Question for all the logo creators....

[cprongs2]

How do you create them? Are most of you graphics designers? Do you have some software that helps?

I've mainly used Cephajames' and other's logos from their photobucket sites for my fictional leagues (a very big thank you for sharing those!)

But, now with so much customization for logos with uniforms, caps, jerseys, I was just wondering what it would take to get in on the fun.

Thanks!

[Oxydizer]

Originally Posted by cprongs2

How do you create them? Are most of you graphics designers? Do you have some software that helps?

I've mainly used Cephajames' and other's logos from their photobucket sites for my fictional leagues (a very big thank you for sharing those!)

But, now with so much customization for logos with uniforms, caps, jerseys, I was just wondering what it would take to get in on the fun.

Thanks!

Hi Cprongs, I use Paint Shop Pro 8 and it has taken me two years to really figure out the program, I still learn new things about it every day. I'm no graphic designer, but I do like to draw and paint, so I guess thats where I get my pleasure of making logo's from. I too get just about all the images from Cephas's photo bucket, I also do a LOT of searching, like at the logo web sites Like Cris Creamers and similar sites. I would say if you want to get into doing the logo thing, go buy yourself a good program like Paint Shop Pro, there are many others as well. Then get yourself a template to work with, I think Knuckler has a template attached to all his posts, I can provide you with a few also. Then just start playing around with the program.

I hope this helps you out!!

[Le Grande Orange]

Unlike most of the folks who create logos around here, I don't use a photo-editing program, I used a vector drawing program. CorelDRAW, specifically. Though I do use Photoshop to do final colour correction and converting it to .png format.

Something I've found helpful is to browse through lots of sites which have real-world team logos and save all the ones that you like or that you find interesting. Print them out and then you have some handy references to use for inspiration.

With all the new options for team logos thanks to FaceGen, I'm going to have to try and get back into logo making again. It's been a long time...

[Deft]

For starters go with a bitmap tool like Paint Shop or Photoshop. Most people use it to modify existing logos.

Vector graphics is the next step and what you can use to start from scratch.

To get familiar with these tools without spending a lot, try out GIMP. It's freeware very similar to Adobe PhotoShop

http://www.gimp.org/

[cephasjames]

Originally Posted by Deft

To get familiar with these tools without spending a lot, try out GIMP. It's freeware very similar to Adobe PhotoShop

http://www.gimp.org/

GIMP is what I have used. I haven't upgraded mine in awhile so I don't know how well it compares to others... but its free and does a lot of great stuff.

[Le Grande Orange]

Incidentally, IMO, a vector-based drawing program is MUCH better for doing logos than is a raster-based image editing program. Generally, there are a lot of quite useful, easy-to-use features in a drawing program that are only doable in a photo-editing program with some degree of difficulty.

But I'm pretty much a lone voice in the wilderness on this opinion. At least 'round these parts anyway.

[Deft]

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

Incidentally, IMO, a vector-based drawing program is MUCH better for doing logos than is a raster-based image editing program. Generally, there are a lot of quite useful, easy-to-use features in a drawing program that are only doable in a photo-editing program with some degree of difficulty.

But I'm pretty much a lone voice in the wilderness on this opinion. At least 'round these parts anyway.

No, I have moved to Illustrator and do most of my work in it.

[rocknfire7]

I keep telling myself that I will move over to Illustrator any day now. LGO is right. It is a better program to make larger quality logos that don't lose any clarity when shrinked or expanded. (vector based) I currently use Photoshop and I am not very good at all at "creating" logos. What I am good at though is altering images enough to make them look as though I created them. I have been teaching myself Photoshop for a few years now and really have learned a lot from other creators/alterers on this forum.

just wish I had more time to do them!!!

[cprongs2]

Thanks for the information/suggestions. I downloaded the Gimp program just to see what its all about. I have to admit, the program looks a little overhwelming. (so much that I promise never to take for granted all the logos that have been made by the OOTP Community). Maybe I can figure the program out......

I found the cirlce template from Knuckler. Do most of you use a template, modify an existing logo somehow, or make them from scratch?

Raster-based vs. Vector-based??

[Oxydizer]

Originally Posted by cprongs2

Thanks for the information/suggestions. I downloaded the Gimp program just to see what its all about. I have to admit, the program looks a little overhwelming. (so much that I promise never to take for granted all the logos that have been made by the OOTP Community). Maybe I can figure the program out......

I found the cirlce template from Knuckler. Do most of you use a template, modify an existing logo somehow, or make them from scratch?

Raster-based vs. Vector-based??

This is one thing I like about PSP, you can create in Raster or Vector.

[Oxydizer]

If you really want to get a commercial graphics program, go take a look at ebay, I was just there and they have 3 or 4 pages of Corel, Photoshop and Paintshop Pro programs, all very reasonably priced, around 20-30 bucks. I'm not putting down GIMP because I have never used it, if it will work for you then save your money. I think the first thing to do with any graphics program is to get very comfortable with it and learn all you can.

[cephasjames]

Originally Posted by Oxydizer

If you really want to get a commercial graphics program, go take a look at ebay, I was just there and they have 3 or 4 pages of Corel, Photoshop and Paintshop Pro programs, all very reasonably priced, around 20-30 bucks. I'm not putting down GIMP because I have never used it, if it will work for you then save your money. I think the first thing to do with any graphics program is to get very comfortable with it and learn all you can.

Yeah, GIMP is great if you don't want to spend any money. But it definitely has its limits. If you're really serious about doing logos putting down some $$ would be a good idea.

On GIMP, here's a couple threads that might give you some help.

So I'm trying to learn GIMP 2.0...
Help with the GIMP for making custom uniforms.

[84Hammy]

I am not a logo maker, but I just read this: "Now you can load any .png or .jpg file from anywhere using the new and improved file browser dialog. OOTP will automatically convert it to .png and copy it into the proper folder." --which leads me to believe that I could download a picture of my grandmaw and turn it into the logo for my team, The Stubsville Blue Hairs. Am I right, or am I off my rocker?

[Gambo]

I use PSP8 and like it was said above I still haven't figured everything out. But It works for me...

[endgame]

Originally Posted by 84Hammy

I am not a logo maker, but I just read this: "Now you can load any .png or .jpg file from anywhere using the new and improved file browser dialog. OOTP will automatically convert it to .png and copy it into the proper folder." --which leads me to believe that I could download a picture of my grandmaw and turn it into the logo for my team, The Stubsville Blue Hairs. Am I right, or am I off my rocker?

Sounds right, however I'd assume you'd still have to resize to 150x150 before making that selection. It appears, at least in my reading, that the function is one of selection and conversion to file type along with naming the file appropriately.

[StorminZ]

So that LGO doesn't feel alone, I will chime in with support for vector-based drawing programs.

IMHO, a vector drawing program allows the designer far greater capabilities in creating original artwork that is scalable, a significant plus over raster programs in that vector files retain their sharp edges regardless of enlargement or reduction in size. But raster (bitmap) programs do play their role ... one need only see the work of Knuckler and many others around here to see the what can be generated.

So, the question one must answer is whether or not they wish to create original objects, or to use existing objects and apply effects to those. The results can be every bit as stunning either way.

As for vector-based programs, CorelDraw and Photoshop provide the widest range of features. Inkscape and DrawPlus (the freeware version) are available for free d/l, though I cannot vouch for their feature set. I am a CD user and have been for over 10 years and would highly recommend it.

Have fun drawing or creating whatever way you choose ... kinda brings the kid out in all of us!

[Deft]

I use Illustrator with vectors. Here are two different logos. The in-process Milwaukee Badgers logo and the old Montreal Ice Cubes logo. The most obvious difference is the crispness of vector logos. But they take much more creativity, time, and talent.

[DesertFox07]

I used PhotoShop 7 to convert my bitmap logos to PNG. Was actually a pretty painless process because I had all my logos as seperate PhotoShop layers over a black layer. So I just added layer masks and exported. Did 50 in only about an hour or so.

[SSG Troyer]

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

Incidentally, IMO, a vector-based drawing program is MUCH better for doing logos than is a raster-based image editing program. Generally, there are a lot of quite useful, easy-to-use features in a drawing program that are only doable in a photo-editing program with some degree of difficulty...

I use Paint Shop Pro 9's vector drawing quite a bit, especially for arranging text on a curve ...