Homebrew model photography: a subjective guide to unprofessional practice

[PR19_Kit]

Actually I find that a bitmap image editor works fine for 1/72 scale stuff. I even use it for 1/32 scale slot car decals.

Vector graphics software is the 'Turbo DOHC' version of graphics stuff for sure, but the basic 'bitmap GLS' version still gets you there. 

[The Rat]

If you want to create decals, I'd rather recommend a different type of program. GIMP (or MS Paint) are good to manipulate bitmaps, like photo files. However, when you want to design things like flags, roundels or stencils, you better use a program that is based on vector graphics and the respective file formats (I use a vintage but robust Corel Draw package; MS Powerpoint is actually based on vectro graphics, too, and offers a lot of options for home-brew decals!). The benefit of vector graphics: you create an "open", scalable basis, independent from a bitmap's resolution which you might want to modify, with much better quality and detail control. "MS Paint if enough" is not an option and IMHO unprofessional.

I won't provide tutorials, though, because I am not a trainer and can hardly convey what I learnt-by-doing with the software packages I tried/used over the years, sorry.

Thanks.

[HyirosQ]

If you want to create stickers, I recommend the Canadian program Corel.
This is a program package and includes, among others:
- vector graphics program: Corel DRAW,
- program for processing bitmap images and photos: Corel Photopaint (used, among others, by small printing houses and printing companies).
I personally use Corel DRAW.
In it I create everything I need:
- T-shirt designs,
- logos for companies, music bands,
- airplane decals,
- operational inscriptions for aircraft,
I have been using this package for many years and I am happy with it and feel completely at ease with it.
The advantage of Corel DRAW is that you create graphics and then you can modify them as you wish. Let me give you the designs of cardboard models as an example: once you have made an airplane model (two-dimensional, i.e. flat, ready to print), you can modify it an infinite number of times without any loss of quality.
Corel DRAW ensures high quality and detail.
The problem is the issue of printing such images, which you will then use as decals for your plane or model.
There are different schools and different printing methods.
My fellow modelers use the following method:
they buy a blank A4 sheet of paper and then print what they need with an inkjet printer.
Like my predecessor, I have to write:
" However, I will not provide tutorials because I am not a trainer and it is difficult for me to convey what I have learned using software packages I have tried/used over the years."
However, I will add one thing: Corel DRAW is great for modeling applications.
Below are some examples of graphics created in Corel DRAW:
1. Rhinoceros as my private personal emblem for the plane,
2. On-board instruments of a trainer aircraft,
The works are my own.