Toning Features

[Agranite (Luong)]

Any idea when we will be getting those tone features? Or do I have to do it the old fashion way by scanning the tones, and using layer mask?

I sort of want some kind of flower pattern tone to apply to my artwork outfit.

Also, how are people creating the gradient effect on curve object so neatly? Whenever I use the brush or erase with the outer fade effect, the gradient is too small, and the Gaussian blur isn't always the best solution.

[Fontes]

Well, tones aren't exactly gone... just hidden away.

Turns out that between OC5 and OC6, somehow tones stopped working properly with the brush engine, and thus they were "locked" till they get it right. It's taking them a bit, true, but I'm sure they'll be back for everyone eventually.

Regarding the gradient effect, I'm not sure I get what you mean. Do ye have any specific example?

[Agranite (Luong)]

When creating a fading effect from a one color to another. It's fine using the gradient tool for a simple single object. But it becomes an issue when you want to use gradient effect on multiple parts within an image like the fold of skirts, with slight curves.

The only way I can do it, is by using a huge brush since it provide the flexibility of handling curves. The example below show the effect of gradient using a large size brush:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/luong02/MISC/Gradient_zpsg5qtialk.png

But this method is a bit impractical when it touches other pieces of the clothing within the same layer since they are once piece. It's more apparent when trying to soft-shade skins of character drawing. So I'm wonder if there is another type of technique for it.

The only methods I know are:
1. Tons of Separate layer + lock alpha
2. Selection restriction

[Fontes]

Well... I just grab the brush tool and go at it, making use of the pen's sensitivity. :/

[Agranite (Luong)]

I see. I'm terrible at controlling pressure sensitivity, and it's mostly trial and error to get the right thickness for me. Sometimes it takes up to 20 strokes to get the right line, lmao.

I guess the only temporary solution for me to use is create a temporary layer to create the effect, and merge down. Very time consuming though.

[Fontes]

Or you can make use of the Blur/Fingertip/Spread tools to make the "gradient" effect.

... or hey, why not try cell-shading?! XD

[Agranite (Luong)]

lol, yea, but I like playing around with different coloring styles the way I like fooling around with different drawing style until I find one that fits me.

I personally enjoy the beautiful artwork that is done using calm vibrate color with soft-shading style, so that is one of my personal goal to achieve, even though I'm doing this as a hobby ;p The picture that cause that taste was from some random wallpaper I found online in the past, and I just fell in love with the coloring style.

Well I guess part of my problem is that I use the solid brush to color, instead of the opacity brush. I might try coloring using that method for the next picture I work on when procrastinating.

---

The current picture I'm working on, http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/luong02/My%20Drawings/Colour/2015-07-10_14-40_zpsq9jilwvh.png , there are some shade area where I want a wider gradient fade, but if I use an oversize brush, it causes problem with overlapping other shade of the same color.

I've been erasing color with opacity instead of coloring with opacity instead to try to get that gradient effect but with no luck.

I honestly think there's a conflict in coloring style for the current picture, lmao.

---

While drawing this sketch, I kept using the flip horizontally to check the image, but I kept forget to flip it back when drawing resulting me in not noticing it until I started coloring. I had to redraw some areas XD

[Agranite (Luong)]

If anyone is curious about the toning feature, read below on how to use it. Apparently the feature is hidden within the layer property settings >_>

Applying Tones:
1. Create a new layer.
2. Open the layer property by double clicking the layer.
3. Enable the "Pattern" by clicking on the check box under the "Effect Group."
4. Select the Tone you want to use from the dropdownlist.
5. Click ok.
6. Fill the current layer with the tone color you want to use.
7. Apply layer mask.
8. Using the layer mask, erase the part of the tone you want and the tone you don't want.

PS: The way I would use layer mask in this case is to make the tone invisible, and manually coloring the portion of the image that I want to be toned.

Creating Tones:
1. Double click on any layer to display the layer property.
2. Click on the "Advance Settings" button in the "Effect Group."
3. Click on any simple existing tone.
4. Duplicate the existing tone.
5. Click on the "Import" button to Import your custom tone image (in *.bmp format).
- OR -
6. Use the new duplicated tone, and customize it.
7. Click on "Apply" to apply the new tone changes to your duplicated tone.

[Fontes]

Actually, that's something they added a few updates ago. It has nothing to do with how tones were used before.

So when I said they're "hidden"... I meant litterally. :P

[Agranite (Luong)]

Yea, that is pretty annoying.

To be honest, I've been exporting OCI to PSD, and add in the tone/patterns using either photoshop or clip studio paint. Afterwards, I open the PSD in OpenCanvas, copy the layers with the patterns & tones, and paste them into my OCI files.

Clip Studio Paint / Manga Studio has their own dedicated sections for materials, whereas with Photoshop, I have the plugin from How to Draw Manga: Computones, plus they have their own dedicated community of plugins creator. Basically they have all the wide variety of materials already prepare for me to use, whereas with OpenCanvas, I will have to recreate all those materials.

I really like the way how CSP/MS are so involve with the community, releasing new materials each week for the community to use once in a while, and making contests. Would wish GraphicPortals will do the same thing and give us more brushes to replace the defaults one, lol.

[Fontes]

Well... I do my patterns straight on OC, but I'm not exactly doing things the way PGN intended. XD

As for community... true, it would be nice to hear from PGN themselves more often. Hell, I've yet to see them make a SINGLE post here on this Steam forum. They really outta step it up. :/

[Agranite (Luong)]

I'm terrible at making patterns, so I rather use one that were very nicely made by others, which is part of the reason why I still rely on other illustration software for the finishing touches ^^;