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 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

Permalink Reply by Alexander Gwynne on April 27, 2010 at 1:46pm: Who needs oll of these systems, i make every toy and custom I do on powerpoint 2003, I recomend it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tephlon on April 27, 2010 at 2:24pm: :-)

Some people do their toys in paint. It's not the tool, but the creativity. However, using the right tool for the right job will make your life much easier.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Matthijs Kamstra aka [mck] on April 27, 2010 at 2:48pm: wow... that is amazing... really? Powerpoint?

I have heard of people using Flash for illustrations but never Powerpoint.

Although you have made amazing papertoy/custom you are using a program that originally designed to create presentations.
A program specially designed for illustrations will have more features/tools to make your work simpler and eventually better.

I think you should use the best tools there is, and the correct tool for the job.
(you can use a saw to hammer a nail, but a hammer will do it much better!!)

But that's my opinion :)
(and your papertoys are good); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alexander Gwynne on April 28, 2010 at 4:15am: Thats what you would think but...... Once you know powerpoints secrets there is no end to what you can do. If I can get some screen recording program I'll make a toy from start to end on powerpoint and fil it all to show you. :D; ▶ Reply to This