JaceMan Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Guys, I've been dabbling in internet marketing for awhile now, and am an accomplished web designer. I have made decent cash selling information products, and am starting to branch out. I will probably be doing well enough to work from home full-time by year's end. What I'm curious about is to whether anyone who knows PDN better than I (I'm learning all the time, but I have a long ways to go), is interested in giving me a hand and making some cash in the process. See, there are several products where people are offering PhotoShop "templates" so that webmasters can create their own graphics packs (banners, buttons, etc.)... and some of them do look really nice. In fact, I've purchased a couple of them. The thing is, in order for a person to use these products, they must already own a copy of the very expensive PhotoShop. I'm thinking that we could not only bring more people to PDN, if we could show that this stuff can be done using Paint.NET, but that it could really open us up to a special niche of clients who can't afford high-priced software like PhotoShop. The only thing is... I'm really not sure that this stuff can be duplicated (easily enough to create a "product" with, anyway) in Paint.NET. I'm hoping someone here can prove me wrong, and also has the drive to make a little cash from our graphics hobby. Let me know! Quote I may not be "the best," but I'm PRETTY DARN GOOD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kemaru Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 So, um, what exactly would you like someone to do? Quote Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. |fb(page)|portfolio|blog| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaceMan Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 Well, the first thing someone would have to do is know more about PDN than I do. I bring to the table marketing expertise and web design skills... they are the "PDN Expert" as I'm (very much admittedly) not! The first thing they would need to do is evaluate some of the PhotoShop "template" and "script" products I know about that sell pretty well and tell me if we can make a competing product/s using the free, light and open source PDN. In truth, I think this is a great idea with awesome income potential... IF... it can be pulled off. I'm not entirely sure that it can, but I'm hoping someone comes along and corrects me. So step 1... evaluate the offerings of the PhotoShop products I know of. Step 2... devise a way to "duplicate" the offering using Paint.NET Step 3... we work on it concurrently (I'm not a graphics pro... but I can probably accomplish most of what could be done with templating... assuming the actual templating is possible. Step 4... Give the product away for free to some forum members here in exchange for feedback. Step 5... Make updates based on feedback. Step 6... Provide our same beta testers with a free copy of the updated offering and ask for testimonials. Step 7... Market the sucker! Quote I may not be "the best," but I'm PRETTY DARN GOOD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cola Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 You may want to contact Rick Brewster here on the forums.He is the creator of the program and could probably help you the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaceMan Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 He's welcomed to reply if he's interested, but I'm opening this up to the community for a couple of reasons. 1. I'm willing to take on more than 1 partner. 2. I'm looking for volunteers; I'm NOT looking to solicit anyone's help or twist anyone's arm. Quote I may not be "the best," but I'm PRETTY DARN GOOD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Brown Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 There is a plugin that allows PSD files to be imported. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kemaru Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 So basically just create web templates with Paint.NET? Quote Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. |fb(page)|portfolio|blog| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.atwell Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I think this is going to be a lot more work than you want it to be, actually... Quote The Doctor: There was a goblin, or a trickster, or a warrior... A nameless, terrible thing, soaked in the blood of a billion galaxies. The most feared being in all the cosmos. And nothing could stop it, or hold it, or reason with it. One day it would just drop out of the sky and tear down your world.Amy: But how did it end up in there?The Doctor: You know fairy tales. A good wizard tricked it.River Song: I hate good wizards in fairy tales; they always turn out to be him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pride Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I think this is going to be a lot more work than you want it to be, actually... Even so, he can still accomplish something with motivation. :? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survulus Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I'm still a lil' confused on what the basic jist of this is... we're wanting PDN to rival PS? I mean, I love PDN, and if it can improve in any way, then sure, why not, but remember that firstly PS can't be beaten right now, and that PDN was originally intended to be completely free. Quote Check out all my newest stuff on my dA I iz bassist here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaceMan Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 There is a plugin that allows PSD files to be imported. I'm aware... that won't do much for this idea, I don't believe. It could potentially help, but it doesn't quite answer the riddle. So basically just create web templates with Paint.NET? I wouldn't say basically... I'd say "kinda." Don't think web templates... think button, banner, font style, etc. templates. The general idea is that anyone can easily modify the "templates" without being a graphic designer. Font stylings and affects are already pre-made (they just type what they want it to say), shapes are pre-made, etc... they simply choose the colors and words they want, perhaps import their company logo... and every other component of the banner/button is complete. I think this is going to be a lot more work than you want it to be, actually... More work than I want it to be... definitely. Because I'd like for it to be NO work. But more work than I expect it to be? I don't think so, especially since I said (if you read closely) that I'm not entirely sure that this can be accomplished with PDN at all. At least not currently. I'm still a lil' confused on what the basic jist of this is... we're wanting PDN to rival PS? I mean, I love PDN, and if it can improve in any way, then sure, why not, but remember that firstly PS can't be beaten right now, and that PDN was originally intended to be completely free. This doesn't change the price of PDN... this merely makes PDN easier to use (if it can be done) and opens it up to an audience that may have never downloaded it otherwise. The goal isn't to compete with PhotoShop. The goal is to provide PDN users with "templates" that do similar things to templates/scripts that exist for PhotoShop users. I'm not looking to put a price tag on Paint.NET... I'm looking to profit from making Paint.NET "powerful" in the hands of complete novices and newbies. To give them a tool that allows them to create professional looking buttons, banners, fonts, etc. without spending $20 to $100 an hour for a graphic designer. This isn't much different than (maybe no different at all) those who sell manuals and books teaching people how to switch from Microsoft Office to OpenOffice.org. Their offering doesn't put a price tag on OpenOffice.org... it puts a price tag on a service provided to them... namely education on using the free product. Even so, he can still accomplish something with motivation. Thanks! If I don't find anyone interested in helping me, I'm going to do my best to research if this is a viable option or not. If it is, I'll bring it to market on my own. The development time will just be lengthened considerably. ============== To all the readers of this thread who are intrigued by the concept, but don't "quite" get IT... let me assure you that it will make a little more sense when I show to you the products/types of product offerings I aim to compete with. You will then have a better understanding of what I hope to accomplish. I'm just a little apprehensive in sharing those products here as I don't want my idea to be stolen by an anonymous leecher. If you're interested and send me a private message, I'll reveal said products/links. Quote I may not be "the best," but I'm PRETTY DARN GOOD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Brown Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 There is a plugin that allows PSD files to be imported. I'm aware... that won't do much for this idea, I don't believe. It could potentially help, but it doesn't quite answer the riddle. Am I right that your plan was to create web templates using the PDN format rather than PSD? If so, wouldn't the plugin render the idea invalid as people could simply import the file and edit it using PDN? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaceMan Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 There is a plugin that allows PSD files to be imported. I'm aware... that won't do much for this idea, I don't believe. It could potentially help, but it doesn't quite answer the riddle. Am I right that your plan was to create web templates using the PDN format rather than PSD? If so, wouldn't the plugin render the idea invalid as people could simply import the file and edit it using PDN? Not quite. As I said, being able to open PSD files could potentially help, but it doesn't provide the full answer. And if you could, that wouldn't render my idea invalid... it would actually just make it EASIER to accomplish as I could "mooch" off of plenty already existing free PSD templates and repurpose them. Yet the problem is... while PSD and PDN files save multiple layers which you can modify, they don't (to my knowledge) contain fonts, font affects/styles, shadows, etc. All of those things (filters and what have you) that you need to do to your text/image objects to manipulate them is what we're after. We're looking for a way to automate using these filters to create desired affects. Quote I may not be "the best," but I'm PRETTY DARN GOOD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kemaru Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Ah, you see, Paint.NET can't save text in a re-editable form (without the plugin, of course), while PS can. :o So that's a problem. E: Now I know what you mean. Quote Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. |fb(page)|portfolio|blog| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Brown Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I understand now. ---- it would actually just make it EASIER to accomplish as I could "mooch" off of plenty already existing free PSD templates and repurpose them. Most free web templates i've seen don't allow redistribution, let alone commercial derivatives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaceMan Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 Ah, you see, Paint.NET can't save text in a re-editable form (without the plugin, of course), while PS can. :o So that's a problem. E: Now I know what you mean. Which isn't a huge problem if... (and I don't know much about this plugin... please point me to it) I can get distribution rights or even if you can actually simply save your PDN with the text you want, having that plugin. Then I send you the PDN, you dont' have the plugin, but you download the plugin... and THEN you can edit that text. That would work fine. It would work because most who would buy this product won't have PDN anyway. We're going to have to tell them... here go download THIS program and THESE plugins. Now that you have this stuff installed, you can use our templates. Ideally, it works best if I'm allowed to distribute PDN (by any means) and the required plugins, but even if I can't... simply directing people to the downloads and how to install them is ALMOST (used loosely) as good. In fact, the successful PhotoShop products tell you to go buy (how and where) PS if you don't already own it. No reason I can't tell them to nab a free download or three if these guys can tell them to shell out hundreds instead. Quote I may not be "the best," but I'm PRETTY DARN GOOD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaceMan Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 I understand now. ---- it would actually just make it EASIER to accomplish as I could "mooch" off of plenty already existing free PSD templates and repurpose them. Most free web templates i've seen don't allow redistribution, let alone commercial derivatives. MOST don't, but I already have a collection that do. I have a collection of PLR templates and scripts for PhotoShop. Even still, I wouldn't want the product to be full of other stuff anyway. I would definitely want ORIGINAL content. I was just saying that would make things EASIER not that it was my answer. Quote I may not be "the best," but I'm PRETTY DARN GOOD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Brown Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Oh, and your best bet would be some of the members that are also web designers, eg: memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=8 memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=3602 memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=6175 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 d.a does web design? Never knew that. Well, learn something new every day. This sounds fairly interesting. Correct me if I am wrong: you want to sell bundles of images to webmasters that can be used as buttons, banner templates, backgrounds, etc etc. in their websites. Quote Create A Professional-Looking Product Advertisment Mockup flickr | Deviant Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Brown Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 d.a does web design? Never knew that. Well, learn something new every day. His website link suggests that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ego Eram Reputo Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Oh, and your best bet would be some of the members that are also web designers, eg: And I bet there are a lot more informal designers in the member ranks. People like me who dabble as a sideline but don't make a living off it :wink: Most free web templates i've seen don't allow redistribution, let alone commercial derivatives. freecsstemplates.org are unrestricted & allow commercial use. Where are you looking for your templates? Quote ebook: Mastering Paint.NET | resources: Plugin Index | Stereogram Tut | proud supporter of Codelab plugins: EER's Plugin Pack | Planetoid | StickMan | WhichSymbol+ | Dr Scott's Markup Renderer | CSV Filetype | dwarf horde plugins: Plugin Browser | ShapeMaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaceMan Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 This sounds fairly interesting. Correct me if I am wrong: you want to sell bundles of images to webmasters that can be used as buttons, banner templates, backgrounds, etc etc. in their websites. How about PARTIAL correction. I'm not looking to sell bundles of images... I'm looking at selling "starter images" (templates, base images, whatever) that they can EASILY manipulate and modify (without needing to be a designer or understand PDN) to meet their needs. Thus giving them the APPEARANCE of having "custom" images. So, if I understand your thinking of my thinking (wrap your head around that one), I'll give you partial credit. Quote I may not be "the best," but I'm PRETTY DARN GOOD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 So, for example, add text, change color, etc... Quote Create A Professional-Looking Product Advertisment Mockup flickr | Deviant Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaceMan Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 Yes... for example. The "etc" part encompasses much more, but that is the idea -- in general. Quote I may not be "the best," but I'm PRETTY DARN GOOD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.atwell Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 d.a does web design? Never knew that. Well, learn something new every day. Budding web designer at best. :-) I'm still in school, so it's tough to get the business off the ground. I'm learning PHP right now. Quote The Doctor: There was a goblin, or a trickster, or a warrior... A nameless, terrible thing, soaked in the blood of a billion galaxies. The most feared being in all the cosmos. And nothing could stop it, or hold it, or reason with it. One day it would just drop out of the sky and tear down your world.Amy: But how did it end up in there?The Doctor: You know fairy tales. A good wizard tricked it.River Song: I hate good wizards in fairy tales; they always turn out to be him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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