For those that uses Manga Studio>

[AlkseeyaKC]

I've only messed around with the models. I can't seem to load up the anime styled characters. The grapics are a bit too much for my computer. I do want use them a bit for help though. They are hard to move around but it is nice that the body moves with something. Like if I bend the arm, the shoulder naturally moved with it kind of stuff.

[Kura]

Honestly the only time I've used that tool what when there was a particularly horrifying image rebloged from eshergirls and I really HAD to try and figure out what was going on with the pose. It was absolutely horrifying.

[RiverKai]

I have yet to use them, but I think they're useful for placement in space and background purposes. Drawing over them would probably seem out of place in our personal comics because they don't have our own voice and style to them, but getting an idea of how to foreshorten or where to place someone on the ground could be useful! Same with the 3D objects like the tables and such. There are perspective guidelines in there too for backgrounds.

[AnnaLandin]

I don't, actually. Even though I use MS (both 4Ex and 5) I am really kind of low-tech about it - I hardly ever use the perspective tools, even! XD Silly of me not to take advantage of them, I know, but I've been working in far simpler programs for so long that that's just the process I've developed.

I'm going to sit down and really learn how to use it properly at some point, though - it'd be a shame not to take advantage of all the tools.

[darlingGrim]

I tried to use it once because I was struggling drawing a foot in a difficult perspective. It didn't end well.
The tool itself feels clunky to me trying to move all the bits and pieces to get the angle I want is difficult. I ended up just using a image reference.

Maybe my computer isn't strong enough for it but I'd rather just hunt for images.

[zelkats]

@winglesscomic I thought Manga Studio 5 has 3D models of proportional humans instead of just anime characters XD;. You can adjust the length and thickness of each limb and other parts. You can also add or minus fat and muscle mass. (Though it's kinda hard to achieve the perfect super deformed look as shown in the picture lol)

For those who don't have Clip Studio Paint/Manga Studio 5, there's a pretty good program called Design Doll (windows only) that allows you to pick ready made 3D models, change its proportions to your liking, pose it and capture it with any camera angle -- all for your people drawing purposes. I used it briefly at work once and it's not hard to get used to. I believe it's free: http://terawell.net/terawell/?lang=en

[Doubtcent]

No, although maybe I should as a reference point, however I enjoy making my own skeletons and making my own stuff without any reference. When I succeed at a pose or a scene that way, it feels awesome, and that way I feel like I'm getting better.

[scythe]

Poser is good for this too. I should say though that using pose references won't automatically make you an expert at drawing poses, you should still learn to do it traditionally, studying things like constructional drawing and gesture.

[eagle1]

I'm a decent artist, but the speed of putting out a comic, and maintaining consistency isn't something I have, so I do all of my 'drawing' in CGI (DAZ 3D) which is very much like the Manga Studio 3D, but more elaborate. I can build entire sets using pre-formed structures, and then build the models using morphs and equipment. I then shoot the entire book in lineart mode, print it, and use the lightbox re-do the whole thing in traditional media, inked and painted.
Cheating? The only part of the comic creation process I am not doing is the pencils. My pages are my method of getting the visions in my head on paper and screen, and I have been refining it to speed my workflow. I also get to do the parts I love, which is the painting, without my OCD derailing the page at the sketch/penciling stage.
I may have to try Manga Studio to see how well it works for translating ideas to finished product.

Eagle
(I love technology)

[scythe]

I agree. Do whatever works and whatever will get your comic out faster. There are a million ways to skin a cat, so if it gets you there in the end, do it. We all can't have 8 hours a day to draw, but we all want to bring out our pages in a timely manner.

[eagle1]

Do you know the best thing about being a webcomic creator RIGHT NOW is? Manga Studio, cheap drawing tablets, 3D programmes like Manga, DAZ and Poser, Comic Life, Paint programmes, and free publishing platfoms.
I have 40+ comics subscribed, and they include stick figures, screencaps, CGI, digital art, and traditional art, and they are all comics!

Eagle
(Going to go start a new thread!)

[WarkDatch]

only used it once
it's complex to use (and my laptop lags whenever i use the 3d doll tool)

[fanyart]

Haha, that's a real problem

I have heard of the option though I never use it - I actually find it a lot of fun to struggle to draw a pose! I have to confess that a lot of my fighting scenes come from simply drawing some random cool poses I want the characters to do and then putting the sketches in order by the script and filling the panels between to make the whole scene meaningful
I know it's a bad way to approach it but I still can't help it, it's the most enjoyable way for me! So far I have had only rather short fight scenes without any specific fighting style (usually a character vs a four+ legged giant monster) so it has worked out somehow. A stylish kung-fu match would probably have to be done differently.

What I used to want a lot was to be able to model a 3D interior. I saw it in a lot of comics and was unhappy that making the stuff in Sketchbook was much slower than actually drawing it properly in Photoshop and didn't looks as good as I expected. Then I found the Manga Studio perspective rulers and I'm at the peak of happiness

[jaimelopezuribe73]

Very difficult to use this option of Manga Studio, when I have problems with perspective or poses I always use Designdoll, it's a lot easier to use and you can pose even the toes! Is very easy to create men, women, monsters, objects, children, control shadows, control perspective, you can add all characters that you want in the same panel, etc Designdoll is wonderful.

[KreativeConfusion]

I've used it to get a hang of perspective and all that. I try not to rely on it too much since that can cause some errors with my "style" and one image will look too different from the rest. I just like drawing over i to get a feel for where all the bits and pieces go.

I really like the fact you can adjust the body types too when you have the time and patience. It's not perfect but I like it for getting rough ideas down and can't find the time to find a photo. I still just use photos for reference though.

[Shanny8]

Same here. I just stumbled onto the 3-D models after watching a tutorial. I still havent used the program to COLOR yet.

I tried using the 3-D model, but it didnt quite work for me.

[PixyByte]

No, because they don't have any chibi versions of the poses! I tried even making a very kid-like model for the poses, but as the proportions are still off, it was of no help. Great resource for non-chibi styles, I must say.

[PixyByte]

Wow that looks really cool. Is it free? Would it be helpful with a more chibi-style of drawing?

[Zanreo]

Oh yea, I've tried using them, but... I don't like how when you move a body part, the whole body gets dragged along with it. No, I just wanted to move the arm a bit, stop moving half the body at the same time...
Otherwise it seems good

[hushicho]

If you keep working with it, you'll be able to make one. Liz Staley did a great tutorial video -- it's one of the ones on Smith Micro's channel, I believe, and a fairly lengthy 'webinar' video -- that included a chibi-proportioned model she had custom-built.