Geeky question for manga artist types...

[snowy ciara]

Okay, I've been drawing my own manga for a while now and it's ok. Not great, but okay. I've been looking for a computer type program for Windows OS (I have xp home on my system) similar to manga studio 3.0 to use for my layouts, background (the pre-tinted sheets can get pricey) and lettering, without the HUGE price tag. I haven't had any luck so far. Does anyone know of a similar product that is less expensive? I'm pretty sure I'm SOL as far as shareware or freeware is concerned; but at this point, I'm willing to volunteer to be a beta test lab rat if the program runs past my favorite computer geek okay. Since he bails me out whenever I break something really badly in my computer, I tend to run questionable stuff past him first. Otherwise, his rates go up.


Also, for you mac users, if you know of a similar MAC product please let me know? One of my manga geek buds would like something similar for her MAC. So far she's been doing the hand drawing like I have, and MAC has Comiclife (not yet available for Windows) so she can scan in her work and manipulate it that way, but it's crap for printing sheets. So she'd like something that integrates both online and traditional publishing.

Thanks in advance...

 

[RJMasters]

Snowy,

Are you looking for a good basic graphic program, or are you looking for a program like Manga with all the layout features and animation...etc...

Basically what are you shooting for? Animie cartoonish results?

Okay, I've been drawing my own manga for a while now and it's ok. Not great, but okay. I've been looking for a computer type program for Windows OS (I have xp home on my system) similar to manga studio 3.0 to use for my layouts, background (the pre-tinted sheets can get pricey) and lettering, without the HUGE price tag. I haven't had any luck so far. Does anyone know of a similar product that is less expensive? I'm pretty sure I'm SOL as far as shareware or freeware is concerned; but at this point, I'm willing to volunteer to be a beta test lab rat if the program runs past my favorite computer geek okay. Since he bails me out whenever I break something really badly in my computer, I tend to run questionable stuff past him first. Otherwise, his rates go up.


Also, for you mac users, if you know of a similar MAC product please let me know? One of my manga geek buds would like something similar for her MAC. So far she's been doing the hand drawing like I have, and MAC has Comiclife (not yet available for Windows) so she can scan in her work and manipulate it that way, but it's crap for printing sheets. So she'd like something that integrates both online and traditional publishing.

Thanks in advance...

 

[jadefirefly]

While I can't draw to save my life, I am a huge MegaTokyo addict. I know that Piro uses a Mac for scanning and lettering at the very least...

Try looking up the MegaTokyo forums? It's a forum that -- *gasp* -- I don't pester, for all my addictiveness, but I'm willing to bet someone there has asked the question of him already. There's probably a bazillion Piro-stalkers on that forum.

And if someone hasn't, you could always ask there! If Piro himself doesn't answer, you'll probably get responses from the Piro-stalkers on whatever it is they use.

 

[snowy ciara]

Thanks for the responses..

RJ, I'm looking for something specific to manga and/or comix. I have 3 graphics programs on my system and they just don't cut it. A lot of the work is black and white (though I've done a few with full color on every page.) and plain ole B and W doesn't translate well. The one that does have a fairly good comic option won't let me work in the "right" direction.... So you've got to cut and paste the panels and then it gets all messy and there's flow issues, cause now you're working backwards to where you've started. Unless you started out going left to right, as most US books are read. But I usually start in the back. Most comix programs have some options that can be perverted, er utilized for manga though.

Thanks for the hint, jade. I'll go pester them too. It sounds like my bud can get some Mac ideas there. I'm hoping someone there does windows though, too.

My dream option is for TokyoPop and efrontier to get their head out of their asses and realize that the majority of the people in their target market simply cannot afford to drop 100-200 dollars US on any program that suits their fancy. Either that or for a fairy godperson to drop a copy in my lap. But since I don't think either one is going to happen any time soon, I'm looking for something else to use.

 

[Vixandra]

Ohh snowy, why haven't we seen any of your pics in the anime drawing goodness thread?


One of the webcomics I read acutally posted a demo of himself drawing that day's comic: http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=539
Love that comic (blames GM from the ORP for getting me hooked on it)!

A friend of mine in art school's drooling over Maya, the Mac version.

Some of the pic-edits I do are on Project Dog Waffle the origional first edition and I really enjoy using that. But I've not tried something as complicated as doing a manga lay out.

 

[RJMasters]

Sorry Snowy,

I don't know any proggies to so what you are looking for. I have alot of graphic type programs...but none really geared for specializing in comic.

I tend to like flash and make templates. I use it alot for storyboarding concepts for commercials and such. I like how it is vector based and can be used for print or web publication.

Sry.

 

[@}-}rebecca----]

Sorry Snowy,

I don't know any proggies to so what you are looking for. I have alot of graphic type programs...but none really geared for specializing in comic.

I tend to like flash and make templates. I use it alot for storyboarding concepts for commercials and such. I like how it is vector based and can be used for print or web publication.

Sry.

awww poor Mr Masters Sir not geeky enough. Chin up you will get there
whispers hello miss snowy I have been reading the thread the prices are outreageous for that software......stupid question BUT have you tried freedownload.com ?

 

[snowy ciara]

Vixie, my stuff is okay, but I don't feel comfortable posting it here.... The stuff that came out really really good is a bit too, er, um. Well, I was in a bloody frame of mind when I drew it and it shows.


Thanks for the download site Rebecca! I hadn't tried it yet. I didn't find anything I can use for this, but I did find some neato stuff.