Making your own cards for a card game

[DawnM]

My son is creating a card type game, like Magic the Gathering.

 

He wants to know if there is a way to create the background on the computer and print it out.....like the same graphics in the corner with the numbers (like paying cards, 20 the same with spades, etc...)  and print it out to make cards and then create other graphics for the center.

He knows how to create his own graphics per card, but wanted some background that would be the same.

 

This is a project for a class.

 

I have told him I am wiling to spend whatever he needs (within some sort of reason) if necessary.

 

We are googling but not finding exactly what we are looking for.

 

I am not sure if I am being clear or explaining well either.

 

Is there a program?  Anyone know?

[Alessandra]

You can usually do that with a regular word processing program. You can create object and layer them on top of each other. You can control transparency and so on. I work mainly with Mac Pages '09, but I think other WP can do this too. You could also use a desktop publishing program, a graphics program, or photoshop, if you are familiar with it. You should not need to make any purchases, at least it would seem not, if I have read your post correctly.

[school17777]

If he is using Word, I would use a "label" sheet with the dimensions that he wanted his cards to be and copy the image in each block. If you create labels in Word, you select the sheet that you want and it makes a table that size. Or, he could just make a table with the dimensions he wants.

[heartlikealion]

If you don't know about/don't want to fiddle with layers, then I would suggest making a template by creating the plain card (just border) and never overriding that file. Each time you did a new card you would use the template and then save as card 1, card 2, etc. If that makes sense.

 

GIMP is free and you could attempt to use that. Scribus is free as well. I find both of these programs inferior to the Adobe products, but they are free.

[DawnM]

Thanks.  He wants to learn but I would need a tutorial and I think he would as well.

 

Are there youtubes on how to do any of these methods?

[Alessandra]

Thanks. He wants to learn but I would need a tutorial and I think he would as well.

 

Are there youtubes on how to do any of these methods?

When I am trying something new, I usually start trying menu options on my program. Or I google one specific action, such as 'rotate text box,' and so on. There are you tubes for just about everything. Just be prepared to hit pause a lot and go back to the video -- it is hard to remember everything.

 

I also like the Missing Manuals series of books. Very complete and detailed.

 

Often the common programs have what you need. It is just buried in a million menus, especially in Microsoft products.

 

You could look at the free version of Autodesk Sketchbook, available for computer and mobile. It is easy to use, but I would recommend doing the tutorials first. You can draw your own pictures, import images, and use text. Once you learn how to use layers, which is easy, you would put your base drawing on the bottom, then another image, the text. Layers are good, because, if you are working on one layer, you are protected against damaging the layers you like.

 

WP will do much of the same stuff, but they can have so many more commands that it is confusing.

 

If you are dying to spend money and your kid likes design, I would suggest a Bamboo pad, easier for drawing Han a mouse.

 

ETA

 

You could also look around for free courses. Sometimes public libraries have these. Apple also has courses, some free, but only for their products.

 

I see it's a class project. Any help available from teacher or other faculty? It sounds like a great project!

Edited April 4, 2016 by Alessandra