Thanks Jules, I'd be happy to give a brief rundown of the process:
1. The first thing I do is fire up Photoshop, starting with a single panel (usually 300 x 250, but varying depending on what is required):
2. The next step is to take a screenshot for the background; 90% of the time these come from Raven Software's "Star Wars: Jedi Academy" video game, but other games, films or images may be used depending on what is needed. Once the right background is found, it is applied to the panel:
3. I then minimise Photoshop in favour of another piece of software called 'ModView'. This is a handy tool that allows me to view and pose certain types of 3D models, in this case ones primarily designed to work with the aforementioned 'Academy' game:
4. I open up the chosen model - in this case one of Jango Fett:
5. Using certain animation files, I'm able to pose the Fett model into whatever position I require - for example, aiming a blaster pistol:
6. Thanks to a feature in ModView that allows me to select a single-colour background (similar to how green- and blue-screen work in films) I am able to Print-Screen, Copy, and Paste the image of Fett onto Photoshop, and then remove everything but the model itself using the Magic Wand tool. The now background-less image of Fett can be composited onto the panel:
7. This process is repeated for however many people/droids/vehicles appear in the panel (though for the example I'll stick with just Fett), and then the whole thing is transferred to a new template - the comic page:
8. Once all the panels on a page have been finished, standard Photoshop techniques can then be used to add speech bubbles, lasers and any other special effects needed:
9. With all the models position, panels completed, and special effects added, you have one full comic page ready to be published!
It's a lengthy process, but I hope you guys find this useful!
- Kualan
