How to make sigs etc.

[Rano]

How to make sigs etc.

Note that the tutorials which are linked and given here are not mine but belong to their respective owner. And I thank them for creating those awesome tuts.

I have noticed that quite a lot of people here just started with PS or don't know how to improve their signature. So I decided to make a guide about Photoshop resources and tutorials etc. Basically this thread will include almost everything what you need to know to make a decent or good signature. Also questions can be answered in this thread. I think that's it. Well let's start!

TUTORIALS

FULL TUTS

Created by: tranquility-awaits

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs15/f/2006/365/1/a/Abstract_Waterfront_Sig_Tut_by_tranquility_awaits.png

Created by: dismal1190

http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs28/f/2008/141/b/0/Assassins_Creed_Sig_Tutorial_by_dismal1190.jpg

Created by: UYMOBIUZ

http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs21/f/2007/302/8/8/8838f7f1400f8a2e.png


SCANLINES

http://www.gamexe.net/photoshop/creating-scan-line-pattern/

Scanlines are often used in signatures and can add a wide variation of effects in your sig. It's a pattern and the above link describes how to create and use them. They also can be downloaded and saved in PS. Just search on Google for sites which have them available to download. I don't recommend downloading them because making them by yourself is easy and it gives some satisfaction at the end. Also their is a wide variation of scanlines which can be made. For example: Diagonal from left to right and vice virsa, Horizontal, Vertical and crossed. Just experiment by placing the black squares differently.

RENDERING STOCKS (IMAGES)

http://www.tutorialhero.com/click-40498-how_to_render_images.php

By rendering stocks we mean erasing the original background so it will be transparent and only the object or character is left. Keep in mind that this will consume a lot of time if you want to do it really good and for beginners I advise to just download renders from the net and work with those.

There are many ways to do this one of them will be explained. For the other ways use Google.

Simply open the image. Then go to the layers panel and right click on the layer select Layer from background. If done correctly the lock is gone now. Then go to layer above in the taskbar and select New layer. Now you have 2 layers in your layer panel you need to get the new layer under the image layer. This is done by right clicking the New layer and dragging it down. Now you can start erasing do this by selecting the Eraser tool and start erasing the background. It's more difficult then you think.

USE OF C4Ds

The use of C4Ds can be crucial in making a good sig. Underneath is explained how to use it and where to get them.

http://www.sigtutorials.com/tutorials/basics/c4d-renders-signature-tutorial.html

In the beginning those tuts will confuse you a bit but there's me to help you out. And once done you will get more used to it and after a while everything will go automatically.

 

[Rano]

Re: How to make sigs etc.


RESOURCES

With resources I mean where to find Brushes, New Fonts, Renders, Stocks, etc.

Maybe easy said but it really is that easy. Just use Google!

For example type in: Download "fonts" or Download "Assasins Creed Render"
The chance that you won't find what you search is 0,5%. And once there it's mostly explained how to use or install the Fonts, Brushes etc. But if not there's always a way to search it on Google. For example: "How to install new brushes in PS CS5" or "How to install downloaded fonts on Windows 7".
Yes you do need to do some research yourself but at the end it will be really satisfying because you did it all by yourself. Do keep in mind that brushes which are created for a newer PS then you have are not working on yours. Example: Brushes which are made for PS CS3 won't work for PS CS2 unless stated by the creator otherwise!


I decided to help you out a bit and linked for each thing one site which provide the needed resource.

C4Ds

C4Ds (Cinema 4 Demand) are pure to give special effects to your signature if used correctly you can even make a good looking sig only by the use of C4Ds. They can be downloaded from almost anywhere.

Google images, Photobucket, Planetrenders, Deviantart and other sites as well.

RENDERS

Are images where the background has been made transparent and thus making it easier for you to make the sig. Lazy people like me are using renders. The people who do feel like putting loads of effort in their sig render their own images. In the above post is explained how to render.

http://planetrenders.net/

BRUSHES

Note: For all Gimp users!
Photoshop brushes can also be used for the latest Gimp!
No extra info available. It should speak for itself what it is.

http://www.brusheezy.com/

FONTS

Is generally seen as the most difficult part of the sig because mostly the fonts don't go with the sig. That's why I linked a site where you can download new Fonts. To install fonts use Google because it depends which operator you have. Example: "How to install fonts on Windows (XP, Vista, 7, MAC), etc."

http://www.1001freefonts.com/

STOCKS

Are just images mostly their is need to render them as explained above.

There's not really a site to download stocks. But it can be downloaded from either Google Images or http://photobucket.com/

 

[Rano]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

HOW TO UPLOAD SIGS ON THIS FORUM

Go to www.tinypic.com.

By "File" click "Browse"

Select the sig you want to upload.

And then click "Upload Now"

It will ask to fill in a security code fill it in and then again click "Upload Now". (It's just to verify if you're human.)

Once done that you need to copy the 4th link which is given it's called "Direct link for layouts"
So copy and paste it in the quick reply box. Then add

. Replace the star with the link.

EDIT: Or just copy paste the 2nd link it's called "IMG code for Forums & Message board" Then it's done to.



Of course I wouldn't have made this thread if you needed to do everything yourself so anytime you face difficulty feel free to ask! You can also add me on MSN just send me a private message.

 

[Azer249]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

Nice guide Rano

 

[Rano]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

Thanks Azer I'm still working on it and don't know if i'll finish it today or not
I might continue tomorrow.

 

[Arld]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

Excellent guide for people, indeed. Looking forward to more. +rep

 

[Rano]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

Thanks Graeme I'm trying my best. And suggestions what to add will be appreciated.

 

[Azer249]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

Awsome man see youve added some more

 

[Rano]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

Awsome man see youve added some more

Yeah little by little I add more because doing it at once is too much for me

 

[Purple Nurple]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

Great guide, really useful stuff here, much +rep

 

[cheezMcNASTY]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

i'ma rep you on the first 2, since i did find some stuff here that was useful (i'm entirely self taught so far).

but those C4Ds, don't you think that's cheating in a way? i mean, you're taking images that are available to everybody which tons of people can and probably do use, for yourself. why not make your own?

 

[Rano]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

i'ma rep you on the first 2, since i did find some stuff here that was useful (i'm entirely self taught so far).

but those C4Ds, don't you think that's cheating in a way? i mean, you're taking images that are available to everybody which tons of people can and probably do use, for yourself. why not make your own?

The software will cost you too much money. And it's also how you use C4Ds I bet most people even don't know the overlay and Soft light things etc. And generally only small parts of C4Ds are being used which can look in every sig totally different. I can use one C4D for maybe 5 to 10 sigs without anyone recognizing that it's actually from the same C4D.

And yeah I'll continue tomorrow with the guide.

 

[Terra_Zeta]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

This is perfect! I Have taken Photoshop classes and have passed both 1 & 2 ranks of classes but, i always forget how to do the really cool things and even some basic things(facepalm)

I made my first sig a few days ago, but i'm eager to learn about new techniques so maybe one day i can participate in sig battles

+rep to you good sir.

 

[Sean]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

Nice little tutorials.

 

[cheezMcNASTY]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

seriously, can we sticky this? it's got some great tips and would be especially helpful for people who want to participate in sig battles but feel they are inexperienced.

 

[Rano]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

Someone has to push me to continue the tutorial

 

[D3m190d]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

Someone has to push me to continue the tutorial

DO IT. Otherwise I'll KILL YOU. No wait, uhm, I'll steal your cookies. >=D

 

[onwingsoflead]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

Awesome, thanks for the tuts Rano! I haven't opened Photoshop for quite some time, but I have made a lot of sigs/banners in the past and have them all saved. I might try doing some of these tuts later and post the outcome.

 

[cheezMcNASTY]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

Someone has to push me to continue the tutorial

oh, you attention whore.

look, i've found nothing but help in this tut. i have downloaded the c4ds (though i have yet to use them. i'm waiting for the right sig to come along ).

the scan lines were immensely useful to know. you see them in many, many sigs. and yet, i didn't even know what they were called, let alone how to do it.

and lastly, the gradient maps. extremely good to know. i made extreme use of them in my new tyler durden siggy (just completed like 5 minutes ago).

while i have yet to sit down and master the pen tool, it looks very handy as well. i'm very stubborn when it comes to creating renders... i tend to just use the lasso, magic wand, quick selection tool, and polyconal lasso with the eraser and blur tool to clean up the mess when i make my renders. when i find an image that would make a perfect render, and can't make it happen with my current brutish methods, this is without a doubt the thread i'm going to turn to.

all of the tuts you posted were clear, relevant, and useful. if you have more of that caliber than you should seriously post them. i've never used a tut before, but some of these things are quite useful.

are you convinced yet?

 

[Rano]

Re: How to make sigs etc.

oh, you attention whore.

look, i've found nothing but help in this tut. i have downloaded the c4ds (though i have yet to use them. i'm waiting for the right sig to come along ).

the scan lines were immensely useful to know. you see them in many, many sigs. and yet, i didn't even know what they were called, let alone how to do it.

and lastly, the gradient maps. extremely good to know. i made extreme use of them in my new tyler durden siggy (just completed like 5 minutes ago).

while i have yet to sit down and master the pen tool, it looks very handy as well. i'm very stubborn when it comes to creating renders... i tend to just use the lasso, magic wand, quick selection tool, and polyconal lasso with the eraser and blur tool to clean up the mess when i make my renders. when i find an image that would make a perfect render, and can't make it happen with my current brutish methods, this is without a doubt the thread i'm going to turn to.

all of the tuts you posted were clear, relevant, and useful. if you have more of that caliber than you should seriously post them. i've never used a tut before, but some of these things are quite useful.

are you convinced yet?

Hahaha yes I continue in the weekend if I can find some time. I have been busy with Uni lately.