I want to give back

to this wonderful community!

from JoeUser Forums
But I don't know how to do so. I don't have the time to build skins, so I would liketo do backgrounds. Soooo... I was wondering if there was anyone who would take the time to possibly give me a few pointers? I know how to do quite a few things, but the thing that has ME stumped is the KICK ASS designs that are the "background" of some of these backgrounds. So, If anyone would like to possibly tell me how these are done I would most appreciate it. I'm completly clueless. It is my opinion that having enjoyed all the wonderful skins, backgrounds, bootskins, etc that I should contribute back... So if anyone would teach me I would be forever in their debt!! Thanx in advance!! Mike
wallpapers
16,666 views 18 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Please please please please please please? lol
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Backrounds themselves can take time Hazy...especially your first few..I bet some of the others will tell you the same thing!
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
I don't mind that at all. I have time
I just have NO clue where to start. And I definatly don't know hoe these designs are brought into being. Even if someone will give me a starting point would be good. I really wan to do this! HELP!! PLEASE!!! lol. I cant think of a netter place then this to find the inforamtion I am looking for!!!
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Well! I guess I was mistaken
Noone goinna help me figure out how to do this?
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It would be easier for us if you could give us some links to the kind of things you mean. If you can show us the kind of thing you want to create, we can help. You just said "Backgrounds", do you mean desktop wallpapers?
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Maybe email the artist(s) of some works you like?

In the end you must create it yourself - or is it that you want to know how to use the software that makes them? If so you should be able to Google plenty of tutorials.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Maybe email the artist(s) of some works you like?

In the end you must create it yourself - or is it that you want to know how to use the software that makes them? If so you should be able to Google plenty of tutorials.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
~Not to discourage you, but " wallpaper " is probably the one item that gets rejected the most from here. Its not always a case of the wallpaper being " bad " I think they get a lot of submissions and they cant accept them all. A lot of the true " Artists " actually draw the picture then fill in the color using Photoshop ..add special Fx etc. I do believe you can create other types of wallpaper without really drawing. There are tons of programs and software out there to help you "create " ..Im still looking at which one I want to buy . Do you have any of these programs ?
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Unfortunately, artistic talent cannot be taught. The burden lies on you to practice, practice, practice.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Mike, I think there is some excellent advice here, asking artists whose work you admire, how they got a particular effect is probably the best way to go. Add to that your own creativity and you may come up with something unique and exciting. I myself do not have the talent like some of those artists do here, and in the case of Chadamus and Mormegil, I have either purchased their suites or donated for a theme that I have used. I realize that this isn't giving back to the community as a whole, but it does indirectly contribute because those authors in particular have given lots to the comunity, and I'm sure that my pitence offered at least a little more encouragement to continue.
Speaking of Mormegil, looking at his recent tutorials on creating icons, can also be extended to other "realms." His methods and techniques are somewhat universal and I'm sure anyone can learn at least something there.
Just my 25 cents (damn inflation!).
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
LOL Inflation
I will peruse the galleries, and pop in some links. I've been fiddling with photoshop, and paintshop pro. I think I have come up with some interesting designs. The next step is to learn how to do highlights and "reflection" techniques. The pen tool is quite useful in this I'll be back later tonight with more information and some links
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Unfortunately, artistic talent cannot be taught. The burden lies on you to practice, practice, practice.


true true
plus..one good way to learn the depths oh pgs like photoshop is by following tutorials...they do not teach you how to do a complete artwork..but by knowing all the basics u can get them to work for you
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
I have been working with tuts.. And Im learning quite a lot... but it appears that in order to render some of the designs I want I will have to use 3d softare... Is there any way to avoid this? I know there are some out there who make available their renders, but for the effect Im speaking of there isnt any (that I have found)... Any ideas?
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well I would like to say, I think there are so many of you here that have created some of the best stuff I've seen. I work in a computer lab for a schol and when I put them tgether and have used several wallpapers on those computers, I would love to give back too.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'd love to do a few also, any links would be welcome for some tutorials, i'm pretty decent with Photoshop, so any advice would be very welcome. Thankyou
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you ever decide to tackle doing dock backgrounds I'd be more than happy to help you out.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hi Skyjacker...You can start off checking out this -> mini tutorial <- I wrote for the contest to get you started. Give this a shot first to see how far along you get and we'll take it from there. Once you've tried this out and decide you want to go further you can reach me at (mynick)@msn.com