Animation Source Forums

(If this is in the wrong section, forum moderators, please move.)

Seeing the up rise in people making “renders,” I have finally concluded my decision on whether or not to make a “hot-to guide” for Rendering.

I am using Microsoft Paint to create this render (and guide). Of course, you can use other programs, as well. Please keep in mind that this is how I render. There are other methods and techniques out there, and you can even develop your own.

Step 1.A: Image Selection
First, you must choose your image you’d like to render. This can be done with a screen capture (available on the “Multimedia Images” on the site). I have already chosen my image from the ever-so-popular “post-race” scene with Balto and Steele.

Step 1.B: Cropping
By cropping, you allow your character(s) to be an even bigger focus – and keep yourself focused, as well. Here, I have already chosen (and cropped) my selection. I have also re-sized it, to allow myself more time (larger renders take more time). This, too, can be done in MS Paint by using the “Stretch/Skew” (press CTRL + W) feature, lowering the “100s” to seventy-five until the image reaches your desired size.

Step 2: Getting Started
Moving along – now you must find an area to begin with. Of course, using the pencil and paintbrush tools to begin with is a bad idea. You will have less control – worry about filling in the render after re-lining it, then worry about making some lines more bold. To re-line it, use the “squiggle line” (not the straight line) – this will allow you to give the lines “curve” that the image has. First, you want to start with the lowest line width. Now, choose an area to begin. I suggest the facial area – this is where the bulk of the work will lie. As you gain skill, you can work on changing the expression(s) – but not yet! However, using a broad line (the second one from the top) will help in case you make a mistake – so you are welcome to use this, as well.

For this step, use the magnifying tool to your disposal. It’s there for a reason! Of course, you will be using black for the line color – if you’re coloring a black character, use the color chart and make a dark gray (so viewers can differentiate the lines from the character).

Step 3: Re-lining
Now you will use the “squiggly line” to re-line the facial features. Use a color other than white to re-fill the colors (I suggest the light gray, for the darker gray merges with the surrounding area off the canvas and you can’t tell where you start and end). Also, using a gray allows you to see where you have and haven’t covered.

After you finish your first line, be sure to click the waved line icon AGAIN, otherwise you will bend the previous line multiple times and have to fix it!! Also, be sure to follow the original lines of the screen capture. Once you gain experience, as stated before, you can change the expressions – and even gender! However, be sure not to re-line the markings – those will be changed. I also suggest not re-lining the pupils, but the irises (the colored part of the eye). Of course, this is optional – but you can change the eye direction(s) if you don’t. Also, BE SURE TO SAVE IT AS PNG. I made the mistake of saving it as .JPEG.

Step 4: Filling In
As stated above, you should use a gray or other color – something darker than black but lighter than white. You will re-fill the gray (or other color) when you finish with white to make it “line art.” I have, again, cropped the image so it can appear better. Here you can use the paintbrush and pencil tool. Be sure to vary the size of it to get smaller areas, and color in the larger areas FIRST. Be sure to work slowly – if you rush, the outcome will be sloppy and won’t be accepted onto the site.

If you make a mistake and color over a re-line, don’t worry! You can go back and finish it before you start coloring. Now you are following [b]your own lines, so color over any excess lining. As you may have noticed, I have, yet again, re-cropped it. This is because I’m lazy (and don’t really like to render). As long as you get the point and the “how-to,” be happy. ;D

This is the “grayed” project: Click here.

Step Five: Choose Your Character(s) and begin!
I have chosen my character “Diamondback” as my subject. I have also added eyebrows and changed the direction of his stare. This is very easy to do – but don’t forget the pupils (unless you character[s] have none). You can use your own character(s), someone else’s (for a gift, request, or trade) or a fill-in of a different character.

DOs and DON’ts:
-DO have fun.
-DON’T use characters without permission from the owner(s).
-DON’T forget to cite to the proper image/character owner(s).
-DO work on it, practice makes perfect!

Finished Project: Diamondback Render.

Diamondback © Carrie “Kirada” Shaw; Original Image © Universal Studios; Image Rendered by: Carrie “Kirada” Shaw

oh man! that's a cool tutorial Kirada!!! I think that now I'll use it to recolor my screengrabs thanks again

Au contraire, I personally use lines for a smoother effect, and it does work. You're gonna need a lot of patience to use them tho - you'll need many to make a smooth curve.

My very own post in the topic to explain to your post:

Cool! you helped us

Just saying.

If you can't save it as .PNG, I suggest .BMP. Of course, this might not allow you to send it on Animation Source (I'm not 100% sure) but you can put it into an outside gallery of some sort.

.JPEG makes the image look "fuzzy" and not as neat.

thanks so much! That helped a lot! I had no idea how to do that and now I do (finally).

Thanks SO much!!

that was awesome I will be such a better renderer thanks!

Very nice tutorial. Now I really wish I had Microsoft Paint! D: I should have it, but I don't.

is yours an imac? Mine is an imac and didn't come with paint