Click HERE to see this thread with all of the graphics, features, and links.

This is a thread Completleey dedicated to advice.

post a sig > give advice

That's basically it. And I know that Sig archives do that too but conversations tend to take control of the thread with this, it will be straight forward. So enjoy. Try your best not to carry off.

*Lana's stamp of approval*

Too bad you put it in the DUELS section...

Moving and stickying.

D'oh!

Believe it or not, it was my original intension.

Now half the Sig forum is full of Stickies.

Darn skippy.

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/264/dmcexpsig8bj.jpg

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/3750/dmcexpsig22qx.jpg

Did these today when I was bored, playing around in PS. Which looks better?

I don't like the washed out look.

So I say the darker version.

Can anyone suggest improvments for either of these sigs?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/Fionnoula/Sigs/serentiycomp.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/Fionnoula/Sigs/Butterfly12.jpg

What program are you using?

PhotoImpact 5

How do I get Photoshop?

yea how can i improve my sig? lol i no...it rocks

Originally posted by Inspectah Deck
How do I get Photoshop?
You buy it.

Originally posted by DE Calvin
You buy it.

I thought it was free

How much does it normally cost?

Originally posted by Inspectah Deck
I thought it was free

How much does it normally cost?
Hundreds of dollars

Originally posted by Inspectah Deck
I thought it was free

How much does it normally cost?
Download Gimp, as 50% of the Forum already has.

!Photoshop!

This thread is for posting signatures to get critiques on them, not for asking general questions and such.

Originally posted by Bloigen
!Photoshop!

Right on, the sig on my post was my first true attempt any thoughts?

I need advice.

Which of these look the best as a base design?

Then, how can I improve that particular one?

I'm working within a strict framework for a current duel...

#1 - Meh...
http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ninja19ne.jpg

#2 - Just a background so far...but it might be better than some of my other backgrounds.
http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ninja21rd.jpg

#3 - Probably my favorite, but I'm still not too happy about it.
http://img49.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ninja34wp.jpg

#4 - Same as 3, with different text format.
http://img49.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ninja44px.jpg

...any and all comments are appreciated.

I think #1 is the best....

Originally posted by DigiMark007
I need advice.

Which of these look the best as a base design?

Then, how can I improve that particular one?

I'm working within a strict framework for a current duel...

#1 - Meh...
http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ninja19ne.jpg

#2 - Just a background so far...but it might be better than some of my other backgrounds.
http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ninja21rd.jpg

#3 - Probably my favorite, but I'm still not too happy about it.
http://img49.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ninja34wp.jpg

#4 - Same as 3, with different text format.
http://img49.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ninja44px.jpg

...any and all comments are appreciated.

#1 is pretty cool, but you definately need to work on your text. a) I like giving text a "stroke" so it stands out more, and blending the colors in somewhat.

#3 Would be good too, but once again the text is throwing it off, it's pixelated and there's too much going on in the sig, the render needs to be larger.

Thanks Ken & Calvin. I worked with 2 some. But the text is the same (though it's slightly easier to read). Maybe I should just get a new japanese-style font, because I know what you mean about it being slightly...out of focus or something.

http://img111.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ninja20rr.jpg

...this has just been an awful render to work wtih because of the uber-strict limits on the text, color scheme, etc. Challenging, which is good, but somewhat frustrating.

I would say make the render a bit larger - you don't necessarily have to show the entire render, and it tends to look better, as well as leave less empty space if you only show part of it, like if you were to just have from the character's chest up.

As for the backgrounds, I like #2 the best. It's fractaly

And as for the text...the edges are really jagged, but I remember Barker saying you can't anti-alias with Gimp, or something like that.

Noted. Thanks.

I think I'm going to use background 2, and do something similar to number 1 with the shadow-moving effect, since that seems to be the consensus favorite. I won't make the render larger, but there'll be more of him in the sig, thus taking up more space.

And new text entirely...I have no idea how to touch up text in gimp.

Any tips on my Current Sig?

Originally posted by Barker
Any tips on my Current Sig?

Why's the A so small.

*Shrugg* Is it?

Same font size as the other letters.

Originally posted by Barker
Any tips on my Current Sig?

It seems a little "grainy".

Pfft, nonsense!

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7476/hehe24ge.gif
(made to use in another forum)
advice?
opinion?

Originally posted by BakaXero
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7476/hehe24ge.gif
(made to use in another forum)
advice?
opinion?

Looks very cool. I like the animation.

Perhaps a better background, though? Something abstract maybe, and possibly a Levels adjustment layer to bring out the depth?

okay cool

Love the render, though, and I just noticed the glow of the crystal ball thing... droolio

Originally posted by H. S. 6
Love the render, though, and I just noticed the glow of the crystal ball thing... droolio
Yeeh, i had to render it myself. hair is a biatch. added the ball myself.

Any tips/advice?

Originally posted by Bloigen
Any tips/advice?

I don't use the dark forum colors, but I know that most of the time, drop shadows come out all fuzzed up with the dark colors.

Maybe change the color of the text to something darker? Kind of hard to read.

I do like the positioning of the renders, though.

Originally posted by H. S. 6
I don't use the dark forum colors, but I know that most of the time, drop shadows come out all fuzzed up with the dark colors.

Maybe change the color of the text to something darker? Kind of hard to read.

I do like the positioning of the renders, though.

What colour for the text?

The text won't change...

Can someone give me advice on this sig? Not sure about the background...

Originally posted by Fiann@
Can someone give me advice on this sig? Not sure about the background...

Delete it.














Joking. Change the font though, it's barely readable.

Originally posted by Bloigen
What colour for the text?

I was thinking red, for some reason. Maybe blue, though? Something darker, anyway.

Originally posted by Bloigen
The text won't change...

Do you have the .psd file?

Which one of these do you guys think is best?

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/hotsauce6548/Mario-fractal-sig.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/hotsauce6548/Ult-hulk-and-wolverine.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/hotsauce6548/Zelda-sig-copy.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/hotsauce6548/Splinter-Cell-sig.jpg



I would probably say either the Link or the Splinter Cell one, but you tell me.

Originally posted by H. S. 6
Which one of these do you guys think is best?

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/hotsauce6548/Mario-fractal-sig.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/hotsauce6548/Ult-hulk-and-wolverine.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/hotsauce6548/Zelda-sig-copy.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/hotsauce6548/Splinter-Cell-sig.jpg



I would probably say either the Link or the Splinter Cell one, but you tell me.

Splinter Cell one is the best.

How can I improve this?

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/-SweetAsLemons-/butterflysig.jpg

Originally posted by Diamonds
How can I improve this?

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/-SweetAsLemons-/butterflysig.jpg

What program do you use?

Should I keep the sig I have or change it for this?

Obviously I'll make it smaller (KB wise).

He looks pretty Brokeback, with the way he's standing...

Originally posted by DE Calvin
He looks pretty Brokeback, with the way he's standing...



How the hell does he look Brokeback?

Originally posted by Diamonds
How can I improve this?

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/-SweetAsLemons-/butterflysig.jpg

Render needs to be less fuzzy. But I like the rounded border. The fuzzy comment could go for the whole thing...I'm not sure what program you use, but anything to make the the background and/or render more distinct would help loads, since right now the overriding texture of the whole thing is pretty "blah".

Originally posted by H. S. 6
What program do you use? Paint Shop Pro 7Originally posted by DigiMark007
Render needs to be less fuzzy. But I like the rounded border. The fuzzy comment could go for the whole thing...I'm not sure what program you use, but anything to make the the background and/or render more distinct would help loads, since right now the overriding texture of the whole thing is pretty "blah". Yeah, it's not very clear Thanks for the advice.

Originally posted by H. S. 6


How the hell does he look Brokeback?
Looks like Heath Ledger Butt-F*cked him.. (The way he walks...)

Can I get some advice on how I can turn this picture
http://maestitia.net/wallpaper/gothic-angel-1024x768.jpeg
into a signature without having to do anything durastic (like turn her on her side and that would just look freaky) because it's a big picture. If I resize it too much then the quality will turn crappy. Can someone give me any advice on how I can use this picture into a signature.

Love the Macbeth quote beneath it. Not a clue how to help you though...I've never really had problems making images smaller. Sorry.

I made my first sig today. It's the one I currently have. Feedback?

I like

Looks like you handled the image well enough. Is that your own background that you made or the one from the original pic? Either way, there's not much going on in it, but it's nice.

The best advice for new-ish sig-makers is probably just to experiment a LOT....even if it ends up being too big to use as a sig. You'll figure out loads of stuff that way. Oh, and try 450x150. Yours looks a bit clunky because it's not wide enough. Great start though. My first 5-6 sigs were so bad I couldn't even show them.

Thanks guys.


The background is the one from the original picture. I'm not that good.

Originally posted by DigiMark007
Love the Macbeth quote beneath it. Not a clue how to help you though...I've never really had problems making images smaller. Sorry.
What's a Macbeth quote?
Darn it, thanks anyway. I seriously cannot find any good signature worthy pictures to fit my taste that I could use to modify and create into a signature.

Originally posted by Ladyluck
Thanks guys.


The background is the one from the original picture. I'm not that good.

Well, not to be harsh or anything...but that's a really lazy signature.

It's basically just you slapping your name and a border onto a ready image so it's nothing.

Just play around with your program and read some signature tutorials for the program you use.

Originally posted by Bloigen
Should I keep the sig I have or change it for this?

Obviously I'll make it smaller (KB wise). i realize you enjoy pivot but i would stick with the old one it is just plain cooler

Current Sig: Tips?

Personally I think the background is a bit too plain....but that's always a problem with vector style.

Originally posted by Fiann@
Can someone give me advice on this sig? Not sure about the background...

Bring out the text a bit more, the color matches very nicely but it's hard to read. I'd suggest giving it a drop shadow or stroke.

Background's not too bad but it's rather plain, try adding a bit more texture to it maybe?

Originally posted by Lana
Personally I think the background is a bit too plain....but that's always a problem with vector style.
Yeah, Even a Slight Gradient would help, I guess.

Gradient? Drop shadow? You people and your fancy terms.... *grumbles*

I'm going to stop giving advice or something....because my "well, um, try to make it look prettier" doesn't really work as well as "vector-fy the gradient of the pie-ometer and you should be fine."

HAHAHAHA!

how do i smooth the render w/o making it look too pexely..?

Originally posted by DigiMark007
"vector-fy the gradient of the pie-ometer and you should be fine."
I like that...
Mind If I use it?

Originally posted by DE Calvin
how do i smooth the render w/o making it look too pexely..?


Blurr Tool.

Actually, blur tool doesn't work very well for that, it overdoes it too much.

If you want to smooth the edges, use the eraser set to soft brush at about 50% opacity to erase parts.

Something is telling me Lana is right

Yeah. Don't take advice from me. I'm a PS newb.

You could also feather it I suppose.

Feathering will work as well, but you have more control with the eraser tool.

Thanks for the tip.

I'll try that with a future signature.

I'm talking about the skin...

Oh....if it's a good render, it shouldn't be pixelated.

How do you resize the render to fit the sig? I usually paste it in at full-size, then hit Ctrl+T and resize it to fit; that way you can rotate it at the same time if you need/want to.

Cool, thanks... I resize before i put it in, but your way sounds better...

When you're resizing using Ctrl+T (which is free transform), be sure to hold down the shift button so it doesn't get warped.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c372/Mikey64/007b3603.jpg

This is my second sig it's really rubbish i don't even know how to fade it in im on PSP8 any tips

Originally posted by Lana
When you're resizing using Ctrl+T (which is free transform), be sure to hold down the shift button so it doesn't get warped.
Ok

Originally posted by Thekid1
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c372/Mikey64/007b3603.jpg

This is my second sig it's really rubbish i don't even know how to fade it in im on PSP8 any tips

I would suggest sticking with just one image and making it the focus of the signature; also, try and match the background colors to the image. You can use the eraser tool at an opacity of about 50% to blend the images.

I plan on doing a bit more to the sig in general and animation in specific...any suggestions?

(I'll remove this in about half an hour )

I love most everything, the quote, the animation, I just think the back ground is a little boring and undefined..

I played around with making it darker and such and it doesn't look good.

Originally posted by Lana


I plan on doing a bit more to the sig in general and animation in specific...any suggestions?

(I'll remove this in about half an hour )
Render looks familiar..

Originally posted by Lana
I would suggest sticking with just one image and making it the focus of the signature; also, try and match the background colors to the image. You can use the eraser tool at an opacity of about 50% to blend the images.

I've done what you said but when i try and fade it the checkered background comes on not the red background

Originally posted by Barker
Render looks familiar..

Yes genius, that is my tourney entry so far

Originally posted by Thekid1
I've done what you said but when i try and fade it the checkered background comes on not the red background

Do you have everything on different layers? If not, it won't work. Layers are your friend

How do i change the picture into a layer?

I haven't used PSP in over a year so I don't remember.

Oh, I've done it.How do i put effects on though.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c372/Mikey64/45b0a3c9.jpg

Ok that's my Carnage sig any ideas to improve it's my first proper try on PSP.

(Sorry for double post)

Image is stretched.

Background is a little bland.

Personally I think the sig is HUGE.

Originally posted by Thekid1
Oh, I've done it.How do i put effects on though.

Also when you blend the image...don't use the eraser on the whole render. Only the edges, preferably not the head.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c372/Mikey64/4b5586b6.jpg

I really need soemthing to fill the space in this one.

Use a larger image?

Originally posted by Thekid1
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c372/Mikey64/4b5586b6.jpg

I really need soemthing to fill the space in this one.
Huge, 50px Border.

Originally posted by Thekid1
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c372/Mikey64/4b5586b6.jpg

I really need soemthing to fill the space in this one.

Larger render...make the signature itself smaller...

Why do you feel the need for all sigs to be 450x150?

Smaller sigs = better

Originally posted by Lana
Smaller = better

!....so...many...jokes....can't...choose....

GAH!

*runs away*

And people say MY mind is in the gutter!

600 Seconds of Work, Not Done. How should I finish this off?

Looks vaguely identical to mine

I'd suggest making it not so wide, because it just leaves too much empty space as it is.

*cough*judgetheduel*cough*

Originally posted by Lana
Looks vaguely identical to mine

I'd suggest making it not so wide, because it just leaves too much empty space as it is.

*cough*judgetheduel*cough*
Cool

*Duel is Judged*

Originally posted by Barker
600 Seconds of Work, Not Done. How should I finish this off?
Nice sig
Needs more dragons
or a few feathers and a few good men
or star dusts...
or shooting stars...
something to fill up some of the empty space.

Originally posted by Lana
Smaller sigs = better

Blah! You changed it. Fiddling mod powers...*murble*

Don't worry Lana....we know what you really meant.

...

!!!

And yes, make it look...um...prettier. Yes, that's it. But I like the vector-size-nosity of it. Very nice.

*end profound advice*

Which is better?

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/-SweetAsLemons-/butterflysig2.gif

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/-SweetAsLemons-/butterflysig.gif

Bottom one

Originally posted by Diamonds
Which is better?

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/-SweetAsLemons-/butterflysig2.gif

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/-SweetAsLemons-/butterflysig.gif
Bottom one, Minus the Bevel.

Originally posted by Diamonds
Which is better?

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/-SweetAsLemons-/butterflysig2.gif

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/-SweetAsLemons-/butterflysig.gif

Use the bottom one, make the text a bit more clear, and put in a simple 1 px border (black) and you've got yourself a nice sig.

Originally posted by Diamonds
Which is better?

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/-SweetAsLemons-/butterflysig2.gif

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/-SweetAsLemons-/butterflysig.gif

Bottom one.

Lower the bevel, bu don't take it all the way off, I suggest a Pillow Emboss instead.

1px black border over the entire sig, on it's own layer so it doesn't get the Pillow Emboss as well.

How do i change the skin on CS2?

could someone give me advice on my present sig? I worked on it a long time but when i had to get it under 30kb , i used a image optimizer that i found and it looks like crap at 29 kb, so any advice on how to make it better?

It's a GIF, there's nothing you can do about it, really.

Originally posted by Lana
Smaller sigs = better


yea its better but not too small or the pleasure is gone....... viewing pleasure cuz it will look congested

I like long sigs that don't have too much length.

Originally posted by Trigler
I like long sigs that don't have too much length.




????????

Originally posted by Trigler
I like long sigs that don't have too much length.
You oxy-moron!

Yeah, that statement doesn't make much sense to me.

Any ideas for this one? Thoughts or comments?

(I'm not finished yet. )

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/hotsauce6548/spidey-movie-sig.jpg

the infection spread? Might want to change it to "spreads" with an 's''

Scan line thingies on the right look out of place because they don't show up anywhere else in the sig. The text/tech bits look sweet though, and it's obviously a great render.

Originally posted by DigiMark007
the infection spread? Might want to change it to "spreads" with an 's''

Scan line thingies on the right look out of place because they don't show up anywhere else in the sig. The text/tech bits look sweet though, and it's obviously a great render.

I didn't use a render, although there is one now thanks to Lana.

New movie poster.

ive been wondering about this sig....

CONstrUTIVE CRITICSSiSMS Wanted

i can speed critiscisms

I like the render and the grunginess (I love grunge sigs, it's my favorite style)...I just think that maybe there's a bit too much empty space, and the text really doesn't match the rest.

I'd agree with Lana's text comment, but actually I just think it's a kick-ass sig. Switch the font and send it off to print imo.

thats my only real problem with sigs...text....

I understand....that's my achilles heel a lot of times too.

Originally posted by DigiMark007
I understand....that's my achilles heel a lot of times too.


its my achilles heel all the time

For duel against Law, any pointers?
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/6299/lawduelcopy1mz.jpg

Originally posted by DE Calvin
For duel against Law, any pointers?
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/6299/lawduelcopy1mz.jpg

the text doesnt go very well with the rest of it...and the render..is just to plane

This turned into more an experiment than a real sig.... Thoughts?

I need some advice on some good pictures that I could use to create a signature/avatar. I want faeries, gothics, dark things, cemeteries, etc. Just stuff like that and I can NEVER find what I'm looking for. Can anyone help me out?

Originally posted by DigiMark007
This turned into more an experiment than a real sig.... Thoughts?

It actually would look really good if you erased the raindrops on top of Spidey

Originally posted by ILoveMyDaniel
I need some advice on some good pictures that I could use to create a signature/avatar. I want faeries, gothics, dark things, cemeteries, etc. Just stuff like that and I can NEVER find what I'm looking for. Can anyone help me out?

Try Google Image Search, http://imageafter.com, http://morguefile.com, and http://sxc.hu, The last three are free stock sites.

Originally posted by Lana
It actually would look really good if you erased the raindrops on top of Spidey



Try Google Image Search, http://imageafter.com, http://morguefile.com, and http://sxc.hu, The last three are free stock sites.

i love stock xchang

Me too....that's where I get most of my stock for my photomanipulations.

Imageafter is really good for textures, and Morgue File is really good for backgrounds and objects.

All three sites are great resources.

Originally posted by Lana
Me too....that's where I get most of my stock for my photomanipulations.

Imageafter is really good for textures, and Morgue File is really good for backgrounds and objects.

All three sites are great resources.

only thing i dont like is how the res is always reallly huGE...but then that means excellent image quality

Oh, I LOVE the fact that you can find stock photos there that are up to about 2000x3000. Hi-res is good I do a lot of photomanipulating and I sell them as prints on deviantart, and I need really large hi-res images to do that.

Originally posted by Lana
It actually would look really good if you erased the raindrops on top of Spidey



Try Google Image Search, http://imageafter.com, http://morguefile.com, and http://sxc.hu, The last three are free stock sites.
Thanks very much, I'll check them all out right away!

Problems, Hints.. Whatever..

Damn, Forgot the Border

Background seems a bit too plain, and the text needs work.

Originally posted by Lana
Background seems a bit too plain, and the text needs work.

I like the background, but the text could definately use work.

Try adding a bit more texture to the background, maybe with some soft grunge brushes, or duplicating the render and changing the blend mode and opacity and moving it around the sig.

If that makes sense.

One of those things where I use it all the time yet can't explain it coherently for the life of me

Like explaing a word to a dumb friend.

I have pretty bad communication problems that make it incredibly hard for me to explain things.