Second Life Forums Archive - Art Program Questions

FD Spark

Prim & Texture Doodler

Join date: 30 Oct 2006

Posts: 4,697

10-31-2006 20:36

I have using Jasc and Corell's Paint shop Pro 7 and 9, Gimp. Tried Blender and few other free 3d programs out there but they were really hard for me to use. I never was very successful at making things like for example the creators of Runescape have or even close. But my first 3d objects were made using this 3D program that was used in cybertown.
I prefer PSP and for tracing Gimp
I am far from expert using digital art software, its fun and I do things for fun right now not really interested in putting out hundreds on new graphic software
I have noticed a lot of people are discuss Photo Shop. Right now I don't have 300 to 600 for newer verison,
What features does Photo Shop have that Paint Shop Pro doesn't have?
Can I use the programs I have? What problems will I eventually continue to use them?

Johan Durant

Registered User

Join date: 7 Aug 2006

Posts: 1,657

10-31-2006 21:14

To be honest, for most people there is no difference. The advantages of Photoshop are mostly in relatively advanced and esoteric functionality that most people will never use. Well, that and the fact that lots of other people use Photoshop too, so it's easy to pass files around.

_____________________

(Aelin 184,194,22)

The Motion Merchant - an animation store specializing in two-person interactions

FD Spark

Prim & Texture Doodler

Join date: 30 Oct 2006

Posts: 4,697

Lost my question mark too!

10-31-2006 22:56

I am not really sure how I get my own texture files here or the textures to remain on my guy at this point on my first pair of bell bottom baggy pants.
I can make things on my computer, draw, create textures even figure out the layer and maybe some day do the animations with PSP but I am not exactly sure how to apply it to second life yet.
Anyone able to enlighten me?
Also one thing I notice is when I am trying to save the settings for my bell bottom pants they settings for copy, mod, gift/transfer won't do want I want them to do. For example set setting for pants for example if I check no mod, no copy, the resell/gift goes unchecked but if I select just no resell/gift then I have to leave mod/copy unchecked
I can understand why my appearance won't stay the same its due my computer at this point but I have no real way of telling at this point until I upgrade 256 more ram and new video card.

Naelia Dulce

Registered User

Join date: 23 Oct 2005

Posts: 3

10-31-2006 23:50

From: Johan Durant

To be honest, for most people there is no difference. The advantages of Photoshop are mostly in relatively advanced and esoteric functionality that most people will never use. Well, that and the fact that lots of other people use Photoshop too, so it's easy to pass files around.

This is a response I don't see enough of. Thank you for posting that Johan.

FD Spark,
The program does not make the artist. Photoshop may make some things
easier, but there are far too many artists relying on filters instead of learning the fundamentals. Find the program you are comfortable with and use that one. I personally use PSP 9, it can also open and save to .PSD

As for the technical aspect, it took me awhile to get the textures right over the models, use the preview function as much as possible before you complete your upload, it should help a lot.

FD Spark

Prim & Texture Doodler

Join date: 30 Oct 2006

Posts: 4,697

11-01-2006 00:05

I finally figured out double clicking them helps me show up with them but the images don't always show up when I am actually trying to make the item.
I have few weird problems but I want to wait to see what happens when I do the upgrade first on my computer.
Like I tried to change item but it said I was wearing but then it said it was in such and such folder.
I still don't know how to upload files from my computer to SL yet.
Yet I am curious if its possible I wanted or could figure out how to digital sculpt with my mouse or hand drawn image of my own body form with mouse or hand drawing what would I need to be able to transfer the 2d image to active 3 d image and correct name files and body poses and upload it to the game? Is it possible? Would I have to split the files by body parts, animations,etc?

FD Spark

Prim & Texture Doodler

Join date: 30 Oct 2006

Posts: 4,697

11-01-2006 00:11

I know that textures often in certain enviroments can and do go wrong way too fricking well...I just wish I knew why for example when I made doll with hair, textures, etc imediately change and look distorted once I save.
There are certain items I do use as short cut like hair textures, more detailed items like mouths, eyes can go terribly wrong when you're mouse drawing its hard to get perspectives of faces. I do sometimes cheat and borrow the preset circles but I do all my own shading
I tend to do landscapes and things like fruit bowls though when I create because I got so frusterated with dolls look all greyish.

Eric Ortega

Registered User

Join date: 13 Sep 2006

Posts: 12

11-01-2006 01:33

as said before the program you use makes no difference if you don't have the creative spark in you. if you can do landscapes in a digital graphics program you'll have very little issues with making textures for SL.i've dabbled in 2D art for a living for 2 years and been playing with them for about 8 years now all up. i still use the same program now i did when i first started for just about everything PSP7. i own 5 other graphics programs including PS and newer versions of PSP but i guess i'm just old and comfy using 7 hehe.

tips for using PSP for SL stuff.
making alpha channels in PSP takes about 30 seconds after a few attempts at it. have a transparent BG and only have the layers visible you wish to make up the final image. click masks/new/from image and change the settings to "this window" and click source opacity. once the mask is made save it to alpha channel. if the mask is on a layer with parts you want to be in the final image i'd suggest turning the mask off in layer properties. save it as a 24bit TGA and your off and running.

tetures without opaccity on them save as 16 bit. i know it isn't meant to but i have had the transparency bug play with solid 24 bit textures before and it's BLOODY annoying to say the least so go 16bit and avoid the aggro and swear words being hurled at ya monitor

uploading images to SL is very simple. in SL in the file tab is an upload texture option. as someone mentioned you you get to preview them first. if it's ladies pants you can wrap it around female lowerbody. isn't perfect for all avatar types and shapes but better then paying 10L$ to find out you got the alphas wrong.

hope they help mate and don't be scared to ask any other questions you have. not all of us are photoshop junkies

Naelia Dulce

Registered User

Join date: 23 Oct 2005

Posts: 3

11-01-2006 02:19

Lol, I think there should be a rehab center for people addicted to photoshop eyecandy filters >_< they go overboard.

Anyway, This tutorial provides a visual reference for making transparent images in PSP

http://www.sluniverse.com/kb/article.aspx?id=10190

You're Probably going to have some "seams" on your textures until you learn how to utilize the bleeds properly.

FD Spark

Prim & Texture Doodler

Join date: 30 Oct 2006

Posts: 4,697

11-01-2006 02:23

Thank you for advise.
I am totaly unfamilar with tga files, only have some mask and alpha experience so I definitely know now where I ned to work on.
I have had few bad experiences with alpha objects in past.
Thanks now I know what I need to be working on and gain experience with LOL.

Johan Durant

Registered User

Join date: 7 Aug 2006

Posts: 1,657

11-01-2006 03:47

From: Naelia Dulce

As for the technical aspect, it took me awhile to get the textures right over the models, use the preview function as much as possible before you complete your upload, it should help a lot.

Also, if you're on Windows you can use the previewer I wrote. It's stickied in this forum.

_____________________

(Aelin 184,194,22)

The Motion Merchant - an animation store specializing in two-person interactions

Natalie Oe

Huh?

Join date: 3 Oct 2005

Posts: 679

11-01-2006 04:07

Hiya

I use both photoshop and paintshop pro.

Personally I find photoshop is better for creating textures and editing images ect

Paintshop (just my opinion) is easier when working with alpha layers for things like tattoo's ect

There really isn't that much difference between them both tho, It all depends on which program your more comfortable using.

Nat

_____________________

Seeking texture artists interested in commission based selling space. For more information please contact Natalie Oe in world

FD Spark

Prim & Texture Doodler

Join date: 30 Oct 2006

Posts: 4,697

11-01-2006 08:58

Yeah after talking here I went and order few PSP books on Amazon because truthfully I am tired of printing out tutorials but there some here that makes me wish I wasn't out of ink. LOL
By way here is link to the art I have done.
http://frugaldragon.deviantart.com/
Click the images to enlarge them or to see more lok at gallary.

Art Program Questions
FD Spark Prim & Texture Doodler Join date: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 4,697	10-31-2006 20:36 I have using Jasc and Corell's Paint shop Pro 7 and 9, Gimp. Tried Blender and few other free 3d programs out there but they were really hard for me to use. I never was very successful at making things like for example the creators of Runescape have or even close. But my first 3d objects were made using this 3D program that was used in cybertown. I prefer PSP and for tracing Gimp I am far from expert using digital art software, its fun and I do things for fun right now not really interested in putting out hundreds on new graphic software I have noticed a lot of people are discuss Photo Shop. Right now I don't have 300 to 600 for newer verison, What features does Photo Shop have that Paint Shop Pro doesn't have? Can I use the programs I have? What problems will I eventually continue to use them?
Johan Durant Registered User Join date: 7 Aug 2006 Posts: 1,657	10-31-2006 21:14 To be honest, for most people there is no difference. The advantages of Photoshop are mostly in relatively advanced and esoteric functionality that most people will never use. Well, that and the fact that lots of other people use Photoshop too, so it's easy to pass files around. _____________________ (Aelin 184,194,22) The Motion Merchant - an animation store specializing in two-person interactions
FD Spark Prim & Texture Doodler Join date: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 4,697	Lost my question mark too! 10-31-2006 22:56 I am not really sure how I get my own texture files here or the textures to remain on my guy at this point on my first pair of bell bottom baggy pants. I can make things on my computer, draw, create textures even figure out the layer and maybe some day do the animations with PSP but I am not exactly sure how to apply it to second life yet. Anyone able to enlighten me? Also one thing I notice is when I am trying to save the settings for my bell bottom pants they settings for copy, mod, gift/transfer won't do want I want them to do. For example set setting for pants for example if I check no mod, no copy, the resell/gift goes unchecked but if I select just no resell/gift then I have to leave mod/copy unchecked I can understand why my appearance won't stay the same its due my computer at this point but I have no real way of telling at this point until I upgrade 256 more ram and new video card.
Naelia Dulce Registered User Join date: 23 Oct 2005 Posts: 3	10-31-2006 23:50 From: Johan Durant To be honest, for most people there is no difference. The advantages of Photoshop are mostly in relatively advanced and esoteric functionality that most people will never use. Well, that and the fact that lots of other people use Photoshop too, so it's easy to pass files around. This is a response I don't see enough of. Thank you for posting that Johan. FD Spark, The program does not make the artist. Photoshop may make some things easier, but there are far too many artists relying on filters instead of learning the fundamentals. Find the program you are comfortable with and use that one. I personally use PSP 9, it can also open and save to .PSD As for the technical aspect, it took me awhile to get the textures right over the models, use the preview function as much as possible before you complete your upload, it should help a lot.
FD Spark Prim & Texture Doodler Join date: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 4,697	11-01-2006 00:05 I finally figured out double clicking them helps me show up with them but the images don't always show up when I am actually trying to make the item. I have few weird problems but I want to wait to see what happens when I do the upgrade first on my computer. Like I tried to change item but it said I was wearing but then it said it was in such and such folder. I still don't know how to upload files from my computer to SL yet. Yet I am curious if its possible I wanted or could figure out how to digital sculpt with my mouse or hand drawn image of my own body form with mouse or hand drawing what would I need to be able to transfer the 2d image to active 3 d image and correct name files and body poses and upload it to the game? Is it possible? Would I have to split the files by body parts, animations,etc?
FD Spark Prim & Texture Doodler Join date: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 4,697	11-01-2006 00:11 I know that textures often in certain enviroments can and do go wrong way too fricking well...I just wish I knew why for example when I made doll with hair, textures, etc imediately change and look distorted once I save. There are certain items I do use as short cut like hair textures, more detailed items like mouths, eyes can go terribly wrong when you're mouse drawing its hard to get perspectives of faces. I do sometimes cheat and borrow the preset circles but I do all my own shading I tend to do landscapes and things like fruit bowls though when I create because I got so frusterated with dolls look all greyish.
Eric Ortega Registered User Join date: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 12	11-01-2006 01:33 as said before the program you use makes no difference if you don't have the creative spark in you. if you can do landscapes in a digital graphics program you'll have very little issues with making textures for SL.i've dabbled in 2D art for a living for 2 years and been playing with them for about 8 years now all up. i still use the same program now i did when i first started for just about everything PSP7. i own 5 other graphics programs including PS and newer versions of PSP but i guess i'm just old and comfy using 7 hehe. tips for using PSP for SL stuff. making alpha channels in PSP takes about 30 seconds after a few attempts at it. have a transparent BG and only have the layers visible you wish to make up the final image. click masks/new/from image and change the settings to "this window" and click source opacity. once the mask is made save it to alpha channel. if the mask is on a layer with parts you want to be in the final image i'd suggest turning the mask off in layer properties. save it as a 24bit TGA and your off and running. tetures without opaccity on them save as 16 bit. i know it isn't meant to but i have had the transparency bug play with solid 24 bit textures before and it's BLOODY annoying to say the least so go 16bit and avoid the aggro and swear words being hurled at ya monitor uploading images to SL is very simple. in SL in the file tab is an upload texture option. as someone mentioned you you get to preview them first. if it's ladies pants you can wrap it around female lowerbody. isn't perfect for all avatar types and shapes but better then paying 10L$ to find out you got the alphas wrong. hope they help mate and don't be scared to ask any other questions you have. not all of us are photoshop junkies
Naelia Dulce Registered User Join date: 23 Oct 2005 Posts: 3	11-01-2006 02:19 Lol, I think there should be a rehab center for people addicted to photoshop eyecandy filters >_< they go overboard. Anyway, This tutorial provides a visual reference for making transparent images in PSP http://www.sluniverse.com/kb/article.aspx?id=10190 You're Probably going to have some "seams" on your textures until you learn how to utilize the bleeds properly.
FD Spark Prim & Texture Doodler Join date: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 4,697	11-01-2006 02:23 Thank you for advise. I am totaly unfamilar with tga files, only have some mask and alpha experience so I definitely know now where I ned to work on. I have had few bad experiences with alpha objects in past. Thanks now I know what I need to be working on and gain experience with LOL.
Johan Durant Registered User Join date: 7 Aug 2006 Posts: 1,657	11-01-2006 03:47 From: Naelia Dulce As for the technical aspect, it took me awhile to get the textures right over the models, use the preview function as much as possible before you complete your upload, it should help a lot. Also, if you're on Windows you can use the previewer I wrote. It's stickied in this forum. _____________________ (Aelin 184,194,22) The Motion Merchant - an animation store specializing in two-person interactions
Natalie Oe Huh? Join date: 3 Oct 2005 Posts: 679	11-01-2006 04:07 Hiya I use both photoshop and paintshop pro. Personally I find photoshop is better for creating textures and editing images ect Paintshop (just my opinion) is easier when working with alpha layers for things like tattoo's ect There really isn't that much difference between them both tho, It all depends on which program your more comfortable using. Nat _____________________ Seeking texture artists interested in commission based selling space. For more information please contact Natalie Oe in world
FD Spark Prim & Texture Doodler Join date: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 4,697	11-01-2006 08:58 Yeah after talking here I went and order few PSP books on Amazon because truthfully I am tired of printing out tutorials but there some here that makes me wish I wasn't out of ink. LOL By way here is link to the art I have done. http://frugaldragon.deviantart.com/ Click the images to enlarge them or to see more lok at gallary.

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