My mom is a graphic designer and uses Quark. She just switched from a PowerPC based Macbook Pro to an Intel based MacBook Pro. Using the new Macbook Pro, she can't seem to open the Quark files she created using the old MacBook pro. It produces an error saying something about the processor. Is there a nice program for converting such files? [more inside]
posted by aburd on Nov 27, 2009 - 8 answers

I am trying to create a professional looking logo for a Web site. I am using GIMP but finding I am very limited in terms of what I can do with it. Is there a software package that I should be using that will allow me to create a good looking logo/header image? I understand Photoshop is the best however, it's really expensive (700.00). Are there any software alternatives or do I just have to pony up for Photoshop? By the way, I have a PC.
posted by hellodonna on Aug 26, 2009 - 23 answers

What software should be used for creating/designing a leaflet or book? Why? Also, is there an industry standard desktop publishing software? (InDesign, QuarkXPress?) [more inside]
posted by Memo on Aug 10, 2009 - 13 answers

Is it still possible to get hold of Corel Draw 8 for Windows? Abandonware? [more inside]
posted by n3rt on Aug 7, 2009 - 15 answers

Computer-aided design using Christopher Alexander's Notes on the Synthesis of Form? [more inside]
posted by zeek321 on Jul 11, 2009 - 4 answers

Why, in video games, am I moving through an endless variety of environments but killing the same enemies over and over? [more inside]
posted by straight on Jun 9, 2009 - 17 answers

Does anyone have software recommendations for making Venn diagrams? Especially complicated ones? [more inside]
posted by tnygard on Mar 10, 2009 - 9 answers

My favourite drawing application that I've used is Ashlar's Graphite, but it is extremely overpriced. I'm looking for a tool that is both intuitive and accurate, snaps are very important. My problem is that many architecture/drafting applications are mired in extended functionality that I'm not interested in BUT most illustration software doesn't (seem to) have the precision I'm looking for. Is there a middle ground between architectural drafting software and illustration applications? What are my options on a Mac? [more inside]
posted by serial_consign on Mar 6, 2009 - 11 answers

What are the good resources (online, books or local to the Denver area) for learning Adobe's Creative Suite? [more inside]
posted by FlamingBore on Mar 4, 2009 - 4 answers

We're a web dev shop with $700 that needs to be spent on software by the end of fiscal. What should we get? [more inside]
posted by furtive on Feb 25, 2009 - 12 answers

In Photoshop 5.5 I was able to create an action to resize a layer/selection to a maximum width (say, 200 px). I could quickly select objects of varying initial sizes, run the action, and voila, everything fit neatly in a column. I've had Photoshop CS4 for over a week and can't figure out how to replicate this; my resizing seems to always be happening as a percent of the original size. [more inside]
posted by amtho on Feb 8, 2009 - 17 answers

Attention Web Folk: I'm looking for a visual site-map generator, preferably cheap or free, that can handle an absolutely labyrinthine site. Details follow! [more inside]
posted by Willie0248 on Nov 11, 2008 - 2 answers

In what ways can I use my recently-found software teaching skills to help people? [more inside]
posted by TochterAusElysium on Oct 9, 2008 - 5 answers

PromotionFilter: What's the best way to convince the company that they need to create a new position - and that I'm the person to fill it? [more inside]
posted by relucent on Aug 11, 2008 - 11 answers

I'm looking for web based Sign Design software. I have a potential client who wants something just like this, but I haven't been able to find anything. [more inside]
posted by Chuck Cheeze on Aug 1, 2008 - 4 answers

I am trying to prototype my own board/card game. I need a way to design a card format onto 4" x 6" and 3" x 3" spaces. Something like the software CCG maker but different sizes and not Magic specific. [more inside]
posted by DetonatedManiac on Feb 17, 2008 - 9 answers

Where can I find LaTex book templates? [more inside]
posted by tesseract420 on Sep 7, 2007 - 3 answers

What tools, approaches, and/or books did you use to get beyond thinking of application design from a coder's perspective? [more inside]
posted by xmutex on Jul 9, 2007 - 10 answers

I'm a Graphic Designer and I'm interviewing for a job that may mean I'll have to work on a Windows PC. What do I need to watch out for? [more inside]
posted by Mcable on Jul 7, 2007 - 21 answers

My mum loves interior design. She also loves puzzles but finds black belt Sudoku too easy. She's inheriting a laptop. What sort of programs and games can I load on this laptop for her? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Jul 5, 2007 - 10 answers

CAD on a budget. I want to design some plywood models that are cut/milled from a sheet of plywood, and then slot together to form a 3D model... [more inside]
posted by dowcrag on May 23, 2007 - 10 answers

Mac/DesignFilter: I once heard of a Mac program that would allow you to preview different fonts using specific text, to help ease the design of a logotype. This isn't a font manager, but more of a design tool. [more inside]
posted by lunarboy on Apr 19, 2007 - 8 answers

Software product manager: How do I handle this difficult client? [more inside]
posted by pallen123 on Sep 9, 2006 - 20 answers

Good billing/invoicing software for Mac that's suited to a graphic designer's needs?
posted by eustacescrubb on Jul 13, 2006 - 8 answers

I'm going to write a web application that, if it is successful, will need to be "enterprise-level" -- that is, robust, secure, and extensible. Given the limitations of my current skills, what can I do to minimize design errors? Lots more inside. [more inside]
posted by fishfucker on Jul 11, 2006 - 25 answers

I'm looking for an app that will calculate how much sun different parts of my yard get over the year. [more inside]
posted by obiwanwasabi on Apr 10, 2006 - 7 answers

What's a good font management application for Windows? [more inside]
posted by sjvilla79 on Mar 29, 2006 - 8 answers

DesigningPrintedFormsOnABudgetFilter: I'd like to design some forms to be printed to standard laser printer paper to assist capturing information taken from telephone calls at work (WinXP SP2 environment). [more inside]
posted by planetthoughtful on Mar 11, 2006 - 5 answers

Getting a zine printed. Have you any experience with this? [more inside]
posted by airguitar on Mar 7, 2006 - 15 answers

Working on an MS Access 2000 record-browsing form; the text fields all display as dark grey text on light grey background, no matter what colors or transparency are specified in the design. I've never seen this before. I've been running in circles for 2 hours. What am I missing?
posted by Tubes on Mar 2, 2006 - 12 answers

I'm looking for examples of awesome-looking information displays. This can be anything from interesting OSs, "command center" control displays, and information software that is graphically impressive in its visual design. An information screen/program that makes you go "wow" on looks alone, whether public or proprietary. Any screenshots? I hope I'm describing this right.
posted by zek on Feb 6, 2006 - 13 answers

Any Mac web designers used Rapidweaver or Freeway Pro? I know how to write valid (X)HTML and CSS, but I'm always looking for ways to save time and I was wondering if these tools actually produce valid, clean, and accessible code as advertised.
posted by 40 Watt on Jan 8, 2006 - 8 answers

3D Mechanical Design software for Mac OS? [more inside]
posted by retro88 on Nov 29, 2005 - 3 answers

I am looking for a 3-D floor-plan software for interior designers that can be used to show clients how furniture, rugs, art, lighting, etc. will look in their home spaces. Anyone have any recommendations? Extra points for something simple to use for a computer "novice."
posted by Pressed Rat on Sep 22, 2005 - 8 answers

Looking for software to run a small design firm...any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by oissubke on Aug 21, 2005 - 3 answers

Fear of decorating: Is there actually good interior design software? I'm looking for something that lets me visualize room dimensions, colors, textures, materials, furniture dimensions, actual furniture, etc. I'm using Windows XP. [more inside]
posted by ontic on Apr 3, 2005 - 6 answers

Which is the best PC-based software approach to allow a 12-year-old boy (who is bright, but not necessarily ardently studious) to explore the basics of CAD and/or architectural design principles? [more inside]
posted by dontrockwobble on Mar 22, 2005 - 13 answers

Anyone have recommendations for home construction / design software? I'm looking for a reasonably powerful software package that will let me do both design and 3D visualization of the results. [more inside]
posted by true on Feb 27, 2005 - 7 answers

I have been hired to layout a newsletter for print and for publication online. There is an editor who compiles the articles, edits for length, and etc. In this situation, who should be responsible for the copy editor duties? I find that it is a pain to finish the layout and then hear back from the editor that there are several spelling, punctuation, and line break mistakes that need to be corrected (which is generally hard to do in DTP software). Is it unreasonable of me to expect that the copy-editing should be done by the editor and not the layout person?
posted by achmorrison on Jan 21, 2005 - 18 answers

Any Landscape Architects/Designers with advice on design software.

Looking for something aimed specifically towards Garden Design with a pretty intuitive interface, but designed for the professional end of the market
posted by JPD on Dec 29, 2004 - 1 answer

In the teach a man to fish cat., what's the best way to solve computer problems?[mi] [more inside]
posted by drezdn on Jun 23, 2004 - 12 answers