Balloon Tutorial?

[StrawberryPistol87]

Sorry, i was wondering how amber makes her comic text ballons.
since some have cool shapes in it like this; when devin did the ice spell http://missmab.com/Comics/Abel_60.php
and http://missmab.com/Comics/Vol_667.php the random knocking sounds.
and those see through things like; http://missmab.com/Comics/Vol_674.php

hope you get the idea what i mean. i was so curious about it how she does that.

i am such a noob.

[Tapewolf]

I don't know exactly, and I use Comiclife for captioning mine, which creates them programatically.  However, what I would guess she's doing is creating the basic shape (a rounded rectangle) in white on a new layer and then adding a black outline to it.  There's presumably a 'create border' function in Photoshop.

For the most part the speech bubbles are obviously several rounded rectangles, one for each line of text.  I suspect that larger bubbles are made of larger rectangles, or in some cases the smaller rectangles smoothed together.

For the ice and spiking effects, she's presumably modifying the shape before adding the outline.

For the 'see-through' effect, she'd be changing the alpha transparency of the layer containing the speech bubble.  Most likely the transparent ones are all on their own separate layer.

If you've not used layers in Photoshop, GIMP etc I can give a brief overview, or you can probably look it up on wikipedia or something  

[StrawberryPistol87]

I don't know exactly, and I use Comiclife for captioning mine, which creates them programatically.  However, what I would guess she's doing is creating the basic shape (a rounded rectangle) in white on a new layer and then adding a black outline to it.  There's presumably a 'create border' function in Photoshop.

For the most part the speech bubbles are obviously several rounded rectangles, one for each line of text.  I suspect that larger bubbles are made of larger rectangles, or in some cases the smaller rectangles smoothed together.

For the ice and spiking effects, she's presumably modifying the shape before adding the outline.

For the 'see-through' effect, she'd be changing the alpha transparency of the layer containing the speech bubble.  Most likely the transparent ones are all on their own separate layer.

If you've not used layers in Photoshop, GIMP etc I can give a brief overview, or you can probably look it up on wikipedia or something  

still sounds like. all so confusing.

[Tapewolf]

still sounds like. all so confusing.

I can probably rig some kind of tutorial in GIMP if that helps.  And if I can find the time.

EDIT:
What software are you using?

[StrawberryPistol87]

still sounds like. all so confusing.

I can probably rig some kind of tutorial in GIMP if that helps.  And if I can find the time.

EDIT:
What software are you using?

i have Manga studio 3
andan old photoshop
and photoshop cs 2 but im still searching for the serial number for that one.
i think of buying a new photoshop.
mayby photoshop cs 3 or 4

but what is GIMP?

EDIT: i was thinking to a webcomic. if you are intrested.
but temporarily i would do it in mangastudio.
however my manga studio isnt not advanced as the latest versions. so it would be black and white.

[Tapewolf]

i have Manga studio 3
andan old photoshop
and photoshop cs 2 but im still searching for the serial number for that one.
i think of buying a new photoshop.
mayby photoshop cs 3 or 4

but what is GIMP?

GIMP is a sort of poor-man's photoshop.  It has advantages and disadvantages.  On the plus side it's free (as opposed to Photoshop which just about gets you change from £600), and arguably more intuitive to learn than Photoshop.  It also works on considerably more platforms than Photoshop, which only works on Windows and the Macintosh.
On the negative side, there are a number of things it doesn't do (full CYMK support, pantone etc) and if you're already used to Photoshop's idiosyncrasies you will not have a fun time.

EDIT:  See also: http://www.gimp.org/

[StrawberryPistol87]

i have Manga studio 3
andan old photoshop
and photoshop cs 2 but im still searching for the serial number for that one.
i think of buying a new photoshop.
mayby photoshop cs 3 or 4

but what is GIMP?

GIMP is a sort of poor-man's photoshop.  It has advantages and disadvantages.  On the plus side it's free (as opposed to Photoshop which just about gets you change from £600), and arguably more intuitive to learn than Photoshop.  It also works on considerably more platforms than Photoshop, which only works on Windows and the Macintosh.
On the negative side, there are a number of things it doesn't do (full CYMK support, pantone etc) and if you're already used to Photoshop's idiosyncrasies you will not have a fun time.

EDIT:  See also: http://www.gimp.org/

(as opposed to Photoshop which just about gets you change from £600)

dont know what £600 is.
sorry. but i get that GIMP is free. i will download it.

i saw the website and i only found its only for windows 2000
(i have windows xp) but mayby im looking not good enough.

if there is a windows XP. i am sorry.

[Sofox]

Go here: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gimp-win/gimp-2.6.7-i686-setup.exe

[StrawberryPistol87]

Thanks. i have him now.

Only thing is the color is acting weird when i work on the tablet.
i should read the tutorial page.

[Mao]

I'm not sure I can help you any more than anyone else in here, but I do most of my art in GIMP and may be able to answer some of your questions/issues.  If you can post in detail what they are, I can take a look.  Though it would be best if you consult the manual first.

[Pvblivs]

"GIMP is a sort of poor-man's photoshop.  It has advantages and disadvantages."

Well, I would have gone with "GIMP is for GNU Image Manipulation Program."  And it is a decently powered program that comes automaticly with Linux.  Even it has more features than I'll ever use.

[StrawberryPistol87]

I'm not sure I can help you any more than anyone else in here, but I do most of my art in GIMP and may be able to answer some of your questions/issues.  If you can post in detail what they are, I can take a look.  Though it would be best if you consult the manual first.

Manual. err, just heard it about today.
so far i downloaded for free and finding all the buttons in the software.
also find the page full with tutorials.
the only problem i have till now is when im drawin on the tablet and choose a color he automatically gos too black. for the rest its awesome really. it downloaded very fast.
it didnt need a serial number. and has evrything photoshop has. and is free.

[Chakat Blackspots]

(as opposed to Photoshop which just about gets you change from £600)

dont know what £600 is.
sorry. but i get that GIMP is free. i will download it.

i saw the website and i only found its only for windows 2000
(i have windows xp) but mayby im looking not good enough.

if there is a windows XP. i am sorry.

£600 is UK Money, and is quite close to $1000 in US money.

[StrawberryPistol87]

(as opposed to Photoshop which just about gets you change from £600)

dont know what £600 is.
sorry. but i get that GIMP is free. i will download it.

i saw the website and i only found its only for windows 2000
(i have windows xp) but mayby im looking not good enough.

if there is a windows XP. i am sorry.

£600 is UK Money, and is quite close to $1000 in US money.

photoshop is 1000$ in america? thats allot of money.

[LionHeart]

There's also Photoshop Elements, which has most of the features and power of Photoshop, for a lot less money. I use it as my image editor of choice.

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

Might I introduce you people to a key on your keyboard that doesn't seem to be getting much use?

It's called "delete", it deletes things. You'll probably see it labelled "del". It's used for removing excessive quotes from other people when you only want to add a single line reply...


*cough* *hint, hint*

[Chakat Blackspots]

photoshop is 1000$ in america? thats allot of money.

To be exact, about $969US (from £600 using www.xe.com)

[ChaosMageX]

photoshop is 1000$ in america? thats allot of money.

To be exact, about $969US (from £600 using www.xe.com)

Unless, of course, you are a college student.  Then you can get it for only $200 from The Academic Superstore or from Journey Ed.

[Chakat Blackspots]

photoshop is 1000$ in america? thats allot of money.

To be exact, about $969US (from £600 using www.xe.com)

Unless, of course, you are a college student.  Then you can get it for only $200 from The Academic Superstore or from Journey Ed.

Well, not at the moment, and if you have a class involving some sort of computer subject, the college gives you access to free MSDN software via their license program.

[Tapewolf]

Unless, of course, you are a college student.  Then you can get it for only $200 from The Academic Superstore or from Journey Ed.

But I bet it's illegal to keep using that after the course finishes.

Well, not at the moment, and if you have a class involving some sort of computer subject, they give you access to free MSDN software via their license program.

However, they do not have anything that competes with Photoshop that I am aware of.

[Jigsaw Forte]

There's also Photoshop Elements, which has most of the features and power of Photoshop, for a lot less money. I use it as my image editor of choice.

I'm using elements for lettering my pages, so I assure you it's plenty powerful.

As for adding borders... you should have a way to "expand" or "contract" selected areas as needed, which is really all you need to be able to add a border to things like speech bubbles.

There are some little details you need to be careful of (like making sure anti-aliasing is on for a smooth border, and in some cases making sure you're zoomed in nice and close for when you're making freeform selections), but that's a standard feature of pretty much any version of photoshop and other image-manip programs.

Also, Tapewolf: I've yet to see a company go after ANYONE for using an academic version after they've graduated.

[Chakat Blackspots]

Unless, of course, you are a college student.  Then you can get it for only $200 from The Academic Superstore or from Journey Ed.

But I bet it's illegal to keep using that after the course finishes.

Well, not at the moment, and if you have a class involving some sort of computer subject, they give you access to free MSDN software via their license program.

However, they do not have anything that competes with Photoshop that I am aware of.

Actually, its not illegal to keep it.  I have MS Office Project Professional 2003 from the college's MSDN license and I can use it any time I want.

[Tapewolf]

Actually, its not illegal to keep it.  I have MS Office Project Professional 2003 from the college's MSDN license and I can use it any time I want.

With due respect, how is that relevant to Adobe's licensing?

EDIT:

I'm using elements for lettering my pages, so I assure you it's plenty powerful.

Last I heard it didn't support CYMK exports, though.  That's a nuisance if you want to get something professionally printed.

As for adding borders... you should have a way to "expand" or "contract" selected areas as needed, which is really all you need to be able to add a border to things like speech bubbles.

In GIMP it is done via Select->Border, and it will prompt for the width in pixels.

There are some little details you need to be careful of (like making sure anti-aliasing is on for a smooth border, and in some cases making sure you're zoomed in nice and close for when you're making freeform selections), but that's a standard feature of pretty much any version of photoshop and other image-manip programs.

I'm not 100% sure GIMP supports antialiasing on all selection-based operations.  Usually the technique is to do the comic in high-resolution anyway, and scale it down to get your antialiasing.

Also, Tapewolf: I've yet to see a company go after ANYONE for using an academic version after they've graduated.

True, but unlicensed software is a touchy subject on this board, as per the rules.

[Chakat Blackspots]

Actually, its not illegal to keep it.  I have MS Office Project Professional 2003 from the college's MSDN license and I can use it any time I want.

With due respect, how is that relevant to Adobe's licensing?

Also, Tapewolf: I've yet to see a company go after ANYONE for using an academic version after they've graduated.

True, but unlicensed software is a touchy subject on this board, as per the rules.

It isn't relevant to Adobe's licensing other than just saying that academic versions of software are just as legal as regular versions.

[Tapewolf]

It isn't relevant to Adobe's licensing other than just saying that academic versions of software are just as legal as regular versions.

I've heard very different things about Microsoft's academic licensing actually, but that was about 8 years ago and may have changed since.
Thing is, that is only going to apply to Microsoft licensing.  Adobe can and probably does have a quite different take on whether you're allowed to use the student version of their software when you are not a student.

EDIT:

http://www.adobe.com/uk/education/purchasing/qualify.html

...taking that at face value, I'd say that once you're graduated you're not licensed to use it.

[Sofox]

I heard that you can use it after college, just not for anything commercial.

[Turnsky]

It isn't relevant to Adobe's licensing other than just saying that academic versions of software are just as legal as regular versions.

I've heard very different things about Microsoft's academic licensing actually, but that was about 8 years ago and may have changed since.
Thing is, that is only going to apply to Microsoft licensing.  Adobe can and probably does have a quite different take on whether you're allowed to use the student version of their software when you are not a student.

EDIT:

http://www.adobe.com/uk/education/purchasing/qualify.html

...taking that at face value, I'd say that once you're graduated you're not licensed to use it.

actually, just so long as you don't use it for commercial reasons, you should be fine.

[AmigaDragon]

What software are you using?

I like Paint Shop Pro but if I need to output an image with alpha transparency (full or partial) areas, I need to do that part in GIMP since PSP won't save that part properly.

[Tezkat]

actually, just so long as you don't use it for commercial reasons, you should be fine.

Actually, it's the other way around. Adobe's EULA for academically discounted products places no restrictions on commercial use. It merely requires that the users qualify as Educational End Users in their appropriate jurisdiction. (See section 16.3 of the EULA for CS4 or section 14.6 for CS3.) In practice, that means you need a valid student ID.

My very first copy of Photoshop was a NFR license I picked up at a summer job selling computers. I used it to start a web design business. All the copies I bought as a student saw professional use...