Best free software/ Comic templates?

[mclaintag]

I just started literally a day ago. I'm using my current comic series just to get in the habit of drawing and learn the most efficient way for me to create comics. However one thing is bothering me... My comic panels are just awful. I want to know if there a panel templates or any tips you use to make nice clean panels. I'm using autodesk sketchbook because its available for the freeskee.

[joannekwan]

I think full on templates can get restrictive depending on what kind of story you're telling.
The simplest you can get is set up margins and then keep the panel boxes within those margins.
But if you really want it neat and clean, I think the most useful thing is to start with a grid where you can easily find the vertical and horizontal halves, thirds, fifths, etc. of the page. Use those as guidelines to where you can place panels.

[keii4ii]

This depends on what kind of a comic you're making, but in general, you DON'T want to use a template for panels. The shape, size, and placement of panels play a huge role in storytelling. You want 100% full control over those elements. Don't let templates limit you.

[winglesscomic]

If we're talking design-wise, look at the way other comic artists draw their panels. I get a lot of inspiration from Grey Is... because dee Juusan's panel layouts and designs are fluid, aesthetically pleasing and utilize interesting shapes.

[mclaintag]

I think full on templates can get restrictive depending on what kind of story you're telling.
The simplest you can get is set up margins and then keep the panel boxes within those margins.
But if you really want it neat and clean, I think the most useful thing is to start with a grid where you can easily find the vertical and horizontal halves, thirds, fifths, etc. of the page. Use those as guidelines to where you can place panels.

Thanks I may try this.

This depends on what kind of a comic you're making, but in general, you DON'T want to use a template for panels. The shape, size, and placement of panels play a huge role in storytelling. You want 100% full control over those elements. Don't let templates limit you.

I enjoy having my panels fit whats happening in the comic, but its just so sloppy. Maybe I'll improve the more I do it. Thanks

If we're talking design-wise, look at the way other comic artists draw their panels. I get a lot of inspiration from Grey Is... because dee Juusan's panel layouts and designs are fluid, aesthetically pleasing and utilize interesting shapes.

Thanks for sharing that. Thats an amazing way to keep the readers attention and tell the story

[Ringarune]

You can try out medibang paint, it has some nice manga creation tools

[grovylegirl]

i second medibang, you have the ability to create comic panels anyway you like and if you have a manga like comic it has things like screen tones, it has some stock images as well and some references as well. It's free and it also has some tutorials and the staff gets back to you pretty easily if you ever have any questions
medibang

[glennsong]

So, I haven't tried this software, but it's called Medibang Paint and supposedly it's meant for drawing manga, it's free and cross platform.

There's also Manga Studio 5. It has tools for making comic frames and doing speech bubbles. As mentioned above, you probably don't want to limit yourself to templates, but MS5 does offer a library of page templates if you need it -- I never use the template stuff. It's easy enough to make your own layout.

[mclaintag]

You can try out medibang paint, it has some nice manga creation tools

i second medibang, you have the ability to create comic panels anyway you like and if you have a manga like comic it has things like screen tones, it has some stock images as well and some references as well. It's free and it also has some tutorials and the staff gets back to you pretty easily if you ever have any questions
medibang

Thank you Medibang is exactly what I was looking for.