RealitysIllusion's Xanga

Friday, July 27, 2007

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:43:26 GMT

PHOTOSHOP TUTORIALS/TUTORIALS

Here,I would describe and show you many techniques I use in layout making.You do NOT have to give me any credits for making any graphics or layouts. However, if you do, I would really appreciate. Here, you will not FIND tutorials made by people, only tutorials made by me.Therefore, redistributing these tutorials are not allowed. If you really need to, please ask me for permission. Any comments or suggestions for the tutorials are welcomed. :]

Applying Textures on MS Paint

Thank you everyone for the previous support. Here is another tutorial for MS paint that will assure and GUARANTEE the improvements of your MS paint layouts.

Final Result:

To make a banner similar to this, you need:

+Paint
+Internet Explorer
+This Page to Be Opened
+One Main [big] image.
+At least one similar texture.

Now that you have everything need, you are ready.

Step 1: The Main Image:
[REMEMBER, click on the images on this tutorial to open a new screen for a BIGGER VIEW!!!]I am sure that many of you would like to create a layout that could even become better than some Photoshop-made layouts! Textures are very important to a layout in my opinion, and is essential to all of my latest layouts. So, why not add textures to layouts made by MS Paint? Here is yet, another Paint tutorial for all of those who lacks any image editting program.

So, you right click on the image, and click copy. Go to the Start menu, Accessories, and then Paint. Click on the Paint program. Put your cursor over the bottom right corner of the canvas and click+hold.

Tighten the canvas size and make it really small by holding it and dragging it to the top-left corner.

Release, and now paste your image by holding Ctrl and pressing V.

When you paste it, it should automatically be on the Marquee tool.

Step 2: Blending Texture:
Now it's time to find a texture! Rummage around through sites and find an available texture that you'd like to use on the layout/image. Be sure to give CREDITS. I will not be held responsible if you were careless enough to steal textures from your providers. Now, I'll use one of mines, Vibrant Lights:

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/1787/vibrantlightsei6.jpg

Right-click on the image and select "Copy". Go to your Start Menu, Accessories, and then click on Paint. Now you should have two Paint windows open. On your newly opened Paint Window. Hold Ctrl+V to paste the texture.

Repeat the process of opening a third Paint Program. Now, on your last paint window [which is the only empty one now.], On the top, click on Images, and then select Attributes. A new window should pop up for the Attributes the bottom of the window, there's a choice between "Color" and "Black and White". Select "Black and White" followed by [OK]. When the message comes up about how you can't undo the action you've chosen, click on [Yes]. On the bottom of your screen, the color selection should have changed into the pattern selection:

Choose a pattern from your pattern selection. On this occasion, the WHITER the pattern, the more the texture will blend into the image. Be careful in choosing our pattern. Also, if you'd like, you can select more patterns by double-clicking on any of the colors. You will open a menu called "Edit Colors". Click on any of the blank white slots on Custom Colors. Then proceed with "Define Custom Colors >>" and select a color on the color selection. You may also change the saturation as my cursor shows you the area.

When you're done, click on "Add to Custom Colors" and then click on "OK". Although at first it appeared as if you're selecting a color, since you're in black and white mode, you're actually making a pattern. Note that you may not see the preview to whatever color you're selecting to turn into a pattern. Whenever you have finished chosing a pattern click on the Paint Bucket Tool . Use the Paint Bucket Tool on anywhere on the canvas. I chose the pattern pointed by my cursor.

After dumping paint on the entire canvas, hold Ctrl and press "A". This should select the whole canvas. Afterwards, hold Ctrl and press "C". This is the equivalent of copying the image.

Quickly switch back with the other paint window with your desired texture. Wait!!! Before pasting the pattern onto the texture, make sure that you click on the Marquee Tool. And make sure on the options for blending is the same as the picture shown below:

But you're not done yet, just a little more. Be sure that the secondary selected color on your Texture Paint window is Black.

Now, you may paste by holding Ctrl + "V".

This is what my canvas on the second Paint Program now looks like. Left click on a location outside of the marquee. This should unselect the image. Now hover over the image and hold Ctrl+A. Then Hold Ctrl+C to copy the whole canvas. The reason why deselecting it first is important, is that if we immediately right-click, it would not copy the texture; only the pattern. We're almost there!!!

Step 3: Blending the Texture into the Main Image.
Back to your original image on the first opened Paint Program, select the Marquee Tool . Remember to select the color transparancy option.

As for your colors, be sure that the secondary color on the first MS Paint Window is white.

It is time to paste! Hold Ctrl+V.

It's almost done. Of course, the pattern is a little too small for the image. Since we can't naturally blend from opacity to opacity, it's best to just cut off the rest of the image that does not contain the texture and image. You can do this by easily putting your cursor on the bottom-right point until your cursor appears diagonal. Then drag it to the right size.

Basically, you're done! You can customize the image into a sig, icon, or even a layout.

Final Results:
Banner:

Another result from the image... a layout:

The layout was made applying the other techniques from other tutorials I've written. It does not look perfect, but it is better than a normal boring layout. Please do not steal the image to make your own layout. That's just ridiculous. xD

Anyway, good luck, and show me what you've produced with this tutorial!

More tutorials to come soon....

-Angel Wings, Ancient Whisper, Cindy

Monday, February 05, 2007

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 23:51:01 GMT

RULES

All Textures may be used for layouts, icons, or other miscellaneous graphics. You may notshowcase or provide these textures or gradients for another person[s].By using these, you must credit me or link back to Ancient Whisper. If you fail to comply to these rules, I will hunt you down. [I'm SERIOUS.]. Use them well when overlapping them onto images to create beautiful blends. [Soft Light/Screen etc.]

TEXTURES

SCREEN & PAPER
500x500
Click for Texture

MIDNIGHT SKYLINES
500x500
Click for Texture

INDENTS
500x500
Click for Texture

DAILY MEDIA
500x500
Click for Texture

RUSH of CLOUDS
500x500
Click for Texture

TRANSPARENT MATS
500x500
Click for Texture

PRINTS & PAPER
500x500
Click for Texture

FIBER LACES
800x800
Click for Texture

RUSTED & STAINED
800x800
Click for Texture

BLOSSOM MIST
800x800
Click for Texture

VIBRANT LIGHTS
800x800
Click for Texture

FAIRYLORE
800x800
Click for Texture

DIGITAL STARBURSTS
800x800
Click for Texture

DIRTY CHECKERBOARDS
800x800
Click for Texture

EFFLORESCENCE
800x800
Click for Texture

More Textures Coming Soon....

-Angel Wings, Ancient Whisper, Aeris

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 20:50:33 GMT

PHOTOSHOP TUTORIALS/TUTORIALS

Blending Layout Tutorial for Paint

I would like to thank EVERYONE that left a comment for that paint tutorial. I didn't realize that many people lack paint, so I'll continue to make paint tutorials since I don't see much paint tutorials around. =D This is a tutorial for people who'd love to blend pictures in paint, to make a layout, or to make graphics. It works, but not as well as other graphics program. You cannot blend images like on one side, you have to blend the whole thing. And that is a downfall.So, here's everything:

Final Result:

To make a [paint] layout, you need:

+Paint Paint
+Internet Explorer
+This Page to Be Opened
+One Main [big] image.
+At least one similar image to the main image.

Now that you have everything need, you are ready.

Step 1: The Main Image:
[REMEMBER, click on the images on this tutorial to open a new screen for a BIGGER VIEW!!!]For this blending tutorial, I'll use images of Rinoa. Because I know everyone ~~hates~~ loves Rinoa so much, and she's obviously not a biznatch like most people ~~thinks she is.~~ do not think she is. Well, I know everyone ~~dislikes~~ likes Rinoa, but she's my favorite character. =D On forth...Main Images has to be bigger than the rest.

So, you right click on the image, and click copy. Go to the Start menu, Accessories, and then Paint. Click on the Paint program. On the top menu, click on Image, and then select on Attributes. Or you can hold CTRL on your keyboard and press "E".On Units, check on Pixels. On Colors, it should be checked on Colors. For Width, type in 750. For Height, type in 700. Click Okay.

Paste your image by holding Ctrl and pressing V.

When you paste it, it should automatically be on the Marquee tool. You can drag the image around. I'll stick to the top left like how it was when I pasted it.

Step 2: Secondary Images:
Go through the whole process of selecting an image again. This time, it should be smaller than the main image. I have chosen two pictures:

and

I'll call them secondary pictures. Go through the process of opening two more paint windows. Yes, two more! After you open two, you should have three now. One with the main image, and two that are empty. First, copy your first image. Mine is Rinoa hugging Squall. So I right-click and copy.

Then, you paste it on your second paint window! It should be the second one you've open, and it should be empty.

Step 3: Blending Process:
Now, on your last paint window [which is the only empty one now.], On the top, click on Images, and then select Attributes. A new window should pop up for the Attributes the bottom of the window, there's a choice between "Color" and "Black and White". Select "Black and White" followed by [OK]. When the message comes up about how you can't undo the action you've chosen, click on [Yes]. On the bottom of your screen, the color selection should have changed into the pattern selection:

Next, click on the Rectangle Tool, and select the third option for the tool.

Choose a pattern on your pattern selection. But be aware, the WHITER the pattern, the more your image will blend into the main image. I don't want the image to blend in that much, so I'll chose the seventh one on the first row. [Note: The pattern I choose will cause the image to become blue-er.]Manipulate and make a rectangle that is LARGER than your secondary picture [the one that is located on your second paint window.]

Use the Marquee tool , and construct a rectangle around the pattern you've just made. Right-click and click on "Copy."

Revert back to your second paint window, with your secondary image [small image of Rinoa]. On that paint window, select that Marquee tool . On the options for the tool, click on the bottom option..

And on the Color selection, select Black as the secondary color. You can do this by Right-clicking on the white color on the selection.

It doesn't matter what the first color is. Right-click anywhere on the canvas, and choose "Paste". Drag the pattern over the image. This is what it should look like. [pattern could vary the appearance].

Left click on a location outside of the marquee. This should unselect the image. Use the Marquee tool, and make a rectangle around the image. Right-click and copy. [you cannot directly right click and copy after pasting the pattern. You must unselect the image and THEN copy. So follow the instructions carefully]

Skim back to your first paint window [containing your main image]. Make sure the secondary color is on WHITE.

It doesn't matter what the first color is. Using the Marquee tool, right-click and select paste. Make sure that you're on the bottom option with the Marquee.

WHOOSH!! The image should blend right in!

However, the pattern is still visible. =[ But you can always choose a different pattern to see how well it blends. =D Aside from using the rectangle tool, you can also use the Ellipse tool too to make the pattern. However, make the circle SMALLER than the image. Then repeat with the same step as this. Then you'll have a circular blend. ^_^ I'll skip the part of blending the second picture I chose, but here's the result by using the Ellipse tool:

When you're blending in a second image, you can close both paint windows down[ not the one with the main picture], and open two in place. Or, you can make sure that your secondary color is on White, and click Ctrl+A to select all, and right-click, and click Clear Selection. Then you can start off new! [that was not a run-on sentence!]

Step 3 and 1/2:
I've decided to add this. To make a circular blend, you repeat the same steps. When you make your circular pattern, make it SMALLER than the image.

Compare:

When you're copying your pattern, make sure while using your Marquee tool, make the rectangle BIGGER than the image!

See that? Then you copy it. When you paste it on your second paint window, make sure the secondary color is black again.

Drag it around, and here's the result of what it looks like after you paste the pattern on your secondary image.

That's not a very nice image... oh yeah, anyway.... Click on anywhere outside of the marquee, and then copy it and paste it on the main image. Tada!!! A circular blend! =D [this is a short section added after I've completed the original since I suppose some people could have difficulties doing circular blend alone.]

That's my final result in the blending.

Step 4: Transforming Into A Layout:
From here on, you can use the other Paint Layout Tutorial to finish up the image. Or you can continue with what I'll be doing to this image. ^_^

Nothing much. Basically, you can close both of the paint windows [not the one with your main image of course.] Using the Paint bucket tool , fill in the empty space with a background color. Any would do, just make sure it's matching. [yes I'm getting undescriptive at the second xD]. I selected Black from the color selection.

I'll go ahead and make a Gray border around the main image. Using the line tool , make vertical lines from right edge of the layout and down all the way. To make straight lines, remember, hold the Shift key!! You can choose the thickness of the line too, don't forget. I've decided to make multiple grayscaled lines. I'll also make horizontal lines going through the top to CONNECT with the vertical lines.

Using one of the technique on the last layout tutorial for paint, I'll use the airbrush tool , and sprayed a border around the blended images. It's best to use the your background color for the airbrush border. I chose Black, because that's my background color. You can use any brush size, you want, but I chose the largest size:

Also, using my airbrush tool, I sprayed on the bottom of the main-image, so it looks like it's slowly fading away. Again, I used my background color, and the largest brush size for the airbrush.

And then, I use the pattern blending technique! If you don't know what that is, check out my last paint tutorial, and follow Step 4 of the tutorial.

CLICK!

Here are the results:

Yay! Now to add text. Click on the Text Tool , and make a rectangular marquee for the text wherever you want on the Main Image. Make sure you click on the bottom option for the tool.

With the cursor inside the marquee, right click and check Text Toolbar. A toolbar should pop up and you should be able to edit your font size, font, or make it bold, italic or underline! =D Select your color for the font by the same way you usually select your color for your brushing.

If you don't like the colors on the color selection, you can always double click on one of the colors to bring up the "Editting Colors" window. Below "Custom Colors", click on any of the white boxes, and click on the "Define Custom Colors >>" button.

Another window becomes attach, and you can start making your own color. Basically, on the large color grid, you can click on a color you want to use. On the right side, there's a Saturation Meter [I call it that]. You can make your color brighter or darker.

After you're finish, click on the "Add to Custom Color" Button. And click "OK" to the window. You can now use the color! =D I wrote the title on my blended images. It says "By your Side" with the font: Violation. [downloaded]

I've basically done everything! The design on this layout is basically with the modules to the right of the line, and the blog on the left of the line. After adding a few lines and words [plus credits], this is my final result:

Pretty! =D

When you're done, click on "File", and click "Save As...".

On "Save as Type:", click on JPEG. Name your file name, and add background to the end of the name. Hit Save. I named it Rinoa.

Step 5: Repeating Background:
Using the marquee tool,, create a marquee on the bottom half of the layout where everything looks the same horizontally and vertically throughout.

Right-click and click on Copy. Open a new Paint program.

On your new paint program, click on Images at the top, then on Attributes. Change the Width to 1, and the Height to 1. Make sure that the Units are set to Pixels. Click okay. The Canvas should be barely visible right now. No worries! Hold Ctrl and press V for a paste.

Now, the whole canvas should be wrapped around the background, so there shouldn't be any white spots!

Now you're finish. Click on File, Save As... and on the "Save as type:", select JPEG. Name your file name, and add background to the end of the name. Hit Save.

Go to imageshack.us, click on browse, and upload both of your files.

CONGRATS! You've just made your first layout on Paint! =D

Step 6: Coding Problems:
[Copy and Pasted from the Other Tutorial]. Like the other tutorial, there shouldn't be any coding problems. Go to my other layout tutorial, and start on the coding section. The only problem is probably the "Cropping" part. But you'll do fine. Just guess on the number of pixels for the Height and Width. That's what I did when I first started making layouts. I didn't use the crop tool. Like for the header's height, or for the module's width, just guess and input numbers. Easy.

ALSO!!! If you see the original Xanga modules sticking out, be sure to delete unnecessary words in the codings for the layouts. Like "Place your background color here". Just delete those extra words, and the modules will be gone! =]

This tutorial took me 3 and a half hours. It was easier because I didn't have to explain much, and I didn't have to take the time to take screenshots of the Paint icons. Because I already had them from the last tutorial. =D I also reused some screenshots too, and some of the instructions. I hope everyone likes this tutorial, and very special thanks to FinalRest who apparently asked me for some help with the coding and I thought to myself: I should make another paint tutorial. [Yeah I'm that random.] But I've also wrote how to fix it at the end too. ^_^ Good luck to all that tries. And the blending may not be as good as photoshop or other graphics program, but it's still called blending. =D

Final Results:
Banner:
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/3010/rinoajh3.jpg

Background:
CLICK!

And if you didn't notice on my screenshots, [LOL] over the course of time, I listened to...

Utada Hikaru
Sum41
Coldplay
Gackt
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Killers

Just something noticable. xD I listened to them repeatedly because I was too lazy to switch... >.>

More tutorials to come soon....

-Angel Wings, Ancient Whisper, Aeris

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Sat, 18 Nov 2006 02:34:56 GMT

PHOTOSHOP TUTORIALS/TUTORIALS

Layout Tutorial for Paint

Oh, how low can you go? No, it's not impossible to make a layout with paint. It really isn't. So gather up all you people who lacks Photoshop or Imageready [or just didn't get them off of limewire... psstt psstt... j/k] Nah, I didn't get it from the internet. My friend gave me the CD. Yes, very nice. xD Otherwise, I would be photoshop-less, and I know how it feels: horrible. So now, I will show you how to make layouts with Paint. I will not provide the instructions on how to code. Just only how to make the banner. Check the other layout tutorial if you want to know how to code.

Final Result:

To make a [paint] layout, you need:

+Paint [oh lord, don't tell me you DON'T HAVE PAINT!!! *shakes you*
+Internet Explorer
+This Page to Be Opened
+Images of your Choice

Now that you have everything need, you are ready.

Step 1: The Image:
[REMEMBER, click on the images on this tutorial to open a new screen for a BIGGER VIEW!!!]I feel like Balthier today. So I choose this image:

So, you right click on the image, and select "Copy Image [firefox]" or "Copy". Go to the Start menu, Accessories, and then Paint. Click on the Paint program. On the top menu, click on Image, and then click on Attributes. Or just click [Ctrl+E]. On Units, check on Pixels. On Colors, it should be checked on Colors. For Width, type in 750. For Height, type in 700. Click Okay.

Paste your image by holding Ctrl and pressing V.

When you paste it, it should automatically be on the Marquee tool. You can drag the image around. I'll just move it down a bit.

Step 2: The Background:
Now, since your layout will be made in paint, it's best to make it like a collage or scrapbook kind of layout. Paint program has no LAYERS. So whatever you're doing, make sure you do it RIGHT. The edit undo button [Ctrl+Z] works only a few times, and whatever you've done is history. It's good to save frequently whenever you've done something perfectly. But don't save it when you've done something wrong. Just load it up. =D

Anyway, for the background, use a color that commonly appeared on the image, or a matching color. If your image has many colors, stick with a black or white background. I'll use a color that's on Balthier. Select the Eye Dropper tool and click on the color you want for the background color. Or you can just use default color from the color selection. I chose a color from his sleeves.

Now, I shall use the Bucket tool or as they call it: Fill With Color. Click on the white background to dump paint. This is what it looks like on my screen now.

It looks bad because of the white border, no? That's because the paint bucket tool only dumps and replace one certain color. But don't worry, we'll fix that up. If your image doesn't have a white border, then that's great!!! You can skip the part of the tutorial with the grundge and stuff. ^_^

Step 3: Faking the Grunge or Cut Out:
Yes, the next step is to fake a grunge--- or a cut out! Since the border of the image has these ugly pixels, why not make it look attractive? Unless you'll willingly go through the trouble of using your pencil tool and coloring over those ugly pixels, let's make it look professional. Select the Eye Dropper Tool. and click on the pixels surrounding the image. Mine is white, so I'll just use white.

Now carefully, select the Brush Tool. On the bottom in which you can select the shape of your brush, select one of the diagonal brush. I chose the smallest one slanting down to the left.

Draw an outline on the image, but make it bigger and wide, not a real outline actually. Draw an outline of the cutout, let me show you what I mean.

See how it's an outline? Don't DUMP the color of the outline inside. Instead, use the brush you've chosen to do the outline and color in. Do not color every space though. Just go zigzag and color most spaces, but leave a few pixels untouched.

I colored in and left a lot of pixels floating around. It's true, it doesn't look as good as the Photoshop effect, but hey, at least you have something since you got paint. xD

With the same brush tool, draw some splattering specks outside with the same color. You can also use the pencil tool. At first it looks bad, but I'll show you what to do next.

Using the eye dropping tool, , click on the background to get the color, don't use the same color you've just used. Click back on Brush if you weren't using it, and use the smallest Circular brush.

Go over the white marks you just did OUTSIDE of the image. Again, do it diagonally or vertically, but make sure you leave some scraps of marks left, don't go over the whole thing. You can also use the second to biggest circle brush.

When you're done, slightly go over the outline with that brush. Make sure you don't hurt your image, just the pixelly outline. This is my result:

You can repeat the same thing, but with different colors. I chose a grayish color, and I drew specks and erased them. I also used the airbrush tool, and did a little spraying.

I airbrushed it a little bit with a greenish color around the scribbles [but not on the picture]. Using the line tool , you can draw lines vertically or horizontally. Hold Shift key to make it go straight.

By using the line tool , draw Horizontally some lines, for your Title or name. Make multiples of lines one underneath the other.Remember to hold the "Shift Key" for straight lines.

Afterwards, click on the Text tool. With the tool, make a wide rectangular figure on the top-left corner of your lines.

Right-click inside the square Marquee and select Text Toolbar. If you have never done this before, you can now change your text font, size, and color! You could also make it bold, italic, or underline. It's simple. =D Select your color for the font by the same way you usually select your color for your brushing.

Following, write your title. It could be a cool name for the layout, or just the character's name. On this Paint layout, I wrote Balthier. With double spacing in between letters, white, and underlined.

Step 4: Patterning on Paint:
Open a new Paint program. [please do, you can't do this part without opening another file.]. Once you make your canvas [to any size], click on Image at the top and select Attributes on the drop-down menu. [Or hold Ctrl+E] When the window pops up with the canvas editing, on the bottom of the window, there's a choice between "Color" and "Black and White". Select "Black and White" followed by [OK].

The message: "Converting to black and white cannot be undone. This action affects the current file and may cause some loss of color information. Do you want to continue?" should pop-up. Click okay [nothing lost since this is a new paint window]. Immediately on the bottom of your paint program, the color selections should have changed dramatically into patterns.

Awesome huh? Now you can use patterns. I'd go ahead and click on the Ellipse tool , and set it to the bottom option.

On your Color [but now pattern] Selection, click on a pattern you like.

I chose the bottom row, and the third to the last. [not shown above though]

Back to your canvas, hold the Shift Key and produce a perfect circle. It could be big, but not too big. I'll make it medium size. This is what it should look like:

Click on the Marquee tool, make a marquee around the circle, and right-click. On the drop down, click on "Copy".

Switch back to your layout window, and click on the Marquee tool . On the two options for the Marquee tool, select the bottom one.

For your color selection on your layout window, make sure the bottom/second color is white.

It doesn't matter if the top one is white or not. Finally, right-click and Paste. Wow!!! It's a TRANSPARENT SCREEN!!! Yes it is! It's a fully transparent patterned screen. You can drag it anywhere you want.

If you want different patterned screen, repeat this step, except when it is time to select your pattern, click on a different pattern. You can place as much patterns as you want. However, I'd stay for 1-3.

You may also use a Rectangle tool , a Rounded Rectangle tool , or a Polygon tool to create shapes for the patterns. Always remember to select the last option for that tool.

The flaw to this technique is that you can't change the colors of the patterns. But that's okay. =D It still looks great on Paint. My final result of this step:

Step 6: Blog and Modules:
Easiest step, just click on the Rounded Rectangle tool, or the Rectangle tool, and make a rectangle on the bottom of the layout. On the option for the tool, click on the first option. [actually you may use ANY option. I chose the second for some odd reason. xD

If you chose the second option for the Rounded/Rectangle tool. [the border, and the fill in]. LEFT CLICK on any color on the Color selection for the BORDER color. RIGHT CLICK on any color on the Color selection for the FILL IN COLOR.

I'll use the top border of the Rounded Rectangle to cover up the missing part of Balthier. You can also change the Thickness of the Rounded/Rectangle's border, by click on the line tool , and choosing any of the thickness option.

Whenever you draw the modules or blog, make sure you let the rectangle's bottom border NOT APPEAR on the bottom of the screen.

You can tell that I'm not making any modules, I'm just making a blog. If you're making modules, just do the same thing. The border for the rectangle was a Left-click on brown while using my Eyedropper tool. The fill for the rectangle was a Right-click on a greenish gray using my Eyedropper tool as well. Basically, you're almost done! You can write your credits somewhere on the layout, add some more shapes, or words. I'm going to write someting on the blog area, and play around for a bit.

Step 6: Repeating Background:
Another rather easy step, is the repeating background. Using the marquee tool,, create a marquee on the bottom half of the layout where everything looks the same horizontally and vertically. There should be lines only going VERTICALLY.

Right-click and click on Copy. Open a new Paint program. [by this time, you can close the other one with the patterns you've used. ]

Now, the whole canvas should be wrapped around the background, so there shouldn't be any white spots!

Now you're finish. Click on File, Save As... and on the "Save as type:", select JPEG. Name your file name, and add background to the end of the name. Hit Save.

Back on your Layout window, click on File>Save As, and on Save as type, select JPEG. Name your file, and hit Save.

Go to imageshack.us, click on browse, and upload both of your files.

CONGRATS! You've just made your first layout on Paint! =D

Step 7: Coding Problems:
There shouldn't be any coding problems. Go to my other layout tutorial, and start on the coding section. The only problem is probably the "Cropping" part. But you'll do fine. Just guess on the number of pixels for the Height and Width. That's what I did when I first started making layouts. I didn't use the crop tool. Like for the header's height, or for the module's width, just guess and input numbers. Easy.

This whole tutorial took me Five painful hours, because of the screenshots and instructions. I hope you like this tutorial! When I first got my computer, I loved Paint to death. I really did. All I did all day was draw in Paint. Yes, I had no life. Hahahaha... now I understand for those who cannot get Photoshop, or Paint Shop Pro. I feel for them, and I felt the need to make this tutorial for those in need. =D

Final Results:
Banner:
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4453/balthierrh1.jpg

Background:
CLICK!

I hope you love this tutorial, for it should have taught you many new things about Paint. Paint could be love. ^_^ Love you all! =D Thanks for supporting me.

More tutorials to come soon....

-Angel Wings, Ancient Whisper, Aeris

Monday, September 18, 2006

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 21:47:37 GMT

PHOTOSHOP TUTORIALS/TUTORIALS

Here, I would describe and show you many techniques I use in layout making. You do NOT have to give me any credits for making any graphics or layouts. However, if you do, I would really appreciate. Here, you will not FIND tutorials made by people, only tutorials made by me. Therefore, re contributing these tutorials are not allowed. If you really need to, please ask me for permission. Any comments or suggestions for the tutorials are welcomed. :]

Icon Tutorial #2

This is the second edition of my icon tutorial! Now, I'll focus on more advance stuff, so whenever I say something that makes no sense, please refer to the previous tutorial. Although I'll doubt there will be any confusion. In this tutorial, I will give you the procedures to manipulate images into an 100x100 icons. These--- of course--- are my personal techniques, so this tutorial isn't the only way to make an icon. The following images will show the starting image, and the final result:

From this:

to

In order to follow this tutorial, you need:

+Photoshop
+This Page to Be Opened
+An Image of your Choice
+Brushes [Optional]
+Textures
+Gradients

Now that you have everything need, you are ready.

Step 1: The Image:
Browse through the internet and find a picture that you would like transform into an icon. The picture can be bright or dark, and it could be at any size BUT NOT under 100x100 [unless you're making a tiny icon]. The picture I prefer to use for this tutorial is this:

Right click on the image, and click on Copy. If the image was specifically designed by someone in a graphics site, please give credits to them. Click on your Photoshop icon to open up Photoshop. Go to file, and new. Usually, the Canvas size will automatically fit to the exact size of the image you copied. If not, make it exactly the size of your picture. You can find that out by right-clicking on the picture on the web-page, and go to properties. It should have something like 200x300 or something like that. Copy the width's Px [pixels] and paste it on to Canvas size. Repeat the same for the Height. After you finished with the canvas size, click 'Okay'. Paste the image on the canvas. Quick paste can be done by holding Ctrl and pressing "V". Crop the image with the crop tool. Hold Shift, and make a square on the area in which you want your icon to focus on. I choose to focus the icon on Ashe's face and hand.

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/843/tutorialcq9.jpg

Right-click inside the the box, and click on "Crop".On the top of your screen, there should be File, Edit, Image, Layer, Select etc. Click on Image, and near the bottom of the drop-down menu, click on "Image Size". Change the Width and the Height of the Image to 100px. Make sure that it is set on pixels.

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/8666/tutorial0wi.jpg

Then, click "Okay". Now, your icon should be 100x100.

Step 2: Texture Blend:
This is where it gets different from the other tutorial. Instead of Gradient blending first, you can texture blend. A texture is a natural image with no specific characters from any media, and have a feel to it. For example, you can visit here to see some textures I've created myself. You can also create your own texture. But when you do, it's best not to use other people's brushes, and stay with Filtering, or natural brushes that originally came from your Photoshop. For this icon, I will use my fifth texture on the Texture page, which is this:

Proceed back the canvas, and hold Ctrl and press "V", which is equivalent to right-clicking and Paste. So far, you should have Two Layers. The one on the bottom is your picture, and the one on top is the texture. On the layer blending dropdown right below the word "Layers"... , click on the arrow pointing down, and select a blending mode. My favorite ones for icons is Screen, Pin Light, Overlay, Soft Light, Darken, and Lighten. For now, I'll just pick Pin Light because I love the effect it does on the icon.

Although this already looks good, I prefer to add another texture. Of course, you can always add as much texture as you want to an icon. As long as...

+You give the person that made the texture credits in the end.
+It doesn't come out too funky.

Wondering how to credit those that you borrowed textures from? Usually in Livejournal.com, on the beginning of their icon count, or at the end, they will list a bunch of different referrals for texture. On real domain sites, you can go to the credits section, and they should list every single site they went to that provided the image, brush, font, or texture. Another thing that people do, is designing a little pop-up indicating where the icon is from when you hover over it for about five seconds. However, this is all usually for Livejournal-ers.

Wow, I guess I got off the subject--- the second texture I'll be using for the icon is the sixth one on my texture list.

On this texture, I tried all of the Layer Blending styles. . After some experiments, I have come to the conclusion to use "Vivid Light" as the Layer blend. This is the result after having two textures on the icon.

In case if you're curious, these are my layers so far:

Step 3: Brush Designs:
Similar to the other tutorial, you can add brush design to the icon! But unlike the other tutorial, the icon was scaled down first so using textures won't be such a huge pain. [especially my textures] The result of this, is that you won't be able to brush much. As you should know though, brushing doesn't really make an icon good. It's the design and the color that matters. I usually don't use brushes on icons like these, so I will leave it alone. But if you're heading in a different direction, feel free to add more brushing. Just ONE THING. ALWAYS remember to give credit for the brushes. [unless it is a default one.] Also, remember to make a new Layer before you brush. This will prevent any loss of the image when you want to get rid of the brushing you did. The arrow here will show you where to click to get a new layer.

Click on it for a new layer. For this icon I'm making, I decide to avoid brushing on my icon. Instead, with my brush tool, I drew an "X". Remember, if you can't find the brush tool on your Tools, right-click on Pencil, and select Brush.

Here is the "X" I drew:

I would recommend that whenever you do brushing, always use the eyedropper tool and click on an area of the image to get a specific color. Use that color to brush. Especially if you use a random color like green while the rest of the icon is reddish, it would make the icon look silly. So don't use random brushes for brushing. The most used color when it comes to icons would have to be the color white, in my opinion. I love using that too. Also, remember to credit the brushes if used on the icon. If you want to save the hassle of crediting, just use default brushes like I do. Finish up the brushing, or if you didn't brush, that is still fine. As long as the icon doesn't appear very plain, it can do.

Step 4: Text:
Finally, let's add some text. Like I've stated before, it's best not to use techy small fonts like 04b08, Rendensek, or Silkscreen for the icon. Using default fonts would look nicer, or you can always use other fonts. Cursive fonts usually don't show up well. However, it doesn't really matter whether the text is readable or not. In my opinion, as long as the icon looks very nice, it should be fine. Click on your Text Tool Button and click on whereever you want to type your icon's quotes. Some of my favorite fonts includes Arial, Arial Black, Georgia, Verdana, Garamound, or Times New Roman. As for cursive fonts, I love Carpenter. After you choose, set the font's size to around 8-10pt. I have an odd urge to use Tahoma as the font. So these are my settings:

Tahoma, Regular, 10pt, None, Align Left, Color #87767E.

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/8808/tutorialwo4.jpg

I wrote "f a n t a s y" with space inbetween each letter. And below that, I used Georgia to write "F I N A L". I set that font to 12pt, and smooth. Excluding those two difference, every setting is the same as the setting for the word: "f a n t a s y".

Final Step: Border and Hosting:
The final step to this almost completed icon is to add a border. As you may have thought, this is optional. My obsession with icons is to always add a border, so let's add one. Change your Brush tool back to a Pencil tool by right-clicking on the Brush and selecting Pencil . Select any color for the rims of your icon. I'll use white for this icon because... well I love white borders. Make a new layer, and outline the whole image with the pencil at 1px. If you can't draw it correctly, using the Zoom Tool as a utility to everything easier. Holding SHIFT helps you draw a straight line, too, so don't forget about that.

LAYERS:

ICON:

Ahh... doesn't that look cool? Does it look better than my first tutorial? I hope so, because this is a slightly more advance tutorial due to the blending of textures. Your icon, on the other hand, may not look like this at all. But don't fret, you probably chose a different texture and image--- that's probably the reason for the differences between our icons. You can host your icon at Imageshack. Click on File, then select "Save As..."

On the drop down menu, choose:

JPEG [*.JPG; *.JPEG; *.JPE]

Name your icon an unique name, and when you're done, click on the Save button. You can host your icons on Photobucket.com or Imageshack.us. Most Livejournal users have a tendency to select Photobucket because of the ability to arrange your images specifically into different categories. However, Imageshack.us has unlimited Bandwidth--- as long as you sign up. I always host everything in Imageshack.us, so I suggest you to do the same.=D

You can have the icon if you wish too. ^_^ I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial..This is just a more advance tutorial, but we're not all the way to where the pros are at. ^_^

CONGRATULATIONS! You're done. :] :] :]

More tutorials to come soon....

-Angel Wings, Ancient Whisper, Aeris

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 21:14:35 GMT

RULES

All Gradients AND Textures are available for icon use only. You may not showcase or provide these textures or gradients for another person[s]. By using these, you must credit me. I personally made these textures and gradients by myself. Use them well when overlapping them onto icons. [Soft Light/Screen etc.]

GRADIENTS

TEXTURES

More Icons/Avatars Coming Soon....

-Angel Wings, Ancient Whisper, Aeris

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 16:15:49 GMT

PHOTOSHOP TUTORIALS/TUTORIALS

Here, I would describe and show you many techniques I use in layout making. You do NOT have to give me any credits for making any graphics or layouts. However, if you do, I would really appreciate. Here, you will not FIND tutorials made by people, only tutorials made by me. Therefore, re contributing these tutorials are not allowed. If you really need to, please ask me for permission. Any comments or suggestions for the tutorials are welcomed. :]

Icon Tutorial #1

Since many people asked for icon tutorials, I've decided to give it a shot. In this tutorial, I will give you the procedures to design and color blend images into an 100x100 icons. These--- of course--- are my personal techniques, so this tutorial isn't the only way to make an icon. The following images will show the starting image, and the final result:

From this:

In order to follow this tutorial, you need:

+Photoshop
+This Page to Be Opened
+An Image of your Choice
+Brushes [Optional]

Now that you have everything need, you are ready.

Step 1: The Image:
Browse through the internet and find an image of your choice. It can be dark, bright, or however you want. Once you find the image, right-click on the image, and click COPY. This is the image I'll be using for my icon:

Click on your Photoshop icon to open up Photoshop. Go to file, and new. Usually, the Canvas size will automatically fit to the exact size of the image you copied. If not, make it exactly the size of your picture. You can find that out by right-clicking on the picture on the web-page, and go to properties. It should have something like 200x300 or something like that. After you finished with the canvas size, click 'Okay'. Paste the image on the canvas.

Step 2: Gradient Blend:
The second step, is gradient blend. You can either:

+Find a gradient on a graphic site.
+Make your own gradient.

I'll make my own gradient. I would like icon to contain a blue-ish green blend. I select my colors.

The color chosen was #C8DECF, and #7FA3AD. Now select the Paint Bucket tool. No need to change any colors. Just click on a new layer, and dump the paint on the new layer. Next, right-click on the layer with dumped paint, and click on Blending Options. Select "Gradient Overlay" On Gradient, click on the drop-down menu. Select the first box with a gradient that consist of your two choices of colors.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL VIEW!

Click "OKAY" on the window. And after that, you can adjust the angle of the gradient however you want. I adjusted mines to 143 degrees:

CLICK HERE FOR FULL VIEW!

Then click "OKAY". The Layer Style window should be closed. Hold Ctrl and press A on the keyboard. [Select All] Then hold Shift, Ctrl, and press C. [Copy Merged] Followed by the combination of holding Ctrl and press V.[Paste]. This is what your layers should look like.

Delete the layer with the Gradient Overlay. This should be the previous layer. Click back on the Gradiented Layer 2, and go towards the Layer Blending Style. [Layer Option]. Right now, it says "Normal" [It's right beside Opacity, and above the word "Lock"] You can select anything from the drop-down menu. [Screen, Hue, Saturation, Exlusion, Soft Light, Color Burn etc.] Personally, Color Burn is the most fitting effect. So I chose color burn. I then duplicate it by holding Ctrl and pressing J. [Cut] This is what the image looks so far:

Step 3: Canvas Size:
Your next step is to make the image a square, so it will fit as 100x100. Select your CROP tool Hold SHIFT. Crop wherever you want the icon to be focused on.

We'll deal with bringing it down to 100x100 later. Working on a bigger canvas can improve how the icon look with lots of details.

Step 4: Brushing:
Now, as most of you know, I dislike using other people's brushes. My reasons are:

+It keeps you from being original sometimes. Many times, you have an urge to use a brush that almost every graphic designers use. So I decided--- I'll use default brushing!

+You don't have to give tons of credits for every little single brush you use. So the modules won't get crowded and you don't have to waste your time finding What brush belongs to who.

+You don't have to edit your credits area every time you make a new layout. [yeah, this applies to layout only xD]

So... I'm lazy. But it's call originality. So what I use are default brushes. Brushes that came with my Photoshop, which is Photoshop CS. Click on the brush tool , if you don't see that icon, right click on the pencil tool and click on brush. Easy? :D On the top right of your screen, click on BRUSH.

I shall use the regular circle brush. On your color palette, choose white for the brush. This is my own style, so you don't have to follow this part of the tutorial. But I'm going to click around the image, changing the size of the circle each time to make little dots on the image. Beforehand doing this though, be sure to click on a new layer. You don't want to mess the whole thing up. After clicking a few, make a new layer, and continue making dots. After about each three or five dots, make a new layer. Click and make as many dots as desired. [RANDOM THOUGHT It's nice to make a big one on a corner too. :D]

This was what I came up with. Now, on the many layers of dots, set each of them to a different Layer Blending Option. [that was where you previously selected Color Burn, Multiply, Hue, Saturation etc.] I set one to Soft Light, one to Hue, and one was left alone. This is what I got:

Now, with a different brush, and a new layer, I will make a two lines with 2 different colors. Any brush will do. Just hold Shift and drag your mouse across the canvas. Not all the way through everything though. I'm going to make my line so that it barely touched Sora's cheeks. The colors for my lines that I used was #AAD4DD, and #5B9EB6. Then, set that layer to screen, or any Layer Option you incline towards to. I chose Lighten.

Step 5: Text:
Finally, let's add some text. Since this is NOT an icon that looks techy and similar to a machine, it's best not to use small fonts such as 04b08, rendensek, or silkscreen. I prefer default fonts. Click on CAPS on your keyboard. And click on the Text Button . The best fonts that I love are Arial Black, Georgia, Garamond, or Times New Roman. Of course, another kind of choice would be cursive fonts. Such as Carpenter, Hurricane, Lainie Day, or Mutlu. I love Georgia, so I'll use that to write the text "S U P P R E S S E D" with white letters. [I love using spaces in between letters] I'll write it right on the two lines I drew with my brushes. If somehow, you can't see your text well, you can always add a stroke by right-clicking on the layer, go to stroke, choose 1px, and change the color to black or any color. But my favorite is using drop-shadow. In this case, it is hard to see the letters "S" and "U". So I used Drop Shadow.

Now, you can also add extra words. They could be visible, or not. Click on your Text Tool , and choose cursive fonts or whatsoever. Just type random things if you choose to. Select the Layer Option to Soft Light.When you're ready, it's time to make it into a real icon!

Last Step, Step 6: Icon:
Now, it's finally time to make it small! Go to Image on the top of your screen and click on Image Size. On Pixel Dimensions, make sure it's set to Pixels. Replace the current number for Width in Pixel Dimensions, and re-write it as the number 100. This will change a few numbers as well. But don't worry, it's supposed to be like that.

CLICK FOR FULL VIEW!

Now click on "OKAY".

If the font is not well viewable, you can always change the font size or make it bold. In this case, the font is hard to see once it's 100x100. My decision was to make it bold.

Isn't it beautiful? If you would like to add a border, change your Brush tool to a Pencil tool by right-clicking on the Brush and selecting Pencil . Select any colors, but preferably white. Make a new layer, and outline the whole image with the pencil at 1px. It would make a big difference if you use the Zoom Tool as a utility to everything easier. This is my last final result.

Weeee!!! See? You don't need fancy brushes to make icons like these. I'm sure I could do better, but the results are still amazing.

You can have the icon if you wish too. ^_^ I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial. I will make more icon tutorials someday too, with different techniques and color blending. This is just a beginner tutorial. ^_^

CONGRATULATIONS! You're done. :] :] :]

More tutorials to come soon....

-Angel Wings, Ancient Whisper, Aeris

Monday, May 29, 2006

Mon, 29 May 2006 21:13:15 GMT

RULES

You can use any layouts on this page. You can edit the modules in any way, add more links, words, or pictures. But DO NOT erase my credits on them. No images can be modified for personal use. Please Enjoy.

Other Layout Sections:

Final Fantasy Layouts
Kingdom Hearts Layouts
Anime Layouts
Other Layouts

+Click on Link Beside Screenshot.
+Copy Code in the Codebox
+Go to your CLAF [Look & Feel]
+Re-signin.
+Copy and Paste the code into your Look & Feel
+Edit any modules or links and replace [username] with your username.
+Click Save Changes.
+Vote for my Site, each time you use a layout please!!!! :]

Button UNAVAILABLE [No voting required! ^_^]
Video Games Layouts

1.Samus Aran//Metroid Series

-Working Preview
-Codes
-Comments: My first video game layout! I loved this layout so much when I first made it. But now, I no longer make Tech layouts, sadly. I've never finished one Metroid game, but I thought Samus is soooo cool. So I made this layout! :D

2.Letter//Silent Hill 2

-Working Preview
-Codes
-Comments: Most people overlook the Silent Hill series as a creepy, scary, horror game. This layout truly brings out the otherside of the story--- sad, loving, and peaceful. Silent Hill 2 has the best story ever in any video game in my opinion, and I would like to make this as a tribute to it.

3.Serene Tranquility ft. Kos-Mos Version 1//XenoSaga

-Working Preview
-Codes
-Comments: I made this layout because Nicole requested it! I've always LOVED the image of Kos-Mos, and I searched for a long time til I found that very image--- in great quality! So I just quickly blended it together and slap lots of layers on, and here it is.

4.Serene Tranquility ft. Kos-Mos Version 2//XenoSaga

-Working Preview
-Codes
-Comments: I thought that it will definately look much better without any modules, and to my surprise, it is! I definately love the navigation. I will be using those navis in the future... :]

More Layouts to be Added Coming Soon....
[This is not all of the layouts]
[THIS IS NOT A REQUEST PAGE!]

-Angel Wings, Ancient Whisper, Aeris

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Sun, 21 May 2006 16:25:35 GMT

Due to many complaints, you should know, but DELETE ALL UNNECESSARY WORDS! For Example, it says "insert background here". If you have none, delete the words please! It will cause the extra modules!!!


</Your Xanga Layout's Name/>
</Codings and Design©Your Username @Xanga[.]com/>
</Thanks to AncientWhisper@Xanga[.]com/>
<script type='text/javascript'>
document.title = ('//this is your layout's title, or your xanga's title.'); </script>

<div align=left><div style="position:static; margin-left:-10px;margin-top: -15px; border: 0px solid #000000;background: none;">
<img src="YOUR BANNER IMAGE!!!!" galleryimg="no"></div>

<style type="text/css">
/* Your Xanga Layout's Name */
/* Codes and Designs by Your Username (www.xanga.com/Your Username) */
/* Special Thanks to AncientWhisper@Xanga[.]com*/
body {
scrollbar-track-color: #ffffff NOTE PLEASE CHANGE SCROLLBAR COLORS;
scrollbar-face-color: #ffffff;
scrollbar-shadow-color: #ffffff;
scrollbar-highlight-color: #ffffff;
scrollbar-darkshadow-color: #000000;
scrollbar-3dlight-color: #000000;
scrollbar-arrow-color: #000000;
background-image: url("This is your Repeating Background");
background-position: left;
background-color: #This is your Background Color to the RIGHT of your Repeating Background;
background-repeat: repeat-y;
}

.left, .blogbody, table.footer, .standard, .leftmodulefontcolor, td, p {
/* this edits main text */
font: normal 10px verdana;
line-height:15px;
color: #000000;
letter-spacing:0px;
text-align:left;
}

.blogbody b, .standard b, p b, strong {
/* this edits bolded text in your entry */
font-weight: bold;
color: #000000;
}

i, em {
/* this edits italic text in your entry */
font-weight: italic;
color: #666666;
}

u {
/*this edits underlined text in your entry */
text-decoration: underline;
color: #cccccc;
border-bottom-color: 000000;
}

table.footer TD {
/* this makes the footer at the bottom centered */
/* leave it alone unless you know what to do*/
text-align: center;
}

div.blogheader{
/*this edits the dates */
font: normal 10px verdana;
color: #000000;
letter-spacing: 1px;
text-transform: none;
line-height: 10px;
text-align: right;
padding-right: 1px;
width: 500px;
background-image: url("If you have any date backgrounds here, put it here--- otherwise, delete it!!!");
border-bottom: 2px ridge 000000;
/*the above is a line below the dates to seperate the dates from the blogs. I suggest that if you want a border below the dates, remove the background. Then vice-versa. */
}

.Header {
/*this edits the module's headers */
font: normal 10px verdana;
color: #000000;
letter-spacing: 2px;
text-transform: none;
line-height: 15px;
text-align: center;
padding-right: 1px;
background-color:#Background Color here, otherwise delete it;
padding:3;
width: 200px;
}

.Modules {
/*this edits the modules itself */
font: normal 10px verdana;
width: 200px;
line-height:10px;
letter-spacing:0px;
text-align:left;
text-align:justify;
text-transform: none;
display:block;
background-color: #I suggest no background color but you can put it here;
}

a:link, .footernav.link, a.footernav:link, a.footernav:active {
/*this edits all links */
color:#000000;
font: normal 10px verdana;
line-height:10px;
}

a:visited, a.footernav:visited, {
/*this edits the links that the user has visited */
color:#000000;
font: normal 10px verdana;
line-height:10px;
}

a:hover {
/*this edits when user mouseovers the links */
color:#ffffff;
font: normal 10px verdana;
line-height:10px;
cursor: sw-resize;
}

input, select, textarea, .textfield, .button {
/*this this edits the buttons, dropdowns, darkplayers etc. */
border: 1px double #000000;
font: normal 10px verdana;
font-size: 10;
background-color: #ffffff;
letter-spacing:0px;
color: #000000;
}

table.blogbody {
/* this edits the blog's width */
width:500px;
background-image: url("Put any background pictures here. I suggest none.");
background-color: #Background color. I suggest none, but it's your design;
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-position: bottom center;
}

table.footer {display: none;}
/* do not mess with this */
.mainleft {
width: 0px;
padding: 1px;
}

hr {
/* this is the horizontal divider all the way on the bottom */
border: 1px solid #000000;
}
#pnlEnabled table, #htmleditor, #lblTimeZone, #pnlEprops, #rblEprops {

width: auto !important;
}

table.blogbody tr td {
/* this edits the left margin of blog.... do not edit*/
width:0px;
padding: 0px;
}
table.left, td.mainleft, table.navigation, table.search, #SearchBar1_pnlYouAreHere {display: none;}
</style>

/*the below area edits the MODULES ONLY */
<div style="margin-left: 100px; margin-top: -100px; width: 200px; height: 2500px; overflow: visible;">

<div class="Header">About Me</div>
<div class="modules">
<u>Name:</u> Name <br>
<u>Alias:</u> Other Names people call you <br>
<u>Birthday:</u> M-D-Year<br>
<u>Location:</u> Where you live <br>
<u>Age:</u> 13+<br>
<u>Sex:</u> Male or Female? <br>
<u>Grade:</u> Grade you are in<br>
<u>Interests:</u> Your Interests<br>
<u>Hobbies:</u> Your Hobbies <br>
</div><br><br>

<div class="Header">Main</div>
<div id="modules">
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<A href="http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=username">»»Home</A><br />
<A href="http://www.xanga.com/profile/Subs.aspx">»»Subs</A><br />
<A href="http://www.xanga.com/Private/SubscribeTo.aspx?user=username">»»Subscribe</A><br />
<A href="http://www.xanga.com/CLAF/default.asp">»»Design</A><br />
<A href="http://www.xanga.com/signin.asp">»»Sign-In</A><br />
</td>
<td valign="top">
<A href="http://www.xanga.com/private/">»»Private</A><br />
<A href="http://www.xanga.com/guestbook.asp?user=username">»»Book</A><br />
<A href="http://www.xanga.com/private/feedback.asp">»»Feedback</A><br />
<A href="http://www.xanga.com/Private/profilebasic.aspx">»»Account</a><br />
<A href="http://www.xanga.com/logout.asp">»»Sign-out</A><br />
</td>
</tr>
</div><br><br>

<div class="Header">Lyrics or Affiliation</div>
<div class="modules">
<marquee behavior=scroll direction="up" scrollamount="1" width="180" height="200" onmouseover='this.stop()' onmouseout='this.start()'>
<p>
<b>Title</b><br><br>

Whatever you want, like song lyrics, or affiliations, or just other information about yourself. If you have pictures, post them up here. Just do whatever you please. :]<br><br>

<b>-Angel x Wings</b>
</center>
</marquee>
</div><br><br>

<div class="Header">Other Stuff blah blah blah</div>
<div class="Modules">
<p>
Put whatever you want here!!!
</center>
</div><br><br>

<div class="Header">Friends</div>
<div id="modules">
<tr>
<td valign="top">
»»<A href="URL">Link</a><br />
»»<A href="URL">Link</a><br />
»»<A href="URL">Link</a><br />
»»<A href="URL">Link</a><br />
»»<A href="URL">Link</a><br />
»»<A href="URL">Link</a><br />
»»<A href="URL">Link</a><br />
»»<A href="URL">Link</a><br />
»»<A href="URL">Link</a><br />
»»<A href="URL">Link</a><br />
»»<A href="URL">Link</a><br />
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<div class="Header">Chatterbox</div>
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<div class="Header">Credits</div>
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Credits:
<a href="http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=Yoursitesusername">Your Name</a><br />

Special Thanks to:<a href="http://www.xanga.com/AncientWhisper">AngelxWings</a><br />
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Sunday, May 21, 2006

Sun, 21 May 2006 15:23:46 GMT

PHOTOSHOP TUTORIALS/TUTORIALS

Here, I would describe and show you many techniques I use in layout making. You do NOT have to give me any credits for making any graphics or layouts. However, if you do, I would really appreciate. Here, you will not FIND tutorials made by people, only tutorials made by me. Therefore, redistributing these tutorials are not allowed. If you really need to, please ask me for permission. Any comments or suggestions for the tutorials are welcomed. :]

Keeping Your Website Nice, Neat, and Attractive

In this section, I will give you tips about how to keep your site nice and neat. I've been to many xanga and sites, and see a lot of errors. Especially Xanga sites. Here, I will show you the tricks and tips to attract people to your site, make it enjoyable, and informative.

Tip 1: Organization:
If you ever want to attract people to come to your site, you need to be organized. Being organize allows the users to be able to navigate easily without having any thoughts of confusion before finding what they need. If you have a xanga, be organized with the modules and your post. If you have div modules on your xanga, be sure to seperate your information from your navigation links and other sections that really doesn't belong with information. One thing that some people lack is the way they write their news and blogs. Always be sure to SPACE OUT your paragraphs. Just in case you're clueless, a paragraph starts when a new or completely random subject is written. When you make a paragraph, press 'ENTER' TWO TIMES. I've seen people press the 'enter' key once, and it really doesn't help. Spacing out your text helps people to skip unnecessary announcements that they do not desire to read. It also helps them do a quick search through the text if they ever want to return to your site for reference.

Tip 2: Nice and Clean Atmosphere:
This usually applies to xanga, but may also apply to other blogging sites or websites as well. Being organized applies to this tip as well. To make your site clean and nice, get rid of unecessary images or text. If you really want to put an image on the top of your xanga or site to express your love for something [or it being a quiz], reconsider and place it in the modules. If the image stretches the modules, then just remove it. Most people wouldn't look at your images or quizes anyway. They're unecessary, and if you HAVE to put it somewhere on your site, put it on your blog. Random text and over-used marquees [you know, scrolling words?] are a big 'no-no'. It attracts attention, and are really random especially if it's placed on top of your whole layout. It may also slow down the browser. Just put everysingle random text into sections on your modules. Another mistake that bothers me 24/7 is that some people just spams music videos. Okay, maybe you LOVE this music video... but I suggest removing it. Especially if the music player runs automatically--- it will interfere with the music playing on your site, or distract the browser.

Tip 3: Skins, Themes, and Layouts:
The most loved sites always have the greatest layouts--- so this is a must. When a person enters and proceeds to your website, the first thing they notice is your layout. How things are aligned, and the colors. Yes, colors matter too. Which brings me to NEVER have multiple sections of bright colors on your layout. Whether if it's default or not. Not only will it sorta blinds your guests, they may not return to your site again--- and the most important thing is to be able to gather and bring people into your site, so they'll look up to it quite often. You do not need to have a Div xanga layout--- although it's most recommended. But-- the layout does not need to be orginal [although orginality is recommended]. When people go to your site, they will not immediately scroll-down your content and check who made the layout. Most people would check out your blog or updates. Some people might not even know that you didn't make it. So whatever you do, STEALING is not an option. It might gain you fortune and praise, but you know that after awhile, people from the layout creator's site will go to yours and recognize the graphics you have stolen. Just don't do it.

Tip 4: Welcoming Text:
And of course, the most annoying mistake that most people make--- typing on their blogs. This usually applies to little kids around the age of 9-14 [hopefully, you're not below 13 because Xanga strictly forbids that]. Maybe someone taught them how to type, but typing like this:

[hello, dis is anna. i will b tyPing here todai. u c, today wuz da most BORRINNNNGESSSTTT dai eva and i thought dat i should b writin' herr.]

instead of:

[Hello, this is Anna. I will be typing here today. You see, today was the most boring day ever, and I thought that I should be writing here.]

is the biggest NO-NO of them all. Maybe you can read that--- good, I can too. But see how writing with the correct punctuations and the right format makes the whole sentence better? Even if your friends type like that, you should know better. It's hard to read, and it's not so cool to abbreviate words that you shouldn't abbreviate. If the main reason you type like this is because you're sick of typing 'you', 'this', 'too', or 'was', please think again. After you advance and grow up, keyboarding will be a lot easier. It doesn't take that long to write 'you', 'this', 'too', or 'was'. Just write it the correct way! You might even turn people off from reading your contact and get harassed because of the way you type. Especially if you're 15 years old or older. They will start calling you an nine-year-old.

Tip 5: Offensive or Mature Contents:
When starting fresh on a website, keep in mind and think about the many different people that will browse your page. There will bound to be a few kids that will stumble across your page. If you're planning to add anything that might offend people, put up a warning before the page, or write it in bold letters on top of the page so they will not scroll-down. Or better yet, link the images instead of direct-linking so the image will appear on the updates or blogs. There was a few times when I went to someone's xanga that contain things that ultimately disturbed me. It was disturbing, and there was no warning before the content appeared. Believe me, it was horrible. If you're going to post some offensive language, don't over-use them. Some people would just spam the 'F' word and think it's cool. It's not. It just makes you look like an ass. If you're considering about putting up racist or offensive contents, [usually jokes], be sure to write a few sentences at the end saying that you really didn't meant what you said. Maybe these are very hard to follow, but just follow them if you're planning to post anything that is unsuitable for kids. Or better yet--- don't post them at all.

Tip 6: Be Original:
Word. If you're planning to keep a site just to blog on, then I'll be sure you, that your site traffic will not go anywhere. Make sure what you're writing is very interesting, but not too boring like spamming different sentences over and over again that means the exact same thing. If your day has been very boring, write a thought you've been thinking about or ask questions. But don't over-do the questions. People will just realize all you want are comments. [or in other-words, whoring]. Or even better, provide graphics for the visitors of your site. They will keep on returning to check out what you have for them. Whether it's icons, layouts, banners, or just downloads. It is recommended that you use graphics that you drawn-up yourself. If you're using someone else's graphic, get permission and leave credits for them. It's not hard and it won't hurt you. But best of all, BE ORIGINAL. Do NOT rip off of people's sense of style or copy their contents. Be yourself, and make the page the way you want it to be. If someone has something really awesome, then DO BETTER. Whatever you do, if you rip off of someone's idea, they will not be happy about it. I know many people that rips off of my style of making layouts. Stealing my codes by view-source. Especially module codes. Just because it looks cool. BE ORIGINAL, and provide graphics and facts that aren't displayed anywhere else. Be unique. This will gather people and drives them to come frequently.

One thing you have to understand about being a Layout designer is that you have to be original. Originality determines how beautiful the outcome of your graphic or layout is. If you are inspired by a specific layout creator, it is alright to kinda copy their style. But it's better to take notes rather than copying. Do not copy how their banners or modules are made--- rather, imitate the beauty of their layouts. For instance, a lot of people ripped off of my bordered layouts--- where there's a big picture [main picture] and other small ones with grundgy torn borders around them. Instead of doing that, take notes that a great layout contains a main picture, and other pictures around them with borders. Don't just rip the layout off by putting grundgy torn borders too. Especially if you are trying to imitate it so that it looks almost like the person's style. We do not get happy when we see people that are unoriginal. We consider you as an amateur.

Tip 7: Respect, Ignore, and Help:
The most important rule of them all: Respect, Ignore, and Help. If someone wants something that you have and they don't, help them. And promise them only if you have spare time. If you don't, APOLOGIZE. Make deals that you can keep. Reject deals that you know you can't do--- no matter how much you want it. Helping people will cause them to introduce their friends to your site. Which leads me to providing graphics. If people just charge into your site and post a lot of nasty comments, ignore them until they really irritate you to the level that makes you feel like tearing your head off. Sometimes they're just jealous and wants you to feel bad because almost everyone else envy you. They just want attention--- and you should not give it to them.

And of course, the one rule that is most required for all webmasters and webmistresses: respect people for who they are. I cannot stress or elaborate this enough. If someone is just naturally stupid and asks simple and the most pitiful questions, just answer them! It's NOT HARD. Consider using baby-language too. Do not bash them and say 'OMFG, how can you be sooooo DAMN STUPID! You dumbasses... god... OKAY, I'll tell you again. Geez... you're making things complicated.'. This is another way to say 'You suck! I'm so much better than you! I pretend like I am mad, but I guess I'm the GREATEST PERSON EVER, so I'll explain instructions to you--- since I'm just so awesome like that.' We know, we know. You are awesome. But the way you portray it--- makes you seem like the dumbass, not them. Respect people. If they don't understand something, explain it to them. If they tell you to improve your skills, take it as a compliment and move on. Besides, you have other things to worry about instead of bashing people for leaving you comments. Would you rather have good and bad comments or none at all? If you're really that great and magnificant, we notice--- you don't have to brag and push people down. Respect their opinions, questions, and comments. Don't turn your people against you.

Other Tips:
Here are other tips that aren't really necessary, but important when it comes to attracting visitors:

-Leave your E-mail so people could ask you privately if they have any questions.

-NEVER leave your SN, unless you are POSITIVE that you can talk to at least 5 people at the same time without getting ticked off.

-Normal cursor> custom-made fancy cursor.

-Avoid using the same words over and over repeatedly.

-Bold, underline, or italic words that you need to EMPHASIZE. Don't just spam them on every other words.

-Pop-ups will definately bring in more hate comments.

-Do not rant or complain about things in a whole blog. This will make you appear whiney.

-Update often, or write in your chatter-box at least once a week to let people know you're still alive.

-Advertise your site on forums. DO NOT SPAM though. Put it on your sig if you want to be polite instead of just doing shout-outs about your site.

-Get into a top-site... BUT DON'T CHEAT!

More tutorials to come soon....
-Angel Wings, Ancient Whisper, Aeris