► Signature Components Tut

[Complexity]

Signature Styles, Components, & Tuts
Yo. All of my signature tuts will be compiled here to prevent spam. I take requests [that is, if I know how to do what you asked for]
I think this is where I'm supposed to write about motivation, determination, will, etc. The best say not to make a signature when you don't feel like it.
I almost always don't feel like it. So I'm not sure how this applies.
Most of these tuts here require some basic knowledge of photoshop. If you don't even know the basics, this probably isn't the best place to learn.

Chapters:

• Rendering 1
• Adjustment Layers 2
• Blended Style Signatures 3
• Shape Signatures 4
• Radial Signatures 5
• Box-Strip Style Signatures 6
• Loading Actions 7
• Shape Signatures (misc) 8
• Bancaire's Couple Signature (request) 9
• MyaMyah's Signature (request) 10
• Shine Animation (request) 11

[Complexity]

Rendering Tut
Start off with your image you want to render. Make sure it's on one layer, not a locked layer such as the background.
If it is, just duplicate the layer by right clicking on the layer.
✔Correct ✖Incorrect
This is just a precaution so you don't accidentally cut into the background layer.
If you do, it'll show a white space instead of transparent.
There are a number of tools you can use on photoshop to cut.
I'll demonstrate the best two – or in my case. The other tools I don't use as frequently.
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Pen Tool
To get more accurate results, zoom in using the magnifying glass.
Zoom in whatever percent you're comfortable with – for me, I just click it a couple of times then start to cut [LOL]
I don't believe you need to get that well acquainted with the pen tool to render.
All you need to know is how to click points. To get curved results, hold the mouse and move it around.
Click at your starting point. Make sure it's on your render [this is common sense].
Make sure your pen settings are the same as mine [I'm not sure if I changed them, but just in case].



Next, start adding anchor points by clicking around the render.
If you mess up, just right click and 'delete anchor point.' click for example
There's also a 'delete path' if you're really frustrated with how the whole thing's going.
To be honest, I don't even use correct curving. I just click around the curve, even when I'm being careful. example
See how the points are curved around the plate? To do that, it's quite simple. example
When you're done setting your anchor points around your image so you can continue to render it out.
Make sure you connect your first and last anchor points together so it can make a path. example
When you connect them together, the anchor points should form together to make a line.
Right click inside the image and select 'make selection' Set the feather radius to one: example
I hope most of you all know the commands 'ctrl + c' and 'ctrl + v.' They'll make work a whole lot easier.
Copy and paste the new render into a different layer. example
And yes, memorize your 'del' key too. Just use that delete button instead of manually right clicking and selecting the option.
Delete the original layer so the rendered layer remains. example
*le gasp* Now you have a chibi Vongola Primo on top of flan to copy and paste anywhere.
Ctrl + A = selects the whole document. Ctrl + A that adorable render and put it in any graphic you want.
Want to save your render? Just save for PNG. If you save as JPG or anything else, you'll lose the transparency,
which was basically the whole point of using the pen tool and everything you did above.
It was shabby effort, spend more time with yours. You'll have to cut deeper if you want to get rid of the strokes around characters.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
If you want a different alternative to the pen, there's always the magnetic lasso tool.
The magnetic lasso is located in the tool bar. Hold three seconds on the original lasso tool to change it. example
To soften the usual severe/jagged cuts made by the magnetic lasso, change the feathering to 1px. example
Click to get the magnetic lasso started. Once you start, there's no stopping.
If you plan to cut all around the character in one shot, I suggest you don't zoom in as much to avoid messing up.
However, if you prefer zooming in, just cut out parts of the background and delete it instead of cutting out the character.
Backspacing will remove errant anchor points [the magnetic lasso 'snaps' to a clear and definite line closest to it].
I have to be honest here. This took me half the time the pen did, even though it's a little less accurate.
This will work better with images that don't already have a stroke around them,
because half the time you'll be trying to cut that stroke out and the magnetic lasso will keep on snapping to something else.
Connect the first and the last points, or double click. example
It'll produce the same walking ants as before. Ctrl + c, ctrl + v. Save as PNG.



I didn't feel like redoing it to make it perfect, BUT YOU SHOULD. >8D
If you look carefully, on the left the grey stroke was a little cut off because the magnetic lasso cut too deep.

Hope this tut helped you :3

[Complexity]

Adjustment Layers
So I'm sure most of you signature makers know how to make a background and such.
Some of you don't know about adjustment layers, and if you do, some of you don't bother to put them on.
The one I like to start off with is a gradient map.
Seriously guys, if you download a ton of gradients this will make your job so much easier.
But if you're a starter and have no gradients downloaded whatsoever,
you can always make a gradient with your two colors, foreground and background.
Just set them to what kind of coloring you want.



First, set the layer style on soft light. Then browse through your gradients to see which one fits best.
Set it on overlay if you want a drastic color change/stronger color change.
Again, if you don't have much gradients, then the colors you chose/preset should be the top left corner of the gradient editor.



If you don't like the color, you can always change your preset colors.
It's during this stage that you can also make the finishing touches [well for me, anyways].
When I notice something that I can change, I automatically save the PSD then proceed with the altering.
If you don't like it, don't save it and just reload your PSD.



Now go to the Layer tab > New adjustment layer.
There's a lot of things you can play with here, just delete it if you don't like it.
Most of these adjustments are pretty self-explanatory.
Also, just hit ctrl+z if you mess up. It's that simple.
You can also move your adjustment layers around, sometimes that changes the coloring.





Some of you may've stopped at #3, but then again, it's all just on personal preference.
The other slight change I made there was making the faded render on the left a bit more visible.
I'm pretty sure there's a lot more personal effects and adjustments you can add, but don't overdo it.
I just made a simple background and render for this tut.
Now if you do this final step, it might over color it and such - Actions.
You may download actions by going to deviantart. » This is a loading actions tut
You must load the actions in photoshop before you use them, so if you don't know how to, click on the tut.
Since the user that made that tut is on a mac, here's quick run down on the steps in case your screen isn't set up like the tut.
1) Extract your action if it's in a zip file. Place it in your presets folder. (Presets > actions)
2) Once it's there, go to photoshop. Window tab > actions.
3) Click the down arrow with the four straight lines beside it. Click load actions.
4) Redirect it back to your actions folder. Click on the action to load it.
5) Click the play button to use.



Remember that actions are optional.
If you realize that some layers are better off deleted, then delete them.
Finished product:

[CHEESTRINGS]

what are actions/textures?

[Complexity]

Originally Posted by CHEESTRINGS

what are actions/textures?

actions are a compile of adjustment layers that you load on your signature and make it look better.
Textures are a broad range of backgrounds that you can use to blend, etc.

[eccedentesiast .]

i love this♥.
do you have any personal favorites for the actions you have?
i have downloaded some, but i don't really use most of them.

[Complexity]

Originally Posted by eccedentesiast .

i love this♥.
do you have any personal favorites for the actions you have?
i have downloaded some, but i don't really use most of them.

Thank you c:
Yup, I do.
http://abouth-randy-orton.deviantart.com/#/d2dlnd5
And a lot actions from the same creator. c:

[eccedentesiast .]

Originally Posted by Complexity

Thank you c:
Yup, I do.
http://abouth-randy-orton.deviantart.com/#/d2dlnd5
And a lot actions from the same creator. c:

thank you ~ ♥ >w<

[Complexity]

Blended Signatures
All you need to know is how to use layer masks. Simple, right? No? Well then.
These type of signatures turn out better if you have high quality renders or screenshots.
It'll make sense for the screenshots to have the same background, wouldn't it? Otherwise it'll look out of place once you start blending.
You can start from the left to right, or right to left, or you can start from the middle.
Typically I start from the right and work my way over. If you find a better order, just rearrange the layers. example
You can sharpen it later. Type 'd' on your keyboard/pad to set your default colors to black and white.
Select your gradient tool, then click the layer mask option. example
Drag the gradient across the screenshot. If it looks weird, just keep on dragging until it looks right. example
Now select another screenshot and lay it over on top of the other one. Select layer mask. example
Make sure you're selected on the layer mask, not the screenshot. I've done that several times and I had to delete the layer and restart.
Now, drag it on the right side [vice versa if you're starting from the opposite side I did] example
I changed the order of the layers because it looked plain awkward. Plus, my backgrounds are different, which makes it look weirder. :c
Now repeat the process with more screenshots.



You're pretty much done with the blending part. Now all you need to do is sharpen the screenshots, add some adjustment layers,
maybe some text and a border if you feel like it.
I didn't finish it because I gotta go before my mom blows up like Mount Helen. But use brushes like tiny text, abstract, etc.

Finished Product:

[LifeLess~]

Thanks, the blended tut helped a lot <3
I might post my outcome later D:
and I think the 3rd example is missing ;o