Kales Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Is there a program or web site that will let youy design a chapter/legion symbol, I am looking to design one for my space marines. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/282109-looking-for-a-way-to-design-my-legionchapter-symbol/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffTibbetts Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 I do logo design so my process is probably not accessible for someone who's just dabbling, but I'll let you know anyway in case it's interesting to you. I start with good old pencil/pen and paper and looking up a ton of source materials or inspiration. Depending on what you're going for, looking up art from the culture you're trying to replicate in your chapter can be very rewarding. Not to copy, but for the general flavor. For my chapter, the world they recruit from is based loosely on pre-columbian South American native cultures, particularly those in Peru, Mexico, etc. I found some eagle heads that I liked and sort of mixed them with sports logo styling. To say it's a cross between Aztec art and the Iowa Hawkeyes logo is not a far stretch at all. That being said, I made maybe half a dozen versions on paper, sketching things out and messing with the proportions until I felt it was well balanced. I colored and shaded a couple that were closest as well. Once I had decided an the shape and outline, I scanned it in to my computer and rebuilt in in Adobe Illustrator. It's a great program for drawing vector art (basically it uses math to create curves that can be scaled up or down, like fonts, instead of pixel art) but it's expensive. I know there are a bunch of free or cheap alternatives but I can't really say what's good or not. Once I had the shapes outlined the way I wanted, I pulled that file into Adobe Photoshop (another expensive program. GIMP is a free alternative that some people really like) and added the colors to it, as well as making a fancy version with some texture and subtle shading, etc. I took this finished logo and made a sheet of transfers which I then printed up so they would match across my army. The most important thing here is that, if you want this to look good, you should do some research on what makes a good logo in the first place. Look at American football and basketball team logos for starters. They have the same kind of bold colors, aggressive lines, simple shapes and balanced compositions that a good Space Marine chapter badge would. There are a ton of websites like behance.net and dribbble.com (not spelled wrong, there are three 'b's) where you can look up logos. Read a website or two that explains what a good logo should have or not have. It's a fun process, and now I really look at company logos very differently. Have fun with it! I hope I helped in same way... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/282109-looking-for-a-way-to-design-my-legionchapter-symbol/#findComment-3499436 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenith Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 There are many. I use corel draw for work. Others include:: Adobe illustrator, InDesign. Just search for free graphics packages. Google should really be the first port of call when asking whether something exists, as opposed to a forum! EDIT: Powerpoint also works as a makeshift logo maker. you can trace images and stuff. Its a bit more crude than a dedicated illustration package, but it'll get the job done. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/282109-looking-for-a-way-to-design-my-legionchapter-symbol/#findComment-3502696 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kales Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 I was actualy refering to weather or not there is a program/website available such as the space marine painter, I could try and use photo shop or paint, but my skills on these aint great. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/282109-looking-for-a-way-to-design-my-legionchapter-symbol/#findComment-3504193 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffTibbetts Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Ah. I see. Most of the ones I've seen online are A) junk and give you a set of shapes to use and B) are made for small business and cost money even though they all say 'free' on them. I think you really should download some software, man. Sorry. Or maybe ask around and see if anyone can help you out? You want to end up with something that's at least as good as you could hand paint, or make from GE transfers. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/282109-looking-for-a-way-to-design-my-legionchapter-symbol/#findComment-3504299 Share on other sites More sharing options...
geektom Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Happy to see this thread as I am hoping to make some custom transfers but have no idea where to start. I see online that there are some resources for "transfer paper"-- can that be used in any inkjet printer? Do they work they same as other transfers once they are printed? I am also planning on experimenting with thin plasticard for chapter badges since my symbol is a simple lightning bolt. Other than cutting each one by hand-- any suggestions on getting them made more efficiently? Thanks! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/282109-looking-for-a-way-to-design-my-legionchapter-symbol/#findComment-3507701 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffTibbetts Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Oooooh. Plasticard? That's not a half bad idea. Feel like dropping some money? I bet a Cricut would do it. They're made for crafters and scrapbookers, but if you've ever known one of them they like to buy things and never use them. I bet you could get one for a cheap if you start digging. I'm sure you could rig up some kind of die-cut system if you're a DIY kind of dude. As for transfers… I love my custom transfers but they are a labor of love. I sure did buy some transfer paper online and print them on an inkjet. However… My chapter badge just HAD to be white on a green background, and you can't print white on a standard printer. Ugh. Save yourself about ten million headaches and do a dark badge on a light background. I promise that's the BEST advice you will ever get about making your own transfers. I'd be happy to talk your ear off about this stuff but I feel bad for thread-hijacking already. Hit me up via PM or start up a new thread if you decide if you want to do physical ones in card or print your own. You don't have an airbrush, do you? If so, you might just be able to make a simple stencil and paint them right on. I wish I could do that with mine! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/282109-looking-for-a-way-to-design-my-legionchapter-symbol/#findComment-3507718 Share on other sites More sharing options...
geektom Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I have the GW "air brush", but I don't think it is precise enough for that. Cricut is not a bad idea! I think I even know someone who has one! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/282109-looking-for-a-way-to-design-my-legionchapter-symbol/#findComment-3507836 Share on other sites More sharing options...
geektom Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 My chapter badge is a golden-yellow lightning bolt on a light gray background-- think that will work. here is the thread of my WIP: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/281932-new-army-blog-storm-brothers/ so you can see. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/282109-looking-for-a-way-to-design-my-legionchapter-symbol/#findComment-3507844 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffTibbetts Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Oh yeah. That badge will print fine. I would do a little light Googling and look up some tutes on printing custom decals or transfers. I have to admit, for flat surfaces the plasticard is the way to go. That looks awesome. If you can track down a cricut you should be able to at least test that out. I'd keep it real thin if you can, but man, that could really give it a polished look, IMO. Side note: Inspired by this thread I called a ton of places around here and I found one who can print white ink! I have no idea if the heat curing will mess up the paper or if the special ink will withstand the process, but it's worth a shot! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/282109-looking-for-a-way-to-design-my-legionchapter-symbol/#findComment-3507901 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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