How to make nice graphics?

Published on January 25, 2006 By Matthew Davis In Skinning

I'm just wondering how all the developers out there make the nice 3D-ish window frames and stuff. Is there a specific program you use?

Comments

William-Quist

on Jan 25, 2006

A lot of people use 3-D renderers..others (like myself) use only photoshop, and yet others use both. The key is using whatever is available.

The best way to learn is by doing. It's a continual process of learning. New techniques, new textures, etc.

One thing that really helped me (and still does) is by searching for tutorials. You'll learn new tips and tricks and increase the quality of your output.

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MÅtt

on Jan 25, 2006

can you reccomend any sites with good tutorials?

Bichur

on Jan 25, 2006

can you reccomend any sites with good tutorials?

for what program?

MÅtt

on Jan 25, 2006

any program really. are there any good either free or low-cost programs out there for creating skin graphics?

ama02

on Jan 26, 2006

The Gimp Link is a free graphics program, if that's what you're looking for.

If you decide to try it, there are tutorials for it here http://www.gimp.org/tutorials/

DigitalDanes

on Jan 26, 2006

any program really. are there any good either free or low-cost programs out there for creating skin graphics?

The cheapest, non-free, graphics program I've come across is Paint Shop Pro. It has almost everything that PhotoShop has and comes at 1/7th or so of the cost. You can download and try PSP free for a timed period at: http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel3/Trials/Login&pid=1047025487586&cid=1047025490241

(PSP was previously produced by JASC but Corel bought JASC out so it's now a Corel product).
DD

Erk.

on Jan 26, 2006

Also check your local newsagency for graphics magazines ...I got a full version of PSP [vers. 5] on a disc with "Computer Graphics" magazine, a while back.
It'll be a good learning tool for you, if you can get a copy of it. Loads of tutorial sites on the web for just about every type of graphics app though ...so get the proggy of your choice, and get on to your favourite search engine, using "[app name] tutorials" as the keywords.

G'luck!

William-Quist

on Jan 26, 2006

what he said ^^^

When looking for tutorials, it can be a chain reaction - you try one site and it links to another, etc.. I've found some great sites like this. Just take time and patience and click away.

Patriots

on Jan 26, 2006

Hey Matthew,

All of the above are great ideas, and they all can help you get under way. What I suggest though, is that a lot of these major companies provide 30day free trial offers. Take advantage of that, use all the programs see what one your most comfortable with and then, you can have a better idea of what to look for. Just like anything, everyone has a special product or tool that they like over another. Research is the key. That's why I highly recommend using the free trial offers.

After you have found what program you like the best, as with anything shop around for the lowest price. My first stop is usually softwareoutlet.com. They usually have all the programs that are used for graphics to give you all the effects for skinning. Then, I'll pop over to Amazon.com and compare to Ebay to see where the cheapest is. I have bought many things off both places and haven't really had a problem yet. One, thing Ebay is doing right now to be aware of though, is ppl are selling a major software program for dirt cheap, but they're not sending the install disk, they e-mail you with the serial number; telling you to download the trial version and then, they use the serial number during the install process. As with anything be careful, read fully what you are buying. I just purchased the Corel Graphics Suite12 through E-bay, got a really good price and it came with all disk in the box, brand new--alot cheaper than buying through the company or store. Also, Photoshop Elements 4.0 is on softwareoutlet.com for less than 60.00. It's a pretty good program and you can do just about all the same things as PhotoshopCs.

Then, once you get the program you like the best you can search for tutoriols for that program, which would take less time than, searching all through the tutorials.
Again, it's all in your preference. Hope this helps...

Majic7

on Jan 26, 2006

Another place is Purplus. They have older version graphic programs at very good prices. Some in retail boxes, some just a CD and a key, and some surplus OEM. I purchased an older version Carrara Studio for 50$. They have PSP 8 for 14.95$, as another example. It took about ten days to get my purchase by mail.

Link

danioc

on Jan 26, 2006

Photoshop, all the way, it's not cheap but it's years ahead from most graphic softwares around and you can find many useful tutorials in sites like http://www.eyesondesign.net
It's my personal opinion

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