Drawing & Making “clip-art”  with Excel® ;

       I have had over the years, a few people inquire as to “HOW” do I make clip-art with Excel®? I have thought about writing a book on the subject upon several occasions. I do not know IF there would be a market for this type of information, or how many people would be interested in what I have to offer.

        There are some negative thoughts on trying to get this book published (e.g. limited market appeal, my techniques, may only work with up to version 2003 Excel®). On the positive side this information MAY appeal to creative, or the do-it-yourself individuals, who already HAVE Excel® installed on their personal computer.

          Why draw with Excel? Check out this 6 minute presentation if you’d like a glimpse into how shapes can be used to make clip-art or how photographs can be used as inspiration for making clip-art. Depending on your computer and internet speed it takes about 5 minutes (or 6 minutes) to download this show to your PC. This presentation is based on earlier versions of Excel but similar results can still be achieved in later Excel versions with some slight modifications to the techniques used.

 

http://www.dagoriginaldesigns.com/WhyDrawWithExcel.wmv

 

   After clicking on hyper-link to kiosk show, you can press the ESCAPE button on your keyboard at anytime to stop the presentation.  If you’ve never viewed anything using the MS Video/Windows software a window will open asking if you want to download the software, if it does then click on recommended settings. It may take a few minutes for this to download. Once download is complete you should be able to click on the box and the video will show a black screen then will start automatically. The presentation itself, is about 6 minutes in length. I have Windows 7 and I’ve been able to view this show using IE version 11 as well as thru Google-Chrome. I’ve been informed that folks with Windows 8 have issues opening this show.

I have already thought about all the pros & cons of attempting to write a book;

· There are OTHER “better” programs out there for creating clip-art that work better than Excel®.  Probably TRUE– but they also may COST more than the “average” person (who is NOT a graphics professional) would be willing to spend. These “other” programs may also be more complicated for an average person to use. The average person may not have a need to create their own clip-art very often, but when that need arises, wouldn’t it be nice to know HOW it CAN be done on Excel®? My book tells  HOW to do this . . .

· Most of the techniques I discuss in my book are for the 2003 Excel® version, and some of the earlier versions, some techniques may not work with the NEWER 2007 version? Maybe TRUE– but I’ve managed to make my techniques work with this newer version too.

· Some people (who may not be computer pros, but average users) may dislike MS’s new OS system for 2007 (Windows Vista). Which interesting enough, is NOT compatible with MS Office 2003 programs, but will work with the new MS Office 2007 . . . Almost sounds like MS wants you to purchase their Office (Excel) 2007 package, huh?

· For average PC users who’ve just gotten the knack of using the same MS Office layouts (for Excel® & Word) over the years, they may have a challenging time making the switch-over to the 2007 version and most likely will probably be more comfortable with the 2003 version. Especially if their frequency of using Office programs is limited. I do know of at least one person who was so upset they were unable to load their Office 2003 into their new PC, that they had the MS 2007 Windows Vista removed so that they could put in Windows XP that is compatible with their Office 2003 program package. It boils down to a matter of personal preference, in which everyone will have to decide whether or not they want to use the new Office 2007 version.

· Personally I feel that the new options in the Excel® 2007 version are more user friendly for folks who analyze data and crunch numbers which is what this program was designed for (and what I do at my job). I admit the new version is not very user friendly for extensive drawing applications. However, I must concede,  that it has neat charting options and isn’t as temperamental as previous versions were when handling large amounts of data & numbers.

 

What things do I discuss in my book?

· The drawing tools which are offered in Excel®, and how to access/open up these drawing tools.

· How to use commercially available clip-art, insert/import clip-art into Excel®, how to make modifications to clip-art and how to SAVE the changed clip-art.

· The “legal” ramifications of using commercially available clip-art are discussed.

· I teach how to create your OWN clip-art from scratch. Where to find inspiration, making shapes over your inspiration and even combining multiple resources to make your own clip-art.

· I touch upon using the 3-D function in Excel® to create with. Some cool stuff you can do with WordArt, how-to ungroup WordArt (so that you can use the shapes to make your OWN letters or incorporate into other designs).

· Combing  “shapes” to make patterns for borders (for frames or certificates) and how to make ornamental or stylized designs.

· What exactly can YOU design/create with Excel®?- the list is endless; posters, flyers, signs, certificates, greeting cards, brochures, raffle tickets, mailing labels, business cards, simplified maps, architectural renderings, tee shirt designs, calendars, etc

· Also included are trouble-shooting graphic issues, complex drawings and how to use formulas or conditional formatting in designs/layouts.

· Transferring your drawing to clip-art gallery, MS Picture manager or turning drawing into png. format

 

Book Title: The Wonderful World of Drawing with Microsoft® Excel® (1997-2003 version)

Author: Debra A. Gewand 

Editor: Deborah Hewett-Elson                                          Copyrighted: 2006

Graphics & Illustrations by: Debra A. Gewand

 

Number of Pages: 100+

 

Description: The book discusses HOW TO use the Microsoft® Excel® program for numerous graphic and visually creative applications. I show step-by-step how to use commercially available clip-art, touch upon the legal issues surrounding the usage of commercial clip-art, how to manipulate/change clip-art and how to save your changes. I show how to create clip-art from scratch and use the 3-D, shadow, or WordArt (and other) functions with creating your designs. I show what you can create YOURSELF, without going to a professional graphics designer or printer. I discuss trouble-shooting any graphics issues, making complex drawings, and using formulas or conditional formatting in your design layouts.

       The book comes with a companion CD and eleven Excel® databases that you can manipulate yourself to create: business cards, brochures, posters, certificates, calendars w/ personal photos, raffle tickets, etc. There are also three workbooks that contain examples from my book that you can take apart step-by-step.

 

Cost: (not available, as of 2009)– includes book and CD-R

          

If interested in my techniques, then please contact me directly-  DagOriginalDesigns[AT]yahoo.com

 

        Disclaimer: The Wonderful World of Drawing with Microsoft® Excel®  is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, nor has it been authorized, sponsored or otherwise endorsed by Microsoft Corporation®. All clip-art used in this book is for illustration and teaching purposes only, and was created by the author of this book. Any similarity to other clip-arts or designs by other individuals was not intentional.
Text Box: NOTICE : (posted 23 May 2011) FYI, I’m still unable to find a publisher for my book. Many have not even responded back to me. Of those editors who’ve courteously responded, I’ve been told my technique is fascinating, and it’s amazing what I can create with Excel®. However, these editors are not interested in publishing my book because they feel there isn’t a viable market for it. Some have told me that there are so many computer type books in the marketplace that already deal with Excel® techniques, & feel that my book would just get lost in the mix. Sorry, that I must disappoint anyone who was hoping to get a copy, as it doesn’t look like my book will be published anytime soon. BUT . . . I’m willing to share the BASICS of how-to draw with the MS Excel Program. Just e-mail me & request info for “FREE” info for; -1997 to 2003 Version (MS Office) -OR- -2007 Up Version (MS Office) I’ll admit these QUICKIE instructions won’t cover everything my book does, BUT it will help you to find the DRAWING tools in MS Excel and will give you an example of how to insert a picture into Excel, then use that picture as a guide to make your own custom clip-art. Be sure that you put in your e-mail subject “Re: FREE Drawing with Excel Info” as most e-mails with no-subject go directly to my spam folder & are deleted. Let me know what version you need & I’ll send you an MS Word Document with instructions and a Sample MS Excel workbook.

· Although some of the tools I currently use to make clip-art seem to have been eliminated in the newer version (e.g. pattern options and 2 color fill option, for example– see diagrams below), my drawing techniques still work. I do have the 2007 version on one of my PC’s, it has a different set-up (with index tabs located at the top), and for many it will take some getting use to how the new layout in Excel®  functions, and navigating this new set-up. This new version doesn’t allow you to custom design your own “tool bar” to be visible & accessible whenever you open the Excel® program, in the 2003 version I can set-up all my favorite drawing tool icons for easy instant access. In the 2007 version, I have to dig thru layers to find the commands I want, making it not very user friendly for drawing applications at times.

I can not seem to find these features in the 2007 version. You can make changes to get two different colors from the “GRADIENT” option, but you won’t get the subtle blending of colors as in the 2003 version where the colors fade into each other, (see comparison sample below). The “PATTERNS” in the new 2007 version only seem to be available for formatting CELLS but not for Word Art or Shapes. The multi pre-set color option is the only thing that seems to still be available in 2007 version for Word Art and Shapes. It’s possible that the commands exist to get patterns or a more blended customized two-tone color, but as of this writing I haven’t been able to locate this option.

The 2003 version lets you create a “custom” toolbar that will be displayed whenever you open up the Excel program. In my case, I have a “drawing” tool bar which I use.

 Okay some folks are wondering WHY I’d use Excel to create “clip-art” or drawings?

· Personally I find it challenging, fun & actually relaxing

· I think it’s challenging to see how far I can go, and what the Excel program is capable of doing

· Since I volunteer for non-profit groups I’m often asked to donate my artistic services. Excel makes it easy for me to design posters, brochures, raffle tickets & others stuff at no extra cost

· I really like working with Excel

· I like finding new ways & medias to express my creative urges

· I also use my Excel drawing skills frequently in my job profession to document measurements taken of components. Drawing from scratch (using basic shapes) allows me to color drawing & data so reader understands where measurements are coming from
Text Box: Book Title; The Wonderful World of Drawing with Excel (1997-2003 version) Table of Contents Chapter 1: Understanding & Getting Familiar with Drawing Features offered in Excel This chapter gets the reader familiar with all the drawing tools that the Excel program offers. Chapter 2: Getting Started The reader is introduced to the basic tool's they'll need. The different types of mouse/track balls. The Excel program, the minimum amount of memory they will need and how to activate the Excel drawing tools so they can get started. Chapter 3: Clip-Art and Legal Issues of Using It This chapter tells where clip-art can be obtained. The legal issues of using commercial or copyrighted clip-art as opposed to creating your own are examined. The two basic types of clip-art (bitmap and vector) are also identified. Reader is also shown how to insert, change and same modified clip-art step-by-step. Chapter 4: How to Save Modifications to Custom Clip-Art Here the reader is shown two different ways they can save their new clip-art. Chapter 5: Making "Clip-Art" from Scratch This chapter tells how to obtain inspiration for making clip-art, working with photos, pre-existing commercial clip-art, 3-D objects. Discussed are various techniques that can be used for shading or blending. How to use Excel's 3-D function to assist in designing objects for clip-art designs. Chapter 6: WordArt Here the reader is shown everything that can be done with the Word Art feature that Excel offers, and how this can be combined with clip-art. Word Art can also be ungrouped, the reader is shown how this can be done so that different font styles can be combined. Chapter 7: Designing With Shapes This chapter is devoted to making shapes in Excel, then taking the shapes and combining them together to make intricate borders by using Excel's flip/rotate feature. Reader is shown how to combine and re-use various shapes to make intricate ornamental or stylized birds. Chapter 8: What Else can you DO with clip-art made on Excel? The reader learns what Microsoft programs are compatible with their custom clip-art that they create. Suggestions are given as to what things the reader can use their custom clip-art for. Chapter 9: Trouble Shooting Problems Troubleshooting any issues while making clip-art in Excel are discussed in this chapter. Chapter 10: Complex Drawing Compositions Examples are shown of custom clip-art created by the author and how complex creations can be made using the Excel program. Chapter 11: Miscellaneous Large drawings require special care to create custom clip-art, the reader is shown how this can be done. Excel's capacity to understand formulas or even conditional formatting can also be incorporated into designing items. Chapter 12: Adding Custom Clip-Art to Microsoft Clip Art Gallery Custom clip-art created in Excel can also be inserted into Microsoft Clip Art Gallery, this chapter explains how it can be done in 2002 and earlier versions of Excel as well as the newer 2003 version.

  If you are a book publisher and you’re curious as to what chapters are in my book and what features I cover they are listed in the outline at the right. Since the 1997-2003 version seems to offer the best options for drawing, my book concentrates on this version rather than the 2007 & up version.

   Also you can check out my kiosk presentation if you wish, which shows how I put “shapes” together to create my various clip-arts. The presentation is about 17 minutes in length and it takes a few minutes to download it to your PC. This presentation is based on earlier versions of Excel but similar results can still be achieved in later versions with some slight modifications to the techniques used. As I’ve been successfully drawing with the Excel program for over 14 years in all the different versions. If interested in viewing the presentation, click on the link below:

 

http://www.dagoriginaldesigns.com/DwgWithExcel1).wmv
Text Box: BEWARE It has come to my attention that there is a debbie gewand.xls spreadsheet that is popping up during searches. This leads back to a website called DOCstoc.com if you try to download this, a window will pop up asking you to join their website for a fee (they’ll ask for payment info). Please note that I did NOT personally authorize this and that I can not currently verify that it’s a genuine article which I created that is currently being promoted/offered by this group. (posted Aug 2011)