Down Sizing A Pattern/template

[Louro]

How do you guys down size the pattern? I like to put a carving in a bussiness card wallet, the problem is that the carving is to big. Can I use a printer to resize the pattern?

Thanks.

Lou

[Gawdzilla]

How do you guys down size the pattern? I like to put a carving in a bussiness card wallet, the problem is that the carving is to big. Can I use a printer to resize the pattern?

Thanks.

Lou

If you have a photo manipulation package that allows you to resize the image by percentages just scan it and print out a size that looks likely. Tweak the resize to get an exact fit.

[Tina]

My best tip is to use a Desktop Puplishing Program (DTP). I have used Serif's Page Plus for more than 10 years now, very affordable if you buy a newer version or even more affordable to just uppgrade.

This program lets you play around as if you had an ordinary desktop with loose pictures (text) or what ever and you can lay them around anywhere/anyhow you like...Resize, rotate and more. If you learn this program you have an excellent tool in your quest of making your own patterns if hand drawing is not your prefference. The "not ancient" versions even let you make PDF's and Web designs.

Another tip about this program in specific is that there is free, older versions out there readdy to be used, just make a search for them, a good start :-)

[Gawdzilla]

I use Paint Shop from Corel for tricky jobs, but for resizing I just use Office Picture Manager. You can resize to a specific measurement, by percentage, etc.

[Louro]

Thanks for the advice, I'm a little computer challenge but I will try to look up and learn some of this program.

I use Paint Shop from Corel for tricky jobs, but for resizing I just use Office Picture Manager. You can resize to a specific measurement, by percentage, etc.

[Gawdzilla]

Thanks for the advice, I'm a little computer challenge but I will try to look up and learn some of this program.

Just open the picture, chose "Picture" from the top menu. Then choose "Resize" for the drop down menu. On the right side you'll see a set of options. I downscale by 25% at a time until it gets too small and then go back up 5% or less at a time until I'm happy with the size.

Important, save the original under a new name, like "Pattern-Original", Picture Manager will work on the picture loaded unless you open a new picture.

Let me know if you have any problems.

[caseroni]

I use a program called GIMP which is free to download. This is something I have used for years for any photo/image manipulation. It's pretty powerful for a free program.

[Rhide]

I've been using this one for wood carvings.

http://bluefive.pair.com/pixresizer.htm

Real basic and simple to use.

[Gawdzilla]

I use a program called GIMP which is free to download. This is something I have used for years for any photo/image manipulation. It's pretty powerful for a free program.

GIMP is good, I've used it online several times.

[Grandpa]

How do you guys down size the pattern? I like to put a carving in a bussiness card wallet, the problem is that the carving is to big. Can I use a printer to resize the pattern?

Thanks.

Lou

You can copy the saved image into Word, or the freebie Micro$oft compatible office application "Open Office" and resize easily from there. If you don't have it as a file but can see it on your monitor -=AND=- have MS Vista, you can use the snipping tool which is included(under Accessories) and copy, paste, resize, save etc that way. You can save the captured screen image as a file or as I mentioned, paste into a document and save or print etc.

I find images I like then copy/paste (or use the Snipping Tool) them into a Word doc. Later on I open the doc, click on the image, resize or copy/paste to another Word doc and print so I have the pattern as a hard copy to trace onto tracing film or directly onto the leather. Works for me!

[Ladykahu]

I take it one step further..

I use either publisher or photoshop to resize, flip etc my images...

Then I am naughty and gently trace directly on my laptop screen onto my tracing paper. I use a really good quality pencil and hardly press at all, then firm up the lines on a table afterwards.

The laptop screen being backlight really makes tracing easy. But do NOT press hard or you will damage LCD screens. My laptop screen folds flat so it becomes a tablet (kinda)

Natalie

[Gawdzilla]

I take it one step further..

I use either publisher or photoshop to resize, flip etc my images...

Then I am naughty and gently trace directly on my laptop screen onto my tracing paper. I use a really good quality pencil and hardly press at all, then firm up the lines on a table afterwards.

The laptop screen being backlight really makes tracing easy. But do NOT press hard or you will damage LCD screens. My laptop screen folds flat so it becomes a tablet (kinda)

Natalie

Naughty naughty!

(Using an ultra-fine Sharpie would help prevent damage to the screen, yes?)

[Ladykahu]

I tried a felt tip pen, but go better results from a pencil, it also meant I could 'refine' if needed if I made an error in tracing.

Natalie

[Gawdzilla]

I tried a felt tip pen, but go better results from a pencil, it also meant I could 'refine' if needed if I made an error in tracing.

Natalie

I never make an errors, so a sharpie is fine for me.

*goes off to buy some pencils*

[Louro]

Thanks guys for all your input., when I get some time I will try it.

I never make an errors, so a sharpie is fine for me.

*goes off to buy some pencils*

[chestercheeto]

Paint.net is another good one as well.