New sig or wallpaper? show it off here!

[shinta|hikari]

It's a secret http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/secret.jpg.

[Alhuin]

Okay... I'm tired... I've been working on this for three days. I'm generally pleased with it, but fuck text... I really need to find a good tutorial on it. I spend way too much time on text.

Anyways...

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/7210/cloudver2.jpg

[Archangel]

Where is that quote from?

[shinta|hikari]

That's really good.

[Alhuin]

Where is that quote from?

It's actually from a song. The band is MSD, and they are local where I'm from. It's titled "Face the Grey".
MSD - Face the Grey (http://www.myspace.com/msdspace/music/songs/Face-The-Grey-26580267)

Might not be a lot of people's style... but I thought the lyrics actually fit with Cloud (as well as many other people and characters). It's a song I listen to to motivate myself when I am under a lot of stress also.

[Archangel]

Let me know if you ever find a good text tut, i need to work on that area as well

[shinta|hikari]

New sig and avatar.

I'm currently trying to learn gimp because I lost my PS, so I can't really do much. I'm actually posting this not for comments on the art aspect (since I didn't/can't do what I want yet), but for exposure of the light novel where I got it from.

Utsuro no Hako, Zero no Maria is the title, and so far it is really good. The female lead Aya is really interesting. She reminds me of Haruhi without the absurd whims and overall childish bitchiness. Please read it (http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Utsuro_no_Hako_to_Zero_no_Maria).

[Archangel]

It's a nice crop, the avatar feels very empty though.

[Alhuin]

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9343/sorab.jpg

Just trying to keep in shape.

[Alhuin]

Double post for another new one.

http://img864.imageshack.us/img864/7788/gogeta.jpg

I generally tend to avoid making anything DBZ/GT oriented, but I saw this render and really wanted to put it to use. A few days of work brought about this end result, but yet again, as I've said many times before, I'm not incredibly happy with the text. More specifically, the font and colour choice. I actually think the placement is fine, though the bottom text may need to be shifted some. And the line may or may not be needed. So any suggestions are welcome.

Also, I tried giving the render a feel of movement... I'm not sure if I captured that well or not.

[shinta|hikari]

Kingdom Hearts one looks awesome. It clicks, even if the style is a bit overused. If seen without knowing your sig history, I would say it looks quite professional.

I finally got PS again, so I might make a new sig that isn't just cropped like the one I'm using now. I'm still thinking about a new style, so it might take a while.

[shinta|hikari]

New sig.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/kurisusig2-1.jpg

I will use it once I manage to make an avatar to match it.

[Buffalobiian]

Al, I like the DBZ one, and I don't see any problems with the font or text colour.

I also think that the "SS4" line fits in terms of placement/colour etc, but I would rather change the words. Could you think of a tagline that's more catchy or interesting?

[shinta|hikari]

I'm not at my work PC, and due to calibration differences, I think the gears in the sig I posted above are too hard to see. I want them very transluscent, but not invisible. How does it look to you guys?

Here are the two versions for comparison:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/kurisusig2.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/kurisusig2-1.jpg

I'm also thinking about adding some text, but I'm not sure if it would make it better or worse. I was thinking white, slightly transluscent with a slight glow.

[Buffalobiian]

The one with more obvious gears would be the one to choose then. I didn't even notice that there were gears in either of them until you mentioned so. I'm leaning back from the PC and without my glasses though..

[shinta|hikari]

I realize now that it was my laptop that is at fault. The calibration there is really bright. Here it seems way too dark, and not what I intended. I will fix it later this evening.

[Archangel]

My calibration is darker than most and i can see them just fine

[Alhuin]

Mine is brighter than most, but I can barely make out the gears in the bottom one. The top one looks much better. I also think it looks good without text, but you could always try different things out. I'm assuming the character is the same as your current sig?

@Bill: What would you recommend for the text that's catchy? I will admit that that certain line was the one I was referring to when I mentioned I wasn't satisfied with it. I tried typing out the "SS4" part instead, but it didn't look right. I didn't think of just scrapping that altogether in favour of better text though.

[shinta|hikari]

Here is the latest version. I really went overboard with the brightening, but that is because I can't tell how different it is in other monitors. In mine, it looks pretty damn light.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/kurisusig3.jpg

And yes, that is also Kurisu Makise. Watch Steins;Gate now.

[Archangel]

You ruined it, it's much too bright as it is

[Lucifus]

I must agree with Arch, the first version of the render is far better, though the background has definitely been improved in this version. Merge em! =)

[shinta|hikari]

Does this look better?

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/kurisusig4.jpg

[Buffalobiian]

@shinta: yes.

@Al: I dunno man.. I provide problems/ideas, not solutions :P (only because I'm not good enough to come up with any.. )

[Alhuin]

What do you think about this Bill?

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/7471/gogetaver2.jpg


And shinta, yours looks awesome =D.

[Buffalobiian]

Yeah, I like it better than the first. The length is good too, how it's just fitting in the darker area between the border and the glow.

Good job coming up with it. ;)

[shinta|hikari]

New set from Maria Holic. The text under the sig was supposed to go into the sig itself, but I didn't want to ruin the simple balance it already has.

[Buffalobiian]

Is the background of the avatar supposed to depict anything tangible in particular?

edit: nvm, it's the school gate.

[Alhuin]

I love the sig, and the text fits perfect under it, in my opinion.
The ava though, I'm not really fond of. Maybe it's the lack of colour in the background, or that the contrast seems a lot higher than that of the sig. The way it looks like she's leaning in from the side is nice though.

[shinta|hikari]

I'll tinker with the colours later to make it match the sig tones.

[Archangel]

I should make a new set as well but nothing this season stands out

[shinta|hikari]

New set.

The reason I changed my set is in the sig.

[Archangel]

>Shinta;Gate

Lol, you dork :P

[shinta|hikari]

I was gonna do the whole shinta;hikari thing again, but I got lazy in the middle of it.

[Buffalobiian]

Look smart. Look sexy.

Nice.

[shinta|hikari]

I went ahead and changed it to shinta|hikari.

[Alhuin]

Looks awesome. Some dedication there to find the font and create a replica, haha!

[shinta|hikari]

I didn't find the font. I redrew the text from the letters in the original label. Luckily, most of the letters in shinta hikari are already in Steins;Gate, or at least can be derived from it.

[shinta|hikari]

New sig set for GOSICK.

I made 2 versions, one is lighter, one is darker. Which looks better?

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/vicavared2.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/vicavared.jpg



http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/vicsig3.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/vicsig4.jpg

[Buffalobiian]

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/vicavared2.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/vicsig3.jpg


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/vicavared.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/vicsig4.jpg

Just rearranged them to make the comparison a bit easier for myself. (well, didn't make it easier, but anyway)....

I think the darker one's better.

[shinta|hikari]

New set I had to make after spoiling myself with the Kizumonogatari novel.

I made a less saturated version of the sig. Which looks better?

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/heartunderblade2.jpg

[Buffalobiian]

The more saturated version looks better. It goes better with the avatar, and makes Shinobu seems less like a zombie.


New set I had to make after spoiling myself with the Kizumonogatari novel.

I hate you man. I saw your sig in another thread and thought Kizumonogatari was going to come out soon.

[Archangel]

I'd photoshop the feathers out if i was you, regardless of context they look weird

[shinta|hikari]

I removed the feathers and made her face the exact center of the sig. Is it better?

[Buffalobiian]

make it off-center again. I just want to see if that looks better or not.

The feathers did give the sig balance against the Katana handle.

[Archangel]

Yes, centering it was going to be my next suggestion

The avatar seems somewhat empty though

[shinta|hikari]

Here is the off center wider version.


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/heartunderblade3-1.jpg

In case you were wondering, she was wearing clothes before.

[Archangel]

... i didn't even notice she was naked. But yeah, good photoshop yah weirdo

I prefer the centered one by the way

[Buffalobiian]

I like the wider one. Dimension goes better with the avatar.

[shinta|hikari]

New Anal set.

The sig took a lot more effort than I thought it would.

[Archangel]

Must be hard to photoshop with only one hand

[shinta|hikari]

While I know what you mean, that wasn't the reason.

[Buffalobiian]

I'm trying to figure out where the lighting is that's forming the shadow on Anaru's face. It looks like someone's raised the blinds or something and that she's looking out of the window, but isn't the window behind that yellow curtain?

[shinta|hikari]

I was thinking that the room has 2 windows.

Or that the yellow curtain is hiding something else...

[RyougaZell]

While I approve of the signature... it makes it hard for me to browse the forums at the office <___<

[shinta|hikari]

Since Buff pointed out the issue with the lighting (which I also noticed but thought no one else would so I stuck with the curtain idea), I decided to change the BG. I prefer the colour balance of the previous one with the curtain, but the lighting did not make much sense. This version also allows for a bit more customization.

Curtain version
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/anarusig4.jpg

New version
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/anarusigex2.jpg

EDIT: I made another version with yellow walls, and slightly altered the shadow angle. I just thought that a yellow room is a bit more girly.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/anarusigex3.jpg

Which is the best among the 3 versions?

Now before anyone complains about why those two are at a non-loli's room, Anaru is still a minor and very much a shoujo.

EDIT2: I decided on the yellow wall and replaced the kyubey with another pic that is looking in the right direction. The previous one was weird since it was looking somewhere else.

[Buffalobiian]

Yellow is definitely the way to go.

As for bookshelf or curtain, it depends really..

The curtain brings out a more simpler feel, while the bookshelf can feel crowded if I'm in the right mood.

But that's being picky.. just like the lighting. It's weird if you sit there and think about it, but on the grander scale it's pretty easy to ignore. There's are much better focal points in that sig after all.

(edit: to be decisive, I'll settle with the bookshelf just like you did)

[shinta|hikari]

I also feel it is a bit cluttered, but since it allows me to sneak kyubey and pedobear in there, it is a worthwhile exchange,

[shinta|hikari]

New set, again from Steins;Gate. Please watch it, it's great. Even Kraco agrees (http://forums.gotwoot.net/showthread.php/19818-Steins-Gate?p=488570&viewfull=1#post488570).

[IFHTT]

I got tired of the pikachu mask avatar so I removed it and added a sig which has nothing to do with anything. The things we do with plenty of time and boredom on our hands...


Now it's time for me to disappear from the forums for another undisclosed amount of time

[Archangel]

New set, featuring the only enjoyable show this season

[shinta|hikari]

I love the sig, but the flowers in the avatar make you look like a fujoshi. It will make people think you are female, unless that is intentional.

[Archangel]

I tried to redraw the flower... it didn't go so well

I'll try again later or maybe see if i can find another render to work with

[Buffalobiian]

The monster is the rabbit's heart too.

/me thumbs up.

[shinta|hikari]

Haha. Thanks.

[shinta|hikari]

I had to revert to my old sig because I finally found the perfect avatar for it.

[Archangel]

Lacks flowers

[Buffalobiian]

I had to revert to my old sig because I finally found the perfect avatar for it.

You just pushed Steins;Gate up in the watch-list. Not at the top yet, but it's getting there.

Screw flowers.

[shinta|hikari]

Why not just watch it? If I had to recommend anything this season, it would be that show. You are lucky since you can now marathon the slow parts and get to the juicy stuff quickly.

@Arch - LOL@flowers.

[shinta|hikari]

Reverted to my Victorique set because GOSICK episode 23 broke me.

[Archangel]

Dude, enough!

[shinta|hikari]

Enough of what?

[Archangel]

Shifting sigs every 5 seconds, i'm getting dizzy.

[Buffalobiian]

I... feel spoiled :(

[Ryllharu]

Reverted to my Victorique set because GOSICK episode 23 broke me.

Seriously? WTF. Have some courtesy for others. It has been only a little over 24 hours since the episode aired, and you're putting that message all over the forums. It's one thing to make those kind of remarks in the thread. It is trivial for any member to simply not go into a series thread until they watch the episode so that they can avoid it.

But you managed to plaster that all over the forums, anywhere you posted. Thanks a lot.

While it isn't strictly against the rules...have the decency to consider a little courtesy for others who choose not to watch the first sub group that comes out (or the raw).

[shinta|hikari]

But it isn't a spoiler. That is a picture from the ED song, where Victorique has yet to meet Kujou. I've always wanted to make a set with those images, and I finally found a good quality one at zerochan. It is not about the newest episode. SPOILER EXPLANATION: I would have made a different one if it was about that episode. It ended on a different note to my set theme, after all.

The sig set that I reverted to was this one:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/gosig.jpg

That is why I said "reverted" in that post you quoted. If you think I'm lying, there should be some sort of record somewhere of my online activities. Go and check that.

[Ryllharu]

It's not the image, that's obvious. It is the text.

[shinta|hikari]

What about the text? It is not a spoiler either. I can't really explain it in detail without littering spoilers in this thread.

I just used the metaphor that was revealed in episode 23 to describe the image. Don't read too much into it.

EDIT: Let me explain it here to prevent this topic from derailing this thread any longer.

SPOILER EXPLANATION: Victorique held hope and longed for Kujou in the latest episode, as shown by her attachment to the pendant. It even ended with them possibly reuniting in the future. My set is about emptiness and despair. Even the text clearly says "without its heart", which isn't true for the current (as of episode 24) Victorique at all.

[Ryllharu]

What about the text? It is not a spoiler either. I can't really explain it in detail without littering spoilers in this thread.

I just used the metaphor that was revealed in episode 23 to describe the image. Don't read too much into it.You don't seem to be grasping the concept. That's the whole point. I can avoid going into the Gosick (or whatever series for that matter) thread until I watch an episode. I should not have to avoid going into any other series thread or completely unrelated threads because I don't want to get "potentially" spoiled.

If you can't explain why it isn't a spoiler in detail without spoiling...it sure ends up sounding like it is one.

edit: If you had used that text after the series was over, I'd have no issue. The problem is you happened to use something that was revealed in a newly released episode in under 36 hours, and put it in a place where seeing it cannot be avoided, no matter where you go on gotwoot. In every way, it looks like a spoiler of episode 23 for those who watched episode 22. If I have to watch the episode to understand why it isn't a spoiler, it sure sounds like one.

edit 2: So now you are posting series info in an unrelated thread. Classy.

[shinta|hikari]

My mistake, the text was from episode 22, not 23. It is a week old.

I will change it anyway, just so that you drop this.

[Ryllharu]

Thanks.

You change your sig a lot and are very enthusiastic about it, but all I ask is that you be careful with that sort of thing, for everyone else's sake.

[Archangel]

I... feel spoiled :(
/me reminds the beta faggot that is Bill that he is in a position to do something about such things

[Buffalobiian]

/me reminds the beta faggot that is Bill that he is in a position to do something about such things

And the fact that I didn't do anything tells you about whether Shinta's sig was against the rules or not.

[shinta|hikari]

New set from the new season.

[Ryllharu]

I like how the new version of your avatar is more appropriately attired than before, and now matches the sig.

A very refreshing set.

[darkshadow]

Regardless; I think its bloody excellent.

I'll get you that ava DS, eventually... -_-

.. :'[...

[shinta|hikari]

@Ryll - Thanks. I couldn't find a good image at first so I ended up settling on the fanart looking one I used before.

When was that quote posted?

[Ryllharu]

Hint: Click on the little blue "view post" button in the quote. April 11, 2010

Note: I discovered that functionality today, for that same question.

[shinta|hikari]

LOL, that was more than a year ago. Words like "eventually" are really cheap in that it is still applicable even now.

[Buffalobiian]

I like how the new version of your avatar is more appropriately attired than before, and now matches the sig.

A very refreshing set.

I like it better overall regardless of the dress standard. It's jus much cuter.

Now shinta just has to resist the urge to change that for a month.

[gos27]

Made a new sig, haven't made one in quite a while. Not nearly as good as some of the others i have seen here. What you guys think?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Kdi3G-2z-lc/Thbj8reUzNI/AAAAAAAAAO0/2GfdZpRwAfk/gotwoot%2525202.jpg

[Buffalobiian]

Not really a fan of the artstyle that Rin is drawn in. But if you want to use that, then the bigger issue is the background. It's just a completely jarring style compared to the foreground (undefined "techno/electro" designs vs simpler "cartoony" character")

The overall effect is makes it feel too much like a cut/paste job, despite the effort that you've put into it.

So.. yeah, try a different background. ;)

[gos27]

Thanks for the tip! Im bloody awful at backgrounds though :( Guess i could try a few things!

[gos27]

Ok just edited the background, never tried this kinda thing before but i think it looks better, thoughts?

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--M-Y0R0pwJ4/Thbvge9E2cI/AAAAAAAAAPE/b_MV7ZuQREY/gotwoot%252520attempt2.jpg

[Buffalobiian]

They're both still kinda mismatched to me. If I had to pick between your v1 and v2, I'd actually go for v1. Despite the drawbacks, I quite liked the idea of an abstract background for Rin. The flames and flowing tie on his neck help capture the idea that he's in some sort of "windy vastness" or "vortex" of some sort, if you get my drift.

Perhaps flames/clouds/sky/something-patter-like that would give the idea of a windy/dynamic background that would cause the effects of blowing flames/tie rather than a discrete background?

[gos27]

Yeah I suppose the v2 background looks a bit out of place. Might play around with it another time, thanks a million for the advice though, I really appreciate it :)

[Buffalobiian]

np, hope it didn't discourage you. ;)

Some of the other guys who actually make sigs and stuff might be able to give you actual tips regarding technique and stuff instead of just aesthetic ideas.

[Archangel]

That render sucks, i doubt you can make much of a sig out of it.

[gos27]

Yeah I know. I just cut out the background of it real quick, didn't want to spend ages doing it.

[Lucifus]

My first set in a long long time. Or at least, it feels like its been awhile.

[Buffalobiian]

My first set in a long long time. Or at least, it feels like its been awhile.

They... don't seem to match.

[Lucifus]

You be quiet! <3

[Archangel]

That be some classy ass set you got there

[shinta|hikari]

New Nagi set to celebrate the restart of the manga.

[darkshadow]

Nice hair in the avatar.

[Buffalobiian]

Nice hair in the avatar.

Agreed. /me nods

[Archangel]

That's funny because i just decided to download the anime yesterday for no reason in particular

[shinta|hikari]

That's a bit strange because I was just commenting about her in the top 3 thread. and how she (Nagi) could have had a spot if the manga didn't stall.

I guess god works in mysterious ways (you'll get it after you watch it).

[IFHTT]

Bleh... I haven't made a decent sig in so long, I think I'm forgetting how to.

http://jam-it.in/images/sig/ttcclynxsig.png

[Archangel]

Oh wow, that sucks! Your current one is way better, if anything needs replacing it's the avatar

[IFHTT]

Meh. I'll just leave everything as is. Wouldn't have normally bothered, but I liked the image I chose to render, even if the quality was piss poor.

[Archangel]

It's some sort of bird man attempting to rape what seems to be a female Cloud...?

[IFHTT]

It's Lynx and Kid from Chrono Cross...

Here's the Original. As you can see, I wasn't working with a very high quality image in the first place.

http://jam-it.in/images/ccmp-010.jpg

[IFHTT]

I decided to toy with the dimensions, text placement, and coloring a bit... Not going to pursue this one any further. Kinda bummed it didn't turn out the way I'd planned. Oh well...
http://jam-it.in/images/sig/ttcclynxsig2.png

[Archangel]

I need to get around to play that game...

Anyway, in those cases i find that exacerbating just how shitty the render is actually helps, add some noise for uniformity and sharpen it for some texture. Play around with the lighting a bit since it would be a waste to not call attention to the double moons on the background and voila

http://i.imgur.com/RufZk.jpg

[IFHTT]

Yeah, that idea had crossed my mind, but I'm not a huge fan of just slapping some effects onto an already completed image. However, in this case, it may be the proper route. Also, It helps that you used a much better version of the source image...

http://chrono.lunar-net.com/cc/cross/pics/artwork/03-yamaneko-kid.jpg

[Archangel]

The fact that your shit render is even shittier than it needed to be doesn't help you, no. And what the fuck is up with the 14 year old emo quotes? Are they part of the game as well? Even they are it sounds lame as all hell.

I reused the background because blending such a grainy render to any other background would be a pain in the ass and smoothing the shit out of it like you did doesn't look good either.

[IFHTT]

The fact that your shit render is even shittier than it needed to be doesn't help you, no. And what the fuck is up with the 14 year old emo quotes? Are they part of the game as well? Even they are it sounds lame as all hell.

I reused the background because blending such a grainy render to any other background would be a pain in the ass and smoothing the shit out of it like you did doesn't look good either.

True, that first image was pretty shitty by comparison. Taking a look around for a better copy of an image I saved 6 or 7 years ago would have been a better approach. Yes, the quote is from the game. I agree it's sorta lame, but despite being heavy on the cheese, the image had a yougonnagetraped feel to it, so I felt it fit. What the fuck are you expecting from a JRPG?

Anyway, now I'm gonna go rip off your idea and see what I can come up with. Thanks.

[Archangel]

Well in the end, regardless of the result, we'll both know that all the merit and prestige for the idea are mine... but yah, go for it

[shinta|hikari]

New set for an old loli.

[IFHTT]

http://jam-it.in/images/sig/pillowsig.png

[Archangel]

It'd be funnier if the ifhtt was in the love pillow, i'm just sayin

[Alhuin]

I really need to stop ignoring PS for months at a time.

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/5648/katsura.jpg

How rusty am I?

EDIT: Has there always been an "attached tumbnails" box below your post when you post an image? How the hell do you get rid of it?

[Nadouku]

Not too bad.

[Buffalobiian]

I really need to stop ignoring PS for months at a time.

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/5648/katsura.jpg

How rusty am I?

EDIT: Has there always been an "attached tumbnails" box below your post when you post an image? How the hell do you get rid of it?

I don't think you can.

As for the sig, lighting on the foreground is the main issue that sticks out. The character is clear and clearly lit while her background is misty and the like. It's the sharp contrast in style that gives the feeling of you having put a character on a background and blended the edges (which you actually do) instead of having the sig look like one complete piece of work (which you're actually trying to pull off).

I actually have to motivate myself to actually install and use PS..

[darkshadow]

You can, go to manage attachements and remove it.

[Alhuin]

Sweet, that took care of it.

@Bill: I see what you mean. I didn't spend near as much time blending the render as I used to, but I think part of it has to do with the sharpened render layer I created, focusing on her face. If you notice around her dress, I lowered the opacity to soften it. I'll make some more adjustments to see if I can make it flow better.

I'm quite pleased with the text for her name, but I'm wondering if the quote is alright. Whether it's the colour, the placement, or just the quote itself.

[Kagemane_no_Jutsu]

I don't think you can.

As for the sig, lighting on the foreground is the main issue that sticks out. The character is clear and clearly lit while her background is misty and the like. It's the sharp contrast in style that gives the feeling of you having put a character on a background and blended the edges (which you actually do) instead of having the sig look like one complete piece of work (which you're actually trying to pull off).

I actually have to motivate myself to actually install and use PS..

NO NEED MON FRERE!! Just go find "Photoshop CS5 Portable" PORTABLE being the keyword. You download it and open the file and it just runs photoshop no installing needed. Its beyond my comprehension but I fucking love it.

[Alhuin]

Update:

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/146/katsura2a.jpg

Decided I didn't really like the quote, so I moved the name slightly to compensate for the loss of balance. I spent a good two hours just trying to make the render blend in a bit more. I may or may not have accomplished that enough. I feel like it needs to be slightly brighter, but if I do anything to make it bright, it brings the render out more and I'm back to square one.

[RyougaZell]

When you manage to make a character I hate look good it means you made something right Alhuin.

[shinta|hikari]

I didn't think that GW still allowed such tall sigs. What are the actual limitations for sigs anyway? It's about time I make a new one.

[Archangel]

Hopefully the limit is at 200px height because anything bigger would be disconcerting

[Alhuin]

I always thought the new limit was 500x150... that's what I've been making mine ever since the upgrade to the new forums.

Granted, I come and go sporadically, so I may have missed any changes since.

[Archangel]

Your new set sucks Shinta :/

[Alhuin]

I halfway disagree. Even though the sig is a bit too tall for my tastes, I think it looks great. The ava however...

[shinta|hikari]

I like the sig. The avatar was just put there because I was rushing to get the sig out.

[Buffalobiian]

I don't mind either, but that's fanboyism getting in the way.

[shinta|hikari]

The avatar is way too simple. I tried to fix it up before using it with some BG effects, but got lazy and just slapped it on LOL.

[Kagemane_no_Jutsu]

You guys inspired me to pick up my own slack and bring something from the nothingness into existence.

Haven't touched photoshop in forever but I like what I came up with this time. All default brushes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/RockLee89/FlCl.jpg

[Archangel]

...what is it?

[Kagemane_no_Jutsu]

FLCL!!


it is pritty dark huh

[Archangel]

Oh yeah, i see it now.

Picasso would have been proud of that one.

[Kagemane_no_Jutsu]

Does that mean you dont like it...... :/

[Archangel]

Well... it's not really my thing but i can see the appeal behind it.

[shinta|hikari]

New Ika Musume set.

[Nadouku]

This set definitely looks better than the last. Very simple.

[Archangel]

You misspelled Index

[shinta|hikari]

LOL, true. At least I got the first letter "I" right.

[Alhuin]

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4277/darksaber2.jpg

Thinking of using this as part of a new set, if I can make a good enough ava. What does everyone think?

[shinta|hikari]

I really like it.

[Buffalobiian]

Sig's great. The hard part now is to make an avatar that will do it justice, like you said.

[Alhuin]

So, almost two hours of searching now, and I still can't find a compatible image. My internet is starting to get shaky (as it does every night around this time, for some reason), so I guess I will have to resume searching sometime tomorrow. Unless anyone has any suggestions.

I thought about just making an ava with the same image, but I'd prefer not to do that at the moment.

[Lucifus]

Epic signature Alhuin. Gave me enough inspiration to dust off my Photoshop. Whenever I do anything with Saber though, I always come out with the sunset.

[Buffalobiian]

Hmm.. any way to add more rays or something to make it more dynamic Luci? That's the only thing I can comment on, really. Saber's hair matching the sunlight has both its ups and downs.

[Lucifus]

I just spent the last hour looking through my work and others from page 200 onwards.

My god.....I created some crap! However, good lord, I made some incredibly delicious looking stuff! Even the stuff I have in the last 25 pages or so just look mediocre in comparison. (I really recommend you all do this, the memories and old artwork, so cool)

I used to render everything myself, clean the hell of the render, perfect the lighting, added all manner of effects and such. Now....its just a generic sky background and some light blended with a clean looking render. It looks good...but I'm tired of it.

I haven't really watched much anime in the last year and a half, and thus my desire to photoshop and skills have rusted. Every time I get some inspiration, I revert to this one style of signature making and pump out a quick sig.

I really want to get my old skills back.....It's decided. Gentlemen! Post some art! Lets have a competition! =D

http://forums.gotwoot.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=992&d=1318222190

http://i51.tinypic.com/34raonr.png

http://i55.tinypic.com/246jkpj.png

http://i53.tinypic.com/2a7aerc.png

[Archangel]

And i used to make sigs for other people with these skills...

http://i.imgur.com/51m5a.gif

[Alhuin]

I've felt the same way Luci. My problem is I lack motivation. I want to make sigs, but I have trouble finding renders that inspire me =/. I actually just started cutting a render yesterday to try and use, so we'll see how that goes... but, like you, I fall into the trap of using the same style repeatedly.

That being said, your recent ones look pretty good. My favourite would have to be the Kenshin one, even though the border on the sword makes it stick out a bit too much, and the text could be adjusted so it doesn't go over the render. The rest are good as well, with Saber and Yin being simple, so not much to comment on about them (besides agreeing with Bill's comment about Saber's hair matching the sunlight). GITS one I have no complaints on either.

@Arch: Is that a new sig, or an older one you were posting to show how much you've improved? If it's the former, I have got plenty of feedback I can post.

[Lucifus]

http://i55.tinypic.com/2mrthqd.png

[Archangel]

@Al ...what do you think?

@Luci Fapping to that render so hard.

[Lucifus]

http://i53.tinypic.com/5wa7nq.png

[Alhuin]

@Arch: What is that render from that you are fapping to? As for my comments... I was pretty much going to disapprove of the whole sig. Personally, it's too big for a sig, the background is too bland, the render looks like it was cut badly, especially around the hair, which makes it stick out, and the drop shadow isn't very effective with, again, such a bland background. The text I can't say much about, because, for the current sig, it's not bad. The reason I asked beforehand though is because if it was an older work, then there would be no reason to criticize it, as you've definitely come a lot further in skill since then. However, if it's recent, then I feel the need to ask why this level of quality presents itself now, when, as I just mentioned, your skills are much greater. That's all.

@Luci: Both the newer ones are awesome. I think your borders are becoming a bit too thick though. I'll admit that I started doing the 2px top and bottom borders with 1px side borders after seeing it in your work... but the 3px seems like overkill, especially when it's 3px all around, as it seems to be in post #6407.

[Archangel]

God dammit, sarcasm is so fucking hard to get across on the internet.

Let me try that again:

@Al Take a wild fucking guess >_>

[Alhuin]

You sound mad, bro. >_>

Anyways, I forgot to ask: Luci, where do you get your renders from? I know you mentioned you used to cut your own, but to produce so many sigs in one day, cutting all the renders seems highly unlikely.

[Archangel]

I have to, if i don't the sarcasm doesn't stick

Yeah Luci, share some of the wealth. Those renders kick ass.

[Lucifus]

http://i55.tinypic.com/aloryu.png

http://www.planetrenders.net/ Main source for quick, quality renders. I visit the two below when seeking unique, quality, hard to find images.

http://forums.animesuki.com/index.php (Each series has it's own forum, and thus, each forum has it's own image/wallpaper/render thread, where people post some very epic rendered/unrendered images. They find the material for me. =D )


http://forum.nihonomaru.com/anime-renders/ Very nice render packs.

[Alhuin]

I think that's supposed to be planetrenders.net
I use both that and Nihonomaru, as well as http://www.animerender.com/ which hasn't been very good lately since they are apparently updating their forums.

[Lucifus]

http://i52.tinypic.com/w6xxyh.png

http://i56.tinypic.com/mo8x5.png

Gasp, its a moon instead.

[Alhuin]

Luci, I was totally about to make something with that same Saber render yesterday, haha.

Here's my attempt at an ava to complete my new set. Thoughts?
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/2938/darksaberava.jpg

[Lucifus]

Looks great man. The thing is, I'd like to see an avatar which matches the lighting/saturation of the signature. Just my two cents, think you could make one?

[Alhuin]

That was the plan, but after hours of searching for a comparable image, I came up with nothing.

[shinta|hikari]

@Luci - Aigis and Kenshin (? - the bloody sig) ones are really good, much better than the rest.

[Buffalobiian]

@Luci - Aigis and Kenshin (? - the bloody sig) ones are really good, much better than the rest.

Highlighted for emphasis.

@Al: I can live with what you've got. :P

[Lucifus]

Apologies for imposing on your avatar. Does this style not suite you?

http://i52.tinypic.com/261i5jn.png



You guys really seem to like Aigis. I could have done better with that one, but at least I've started moving away a bit from the style I've been using.

[shinta|hikari]

I think it is precisely because it departs from your usual style that it looks better.

[Lucifus]

http://i53.tinypic.com/2eclu7t.png

[Lucifus]

http://i52.tinypic.com/e62dzb.png

[Alhuin]

Honestly, I'm not really found of the text in a lot of your recent works Luci. You used to be really good with text placement and blending so it brought the piece together, but lately it seems like you're just throwing it on as an afterthought. Just my opinion though... the rest of the sigs look great. I think they could do without the scanlines as well, though. I really love the simplicity of the Raven one.

I'm extremely frustrated right now cause I have so many ideas with so many different renders (one of which I cut myself), but I haven't been able to find the right background and/or styles for them. I'm thinking of breaking out some tutorials and going from there...

Oh and lastly... I don't mind the ava alteration that you did... it seems like it might go better with my sig... but one of the biggest reasons I used this one is because of the green of her eyes. Doesn't sync well with the sig, but no one seems to have any problems with it so far =/

[Archangel]

I'll have to agree with Al on that one, that text looks awfully plain and out of place. Go for something clean and neat if you have to or just drop it entirely.

Al, you should totally go with Saber Alter's gothic lolita mode for the avatar. That or something more ruthless to go along with the sig.

[Lucifus]

Your both absolutely on the money there, I've been extraordinarily lazy with my text in comparison to all the effort I used to put in em.

I forgot how important getting the placement and coloration right is. Disgusting. -_-

How's the text/lighting on this one?

http://i56.tinypic.com/a0x8hv.png

[Buffalobiian]

Your both absolutely on the money there, I've been extraordinarily lazy with my text in comparison to all the effort I used to put in em.

I forgot how important getting the placement and coloration right is. Disgusting. -_-

How's the text/lighting on this one?

http://i56.tinypic.com/a0x8hv.png

Well done?

[RyougaZell]

http://i55.tinypic.com/2mrthqd.png

Can you link me to the original image please?

[Lucifus]

http://i56.tinypic.com/2crakqx.png

[Alhuin]

That version is slightly smaller than the original, but for the sake of making a sig, you'll be shrinking it regardless.

Luci... the new version of your Kenshin sig is much better than the last. A couple things to point out though... there appears to be a blur right above the hand going for the sword. I'm not sure if the original background is like that, or if you added it for some reason, but it's very noticeable. And the font for "Battousai" doesn't sit well. Probably because it's all caps and has the curl on each letter.

[Archangel]

Your both absolutely on the money there, I've been extraordinarily lazy with my text in comparison to all the effort I used to put in em.

I forgot how important getting the placement and coloration right is. Disgusting. -_-

How's the text/lighting on this one?

http://i56.tinypic.com/a0x8hv.png

The text is fine but the render is translucid in all the wrong places.

[shinta|hikari]

New Penguindrum set.

[Ryllharu]

New Penguindrum set.That sig is Fabulous Max.

(even if it is pretty much a crop)

[Buffalobiian]

It took a few second for the "mac" symbol to make sense, but that's cool. :P

[Alhuin]

The lines in the sig seem a little too sharp and/or fuzzy. I'm not sure if that's do to the aforementioned crop/resizing, or if the source was already like that. Other than that, though, they look great.

[shinta|hikari]

I vectored the more jagged parts then applied a light gaussian blur. Is it any better?


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/apple3copy.jpg

Here is a version with the vectors but no blur.



http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/apple3copy2.jpg

I think with this resolution, high contrast (like dual or tri-colour images) tend to show pixellation.

[Archangel]

First one looks blurry, second one still looks too sharp and honestly i'm not a fan of the idea in general. If i had to choose, I'd go with the second one after some manually applied light blurring around the edges.

[shinta|hikari]

Blurring parts of it make it look like crap. Blurring just doesn't work with dual colour images.

[Alhuin]

Yeah, the blur just makes it worse. I like the idea, and the colours, but I just feel like the pixellation throws it off. To me it just makes it seem like the image is low quality. =/

EDIT: Guilty Crown and Mirai Nikki. Wanted to test some things out.

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/6411/guiltycrown.jpg

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/8393/mirainikki.jpg

[Ryllharu]

I like the Guilty Crown one, nice framing of the overall image...but the render on the Mirai Nikki one seems really off. It's Yuno from the hair and uniform, but it doesn't look like her.

[RyougaZell]

I want to steal that Guilty Crown one. Its... delicious.

Can you link me to the original image?

[Alhuin]

@Ryll: It's a fanart of Yuno, I think. They're both technically just crops, as I was trying out a few new things and wanted to see how they looked with actual composition.

@Zell: You're welcome to use the sig if you want. I didn't add any text or anything. The original image, for anyone that wants it, is here (http://chan.sankakucomplex.com/post/show/1126326) (website NSFW btw... SanCom).

Glad you all liked them... or well, the GC one at least. I guess the wrong colour scheme penalizes the MN one. I kinda like it though.

[Archangel]

I think the shadows kind of kill the first one since they feel so out of context and i simply dislike the second one's render, Yuno is way hotter than that >_>

[Buffalobiian]

I don't think the shadows kill it. I mean, it does add a layer of distraction, but it also provides an interesting lighting perspective. I have no problems with it.

[Kagemane_no_Jutsu]

Everyone should start posting the render with their sigs so I can stop wondering how much was the stock image and how much was your take on it.

But that's probly asking too much. I guess its just something only to be done when you really wanna show how much work you did on something really cool.

Been enjoying your works everyone, thanks for inspiring me to start up again!

[shinta|hikari]

Here comes more cropping.

[Buffalobiian]

Cropping ftw!

Sometimes, that's all you need. ;)

[shinta|hikari]

Non-Hei Buff sig... does not compute...

But I like this better. Cute girls are always better.

[Buffalobiian]

Wow, what a change, dude. When I clicked on this thread I thought you were Nado.

So that was what felt off. It's funny how people have certain sig styles that seem to belong to them.

I had other ideas in mind (read: mature characters, darker/solid colours), but as I was only limited to cropping and resizing resampling, this pair was the only set that shared a similar colour palette.

Installed photoshop, but the sheer number of buttons was a bit daunting, lol. It would take me too long to learn something, so this came out in the meanwhile.

My only problem then was actually juggling between a slightly blurred version of the sig that made it softer and more surreal. The same effect didn't really work with the avatar though, and i found the mismatch a bit jarring if I put them together.

PS: That was the scariest good night ever, haha.

edit: actually, I'm not too sure. I'll put it here.


http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9536/017a1px.jpg

[shinta|hikari]

Sharper is better.

[Buffalobiian]

Sharper is better.

Saying that with your sig/ava... lol (read: shudders)

k, sig stays.

[Alhuin]

@shinta: Love it. I wanted to do something myself with the image you used as your ava, but I couldn't find a high quality image, and I would have most likely tried to turn it into a sig. The sig I'm speechless about. If I didn't know the character, I might think it was a little weird, but since I do, it's fucking creepy. Good job.

@Bill: I don't think I can ever picture you without your DtB/P:RftP combo. I mean, what you have is great, especially for a first(?) attempt... but it's just not you. It's going to take some getting used to... haha. I look forward to seeing some more of your talent, now that you have no excuse!

[Archangel]

When did nadouku change his nickname?

[Ryllharu]

New set for fun. Tried out a few things messing around with opaque layers blended down and then erased further. Opposite technique from what I did with the Susukihotaru avatar.

Critiques encouraged.

[Sapphire]

OOOh I love it. It's dark. It's sexy. It's violent. Perfecto.

[Buffalobiian]

The colours make me uncomfortable, but maybe that's the point..

[Alhuin]

Ryll, I'm not sure how I missed your post. I like your set, even if I am a much bigger fan of your previous ava. Your new ava looks plenty dark and evil. The sig... it took me awhile to realize it was Sakura and Shirou. It reminds me of Angel Beats. The colour split looks amazing.

[Archangel]

New set, wish i had found some good renders with a yellow color scheme though.

[Buffalobiian]

Yellow would be pretty striking. Too bad you didn't find anything.

Current set looks pretty nice, though the pale-green of the avatar makes it harder to recognise that it's the same one in the sig at first sight.

[gos27]

That's savage Arc! Wish I could do that :')

[Archangel]

Zell should help me find a profile pic, the bitch owes me that much >_>

[Lucifus]

That, is very impressive Arch. Well effing done. I like the avatar, its a bit light, but it still rocks.

[RyougaZell]

Zell should help me find a profile pic, the bitch owes me that much >_>

I thought you didn't like Souji =P

http://sonohara.donmai.us/data/b7696b1aeff7b935d6c196aeced0e142.png
http://sonohara.donmai.us/data/c9cfc0223e66f5ca468b98348a31da6e.jpg
http://sonohara.donmai.us/data/b10068114dc84bba60e0ce8c5611fc83.jpg

[Archangel]

I never said that, i just said i preferred Minato. By the way, cool 403's bro.


That, is very impressive Arch. Well effing done. I like the avatar, its a bit light, but it still rocks.
How about a matching avatar?

[RyougaZell]

Just open the links and press enter. It should open them like that.

Your previous avatar was better. I just can't like the art on the sig

[Archangel]

The nose is a little potato-y but other than that it's pretty cool art.

[shinta|hikari]

You can fix the nose by removing the odd lighting on the sides of the nose.

EDIT: Something like this

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/ZYJ4S.jpg

[Buffalobiian]

Yeah, I think replication kind of kills the avatar.

[Archangel]

You can fix the nose by removing the odd lighting on the sides of the nose.

EDIT: Something like this

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/ZYJ4S.jpg
Good call


Yeah, I think replication kind of kills the avatar.
What if i add a twist?

[Buffalobiian]

Good call


What if i add a twist?

Then it depends on whether the reader understand the twist, or else at first sight it doesn't make too much difference.

I've yet to catch up, so I can't comment further.

[Archangel]

I think i have my winning combo

I suggest y'all check out the profile picture as well since it's extra awesome, love the colors.

[Alhuin]

Arch, I like the new set, but I have to agree that using the same image for your Ava kinda kills it. I almost had to do the same thing with my Saber set, but I decided against it in the end and created my current one (however unfitting it may be). That being said, the sig is pretty amazing. I think the text is perfect. I'm not sure what it's from, but it looks like an interesting series. Oh, but, I do want to say... his hand looks fucking weird... >_>

@shinta: Love the sig, not very fond of the ava. The sig is sharp and full of warm colours, where the ava seems slightly blurry and uses... not so warm colours. I think the balance is off. Individually, it's a wonderful ava... I just don't think it matches this particular sig.

[Archangel]

Am i really the only one who thinks the apple looks weird?

http://i.imgur.com/OdEfa.jpg

I don't like body parts coming out of nowhere in a sig, like when you see the hand coming from a weird angle but not the elbow.

[Ryllharu]

Either Ringo is holding the apple behind her (a physically possible, yet awkward pose), or it is Yuri doing something inappropriate to Ringo outside the frame.

It does look better without it, I must admit.

[shinta|hikari]

New Saber set. Saber is always portrayed as a calm and composed character. I thought showing a bit of her burden and tragedy might be a nice change.

[Buffalobiian]

New Saber set. Saber is always portrayed as a calm and composed character. I thought showing a bit of her burden and tragedy might be a nice change.

You know, the avatar was my laptop's last last wallpaper, and your signature is going to be my next wallpaper.

Naturally, that means you have great taste and win by default. ;)

The way you've modified the colours to match and make it seem like they're from the same setting is awesome.

[shinta|hikari]

Adjusting the avatar colour and lighting was harder than I thought. I'm glad someone actually noticed it.

[Archangel]

I can't help but feel it would look better with 150 height though, just because you can make it bigger doesn't mean you should.

[Buffalobiian]

I can't help but feel it would look better with 150 height though, just because you can make it bigger doesn't mean you should.

I'm not so sure about that one. Saber's far enough as she is, so simply resizing the image down would make the detail much harder to view. If we just cropped it, you lose the vastness of the sky and the lonely/sad atmosphere it conveys.

Not saying it won't work, since such things are only really known once you actually apply it. Just giving me reasons why I think it may not.

My own sig was actually cropped a bit more since I last posted. It was "off" because the height between itself and the avatar didn't match. It turned out that the detail I cropped out wasn't as important, in that case.

[Archangel]

Your sig is cropped too much, the left girl's head looks huge.

[Buffalobiian]

Your sig is cropped too much, the left girl's head looks huge.

It's an unfortunate side effect, but the off-ness went away after the crop. Here's the original for reference.

(edit: hmm, the effect seems a bit different now since I also added a grey border on top of the white one [which was effectively invisible] at the same time as I did the crops, so it's more focused and not as bloated as it was initially...still...)


http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/3928/017d1499border.jpg

[shinta|hikari]

Arch has a good point about the head getting larger. With that in mind, I think the 160p version might be better.

About the Saber sig, I agree with Buff. Resizing it would lead to a loss of detail. Cropping would ruin the vertical balance. The mismatch between the ava and sig size is better than those two.

[RyougaZell]

New Saber set. Saber is always portrayed as a calm and composed character. I thought showing a bit of her burden and tragedy might be a nice change.

Please share the original sources.

[shinta|hikari]

Ava source (http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/404233.jpg)

Sig source (http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/761946.jpg)

[RyougaZell]

Ava source (http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/404233.jpg)

Sig source (http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/761946.jpg)

Thank you. Saved them to my hdd.

And now I can totally appreciate the awesome work you did with the avatar.

[Buffalobiian]

Thanks for the input guys. And... changed.

[Archangel]

My sig is so awesome it derails threads. (http://forums.gotwoot.net/showthread.php/20262-One-Piece-Chapter-645?p=501301&viewfull=1#post501301)

[Alhuin]

I don't think that's necessarily derailing the topic... >_>

[Archangel]

It sort of is >_>

[Kagemane_no_Jutsu]

I do love it.... a lot. I just played devils advocate tho and thought what it would look like with that dude in the back smudged into obscurity. But maybe I like it mostly cause its not overly busy like my sigs always are ^^

[Alhuin]

So... anyone know why imageshack would delete my sig?

Edit: Nevermind, it appears to be back. Kind-of weird it was the only image "missing" when I checked my imageshack... thought it was deleted. Guess there was just an error.

[Archangel]

>2011
>not using Imgur

I seriously hope you guys don't do this

[shinta|hikari]

New Saber set.

[Archangel]

I... dislike it with great intensity, sorry. Render and background aside (boring and bland) you raped it with contrast and sharpening.

Also please do me a favor and stop trying to make it as big as possible, we don't need to give the moderators reason for bitching.

[shinta|hikari]

I tried making it smaller but it didn't look right. I didn't want to cut the armour out of the sig since it provides colour contrast.

What exactly is wrong with the sharpening? I barely changed the contrast for the sig, and I only matched the avatar to it. I don't see the jagged edges brought about by sharpening in both images. If it is too contrasting, that can be easily toned down for both as well.

Here are the versions with less contrast.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/sava2cop2y.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/sabs2.jpg

[Alhuin]

Honestly, I'm not really fond of it myself. It's too bright for me. The pose is nice for the sig, but for the ava, I've always been lead to believe a profile shot (or rather, not looking straight forward) was better. I forget who recommended it though...

You can lower the dimensions of the sig without cutting anything else off, by the way.

[shinta|hikari]

I can lessen the brightness too. The front view issue about the avatar applies to Arch's as well, and many other avatars before it.

I tried applying all the comments. How is this version?
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/sava2cop2y-1.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/shinta617/sabs3.jpg

[Alhuin]

The new versions look better. I like that you added in some colour to the sig. Are you not a fan of borders?


The front view issue about the avatar applies to Arch's as well, and many other avatars before it.

I agree on this, I just never commented until now. It's not that they look bad, it's just... well, I don't really know how to explain it.