For Fucks Sake...Text Sigs Out The Ass..

[Origami]

Okay, it's time for an old Origami challenge!

My challenges are usually design contests against me and used to be pretty fun; however, this time things are a bit different. All I see these days are text sig, which is fine and all, but where the hell did the image sigs go? Aneklusmous left VT, Tyger seems to be MIA, who knows what Faris is doing, Flippy ragequit VT, and I closed my shop. While the talent remains on VT, the production does not. Why?

So this is to any of you text sig makers who accept. I challenge you to "expand your palette" as we say on EY and try something new. Do image sigs for a while. And for GIMP users, I have seen people make some very bad ass signatures with GIMP so it can be done. If I must, I will slave myself into bringing up VT's next image based signature creator?

So whose got the balls to try something new? ;)

http://i55.tinypic.com/1676smw.png

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

http://i53.tinypic.com/2133ody.png

[Amaryllis]

Oh wow you're really good. I can't do anything with gimp or photoshop for the life of me. I've never seen an actual photoshop screen in my life... But I can do photography. I guess.

So are they supposed to take the pictures you gave and put text on them? xD lol

EDIT: and you don't need balls.

[Origami]

Oh wow you're really good. I can't do anything with gimp or photoshop for the life of me. I've never seen an actual photoshop screen in my life... But I can do photography. I guess.

So are they supposed to take the pictures you gave and put text on them? xD lol

EDIT: and you don't need balls.

No. Simply putting text on top of an image is NOT what image sigs are. You start with a stock image or render and make the sig yourself.

Most commonly they start with a render: http://planetrenders.net/renders/albums/userpics/377489/normal_like_a_Ninja.png

And use various effects, filters, stocks, C4Ds and other mediums to create a signature:
(Sig by Doug of EY)
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/9623/ninjasq.png


The ones posted are all just "textless" sigs. All were made as Signature of the Week entries and didn't require text be added.

[Magus]

It is school now, and I have stopped doing sigs since June. And I don't have photoshop. Sucks for me, I know. Gimp, I did not even started with it, it will take a while to get accustomed to it.

Why do you all start when school starts? Where were you in the SV? Hawaii? Alaskan Jungle?

[Magenta]

Hey, I'll try. You never know, I may come up with something semi-decent. I used to spend time making mock novel covers for some of my writer friends though that was with Photoshop. >_>

I'm in. :D

EDIT: Time to go stock-hunting.

[Origami]

It is school now, and I have stopped doing sigs since June. And I don't have photoshop. Sucks for me, I know. Gimp, I did not even started with it, it will take a while to get accustomed to it.

Why do you all start when school starts? Where were you in the SV? Hawaii? Alaskan Jungle?
School has already resumed here.
Hey, I'll try. You never know, I may come up with something semi-decent. I used to spend time making mock novel covers for some of my writer friends though that was with Photoshop. >_>

I'm in. :D

EDIT: Time to go stock-hunting.
Renders are much, much easier. Lol.

[Magenta]

They don't have to be under 50KB, do they? I'm used to trying to keep them like that and at 400x125 for transparency but obviously these don't require the transparency like text sigs do. /stupid question

[Origami]

They don't have to be under 50KB, do they? I'm used to trying to keep them like that and at 400x125 for transparency but obviously these don't require the transparency like text sigs do. /stupid question

Yes and no. They still have to retain a small file size; however, VT will compress them. Sadly, this ruins their quality, but oh well.

[Magenta]

Well, here goes my first try at making an image based signature. I just fiddled around with a render for awhile and have come up with two versions:

Version 1 (the original but I'm not sure if I'm too fond of 'cause the background shows through her face):

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dragongirlskitty/imagesig.png

Version 2 (that I feel something is missing):

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dragongirlskitty/imagesig2.png



Tips, feedback, ideas? :/

EDIT: I just realized I spelled my username wrong in it. -_-

[User Deleted]

Version 2 (that I feel something is missing):

image (http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dragongirlskitty/imagesig2.png)

Her eyes are empty, like she is blind or has given up. Like she has no goal. That's what I feel is missing. Her eyes have no soul.

[Magenta]

Her eyes are empty, like she is blind or has given up. Like she has no goal. That's what I feel is missing. Her eyes have no soul.

So I'm not the only one drawn to the eyes? In the first version, there's a lot more colour in them which is what I liked... I'm going to see if I can try to recreate that without fading her face.

EDIT:

Added more colour to her eyes to try to bring them out a bit.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dragongirlskitty/imagesig2-1.png

[Origami]

I could stress a lot of things, but those are for later.

First, don't use lens flares. They work well only if used absolutely right. Most cases, most people use them wrong.
To imply lighting, use a 300px soft brush and hold it off of your canvas and begin lightly brushing until a sort of white ring appears. This also allows you to control the intensity of your lighting.

User the eraser: The first was better than the second, but you should have erased the details over your render. It just looks sloppy otherwise.

Your focal; This is hard for text makers, but you want your eyes to naturally go to the render, not the text. Your text should be small, simple, and near the render. Always. And the lens flare adds unneeded attention to your text.

Gradient Maps - Experiment with these some. ;)

Sharpen/Blur - Experiment with this as well. Sharpening your focal and lightly blurring the background.


Overall- You did far better than most people I see when they start. You did better than I did for starts actually. Here is my first: http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa244/relyh/relyhsig2.png

[User Deleted]

image (http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dragongirlskitty/imagesig2-1.png)

I don't know about you but I think this looks great.

I might say give the hair texture next but that might over complicate it and overwhelm the rest. Although it might draw ones eyes to the image and make the whole sig stand out. Not sure on that one.

[Magenta]

Well, here another (and slightly darker) attempt.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dragongirlskitty/imagesig3-1.png

I'm completely out of my element so I'm just throwing things out there. :P

[Origami]

Nice, but again, erase the effects over the focal. Grab a new render and try again. :) Practice and eventually I'll start /really/ critiquing you. xD

[Magenta]

Nice, but again, erase the effects over the focal. Grab a new render and try again. :) Practice and eventually I'll start /really/ critiquing you. xD

I'm trying to figure out how to erase behind it. Obviously I have the render and the background as separate layers but I've tried twice with a white background and a transparent one and when you erase, it makes the render look very strange or for some reason GIMP tried erasing the render as well. o_O

[Origami]

You don't erase behind anything.

Ex.
(This is following my usual patterns)

Layers:

Other layers
Background effects
Render Effects 2
Render
Render effects
Background Color Layer (This has no correlation to your actual background. Just the start. Mine is usually black)


Basically, make sure you do everything on an independent layer. And I mean, EVERYTHING.
In the above scenario you would erase off of the Background effects layer. ;) Hope it helps.

[RockinRobyn]

Im only making text sigs because I dont have photoshop. And I downloaded gimp because it was free

[Magenta]

Two more: one with text, one without.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dragongirlskitty/imagesig4.png

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dragongirlskitty/imagesig6.png

The second render didn't seem to want to come up so clearly so working on trying to fix that. Both of these seem plain. :/ Well, have at 'em.

(On a side note, thanks for making this thread 'cause I'm starting to prefer making image based signatures. :P )



@Robyn, the ones I'm making are made on GIMP. You don't need Photoshop to make an image based signature, it's just preferred because GIMP is evil.

[RockinRobyn]

@Robyn, the ones I'm making are made on GIMP. You don't need Photoshop to make an image based signature, it's just preferred because GIMP is evil.


oh well I like text sigs better. Its fun making things transparent

[Origami]

Jo, I'm going to let you keep playing around with the basics, developing tricks and what have you for now. Then if you still like them, I'll start helping you improve.

[Magenta]

Okay. ^_^ I'll keep playing with renders for now and see what I come up with. Thanks!

[RockinRobyn]

looks like Josh found a new image sig maker

[Magenta]

looks like Josh found a new image sig maker

It's fun. I've been using Photoshop since I was like... seven or eight years old and I used to love making various types of graphics on it (not to say they were any good but... hey, I liked it). GIMP is just evil and is taking awhile to readjust to.

:P

[RockinRobyn]

It's fun. I've been using Photoshop since I was like... seven or eight years old and I used to love making various types of graphics on it (not to say they were any good but... hey, I liked it). GIMP is just evil and is taking awhile to readjust to.

:P


yeah ive never used photoshop. I grew up with paint then I used this photo editing program that came with my camera.

[Origami]

My original "apprentice" was Aneklusmous. I loved the lil' fucker. Anyway, he left VT. Then I helped Tyger gain a ground and helped Faris a bit, he did most on his own though.

Not the first I've consulted.

As for me, I grew up with MSPaint until my Aunt bought PaintshopPro 7 for me. After tinkering with it I got into signature making a was soon pointed towards Photoshop CS3 where I gained most of my ground work and from there I developed through CS4 and now CS5. I did very little with GIMP, actually got it after Photoshop.

Anyway, I'm off to play Minecraft for a bit. I may make a sig later.

[Perseus]

My original "apprentice" was Aneklusmous. I loved the lil' fucker. Anyway, he left VT.
Whatever happened to him? And since you posted this thread, I'm gonna go on and dick around on GIMP myself. I shall bask in your critiques.

[Origami]

Whatever happened to him? And since you posted this thread, I'm gonna go on and dick around on GIMP myself. I shall bask in your critiques.

He just up and vanished. No clue.

Shweet! Time to trollol Jake.

[Perseus]

Eh, I can't really think of anything to do besides what I've done.
http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu176/DaTrooper00/Roymustang.png

[Origami]

Eh, I can't really think of anything to do besides what I've done.
image (http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu176/DaTrooper00/Roymustang.png)

What is it?

[Perseus]

What is it?

Lol, I have no idea.

[Origami]

Lol, I have no idea.

Bro... go read a tutorial. xDD



Anyway, my SOTW #28 entry for EY.

http://i56.tinypic.com/2zdu448.png

[Perseus]

Bro... go read a tutorial. xDD
Nah, nah. If I were using Photoshop I would, but eh, it's GIMP. :P I'm fine with that sucking since I won't ever use it for anything.

[NotWhoIUsedToBe]

I have experience with most of Adobe's Products like Photoshop(Extended), After Effects, Premiere Pro, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, Flash, and Illustrator just to name a few. I also have lots of experience with GIMP. I also have MAXON's Cinema 4D and Autodesk's 3DS Max and Maya as well as MatchMover, etc. experience. I also have a pen tablet :D

Well rounded, huh?

Tomorrow I'm going to a friend's house to record a video that I will edit and do the special effects for, it's a Portal spoof! I can't wait.

[Magenta]

I totally haven't spent all day saying various renders to my computer thanks to Josh. >_>

Figured I'd pop in to say that. XD

[Skyhawk]

Hahahaha I'll see what iOS can pull off with a few image software programs.

By the time I'm done the plastic screen protector I have will be worn off. :D

I'll give it a try. :)

[Brighter.Tomorrow]

Hi Joshie! Just here saying I haven't died. Just haven't gotten any requests or had time to do randoms. *shrugs*

[Magus]

I have experience with most of Adobe's Products like Photoshop(Extended), After Effects, Premiere Pro, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, Flash, and Illustrator just to name a few. I also have lots of experience with GIMP. I also have MAXON's Cinema 4D and Autodesk's 3DS Max and Maya as well as MatchMover, etc. experience. I also have a pen tablet :D

Well rounded, huh?

Tomorrow I'm going to a friend's house to record a video that I will edit and do the special effects for, it's a Portal spoof! I can't wait.What the f...

But now I am all for open source material. gimp, blender and what not.

[Syvelocin]

Well, I have made image sigs already as you know, but all by the technique you posted, and I haven't made any for a while. I'll post what I have made other than my first two tries you saw for you to tear apart, and get around to making another one when I have time, possibly tonight. (The last two I rendered myself just so you know. :P And I hate rendering things but I've gotten better at it through making my text sigs actually).

http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa330/syvelocin/kairidestiny.png

http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa330/syvelocin/emilieautumnmadgirl.png

http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa330/syvelocin/bellaloyal.png

[Origami]

I have experience with most of Adobe's Products like Photoshop(Extended), After Effects, Premiere Pro, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, Flash, and Illustrator just to name a few. I also have lots of experience with GIMP. I also have MAXON's Cinema 4D and Autodesk's 3DS Max and Maya as well as MatchMover, etc. experience. I also have a pen tablet :D

Well rounded, huh?

Tomorrow I'm going to a friend's house to record a video that I will edit and do the special effects for, it's a Portal spoof! I can't wait.
What does this have to do with this thread? Nothing.

I totally haven't spent all day saying various renders to my computer thanks to Josh. >_>

Figured I'd pop in to say that. XD
You'll be okay. (; My Photoshop resources folder exceeds 1gb in size.
Hi Joshie! Just here saying I haven't died. Just haven't gotten any requests or had time to do randoms. *shrugs*
Bonjour!
Well, I have made image sigs already as you know, but all by the technique you posted, and I haven't made any for a while. I'll post what I have made other than my first two tries you saw for you to tear apart, and get around to making another one when I have time, possibly tonight. (The last two I rendered myself just so you know. :P And I hate rendering things but I've gotten better at it through making my text sigs actually).

image (http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa330/syvelocin/kairidestiny.png)

image (http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa330/syvelocin/emilieautumnmadgirl.png)

image (http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa330/syvelocin/bellaloyal.png)

The second one is the best for sure. Surprised you used the pen tool since so many people are afraid to use it. The first is too high in contrast and the last... well it just sucks overall. :/

Toy around with some more.

[Syvelocin]

The second one is the best for sure. Surprised you used the pen tool since so many people are afraid to use it. The first is too high in contrast and the last... well it just sucks overall. :/

Toy around with some more.

Oh my god, I hate the pen tool but I was determined to figure out how to use it. :P And I sort of did. If you see in the first one (if you can, that is) I couldn't get it exactly how I wanted it in one bit. I liked the tooling in the last one but I didn't like the sig much, though I was just using it for roleplay. And the second I use on another forum, though in a smaller-than-VT size even.

Anyway, I'll see what I come up with later.

[NotWhoIUsedToBe]

What does this have to do with this thread? Nothing.

No, it means that I'm going to see what I can do. As of now, my signature is rather... boring. Let's spice it up using what I have. I just was busy writing the post that I forgot the reason for it.


You'll be okay. (; My Photoshop resources folder exceeds 1gb in size.

(Going by what it says in the folder properties) I have one folder that is 20.4 GB (21,947,646,081 bytes) and one that is 88.5 GB (95,048,083,032 bytes). If you'd like to do the math, you can see that I'm not lying ;D Picture proof ;D (http://i54.tinypic.com/rwl0me.jpg) I know this means really nothing. But, I have nothing better to do anyhow. I need a life.

[TheMatrix]

I should try this. Probably won't be any good at it, though.

[Origami]

No, it means that I'm going to see what I can do. As of now, my signature is rather... boring. Let's spice it up using what I have. I just was busy writing the post that I forgot the reason for it.



(Going by what it says in the folder properties) I have one folder that is 20.4 GB (21,947,646,081 bytes) and one that is 88.5 GB (95,048,083,032 bytes). If you'd like to do the math, you can see that I'm not lying ;D Picture proof ;D (http://i54.tinypic.com/rwl0me.jpg) I know this means really nothing. But, I have nothing better to do anyhow. I need a life.
95% of those programs are useless on VT due to massive restrictions and file compression.

And so basically you're butt-fucking your computer into submission with supplies far surpassing any human beings physical needs?

I should try this. Probably won't be any good at it, though.

The more the merrier.

[Magus]

http://i54.tinypic.com/2lwk9zr.jpg

Bahahaha! I know it is shit. Come on. I haven't done anything in the past 3 months. Plus, I have lost all of my stuff(images, even gimp brushes and what not) in that fried ex-hard disk.

There are many extra stuff in gimp I haven't seen in CS3. I will get use to it after I do 20+ stuff.

[Origami]

image (http://i54.tinypic.com/2lwk9zr.jpg)

Bahahaha! I know it is shit. Come on. I haven't done anything in the past 3 months. Plus, I have lost all of my stuff(images, even gimp brushes and what not) in that fried ex-hard disk.

There are many extra stuff in gimp I haven't seen in CS3. I will get use to it after I do 20+ stuff.

Your text is superb; however, you should work on getting a render that will fill the canvas more, or size that one up.

[RockinRobyn]

meh my text signatures suck

[Origami]

meh my text signatures suck

Then make image signatures. Obviously.

[RockinRobyn]

I dont like image sigs im not going to make something that I dont like. I like transparent ones better they look cooler

[TheMatrix]

http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3421&stc=1&d=1315616405
Not very good, I know.

[Kaius]

image (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3421&stc=1&d=1315616405)
Not very good, I know.

I'm gonna sort yours out now I've got time Thomas, I'll have to try and hope my internet will be back long enough for me to post it though

[Origami]

I dont like image sigs im not going to make something that I dont like. I like transparent ones better they look cooler
Then quit complaining about your text sigs and make them better, shit.
image (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3421&stc=1&d=1315616405)
Not very good, I know.
Nah, just a bad render and wrong choice in text color.

[RockinRobyn]

Then quit complaining about your text sigs and make them better, shit.


just because you think you are the greatest signature maker ever it doesnt give you the right to criticize other people im trying my best no one bothers to help me make them better they tell me mine suck.

im done with this site no one talks to me on here anyway

[Perseus]

just because you think you are the greatest signature maker ever it doesnt give you the right to criticize other people im trying my best no one bothers to help me make them better they tell me mine suck.


He's the best on the site. He's not criticizing you in a negative way. He's trying to help. Don't take things so personally. The best way to good at any kind of art is to be told you suck. Nothing better than proving somebody wrong.

[Origami]

just because you think you are the greatest signature maker ever it doesnt give you the right to criticize other people im trying my best no one bothers to help me make them better they tell me mine suck.

im done with this site no one talks to me on here anyway

Don't assume. I trash my own work worse than I ever would anyone else's. And think I'm the greatest? Kid, I know my work is shit. I work in the presence of those who taught me and have to see their creations chew my shit up and spit it back up in sheer mockery every fucking day.

And no one bothers? You obviously missed my words of encouragement on your profile when everyone else told you your shit sucked. Sorry for trying to help? When you whine about something not being good you make no progress. Why? Because we don't give a fuck if it's broken, just fix it.

[Skyhawk]

Made a generic edit, I don't feel like re editing text onto this on ArtStudio at midnight.

http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/iTouchKrazy/69fae476.jpg

iOS edited. :)
Photoshop Essentials + ArtStudio Lite

[Blind]

If I had the brains/skills/computer/software I would make image sigs

[Origami]

If I had the brains/skills/computer/software I would make image sigs

All it takes is the software and practice.

[Syvelocin]

Okay, so I made a sig for someone I RP with as an excuse to make one for this as well. Not really a fan of the text but I'm not sure about a lot to do with text on image sigs, though I know of course to be much more basic.

http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa330/syvelocin/emilia-silverstien.png

I saved the psd file to make changes if you have any ideas on what to fix. Seems a bit too light but I don't know how to fix that very much.

[Magus]

Okay, so I made a sig for someone I RP with as an excuse to make one for this as well. Not really a fan of the text but I'm not sure about a lot to do with text on image sigs, though I know of course to be much more basic.

image (http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa330/syvelocin/emilia-silverstien.png)

I saved the psd file to make changes if you have any ideas on what to fix. Seems a bit too light but I don't know how to fix that very much.The text is exceptional! Here, I just don't like how big the sigs are. I am not a fan of big sigs. A 320x110 is what I like best.

[Blind]

All it takes is the software and practice.

yeah but im lazy and wouldnt be committed to the time lol

[Syvelocin]

Forget the last one I posted, haha. I came up with something better. :D I'm actually going to use this one.

http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa330/syvelocin/syvwizard-1.png

EDIT: Jeez, there really is a major quality drop when you put it in your sig *sigh* ah well.

[Origami]

Forget the last one I posted, haha. I came up with something better. :D I'm actually going to use this one.

image (http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa330/syvelocin/syvwizard-1.png)

EDIT: Jeez, there really is a major quality drop when you put it in your sig *sigh* ah well.

Everyone thought Tyger and I were fucking loons when we bitched about the quality drop. XDD

But Rith, you have Talent. Talent. Talent. How you jumped up so quick is beyond me, but that signature is actually very, very good.

The pentool effect is a bit too large and the text is distracting, but the overall composition is grade A. o:

[Syvelocin]

^_^

I think working with a render like that helped a lot. I found it easier to come up with something when the render was an animated or drawn character instead of real-life (and this was just from Diablo III concept art and I really liked the render itself) and it does have the opportunity to be much more interesting and colourful. I'll still be making real-life ones for RP but I think that's the difference, most animated characters are more colourful, making the outcome automatically more vivid and varied.

I played with C4Ds as well, though had them more subtle than I have before. I think there's three of them or something, two of them on the orb there for effect, the swirly one and there's a very faint basic one I used to give it a more lighted effect, and there's one vaguely in the background. And the tooling, I was just feeling like trying something else since in the sigs I made before, the ones with pen tooling really just had the same pen tooling in each. I wanted to add something like that but without doing the same thing again. Could have gone thinner, yeah. But I do like the effect, and working on this gave me another idea for one but with that I can make that part thinner.

And I wasn't really thinking about adding text when I started it, so the awkward part for me was finding a place to put it and I feel like it was just too far to the side really.

Thank you though :) I needed to go at this until I found acceptance as I always tend to do. I will never really be specialized in it but it could be another thing I dabble in, with all my creative interests. I'm never really strong in any one area, just with basic abilities everywhere, which can help sometimes, for instance, with the site I run, basic graphics and coding abilities are useful and I have both but I'm afraid I'm not amazing in either. General creativity tends to help me up with it though.

[Origami]

Practice, Practice, Practice.

In all honesty I could have went on about the lack of depth, the piece not having a perfect flow, lack of smooth transitions, etc. It just take a lot of practice to get done, not skill.


Btw- did you smudge on this sig?

[Syvelocin]

Yup.

http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa330/syvelocin/screen.png

[Infidelitas]

I bought Corel Paintshop Photo pro x3. I love the program, and the price was good too.

I want to have a go at some of these ^. I did get a quarter way through making one, but got stuck when I couldn't work out how to get another image on another layer :/

Can anyone tell me how to do that (?)

[Origami]

I bought Corel Paintshop Photo pro x3. I love the program, and the price was good too.

I want to have a go at some of these ^. I did get a quarter way through making one, but got stuck when I couldn't work out how to get another image on another layer :/

Can anyone tell me how to do that (?)

I haven't used PSP in forever I'm afraid; however, you should be able to find the button if you have your layers panel turned on. View > Windows > Layers

It should look like two pieces of paper... I think.

[Brighter.Tomorrow]

Everyone thought Tyger and I were fucking loons when we bitched about the quality drop. XDD


Holy shit, we're not insane! >_<

[Origami]

Holy shit, we're not insane! >_<

Well, I'm not, but we're still unsure about you.

[boyman25]

pictures tell more of a story

[TheMatrix]

pictures tell more of a story

That is both spam and a bump.
:locked: