BTS : Avatar Creations 2014

originally posted by: pheonix358
a reply to: Kangaruex4Ewe

I am not at all good at making Avatars so I think of myself on these pages as:

The Great ... Suggester or Jester, I am not sure which is more accurate.

But I like it here!

P

I see why you like it here. I check in every day or so just to look at the new avatars and spy on the banter ( ) and you guys do have some fun. I like just reading it at times.

I have wished more than once that I knew how to make avatars so I could join in. But alas... I am incompetent in that area.

You are obviously good at suggesting as well since that avatar combination would have never hit me before you mentioned it.

you'll see me wearing that avatar one day!

Hey mates what is a good cheap set up for drawing? I have
a laptop & use my finger & that is a challenge at times &
much slower. So any help & suggestions welcomed. Thanks!
Oh & something that would also benefit webdesign...I'm
learning that too.

Cheers
Ektar

Free to good home if you like pixel art

a reply to: Ektar

i think Templar is the one that does drawing.

a reply to: Ektar

I know not everyone would agree with me, but I suggest an iPad and a good stylus. Older models aren't too expensive, and I find I have learned much with mine. There are many many amazing apps that have helped me learn all kinds of graphic design stuff and art techniques. However, I'm terribly biased as it's all I use. So take my advice with whatever grain of salt you wish.

a reply to: Ektar
For drawing i use wacom cintiq, been using wacom products for years. A3 is a bit too heavy for other use than architechture blueprints when tablet stays in one place, i used to have that size and it was way too much and changed to A4 which can also be kept in a lap. Wacom is a bit pricey, you can find used intuos in amazon in decent prices tho but there are similar drawing tablets around which are less than 100 dollars or used ones even cheapier, i have heard people are very comfy with those too, i can´t give my opinion as i have been stuck with wacom family and find its products exactly what i need.. wacom.
For drawing applications there are free ones like gimp, natural drawing applications like artrage are not expencive and ipad application for it only 5 bucks ( if you choose to go with ipad ).

If this was any help.. lol

Be careful with pen.. they are easily lost have a spare too lol ( once found one of mine in fridge )

Thanks guys...maybe I am asking wrong question. When you guys create avatars
& etc do you use your finger? I have a HP Laptop, is there a stylus to use with that,
or do I need separate items like both of you suggested?

Also iPad is Apple...would it be compatible with my laptop?
or would I just use it separate & would be able to log on here at home?
Sorry I am ignorant about such things. I don't want to spend alot, I am
on limited budget...something maybe in the middle. Thank you for
you time & help!

Cheers
Ektar

a reply to: Ektar

i have been considering this lately as well, so am interested in the conversation.

My other option would be drawing on paper, then scanning it in. Yeah...not very high tech.

a reply to: Ektar

You are asking the right question. All depends in what you are comfortable with some even draw with a mouse alone, but if you draw more and are intrested in making graphics then you should consider easier and more natural way of drawing and mouse and finger just doesn´t do it. Drawing tablets and pens are my choice as i really like sensibility that it brings, like when you press pen harder it makes thicker line etc. Tablets comes with installing software where you choose which is your operating system.

Lets see what amazon got
link
I have to say i have never seen this cheap intuos, there is no pen so that should be bought separately.. just showing if you look you can find a deal.

a reply to: dollukka

Thanks! I will have a look & I just came from Amazon after
reading your last post.

Here's anther question...does Wacom also have internet access
like an iPad does? At least as far as I can tell it may cost a little more
for a refurb but you also have internet, camera & blue tooth with
iPad...not sure if compatible with the HP Laptop.

Hey BFFT, love the new Avi & signature!

Cheers
Ektar

a reply to: Ektar

Cintiq has computer inside it ( is a computer ) and there are android version of cintiq too but these are the pricey ones. The intuos and other basic models does not have internet or run as their own instead their software need to be installed to your computer and you use it with it. When you want display screen in your tablet its always pricey, basic models doesn´t have that so you use your computer screen instead for seeing.
There are so many options out there and other brands too.. just browse and if possible go and test in the shop if they have those.

a reply to: Ektar

I use an Wacom Intuous 3 for any digital drawing. It is a little dated now, but it still works well, and what I like is the press touch feature, wherein like a real pencil if you press harder or use the edge of the stylus it broadens the stroke of the pen.

The hardest thing I find to get used to is when you are used to drawing, what you see visually is what comes out on the paper in front of you. Using the tablet with a screen, you have to watch the screen and not the pen as you draw, it is a little confusing. I get around it sometimes by placing a piece of paper on the tablet and drawing there as the image comes out on the screen. The other problem is the stylus kind of takes over as the mouse when it is plugged in, which is hard to move around when you just want to move the mouse and the stylus at the same time.

There are some newer ones with inbuilt touch screens that function basically like drawing on paper, but they can range up $2000+ for a good one. Some of the new 12 inch Samsung and Apple tablets have a drawing function you can use to effect, but they are fairly limited to their effects.

The old school method of drawing on paper then scanning is not really effective as you lose heaps of detail when scanning the original, and you spend almost as much time touching up or repairing the image as you do originally drawing it.

I'd check ebay if you're interested in the drawing tablet route, I can't remember exactly, but I think mine was in the $70-$100 range, and it is really simple to set up via USB.

Hey just a reminder...has everyone voted on our
contest? Bloody hell Dollukka you ROCKED sister!

Cheers
Ektar

a reply to: Ektar

Thank you Ektar, there were many i liked.

There were some time ago a thread about celebrities as a average joe´s which could be a nice challenge as well..
Inspired me to do an average Obama.. grins

Up for grabs

Hi guys

I'm back , the kids have flown home a little more tired than when they arrived and I'm a richer man for having met them again .

Bring on the avatars

Cody

Glad you had a great time. Your kids look great although, really, did you have to pass on your nose. Very um, noticable feature

You are a great Dad!

Check the last few pages, I think one may have been missed but I can't find it. Kangaroo wants some fun changes too following one of my suggestions.

Glad your back, very glad you spent time with your children. Well done.

P

a reply to: pheonix358

They're Jewish P, the nose went unnoticed

Thanks to all of you for your support, it truly was a magical fortnight, and Mrs C has fallen into the role of step mum with ease and grace.

I'll check back later, right now I have to go work.........................if I can remember where it is LOL

Cody

Hi guys and gals.

Time for a new avatar. Can someone size this for me please?


Actually, never mind. I kind of like it just as it is, after trying it out.

Go back to what you were doing...

Below is a message I sent to Cody earlier on...

Hey bud.

You may recall that my moving avatar, or at least the moving component of it, was provided by Gordi, during the Valentine thread.

What neither of us realised at the time, is that the file size of that image seems to be in violation of the rules and regulations regarding such things.

Further to this, I received a U2U from another member who reported that the speed and timing of the movement in the image, makes them fear some sort of seizure, and causes them headaches, reducing their enjoyment if the site.

I do not want to be using more site resources for my avatar than I should be, and I certainly do not want to reduce the enjoyment that other users get out of the site either. You being the all round avatar guru that you are, I was hoping that you might be able to help me rectify this issue!

Thanks for your time in reading this, and in advance for any assistance you can offer!

T.B.

... Who suggested that I place it here in the hopes that one of the intrepid and skilful creators here, can help me with the issues expressed in the message. Any help you folk can offer would be greatly appreciated!

a reply to: TrueBrit

Reduced to size 165kb and deleted multiple frames, slowed animation down a bit.