I've seen the Corel Draw program but I shy away from the $400.00 price tag. Then I came across a free program called "INKSCAPE" . Do any of you scrollers use this program? What do you folks use for pattern design or manipulation?

What I'm trying to do is carry the flag pattern a bit further. I will be adding a reversed image of the original flag, both tilted downward slightly with a Bald Eagle head between the upper sections of the flags and a curved banner below the flags that says"WELCOME". I'm having a hard time finding software that has a short learning curve but that will allow me to creat the banner with letters within the banner.

Mike, a lot of scrollers use Inkscape, or Gimp, I'm not too familiar with either one. I found a full version of Corel draw on ebay last year pretty reasonable, it wasn't the latest version but it works for me. Contact Karl Taylor he has some tutorials on his site http://scrollsawvideo.com/ and I'm sure he would glad to help you out

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Greg
Scroll Saw forum host

http://www.thesawdustfactory.net/

Thanks Greg I'll look into that. How big of a learning curve for the Corel draw program. I don't know why but I didn't think about a used version of Corel. I'll look on craigs list and ebay.

Mike

I use Photoshop. The learning curve is pretty steep, but they also have a lesser version for about $100 that is fairly easy to use. I have been running Photoshop for years and it does all of what you are looking to do, plus a ton more. Only problem is the price tag, not cheap.

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Mike, the version I found on ebay was new and unregistered, and came with Corel draw x4 and Corel photo paint. I don't remember what I paid for it but it was less than $100.00. Check out some of Karl's tutorials at http://scrollsawvideo.com/coreldraw-tutorials/ and Steve Good has plenty here 

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Greg
Scroll Saw forum host

http://www.thesawdustfactory.net/

Thanks I'll check out those programs you guys have mentioned. Thanks for the help.

There are lots of great programs out there.  

One of my  favorites is rapid resizer.  This program makes enlarging patterns to any size very easy.   I use this program often.  They offer a 14 day free trial. 

http://rapidresizer.com/?ad=google+rapid+resizer&gclid=CO6C4YH5wa4CFacaQgodJwjxUA

I also use a free program called paint.net.  This is a great program for manipulating patterns or pictures.  Best of all it's free.

Another FREE one I also use is called Serif Draw Plus starter edition.   I have used this for creating many patterns.  

http://www.serif.com/free-graphic-design-software/  

SQ

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Happiness is wood chips flying!