Webcomics Weekly Episode 62: New Media
Con tool kit
In posting yesterday’s piece about the con-travel checklist, it occurred to me that, in the “How To Make Webcomics” book, we suggested keeping many of the items you use at a con in one container — a convention tool kit. Here’s an updated list.
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Con-Travel Checklist
Upon reading the June To-Do List, which promised to address con-travel checklists, Penny Arcade’s Robert Khoo kindly offered the one they use when packing for a convention:
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Word-Balloon Tails in Photoshop
As promised, here’s a technique for drawing graceful word-balloon tails in Photoshop. It’s based on the same approach I shared yesterday. You may want to read yesterday’s post (below) because I’m going to use some of the same terms.
First, start with the Elliptical Marquee Tool.
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Quick and easy word-balloon tails
Last Wednesday, during a discussion about word balloons, a Webcomics.com reader wrote: “…Now if I could only figure out how to make those curved tails easily.” Here’s a method for making graceful word-balloon tails that will work in several applications including InDesign, Illustrator and FreeHand. The instructions will assume you’re working in InDesign, but it will be easily adaptable for other software.
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The 8-Page Rule
Over at CBR, Brigid Alverson has a wonderfully written piece in which she shares her “8-Page Rule.” This is a concept that applies more to longform comics than comic strips, but any comic that follows a continuous storyline should take heed of the general principal.
In short, any new reader should be able to find their bearings in the story within the first eight pages.
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Copy protection
Word balloons: Three common mistakes
Want to make a small change in how you do your comics that will elevate your game overnight? Improve your word balloons. It’s the single, most common flaw in most beginners’ work that immediately identifies them as novices in the eyes of their readers. And, amazingly, they are problems that are ridiculously easy to solve. Address these problems, and your work will take on an air of professionalism that is bound to be noticed by your readers.
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Airline baggage guidelines
With Comic Con mere weeks away, here are some baggage guidelines for a few of the major airlines that fly into San Deigo International Airport. Many airlines are charging fees for checked luggage — and levying heft penalties on oversize and overweight luggage. If you’re planning to bring merchandise on the plane to sell at the convention this can add up substantially, so measure and weigh your bags before you leave for the airport, and take a few moments to check your airline’s Web site for additional details. You may want to check out the TSA’s baggage guidelines while you’re at it.
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