDF Tools are FREE PDF Toolbox to Merge, Split, Reorder, Encrypt, Decrypt, Rotate, Crop, Reformat, Header, Footer, Watermark, Images to PDF, PDF to Images, Form Fields Delete/Flatten/List, and PostScript to PDF.
Windows only

5. pdftkbuilder: If PDF is electronic paper, then pdftk is an electronic staple-remover, hole-punch, binder, secret-decoder-ring, and X-Ray-glasses.
I red that a lot of people used pdftk (pdf toolkit), that is a commandline tool for all platforms (Window, Mac, Linux). But commandline isn't for everybody, so pdftkbuilder is an gui (graphical user interface) for windows to make it somewhat easier.

6. Adolix Split & Merge PDF
it only does what it says: it splits/merges pdf files, windows only; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Matthijs Kamstra aka [mck] on April 7, 2009 at 11:55am: We shouldn't forget about this post, so I will add another one:

Now we have all those design tools, but what can we add to our design to make it popout more.....

Fonts!

So here a list of site with a number of free fonts for designers:
http://www.alvit.de/blog/article/20-best-license-free-official-fonts
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/11/08/40-excellent-freefonts-f...
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2006/10/11/17-more-free-quality-fonts/
http://www.noupe.com/fonts/50-free-fonts-for-professional-designs.html

but for my less designy fonts I usually end up at:
http://www.dafont.com

So now you have these fonts, how to install them on a pc?

There are a couple of programs that I've tried and I ended up with: Nexusfont
(visit http://www.xiles.net/, goto downloads and find Nexusfont); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tephlon on April 10, 2009 at 10:01am: This might just replace my nine (!) year old copy of Extensis Suitcase.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Czentnar on April 8, 2009 at 1:02pm: These are great softwares, I use Gimp and Inkscape.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jerom on April 18, 2009 at 2:15am: New software on the scene: Ultimate Papercraft 3D(i've seen this news on Paperkraft.net). More expensive than Pepakura Designer ((almost 40$) but here is a free Demo ;)
More infos on the site: http://www.papercraft3d.com/.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by paulo on June 3, 2009 at 12:07pm: I only use Paint from Windows XP; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tephlon on June 3, 2009 at 12:42pm: So, hopefully you'll check out the programs mentioned in this thread and learn to use them so you can become a better artist.
Note that generally the tools don't make the artist*, it's just that Paint sucks and it's holding you back.

Don't argue, it is holding you back.

Microsoft messed up with Paint. Their "Paintbrush" program that was in Windows 3.11 (Showing my age here, guys) was easier to use than this abomination.

* Yes, I've seen people do amazing stuff in Paint. I still think that they could have done better/more amazing things with GIMP or Paint.NET.

Edit: By the way, minor nitpick/pet-peeve I have: Paint is NOT A FREE PROGRAM. You pay for it when you buy Windows. (When you buy a new PC 99% of the time you are also buying a copy of Windows. It's actually hard to not buy Windows. ); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by hyad on June 3, 2009 at 10:48pm: hello !!!
personally i use :

-autocad 2008
-rhino 3d
it's for the model 3d and vectors detail and draws !!!

after i use :

photoshop
gimp
paint net

see you soon; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Matthijs Kamstra aka [mck] on June 15, 2009 at 3:38am: A list of 40 Windows/Mac Freeware and Open Source Software for Web Designers

I know that not everybody needs a text/wysiwyg editor, but they have a nice list of Image Editors and Utilities (Windows the first 13 items and Mac the first 17 items)

Windows:
http://desizntech.info/2009/06/40-windows-freeware-and-open-source-...

Mac:
http://desizntech.info/2009/06/40-mac-freewares-and-open-source-sof...

I don't know half of these programs but it will give you some room the experiment without having to pay....; ▶ Reply to This