Argaar Project : colored background

Dorcan · Wed 30/06/2004 22:49:23

Colored version : http://www.agsforums.com/yabb/index.php?topic=15031.msg185878#msg185878

B&W version : http://www.agsforums.com/yabb/index.php?topic=15031.msg185235#msg185235

I completely redrew the first background of our game, because I wasn't satisfied with the previous version, and I'm happy with what I've been able to achieve.
It's supposed to be a life-insurance company office.

I would like to color it and get ride of outlines while the background stays consistant...
but my problem is that I really don't know how to start, and which technic to use.
I've tried with selecting area with the magic tool, but I don't like the result. I've tried making two layers, one for colors and some others for highlight & shadows... but the result isn't as good as I would like, it takes me a lot of time, and usually it makes my background blury.

I haven't found any appropriate tutorial on the internet for the moment, but I certainly will keep searching.

So I really would appreciate if someone could just give me a tip or some tutorial link

oh btw C&C pleaseÃ,Â

Ryz · Wed 30/06/2004 22:57:16

Hi Dorcan,

You can create a second layer, like you did tryalready, with the multiply blending setting on while you work on it. When you finished the coloring you can try to play with the contrast of the lines layer to leave a tiny bit of outlines so the objects stay somewhat defined, yet it won't have the outlined look. So it would be the finishign touch which would get you the desired effect(getting rid of the outlines -mostly- yet not resulting in a blurry background)

So basically you should go on and color it, with details and all and finish it off by making the lines way less defined behind the color.. subtle

Just a suggestion..

This would be aÃ,Â relevant tutorial:
http://www.twin-design.com/agsezine/issue5_garagegothic.cfm

Phemar · Thu 01/07/2004 06:20:14

WOW! :o :o :o

You have a potentially brilliant bavckground there!

Echarin · Thu 01/07/2004 21:02:30

I really like this background. Any hidden secrets other than the Manny Calavera doll? (been too long since I played the game so the name may not be exact)

One helpful tutorial for a certain colouring style:
http://www.twin-design.com/agsezine/issue5_garagegothic.cfm (damn, Ryz beat me to it)

Another:
http://www.nethersphere.com/howto_colorsketch.html

Dorcan · Thu 01/07/2004 23:31:58

Thank you everybody !

Ryz : You're right, making the lines subtle could be the solution !

Echarin : Thanks ! Hehe I thought it was interesting having Manny somewhere in an life-insurance company office

I think I will add some other secrets in the next backgrounds.

The tutorial from GarageGothic is a really good one, but I don't want to keep the pencil layer, and I didn't feel like it was appropriate for what I want to achieve.

This thread caught my eye : http://www.agsforums.com/yabb/index.php?topic=14810.20

Basicaly, he (PixelCat) start drawing in black & white, and then add colors... I usually do it the other way, adding shadows after colors, but I found this idea quite interesting actually.

Also, lot of tutorials advise to draw in hi-res, and then reduce the image size, which is a good idea too.

So I started painting basic shapes and light area in b&w (the image size is 3485 x 2465)
I'm now working on details, but it's really time consuming, drawing everything with the paint tool (I don't want to use the burn tool too often...)
Took me almost all the afternoon :-\Ã,Â but what I've done so far is satisfying. I hope to finish tomorrow:

Chicky · Thu 01/07/2004 23:39:16

wow

beautiful lighting

Hollister Man · Fri 02/07/2004 02:54:03

I think Zor said it best:

As for critique, I think the best part is the desk, the part in the very center of the image. It is the most defined and contrasted, and I think that's what you need.

Evil · Fri 02/07/2004 04:47:54

Jesus, Mother trucking across the globe. You need to scrap that character too. My God that is beautiful. Thats better then most perfessional games. You REALLY ought to sell this game.

[Cameron] · Fri 02/07/2004 07:06:36

Quote from: Evil on Fri 02/07/2004 04:47:54
Thats better then most perfessional games. You REALLY ought to sell this game.

Sell it to people outside of the forum of course. I think we deserve top get it free.

TheSaint · Fri 02/07/2004 21:21:47

i reallly like the shaded version it looks very good, things are almost "feelable" (u think that u can almost touch them ;) thumbs up!
im looking forward to c it done in shading. and then in colours ofc. but i think that ur character(from piccie from link) just wont fit in that kind of 3D realistic background :\

just my two cents

[Cameron] · Sat 03/07/2004 04:34:22

I dont think you should use colours. I believe it should be b/w

scotch · Sat 03/07/2004 11:25:23

I think one problem with this background is that whatever character you put on it it won't look right because it won't be casting a harsh shadow like everything else. But it does look very nice, as you might have gathered by now.

GarageGothic · Sat 03/07/2004 12:56:25

Why don't you just use the same coloring technique as in the old background? The composition has improved immensely with the new version (especially the foreground objects did a lot for it), but I don't really think there's anything wrong with the old coloring style - except the very yellow light streaks coming through the blinds (I also wonder how the light streaks through the blinds manage to actually fall in the shadow of the file cabinet - isn't this the same lightsource?)

This game looks absolutely awesome!

BTW: You pencil drawing is so clean that you could easily include it to provide outlines, at a very low transparency setting (20 or 30%) It wouldn't look anywhere near as sketchy as the background in my tutorial.

Dorcan · Sun 04/07/2004 00:55:39

OSC : thanks

Hollister Man : Right. It took me a long time, but finally I've succeed in entirely refining my background.

Evil : Wow thanks ! ... Hey don't give me bad ideas ! I'm likely to be tried

What do you exactly mean by "You need to scrap that character too" ? I don't understand the "scrap" wordÃ,Â

PreparaciÃ³n De Ensalada : Lol
Unfortunately, I don't think I will keep this background in B&W becauseÃ,Â it doesn't match the game style.

TheSaint & Scotch : Thanks !

I'm not sure the fact the character isn't shaded will really be a problem...
If you look at this picture...

GarageGothic : Thank you.
Well, the technic I used in the old background was very frustrating and boring... And the result wasn't good. Now, I enjoy much more the coloring process

I gived the drawing layer a low transparency level : 20%, as you advised. Looks good

Pfiuu... At last I have finished the b&w coloring. Happy. Now, I must add colors and posters :

Kweepa · Sun 04/07/2004 02:44:06

Meh. Not bad.

Mr_Frisby · Sun 04/07/2004 03:02:09

Wow - thats amazing, I pooped my pantz.
But it's only in black and white - feh!

Darth Mandarb · Sun 04/07/2004 03:11:17

Dorcan - I marvel at your talent!

Amazing!

The ONLY tiny thing I would say is that the monitor looks a little less defined than the rest of the scene.Ã,Â But I'm assuming that with the light source directly over it, that it's supposed to look that way.

Aside from that I'm awestruck!

Keep 'em coming!

sergiocornaga · Sun 04/07/2004 03:32:10

Wow. You've gotta love intensly detailed backgrounds paired with cartoony characters. Great stuff!

Cluey · Sun 04/07/2004 15:14:55

WOW, Holy crap!
No seriously, thats worthy of a professional game, even the "previous version" wipes the floor with anything I could do, Keep at it.

TheDude · Sun 04/07/2004 19:04:38

Great background. How are you colouring it? Will you be selecting say the bookcase with the lasso tool then adjusting the Hue/Saturation to get the exact colour you want, or maybe using a Multply layer then painting the colour? Doing the BG in B&W is a pretty good way of working when i think about it, way easier with just as good results...