Pengy's Guide To Layouts, Photomanipulations, and More

[EvilPenguin]

Alrighty. I've seen enough of people who tell you they can make a layout or photomanipulation for you or even a custom picture.
Alot of these are not even layouts or pictures so... on to educating the general public.

Pengy's Guide To Layouts, Photomanipulations, and More
Including: Scamming, Banners, Personalized Pictures, Custom Pictures and many more helpful things.

Layouts
Layouts are not just pictures with words on them. Layouts include at least a background, text box, certain fonts - font colors and sizes, and many a time a picture behind a text box.

Some people may say they can make you a layout, for say, 50k SBF. Yes, depending on who makes it, it's a fairly reasonable price. But if all the layout is, is a picture with words on it, it's definately NOT worth paying that much for.

There are free websites that include free layouts you can use as long as you keep the creator's copywrite. You can also create your own by using a layout creator (I know there was a site for this - so if you know what it is, please post!) or you can use html to create your own.

Below will be a list of free layout sites that are free for public use (suggestions are absolutely welcomed):
http://vacant-expressions.com/freelayouts/ - submitted by Kyani
www.freewebs.com/lugubrious -submitted by Bezzella**
** http://www.freewebs.com/lugubrious/Guidejunk/Guide.htm

_____________________________________________________________
Photomanipulations
Photomanipulations are exactly what their name implies-Photos that are manipulated, or used. Photomanipulations shouldn't include a picture of someone else's artwork unless you have emailed them and both sides agreed to using the piece. I don't consider these real photomanipulations because they aren't exactly photos... but I won't hate you for considering them as photomanips .

Photomanipulations can be filtered pictures but I hope you don't just run a pattern filter over it, place text on it and call it a photomanip. Photomanipulations done correctly should look realistic (even if it's a fantasy scene)

My suggestions to making a well done photomanipulation:
1. Do not use copywrited pictures without the consent of the creator.
2. Use pictures that are similiar is sharpness - it makes it more realistic instead of having a fuzzy pixelated creature with a beautiful sharp background.
3. Be creative and don't just throw text on a picture you found on Google.
4. If you have a graphics program that has layers, filters, and other effects, GREAT. If not - you should really get one or at least find a free trial and try one out.

Photomanipulators of SBF, VHR, and VP (if you are a photomanipulator and you would like me to showcase your true photomanipulation work, please post with your deviant, photobucket, or a single example):

_____________________________________________________________

Banners
There are a few different types of banners that I've seen including:
Animated
Non-Animated
Avatars
Tutorials and info will be coming soon!

Below is a list of free banners/banner making sites:
www.mybannermaker.com -submitted by Horse Lover

_____________________________________________________________

Line Art
The Main thing about lineart is... Dont filter or trace pictures just to create line art. By drawing animals, I suggest starting out using basic shapes including circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, etc etc. And if you would rather draw the actual creature - use measurements. I measure things by either an animal's head or eye depending on the creature. Horses from their chest at the point of where their neck starts to butt should be about 3-4 head lengths. Their neck should be a head length and legs about two headlengths or less. All these measurements depend on the breed of horse and what type they are. For instance - quarter ponies are not going to have legs that measure two of their heads xD (since quarter ponies have a quarter horse size head and pony-esque legs)

I will be creating a site for all this soon and on it will include free lineart/banners/pictures for public use, and other goodies.

I need lineart suggestions for the free lineart - Below will be a list of suggested linearts and if they have been created or not:
Sitting/standing Ferret - Created
Trotting Stock Horse - Created

Free Lineart Sites For SBF Users:
http://www.freewebs.com/elissam103/myweb8/index.htm - by lissy
_____________________________________________________________

Scamming
This is not a guide on how to scam o.O If it was... I wouldn't be EvilPenguin
-takes deep breath- If you have ever been scammed, that is, were told that someone would train your creature or make you a picture/something and you've given them money and they didn't give you anything, please contact support. Don't go posting OMG This person stole this from me! all over the boards. Most people will see it, but it isn't accomplishing anything except humiliating the person who did the scamming. (And don't do it for that above reason--it just creates arguments and problems for others)

To prevent being scammed (Check List!):
1. If you are paying for something, do NOT send the money right away. Wait until they are done with the product, they show you the product, and you are able to do whatever with the product (put a picture on your animal, put html for your farm/ranch/kennel page, reclaim your trained animal, etc)
2.Always ask for examples: If they don't have any, there's a chance there won't be any. Ask them if they remember who they've interacted with and exchanged something for money/other payments. Talk with those people who've recieved the product and see if they're satisfied or not.
3. Never, and I mean NEVER give out your passwords. To Game Moderators, Friends, or anyone. It's just a big no-no and if someone asks for your password it should send a red flag to your brain telling you not to interact with the said person.

((More tips coming soon))

_____________________________________________________________

MORE WILL BE COMING SOON INCLUDING CUSTOM PICTURES, BANNERS, AND MORE INFO/TUTORIALS ON EACH TOPIC. IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO CONTRIBUTE LIKE A TUTORIAL, PLEASE POST WITH THE LINK! THANKS

[Bezzella]

Can you add my free layout site. (www.freewebs.com/lugubrious)


I will be making tutorials for HTML and pics in the future.


PS: Great guide!!

[Vitani]

Hooray! I've been hoping someone will do something like this

I'm a real dingus ( yes, lets all laugh ) and would love to learn how to do banners and artwork and blah blah etc etc...Only don't know how.

A basic guide for something that a complete beginner could understand would be fantastic, if someone had the time to compile it. I can't be the only one wanting to learn....*looks around hoping not*

[Alicia]

I'd like to learn too! I am HTML illiterate! So it ahs to be REALLY simple like child simple! lmao!

[Bezzella]

Egads! I just saw this and I rushed over and made a site for you guys. It is gunna look much better, but first I'm gunna make tutorials. (I have 1 right now) Do you guys like the layout?


http://www.freewebs.com/lugubrious/Guidejunk/Guide.htm

[Kyani]

I'd like to suggest the best free layout site I've ever found!

http://vacant-expressions.com/freelayouts/

[Horse Lover]

here's a good banner maker website:
www.mybannermaker.com

[EvilPenguin]

Thanks guys! I'll be adding your links shortly =D

[EvilPenguin]

Also - I'll be adding a few of my own tutorials for Photoshop or other graphics program users - with pictures!!! (a lot of times I'm just lazy so some may take a few minutes while others will take days to complete)

[Vitani]

Squee! * runs in joyous circles till she falls down*

Thanks everyone! *takes off village idiot hat...replaces with village halfwit hat...puts gecko on it*

[EvilPenguin]

-points- look at the gecko! dance my little friend dance! rofl

Adding something - I'll be making a free lineart and personalized picture site soon. I just need some suggestions for lineart to make - I've got a couple ferret and cat piccies so far that I'll upload. (I will definately do horses) So SUGGEST AWAY! - I will add suggestions to the above post and say if they are completed or not.

Note: I want breeds and poses of animals you guys would like to see.

[Vitani]

Cats and horses are my big ones so....yeah, happy those will be up there....

*likes to -move it- move it-*

[Horse Lover]

i'm making an unautomated website on freewebs and you know how you log in and out like SBF, you have your own farm and stuff. how do you do that? cos right now i have a few pages and the only login is to the freewebs site! any help on this topic?

[piaffe]

using php or asp so asp.net so that you can communicate with an ODBC database. trust me its not for the fainthearted I've been working on one for 5 years now and its still only about half done

[EvilPenguin]

o.O I knew that took a lot of work but wow... 5 years xD

okies back on topic...

Suggestions for line art anyone?