What resources do you use for creating your comic/novel?

[Fuzed]

Same here, I really like it, but have only been using it for over 3 months.

[RyzaCobalion]

I use the regular version. i don't use premium cause im broke. As long as it works it's fine by me.

[Fuzed]

This is pretty relatable

[RyzaCobalion]

It's also the other reason why i don't use Photoshop because as much i would love use that program i can't afford the monthly subscriptions. So i turn to other alternative programs like Clip Paint Studio, Krita, Gimp or Medibang Paint Pro

[Fuzed]

Well, Clip Paint Studio and Krita both seem to be very popular

[RyzaCobalion]

Well it's mainly up to preference what you want to use and which you feel more comfortable to use with. So it's mainly up to you which you want to use.

[miss.monocle]

I've heard of other people using games before as a drawing reference for perspective, a notable one being minecraft due to the simplicity of the blocks in that game. I had also tried using 3D modeling programs, but those were really hard to figure out and were better for establishing shots of buildings. Then I tried using the sims strictly for drawing reference and angles, mostly because I felt guilt for using it as a direct background even though that is pretty standard for a lot of comics and manga. Then I decided to just go for it with newer pages, and it allowed me to work a lot faster. So now I use sims 4 for background lineart for interior shots, adding my own extra pieces here and there and then coloring and shading it all by hand. It's pretty fun and allows me to have more control over backgrounds than I would if I relied on photos.

[bigtreebigworld]

For my book projects (mine aren't Tapas related but this program could still be useful), I use Reedsy, which is a free website that allows you to write directly online, and it lets you format your book 'professionally' with sections, chapters, quotes, front and back matter, etc etc, all that as you go. You can move things around really easily and it's just so smooth to use. Another great thing on Reedsy for people considering any kind of publishing is the Marketplace feature, which allows you to contact and hire publishers and editors with lots of credits and experience in reputable magazines or publishing companies. For corrections, I leave it all to good old Grammarly.

To make my comic, I currently just use Ibispaint X on iPad since it's free and pretty much made exactly for comic creation. It's honestly amazing for a free app, tons of features, it allowed me to start a project I'd been dreaming about for so long and without spending any money. The only downside is watching 30s ads to unlock all the brushes every 18h (quite worth it if you ask me), though I guess the sheer amount of stuff packed in the app is kind of another one, since it overheats my iPad quite fast and I usually sit down for 6-8 hours of drawing. For poses/any other references or even just inspo, Pinterest is my go-to and more often than not, a lifesaver. If all else fails, I'll take pictures of my own hands/mimic poses in the mirror lol

I recently purchased a 2-in-1 touchscreen PC, and I'm honestly very sad to leave Ibispaint behind! I'll be switching to drawing on my laptop with Sketchbook; the full version is now free for everyone and from the little I've tested it, it seems pretty good. Someone mentionned Gimp and I've been using it for graphic design for years, but I'm not sure how good it could be for drawing and making my comic... Guess I'll have to test that out too!

[R.n.P]

Haha it has to be, if not I wont be able to do this while studying medicine

[rajillustration]

Yeah Libre Office is the same as the Microsoft suite except it's...free. That's it. It can read word documents, save as word documents, and has a very similar UI. So, if you're on a PC and you don't feel like purchasing a whole bunch of Microsoft, you can just...opt out and use LibreOffice.

[darkone4587]

For the most part everything's good, just trudging along mostly.

Pro Writing Aid is a paid program it's basically like Grammerly but a bit more detailed with even a creative writing mode and a plagiarism checker among other features. It's pretty good even scores the document.

I do write two works at the same time alongside writing novels to self-publish. It's not to confusing since I trade off on which one I'm writing after reaching certain benchmarks (normally chapters written).
As for uploading I trade off on which series's chapters come out after a time. Like five chapters of one series then five chapters of another series.

[KhanSpring]

I write by hand first - almost done with my novel. Then I type it in Words. As it is written in my native language translation could be a challenge,expecially with specific terms and slangs. I help myself with dictionaries. I also try to read more books and articles in English.
For the story and the insparation behind it - Slavic mythology and folklore, as well as fairy tales.
I try to make it distinguished, but all Slavs have specific traditions and customs, that don't apply to all. So adding it could be a challenge, choosing the right place to place it, as well.

[Lunar-Turtle]

Well, paper, mechanical pencil, rubber. Well, I don't use them anymore for the comic pages. The first 13 pages were sketched on paper, but I dropped that and now it's fully digital. I still draw on paper sometimes though. On PC, I use Wacom tablet, Paint Tool Sai and Adobe Photoshop. And for scripts, text and such things Google docs and Grammarly.I have dozens of text files when it comes to story and worldbuilding, because I just can't stay on one, lol.

[Kiweevil]

I use Campfire. I have the full world building pack. It's expensive, more than $70 USD, but I did find it to be a good investment since I suffer horrendously with memory loss. My comic is very heavy in lore and world building, so having an organizational tool like Campfire helps tremendously. I only wish they had a mobile companion so I could input ideas while I was away from my computer.

As far as the art itself goes, Clip Studio Paint Pro is the sole art program I operate in. I also use open source textures in my art from textures.com, which I find to be really helpful when trying to emulate the look of things like wood grain or paper.

[Kiweevil]

I don't think I could use Maya to model my characters in for comic use. Maybe, if I blocked out the character in Maya and then imported it into another program like Sculptris or ZBrush for refinement, but not stand alone.

I actually have a degree in 3D Animation and was taught in Maya, and even I hate that damn program. It crashes routinely and is full of bugs. The sculpting tools are frustrating, as well. So honestly, mad props to you for using it lol. I hope it finds you well.

[Fuzed]

That really sounds like a lot of fun! I used to play Sims 2 back in the day so this brings back memories...

I can't really draw so I won't be using this method any time soon, but I might let my artist know about this handy little trick

Thanks a lot!

[Fuzed]

Hi there Bigtreebigworld, how're you doing today?

Thanks for the reply!

I've heard of Reedsy but never actually used it. Is it completely free or are there some features that one needs to buy? I use Scrivener and so far, it has all the features that you've mentioned Reedsy has, so I most likely won't be switching to Reedsy any time soon. And of course, Grammarly is indeed a life-saver.

I've heard of Ibispaint. Also sounds like a very useful and popular app. I'm glad you're liking it. And even though I don't work on an iPad, I feel ya on the overheating problem... My PC overheats like crazy...

Well, I hope that you will find this change to be a pleasant one. Let me know how it goes on the new touchscreen PC with the new program

Have a good one!

[Fuzed]

Well, I can imagine. I'm gonna be starting Law school in 2 years so I hope that I will be able to continue writing even during that.

[Fuzed]

I see. That makes sense. I personally prefer Google Docs because it's easier to use it with Google Drive, Gmail etc. But LibreOffice sounds like a viable alternative as well.

[Fuzed]

Glad to hear that you're doing fine!

I might take a look at Pro Writing Aid. I'm curious to know as to how exactly it works. Thanks for the tip!

I can't imagine working on so many projects at the same time. I mean, I kind of do, but only one is being released regularly. So multiple projects but only one deadline. Makes it a lot easier.

It seems you've got a nice system figured out there so keep it up!

Have a good one!