Best tool to disign logos

**vad111** · Jun 18, 2008, 05:30

Hi there,
What is the best free tool to design logos and graphics with all kind of effects?
I want it to have all shadow effects and mirror effects as well.
Please advise
Thanks,
Vad

**Varelse** · Jun 18, 2008, 05:43

Any vector drawing program you feel comfortable with: Illustrator, CorelDraw, InkScape.
You can apply all these fancy effect (if you REALLY have to...) and you will still have your logo designed in vectors.

**smallshot** · Jun 18, 2008, 12:21

If free is your budget, try GIMP. It's free, and pretty powerful once you learn how to use it. You'll want to follow some tutorials to get a feel for it.

I can't post the links yet because i haven't posted enough (glad to support attempts to stop spamming).

google search GIMP to get to the home page. if you use windows, make sure you find the windows installer for an easy installation.

**bbolte** · Jun 18, 2008, 13:02

I'm with Varelse, use a vector tool so that you can easily create different sizes. You will inevitably need to enlarge it at some point and a tool like Gimp or even Photoshop can hinder you if you didn't design it really large to begin with. You can always take the vector logo into a bitmap app (GIMP, Photoshop, etc) and do some effects for specific uses.

**bbolte** · Jun 18, 2008, 13:03

Originally Posted by smallshot

If free is your budget, try GIMP. It's free, and pretty powerful once you learn how to use it. You'll want to follow some tutorials to get a feel for it.

Inkscape is free as well...

**vad111** · Jun 18, 2008, 14:12

Hi there,
Thanks for helping me with this.
Some of these tools mentioned are not free, and Other tools that are free I didn't find in them the effects that I am looking for. For example I couldn't find different shadow effects where I could change shadow graphics as well.
Couldn't find mirror effects in any of them.
Maybe I am missing something in them?
Does fireworks has those effects that I am talking about?
Thanks
Vad

**Varelse** · Jun 18, 2008, 14:36

All of the mentioned programs, including the free ones (Gimp, InkScape) offer a variety of graphic effects, reflection and shadow being among them.
You will have to spend some time to learn the features of a program you decide to use.

I hope you are not looking for a logo-creator-like software

**smallshot** · Jun 18, 2008, 16:19

most effects are not built in, but rather created with other simpler features/effects. for example, if you want a logo to look like it is standing over water (a water reflection) most real graphics programs will NOT do that automatically for you, you have to create the effect yourself by making a copy of the logo, flipping it vertically, aligning it to the bottom of the original logo, then you can stretch/skew it, then apply a vertical fade out, then perform a water effect. It sounds like a lot, but once you learn, it only takes a few minutes to create a beautiful water reflection.

**Desperados** · Jun 19, 2008, 23:53

GIMP is best and free !

**Curvball** · Jun 29, 2008, 17:18

I would recommend a combination of freehand and photoshop. Illustrator is another great option.

**laburke** · Jul 9, 2008, 18:02

And, as with any good logo, less is more. Regardless of what program you're using, you gotta know when to stop

**ck88** · Jul 9, 2008, 20:29

Try fast and flexible XaraX. It's not free though.

**jb_rhys** · Jul 14, 2008, 09:47

not trying to be sarcastic but, umm.. a brain

**Dache** · Jul 14, 2008, 16:09

Pen and a sketchbook. Once you have explored it on paper, only then is it best to take it to software.

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