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Hand-drawn template into computer template

Again, I'm new at this and Really Appreciate help.

I have designed a toy that has a simple rectangle for the body -- that was easy -- Yeah!!

But, the arms and other parts I had to hand draw to get what I really wanted. Originally, I created the body template in Word. Then I just made some rectangles, filled them with color, printed them, drew my pattern on top of them and cut them out.

So my question is this: How do I turn my hand drawn pattern part into a template, like the templates I have downloaded from you guys, that I can work with when creating new skins, etc.? It has some curves -- which also adds to my dilema.

I look forward to sharing this toy because I like her alot. Thanks so much for your time in helping me out!

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Permalink Reply by Anna Blume & Henk Engst on April 6, 2009 at 6:33am

I use The Gimp which you can freely download. And there are soöe excellent manuals available, n different languages. It does the job, but I´m pretty sure there are better ways. Although I´m slowly getting efficient at it I still have no results I want to share :)

Looking forward to the answers of the pro´s here as well.

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Permalink Reply by Paper Drama on April 9, 2009 at 3:11pm

I have heard of The Gimp, but have not tried it yet. There is only so much room on my hard drive and so little time to try them all. My family already asks me "Are you really still on the computer?" I have several really simple toys I want to post -- I'm happy with them and they make me smile -- and that's really the key, right?
Now, I just have to figure out how to post them...%*) Thanks for replying.

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Permalink Reply by Paper Drama on April 9, 2009 at 3:08pm

Thomas, thanks for the reply. I do not have either one of these programs, but I have heard of them I am trying to learn Sketchup, but am still running into the same ? -- translating hand drawn into computer lingo. Haven't gotten there yet. I really wish someone would teach a class. I certainly would try to be there!! %*)

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Permalink Reply by Tephlon on April 9, 2009 at 1:45am

Check out this thread for loads of free software you can use to make your templates:
http://www.nicepapertoys.com/forum/topics/1905839:Topic:5161

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Permalink Reply by Paper Drama on April 9, 2009 at 3:06pm

Thanks so much for the list. Some of the programs I already am trying to use. I looked up one of the responses to your earlier thread about a computer screen that you could draw on -- cheapest was $999 -- way above a teacher's salary! %*( So I'm still looking for a beginner's way to make hand-drawn patterns into computer template.

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Permalink Reply by Tephlon on April 10, 2009 at 9:48am

I'd advise you to get a scanner. Or one of those printer/scanner combos. I've seen them for as low as 90€ (about 100 USD, I guess?) Then import it to Illustrator (Or Inkscape or whatever program you're the most comfortable with) and add it to your templates. :-)

Wacom Cintiqs are cool (And definitely on my "what to buy when I win the Lottery"-list) but not worth it if you're not using it as a professional tool.

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Permalink Reply by Paper Drama on April 10, 2009 at 10:18am

I downloaded Inkscape yesterday when I found it on that thread you sent me. So I will try to get all my ducks in a row and see what I can do. Thanks for the pointers -- I appreciate them! (but please watch for more questions...)

p.s. I'm right there with you on that Lottery stuff -- my list also includes a maid and a cook -- that would allow more creative time on the computer ya know? %*)