Manga Studio

[Hoagy]

I can't seem to be able to get the drop on the panels work in Manga Debut.The- For Dummies concentrates on the EX solely. I follow to convert to Panel Folder instead of -Panel Layer. Which I assume is in the EX.

Then from there on I'm on my own as far as - For Dummies is concerned. No, shaping hints, stroking the panels hints or where the hell to go. The program itself is little help.

[Jim_Campbell]

I can't seem to be able to get the drop on the panels work in Manga Debut.The- For Dummies concentrates on the EX solely. I follow to convert to Panel Folder instead of -Panel Layer. Which I assume is in the EX.

Could I have that again in English, Krom? What are you trying to get to work?

Cheers

Jim

[Hoagy]

Cheers, Jim.


I'm trying to get the panels to work. Creating them and working in them the way Manga has set them up for the Debut version.

It's fooking difficult.

[Jim_Campbell]

I'm trying to get the panels to work. Creating them and working in them the way Manga has set them up for the Debut version.

It's fooking difficult.

Actually, it's really easy once you get the hang of it. What it isn't, is obvious!

I've done this in Debut, just to be sure that it works for you...

New Document -- this is my Dogbreath template. A5 with no bleed, the 'Basic Frame' (which I use as the Live/Safe Type Area) is 10mm in on each side.



Create a new Panel Ruler Layer:



Note that you now have a blue box with editable corner points which is the same dimensions as your Basic Frame:



If you now select the Panel Cutter tool:



You can divide up this outer box into frames. Hold down Shift and the Cutter will only operate at right angles.



Note that in the above, you can click and drag on individual corner points, or the sides of panels, to rearrange them. You don't, however, seem to be able change the stacking order. This isn't a huge problem, you just need to re-shape correct panel, rather than the wrong one and then expect to be able to move it in the stacking order.

When you're happy that you've got the layout how you want, you need to Rasterize Layer from the Layer Options:



If you're certain that you won't need to edit the borders, you can discard the original (editable) ruler layer and just keep the rasterized version (click No in the dialogue below), OK will retain both layers



The editable layer is under Rulers, whilst the finished panels are in the artwork layers (the upper of the two circled below). To avoid confusion, I tend to rename the upper layer to "Panel Borders"



If you can't see the finished panel borders, then you may have artwork layers above the panels, and will need to drag the Panel Borders layer to the very top of the stacking order.

At this point you should see that not only do you have lovely, ruled panel borders, but that the space between them is automatically masked. Note that this solid white between the panels can be erased, as can the borders themselves, so if you want to have a gun muzzle poking beyond the frame border, you can erase both the border itself and the masking white to reveal the bits of the drawing you require.

Hope that helps!

Cheers

Jim

[Jim_Campbell]

I should add that I only mastered this rather un-obvious method thanks to the ever-helpful PJ Holden. The above is really just an expanded version of the section on panel borders in this blog post.

Cheers!

Jim

[Hoagy]

Fantastic, Jim. A real basic guide that reveals more from its follow thru. I've also begun creating my own page templates.

What about circular panels and action shape panels? And then, editing them into this method?

I'm going to paste this into  my notes.

Cheers again.

[Jim_Campbell]

What about circular panels and action shape panels? And then, editing them into this method?

Whilst you're working on the Panel Ruler Layer, you can switch to the Polyline Tool (draws irregular polygons -- double click to close the shape) or the Circle Tool, or pretty much any other drawing tool, and select the option shown below, which will create a ruler to the shape you've drawn on the current layer. Since you are on the Panel Ruler Layer, this will create a new panel.



Cheers!

Jim

[Hoagy]

Great stuff. Plenty to be getting on with now. Consider this creator, unblocked.

[chilipenguin]

Wondered if anyone could help a brother out. I've been trying to learn to ink and have finished my first spalsh page, but unfortunately I only have the demo version of Manga Studio so can't export the result. I was hoping that I could send someone the page file and they could export it for me? Payment would be in kind words.

Hoping to buy a copy of MS when I have some spare cash, just wanted to see my completed page and maybe have a crack at colouring it.

Cheers!

[Emperor]

Jim's latest post is on Manga Studio:

http://clintflickerlettering.blogspot.com/2010/11/sunday-surgery-not-quite-new-years.html