How to do clouds?

[lin]

Can anyone advise me on how to make clouds like that shown below...
84

using Mangastudio Debut? I did the above manually using tone+penknife, but I'm unable to get the same effect digitally. :cry:

[annhell]

o dears..if it's in photoshop i might be able to help out...but i don't know nuts about mangastudio >_< *waits hopefully around for a certain chocolate craving gui fu to reply* :P

btw, your mangastudio, did you buy the actual thing or.......? if it's 'or.......' mind pm-ing me...cos i wanna get also but on budget hehe..

[lin]

I bought the actual thing. XP

But, I bought the cheaper "starter version" ie, Mangastudio Debut, not EX, so it costs US$57.67(Debut-$49.99, 2-years Download protection-$7.68) and not big 3-digit figure. XD Converted to Sing dollars is abt 70+ or so.

The "download protection" turned out to be quite useful for me, cos my computer hard disk crashed soon after (due to old age, not the program. XP ), and I could still go to the website and download another copy.

Mangastudio EX trial version (30days) is available for free download from the SmithMicro (http://my.smithmicro.com/) website, mac here (http://my.smithmicro.com/mac/mangaex/index.html), windows here (http://my.smithmicro.com/win/mangaex/index.html).

[annhell]

wow i see..actually i did download the trial version. i like that it can draw panels so easily, and the strokes are smoothed out for you (but sometimes end up looking quite fake >_<) but dunno if i should invest in one? ermm woops sorry i think quite off topic..hehe ^_^;

erm for the clouds...i think you can try drawing out a big shape in general, then lower the brush opacity (can mangastudio debut do that?) and use quick, rounded, scribbly strokes to add on the extra bits at the edges, occassionally erasing to get that irregular cloud shape...then add the toning on a seperate layer and erase where necessary.........

i don't know if that helps or not...sorry >_<

[lin]

Ah, yes, it helps! Now got new direction to try... thanks! XD

[kraystone]

I'm not a screentone expert... but I own the original EX version which I bought on special offer at Amazon (when I bought was us$199)

So... back to topic...
I usually convert from photo (only EX) or use the cloud screentones.

I think the traditional method was to put on a layer of light gradation(screentone) for the sky, then scrape away the highlights before putting another layer of darker gradation for the clouds. Then use the the penknife (in Mangastudio, it is the pen tool and choose transparent instead of black) to scrape off the new layer.

I believe this technique is called screentone layering?

Goodluck!

BTW Mangastudio 4 will be released soon, so maybe you can hold on before investing.

[lin]

eva>> Thanks! ^^

[lin]

113

Ah, after some experimentation I managed to get this! XD

In the end, it was: Use eraser and scribbly action. Tone layer doesn't allow for opacity changes in the tool used, but it turned out ok. Zooming in so that can see thick and thin strokes more clearly helps too. ^^

[kraystone]

I can't quite see the clouds in actual size but thanks for sharing! :D

[lin]

123

resized. can see better now? ^^

[annhell]

cools~ nice effect...! hmm maybe you can make some edges more rounded and fluffy, and slightly translucent? abit pixel-looking now :O but thanks for sharing the steps...if i do get mangastudio, will try out your method for sure XD