** DTP Grafiken 1, 2 & 3 CD Review / 715 words **

DTP Grafiken Volumes 1, 2 & 3

** DTP_SCAN.GIF here **

Mike Kerslake reports...

Unlike many graphics CDs available nowadays these German produced copyright free clip art CDs are unique because they include files in GEM and IMG format - ideally suited for use on Atari systems.

They also stand out from most of the clip art collections available to Atari users because of their general high quality. All too often the clip art available at affordable prices is of poor quality or so frequently used they've become clichés!

These CDs form a series so I've reviewed them as such, however, each individual CD does contain enough variety to consider individual purchases. Each CD contains at least 1500 different images covering a wide variety of themes. Every item is included in IMG format file with many are also included in PCX, EPS, GEM, CVG, TIF and Corel Draw CDR format. There's even some useful True Type fonts included where appropriate.

The publisher seems to have engaged professional designers to come up with fresh images and appear to have bought in some professional collections - the quality really does show. There's some old fashioned woodcut-type images you'll struggle to use, but there are hundreds of excellent modern images crying out to be utilised in your next DTP project!

Each CD is accompanied by a well designed and printed A5 size catalogue showing all the images in the collection with between nine and sixteen images per page. The catalogue is divided into sections which makes it easy to see what's available without even putting a CD in the drive!

The first two volumes are nicely varied, but volume 3 contains clips of plants, food and miscellaneous images which are done better in the other two volumes. To make up for this there are some nice arty-type clips and cartoon characters.

At £24 each these CDs are expensive for the casual DTPer but if, like me, you're always struggling to find decent quality copyright free images the following rough guide of what's on each volume might help you decide which volume/s to purchase:

Volume one

DTP Grafiken folder contains stylised general clip art including audio video objects, sport type icons, various ink splodges and household/workshop tools. The A La Carte folder is full of food and drink images suitable for menus. The Cut folder mainly features well drawn bold black and white images of all types. The Rahmen (frames) folders are stuffed full of excellent decorative borders and frames. The Snow Time folder features wintery type clip art and four True Type fonts. The final folders on Volume 1 are mainly of the ornate-type variety, featuring heraldic shields and scrolls, along with general clip art.

Volume two

Old cars, some of those dreadful old-style hands and globes, cut off coupon designs (excellent), and more menu clip art - in a more jazzy style. There's also folders full of well executed frames and borders and a folder with bold cartoon style general objects which would be useful for projects aimed at children.

Volume 3

Household and general objects in abundance. The style is quite different to previous volumes with a more "sketchy" look to most of the images. There's a very good collection of "picture fonts" where letters are created in the shape of cheese, fruit and cats!  There are also lots of well executed cartoon style images of humans.

Conclusions

I am happy to recommend these CDs for their variety, presentation and the overall excellent standard of their contents. There are a few fillers and a few images with German words in them, but the overwhelming majority of the images are highly usable. The luxury of loading the Atari specific images directly into your favourite Atari DTP, WP or graphic program should not be underestimated!
Suffice to say, I was so impressed with the series, I bought the lot!

** PRODUCT BOX **
DTP Grafiken Vols 1, 2 & 3
Publisher
Xware

Supplier
16/32 Systems
Telephone: +44 (0)1634 710788
Email: 16/32@premier.co.uk
Cost: £24.00 each

Requires
Any system with CD-ROM

Pros
High quality copyright free images
Good printed catalogue

Cons
A little pricey for occasional use

85%
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** Images **
** DTP_BOAT.GIF **
** DTP_SNOW.GIF **
** DTP_CUPS.GIF **
** DTP_PALM.GIF **
** DTP_TREE.GIF **