The "other" industrial layout...

[DKS]

The reason it does that in Paint is because Paint is a bitmap image editing program (like Photoshop), meaning the image is rendered as pixels at whatever the resolution is according to the image size. When you are typing the text, it's being rendered at screen resolution; when you are done typing the text, the temporary screen image is then converted into a bitmap and merged with the rest of the image. If the image resolution setting is low (or the image is small), then the text will become very pixelated. If you had started with a much larger image (i.e. larger than the screen), then the text will not become as pixelated.

Vector art programs, on the other hand (such as Adobe Illustrator), store the image information as data: text will be actual editable text, and not an image of the characters; primitives such as rectangles or circles are stored as X-Y coordinates, and rendered on the screen at whatever resolution the screen can handle. The image can thus be re-sized to any dimensions without loss of resolution because there are no "pixels" involved other than those used to display the data. The vector information can be converted into a bitmap for use in other applications, and the resolution will be dependent on the size of the bitmap file that is exported.

Word processors are actually crude vector applications, although it becomes a hybrid of sorts when you import a bitmap image into a document. That's where you can run into all sorts of goofy and frustrating resolution issues. Incidentally, CAD is a 3-D vector drawing application designed for purposes other than rendering images; it can be used to generate art, but its limited controls make it impractical.

There are free, relatively easy-to-use vector drawing programs available to download (example: GIMP), and you might want to give one a try, since it could solve a lot of the problems you are having. Start here: http://www.freevector.com/news/free-design-programs/

[Chris333]

I downloaded Gimp right before I used Paint. The problem (for me) is none of these programs have step-by-step instructions on how to make a model railroad sign.     I'm on vacation next week maybe I can figure out how Gimp works.

[parkrrrr]

There are free, relatively easy-to-use vector drawing programs available to download (example: GIMP), and you might want to give one a try, since it could solve a lot of the problems you are having. Start here: http://www.freevector.com/news/free-design-programs/

GIMP is primarily a bitmap program. You might have been thinking of Inkscape.

[DKS]

GIMP is primarily a bitmap program. You might have been thinking of Inkscape.

Yes, you are correct.

[peteski]

Geez Chris, you are a superb modeler and here you are struggling to make simple signs using what I would call s stone tablet and chisel of a graphic tools.

Judginh by the threads in the crew lounge, it appears that you are at least somewhat computer-literate.   Get youself a vector-based graphic program (like Inkscape) and spend few days learning its basics.  It will become an invaluable modeling tool for you!  You'll then wonder how you ever got around without it.

Programs such as Inkscape, Corel Draw, or Illustrator make things like designing signs so much easier.  Not only you can manipulate the lettering and other graphics with ease, these programs also give you ability to know the exact size of the graphics you'll be printing out.    This is so much better than the trial and error printing from Paint or Wordpad.  I often scan things like sides of a building kit (or even a side of a model car), place the actual size scan on a locked layer in Corel, then design and size the graphics over the scan to exactly fit their designated space on the model.  That way, there is no guessing if the printed out version will fit the model correctly.  It will!   

[pwnj]

+1,000,000,003 for InkScape.  And I do the same thing with the scanning and locked layer for sizing.  Works fantastic!  Chris, let us know if you need help.  We'll bring you into the 21st Century, even if it's kicking and screaming. 

[Chris333]

Guess I can try Inkscape as well.

Several years ago I downloaded CorelDRAW and found some great online video that showed step by step how to make a sign for a coffee shop. I thought that was perfect and the video stopped at every step while you did it yourself. My coffee shop sign was nothing at all like the one in the video, I couldn't even get the color right, and this was following exact direction. Shortly after I deleted it from my computer.

Also has Adobe CS3 installed so I could convert autoCAD drawings over, it didn't come close to working and I literally couldn't draw a level line with it.

As far as being computer literate, well I'm very good at getting them to piss me off 

[Chris333]

Is there anything out there that is like autoCAD? So I at least know what the commands are.

I can't even figure out how to make 2 different sized texts with inkscape. And once the text is there I can't move it in any way. 

[LKOrailroad]

Also has Adobe CS3 installed

You are already way ahead of the game. Most of the CS3 suites include Illustrator. There is an awesome amount of help on the Internet to teach you everything you need to know about Illustrator. Trust me. Speaking as a long time Illustrator user, the learning curve is well worth the effort.

[DKS]

Speaking as a long time Illustrator user, the learning curve is well worth the effort.

I would have to disagree. Illustrator is to computer graphics applications what a Big Boy is to steam locomotives--huge, lumbering and way over-powered for what Chris needs. The learning curve, I will also argue, is much steeper than that for Corel Draw, which I've used since version 1. I also use Illustrator, and much prefer Corel has having a far more user-friendly interface. But even Corel Draw is a Challenger, when Chris only needs an 0-4-0 switcher--in other words, a lightweight, easy-to-use application, which does not characterize Corel or Illustrator.

Is there anything out there that is like autoCAD? So I at least know what the commands are.

Alas, to my knowledge, there aren't any vector applications with a CAD-like interface. They are geared for illustrators, not engineers, so they will by their very purpose be quite different.

[Chris333]

This is what I'm talking about with learning these programs. If I watch this video:

/>The guy starts with a box and I did that. Then around 2:15 he colors the box in. I do exactly what he says and I can't get my box to fill in, or it fills in a way I don't want. Then I can't find the "undo" button.

Is the guy skipping steps or something?

[DKS]

Is the guy skipping steps or something?

The problem with demonstrating the use of applications is that, invariably, the person demonstrating is highly skilled with the application, and some steps, while perhaps not skipped, aren't explained in enough detail because the presenter isn't always looking at things through the eyes of someone completely unfamiliar with the application. It could be something as simple as making sure the focus is maintained on an object. Or, perhaps your PC doesn't have a video driver capable of handling the full range of colors, or there is a configuration setting that has been overlooked; hard to say without standing over your shoulder and observing every step.

[LKOrailroad]

Illustrator is to computer graphics applications what a Big Boy is to steam locomotives--huge, lumbering and way over-powered for what Chris needs.

I agree Illustrator is powerful like the Big Boy. But for what Chris wants to do only a very few of Illustrator's tools need to be used. Basic use of those few tools could be learned in just minutes. To use Illustrator he doesn't need to use all of its power. The Big Boy can also be used to pull a single car. Since Chris is struggling to use his software tools I voted for Illustrator because of the extremely plentiful amount of quality help on the Internet. Adobe's own Help section is without equal.

[Chris333]

I got to 0:52 on this one:

/>Once he pulled and made the text bigger I couldn't figure out how to do that.

[LKOrailroad]

Once he pulled and made the text bigger I couldn't figure out how to do that.

Click and drag the corner handle.