My request... is guidance to answer requests. (1 Viewer)

[Free]

Who I am:
I'm Free. I'm not a terribly great artist, but I like to think I manage with the limited skills I posses. I'm also a huge pervert. That... probably goes without saying, but I felt like saying it. What I'd also like to say is that this place is awesome, and I'm glad to be here. I've noticed a few things, and hope to offer what help I can... but I don't really know where to begin.

Why I'm here:
I'm not much on coding. If the request I do somehow manages to require coding, I can't help. I also, again, am not an amazing artist, but I'm not horrible. Seems like there's kind of a shortage on people trying to draw some of the requests where coding isn't really the main issue. So... I dunno. Hi, again. I'd like to help.

What I need:
Information. Guidance. I've never worked with vector art (I... don't think. I'm honestly not sure. I might have once. I work drunk a lot). I'm fairly adept at photoshop, but this will likely be my first dive into lewd art as a whole. I want to start with basics, and while I'm sure there's tutorials and such, some insider info given directly in this whole department would do wonders. Tools, how to use templates, which ones are able to be used freely, and to what degree; I've seen something about Konashion and that being a conflict, could be wrong. I don't want to tread there. I just want to draw.

What I don't need:
Getting bogged down with the technical aspects of the code. Again, just not my area. It looks tough. Damned tough. I'm impressed when I read what goes in to even some of the more simplistic requests. Hat's off, but that's just not something I can deal in on. Frankly, some of those most seemingly capable seem a bit... exhausted having to explain certain roadblocks over and over. I get it, and I'm just not one for doing what experts say can't be done. If a coder or two goes multi-paragraph into, "Can't do that, and I'm not gonna try", lump me right there with them. Sorry. Seriously. I'm just getting started. Maybe that'll change, but I'm not gonna promise Jack.

Or Tim. Or Steve. If your name is Alan, not you either.

Really though... what's a good first project and how/what links can be provided to get me going? I'm looking myself, also, so please don't think I'm expecting you to tell me everything I can find myself. I'd just appreciate it if you did anyway, because the quicker I can get started the more I can contribute in the long run. I hope. Nice to meet you all in advance. If this is in the wrong area, apologies. I'm new.

 

[stuntcock]

Hello Free . Welcome to the Undertow forum.

I've noticed a few things, and hope to offer what help I can... but I don't really know where to begin.

I'd suggest that you start with the template files for static hairstyles. They're available in PNG and SVG format.

The template is just a picture of the girl's head, copy-pasted into three quadrants. You draw details (such as hair strands, headbands, goggles, hats, etc) onto the template, usually in a separate layer on top of the actual template layer. The goal is to eventually hide the template layer and then save your work in PNG format. You'll produce a PNG file which is just a mass of "disembodied" hair with a LOT of empty space around it.

If you've done it correctly then the result will look similar to the PNG files created by other SDT artists. Your shading work may be less detailed, but the basic layout of the image should be similar. You can then load your work into the SDT game for testing. Depending on which quadrants your artwork was drawn in, it will appear on a different layer with respect to the girl's face (foreground, middle, or background). You can tinker with you source files, adjust the layering/coloring/etc and (once you're happy with the result) you can publish it.

If you're feeling more adventurous then you can investigate the PSD and SVG body templates. They allow you to draw details onto the body sprites (such as tattoos, clothing, muscular biceps, etc). Of course, you'll then need help from a Flash modder to publish your work as a SWF file.

I want to start with basics, and while I'm sure there's tutorials and such, some insider info given directly in this whole department would do wonders.

If you already know Photoshop then there isn't much technical stuff that we can teach you. Most of the lessons will come from tinkering and experience, such as "I messed up the sense of scale and so the hairstyle appears too big/small compared to the girl's body" or "my outlines are significantly thicker/thinner that the outline of the SDT girl's body."

Tools, how to use templates, which ones are able to be used freely, and to what degree; I've seen something about Konashion and that being a conflict, could be wrong. I don't want to tread there. I just want to draw.

Inkscape and Paint.NET are freeware apps that anyone can use (for vector and raster respectively). GIMP is another raster option, and I'm sure that there are dozens more. If you're comfortable with Photoshop then there's no need to switch.

All templates can be used freely. The Flash templates are special: the FLA file itself is free, but the Adobe software is licensed and therefore many people avoid it. If you prefer to just draw (without getting entangled in code) then that's fine! I myself can't draw, so most of my output involves things drawn by other people -- as part of a collaborative modding project. If you're willing to tackle artwork duties then you'll usually find a few Flash modders who are happy to do a bit of import+conversion work in exchange for partial credit on a cool mod :)

@Konashion created the game but he isn't around anymore. We don't know what happened to him. His work hasn't been officially released under a public license (such as Creative Commons), but he deliberately opened up his game to modding and cooperated with modders in the years prior to his disappearance. People have been modding the game for years. Nobody is going to harass you or sue you for drawing and publishing PNG files. If you'd like to share your source files (PSD or SVG) then you're welcome to do so; if you'd prefer to just share output files (in PNG format) then that's fine as well.

What I don't need: Getting bogged down with the technical aspects of the code.

That's completely OK. Most requests are for what we call "static hair mods", which is just a fancy way of saying "PNG files".

If you'd like to get involved in dynamic hairstyles then you don't need to concern yourself with the code which animates them. You can still just draw the thing and then let someone else stitch the pieces together.

Really though... what's a good first project

It depends on what you'd like to do.

There are many pending requests for static hairstyles, usually based on popular anime characters. If that's your thing then just browse until you find one which interests you. Then reply to the thread with your offer to work on it, or just draw the whole thing and then post your work.

If you'd like to begin drawing hairstyles based on your own favorite TV shows, videogames, or original characters, then please free to do so. Just open up the template in Photoshop, create a new layer, scribble a few lines, save as PNG, and try to import your work into SDT. You'll get a feel for the quadrant/layer relationship fairly quickly, and then you can begin to draw actual strands, braids, hair accessories, curls, etc.

If you'd like to start off by adapting/revising the work of an accomplished artist then go ahead and contact them. One novice SDT artist began by recoloring some of @Mineur's work ... but he didn't ask permission and so a few people got upset. SyntaxTerror has recently been giving advice to new artists so you could contact him if you're looking for support. Or you could just post a Help thread and then wait for a few experienced SDT artists to chime in.

If you'd like to work on costumes then please be aware they're a bit more tricky, due to the greater number of overlapping layers. There's also the potential to accommodate RGB sliders (so that users can change the color of pants, shirts, shoes, etc) and to accommodate the SDT breast-size slider. I created a shitty tech demo for a slingshot bikini a few years ago, and I'd still like to complete it someday if I can find someone to draw the thing. But it's probably a bit too complex for a first project. If you find a costume request which matches your interests then you can reply to the thread and ask for guidance or collaboration. If you discover a cool outfit while browsing the Internet then you're welcome to create your own request thread; you can offer to draw the thing, and whether any Flash modders would be willing to handle the SWF work.

If you'd like to work with animated hairstyles then I can explain some of the principles. I should warn you that such hairstyles typically use vectors instead of raster images. So if your ultimate goal is to create swaying/curling/bouncy animated hair then it might be useful to begin practicing with Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, or similar tools. We can start a dynamic hairstyle project on the basis of a completed static hairstyle (such as a PNG or PSD file) ... but it's a bit slower, because step 1 is "re-trace the whole thing into vectors" :)

 

[SyntaxTerror]

Hello Free and welcome.

I'm not much on coding. If the request I do somehow manages to require coding, I can't help. I also, again, am not an amazing artist, but I'm not horrible. Seems like there's kind of a shortage on people trying to draw some of the requests where coding isn't really the main issue. So... I dunno. Hi, again. I'd like to help.

Actually, we are mostly lacking dynamic hair modders at the moment, because it requires (somewhat) artistic skills and Animate CC (the software used to produce SWF mods, that costs a limb, or life emprisonment in Guantanamo because of cracking Adobe's property).
A bit of coding knowledge is also neccesary, but one can easily copy the code somewhere else without understanding it to make it work.
Copying and adapting code is also the easy way to become competent: your brain will make the connections by itself and you'll progressively understand what may seem obscure at first sight.

Anyway, it is better to begin with Static Hair mods, so you'll understand better how layers work.
stuntcock gave a link to the basic PNG templates, but you may find my PDN Blank Template more handy. PDN is a Paint.net file, but I may convert it to PSD if you want.
I suggest that you read the "Basics" section of my Static Hair tutorial, it will give you a good starting point in Static Hair mod design.

Do not hesitate to ask for help, you can be sure to get answers.

Good luck.

 

[Free]

Just got back on a moment. Studying said information, thinking up ways to dig my feet in it. There's a lot to address in the above, and yeah... I'm grateful. Seems about exactly what I need so far. I try to respond first and then edit when something more relevant to what was given comes up.

I'll start with a static hair, then a dynamic. It'll take a moment. I'll probably take a few maniacal swings at it until I get a clear shot, but I'm sure I'll hit home eventually.

I would never crack Adobe and its merchandise, nor have I ever. If I cracked it, I'm not sure I'd be able to glue it back together. I'll soak some of this all up and ask more only when I've made use of what I've got so far.

Thank you. I've got some reading to do.

EDIT 1:
Stunt (I can't call you stuntcock without thinking of Super Dave being turned into a Rooster, and that'd just make it weird), I'm not sure I completely follow on .FLA bit - also mentioned I believe in Syn's post towards Adobe. I have some version of CS. Think its 5. I even kind of remember how to use it. Made a mech game once. Whole other thing. What I'm getting at is, uh... I'm going to avoid taking projects where, say, nipples turn into fireworks when you cum down SD's throat. For completely and not previously considered or currently slyly requested random instance.

But tweening I think I might be able to do still. Maybe some other really basic stuff that I probably won't remember how to do well unless asked and it doesn't require I grab a coffee first. I'm really just rusty and its kind of like a warm coppery second skin I'm comfortable leaving there. There where I get to draw boobs and such. Making them do magic tricks might be beyond me though. >.<

 

[SyntaxTerror]

I have some version of CS. Think its 5.

If you have Flash Pro CS 5 it is fine, you can produce Static & Dynamic SWF Hair mods, SWF Costume mods and even SWF Backgrounds mods (that have some advantages over PNG Backgrounds because they can be animated, have a better resolution and may be 16/9 while PNG Backgrounds are at most 825x700 px).

Flash Pro CS, CC and Animate CC are basically doing the same thing. The newer versions just have more tools, but even a ten years old CS3 version can do the job.

 

[Free]

Awesome. Much obliged.