What is a good sign making program?

I want to do some custom signs for my layout. What is a good program to try? I am not happy with MS paint and searches have not yielded much success either.

Trey

 

It's become kind of a joke, but you can do a lot with PowerPoint, especially the WordArt functions.

 

I have both CorelDraw (for longer than I can even remember - I had version 3 to start and version 5 later, still going strong) and GIMP (my favorite ersatz PhotoShop).

Both are outstanding in each of their domains. And a big thanks to the other Mike for the heads-up on InkScape.

 

Another vote for Inkscape. It's FREE!

https://inkscape.org/en/

Vector graphics are different than the paint programs you're probably used to, but they're not difficult to learn. There are lots of Inkscape tutorials on Youtube.
The neat thing about vector drawings is that you can easily edit them after they're drawn. Look at the pic below. All the letters started out as normal letters like the 'M', but I was able to edit them by moving control points around to create custom lettering.



Steve S

 

When I need to create signs for work, I use Powerpoint. I found PP works really well at creating a Full page sign.
I haven't tried using it to make smaller scale signs.

I used Publisher to designed paper roads for my n scale layout. One I designed my roads, I exported the pages as images and used GIMP to weather the road.

 

Maybe I don't expect much, but I use Word. It has so many different and squirrely type fonts and sizes, you can make almost anything you want. I've even inserted photos and clipart.

This is a simple sign, lower right in the photo, that I made for the Barn Rental Cottages.

 

I don't see a sign for a roofer, 'cause that barn sure could use one!

Nice little scene... with the tracks going right by, I'd rent a cottage there any day.

 

I use the OpenOffice suite (which is free!) - it has a word processing program and a presentation graphics program similar to MS Word and PowerPoint. I've used both for signs, depending on what I need to do.

 

I just installed InkScape and gave it a whirl. It's a different feel from CorelDraw (I can use that in my sleep), but once I get the hang of it, I'll be able to do just about as much with it. It's just a question of spending a little time with it.

 

I have been trying both Open Office and Inkscape. I am still a bit confused, but I am getting there. Just takes time to figure out how it works, but it think they will do whatever I need.

Trey