User`s manual

Chapter 10 - Software Overview

Version 5.5 Revised January, 2009

Using Computer Graphics Software

In order to print a good looking image on a shirt, you need a good piece of artwork. The customer

typically has no idea about the type or quality of artwork needed so you are often stuck with inferior

designs. If you don’t have computer graphics experience, you might print this bad artwork and then blame

your printer for the poor quality image.

We often hear from rst time users that they did not think they would need to know about graphics

software. Getting a great image onto a garment, however, is not the same as taking your digital camera’s

memory card to the drug store and getting pictures made. Yes, it would seem that simple and it CAN be,

but in the world of T-Shirt printing there are many variables.

Visit our support site for videos on working with FastARTIST along with Corel, Adobe

Illustrator and Photoshop. Refer to Chapter 17 - Product Support for information on

how to log on to our support site and view these videos.

Image Types

Vector

Currently there are two types of graphics programs – Vector

and Bitmap. FastARTIST, CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator

and Macromedia Freehand are called vector programs. Vector

programs create images based on shapes somewhat like a

coloring book. They typically have hundreds or even thousands

of typefaces and many have extensive “coloring book” type

stock clip art that you can use to create artwork.

Vector programs are generally used for images with a hard edge

like race designs, school mascots, corporate logos, etc.

Pixel Based Bitmap

Programs like FastARTIST and Adobe Photoshop

are called pixel, or raster based programs, and work

great for photographic images. Bitmap applications

can lighten, darken, sharpen and even create images.

Photoshop is a common graphics program used by

many for manipulating images, but FastARTIST also

contains similar editing tools. Images with lots of

gradations or that are photorealistic are generally created

and manipulated in programs such as FastARTIST and

Photoshop.

Note: FastARTIST is both a bitmap and vector graphic program!