Johnny

heh, yeah, well, you know...thx.

Thanks for reading, and no problem.

The Tech Border tutorial I posted has been moved to the How Tos and Tutorials forum, and I've just posted two more, which should be up sometime soon. Feel free to check them out guys.

Okay, this is a relatively simple tutorial on how to blend a render into your signature in Photoshop, like this: STEP 1 -- Brush up your background Okay, the first thing you want to do is to brush your background. Right now I'm using some grunge brushes. For this tutorial, we're going to use black and white, then color it in later, so on your white background, use a black brush (or vice versa) to put down your basic brushing. You should end up with something similar to this, if you're using grunge. http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ Tip - I usually like abstract brushes. You can find some good brush sets at http://www.deviantart.com/ STEP 2 -- Add your render Next step is to add the render you want to blend into the final sig. I've already posted a render adding tutorial, so look for that. (If it's not there, it's still awaiting approval) Once you have your render on there, place it in a nice place where you think it'll look good blended. Here's mine, I'm using a Cloud (Final Fantasy character) render: http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ Tip - Make sure the render is not on top of any really dark spots, or it'll be blended too much. STEP 3 -- Make your render b&w Okay, to get a better blend, you should have the render the same colors as the brushing in the background. To make your render black and white, click it's layer, press ctrl+u and use the following settings: http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ Tip - You don't have to do this step. If you don't, the render will general stay it's original colors, and it will just fade into the brush shape, not the brush color. STEP 4 -- Select your "stay-there" part Okay, now, using the "Rectangular Selection Tool" or the "Lasso Tool" with the feather settings set on 30 (less, if you want less blending, more if you want more) select the part of your render that you don't want to fade as much. This part will stay fairly visible compared to the rest of the render. Here's what I'm using: http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ Tip - You can also select multiple areas by holding shift and making another selection. Unless the sig and render are really big, this tends to make the overall render more visible as well. STEP 5 -- Add your mask Now, with your selection still on, click the "Add Layer Mask" button, at the bottom of the layers toolbox. It looks like a Square with a circle in it. Your render should now be blended with the background, moreso in areas away from where you selected. Here's what I got: http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ Tip - If you don't like the result, you can go back and redo your selection with a different size or feather. STEP 6 -- Color your sig Now, lastly, here's a slightly more fun part. Go to "Layer" --> "Add adjustment layer" --> "Hue/Saturation". Click the colorize checkbox, then modify the settings until you get a color that you like. Here's what I'm doing: http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ Tip - You can also replace this with a "Layer" --> "Add adjustment layer" --> "Color Balance" layer, or add it on top of the hue/saturation. And you could also add an adjustment layer under the render and on top of the background, to have the two elements different colors. Here's a sig I did after adding a few more touches to the product. This tutorial is also fairly modifiable. You can try adding, replacing, or removing steps, to get your sig how you like it. This should only be a guide. You should do your sig just how you want it. If you see any errors or have any suggestions to better the tutorial, I'll try and do so. *BTW, this tutorial is done in Photoshop CS. Things may vary in different versions, but you should be able to get the same result. NOTE TO STAFF - I'm very sorry, I had to make a few modifications to the post. If you could just delete the other one, and use this, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Okay, this is a short and simple tutorial on how to add a render (which is basically another picture) to your signature in Photoshop, like this: STEP 1 -- Find a render Yes, this is the most important step. Think about what kind of sig you want to make, and what you want on it. I usually use game or comic characters on my sigs, so I'm going to be using this render of Vivi, a Final Fantasy character, that I found on GameRenders.com. http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ Tip - Don't go for renders that are unclear or have hectic backgrounds. It usually makes life harder for you. STEP 2 -- Erase the background Okay, this is a relatively simple step if you have a one-color background, or no background at all, on your sig. If you do have a one-color background, just grab your "Magic Eraser Tool" (which is fight by holding the left mouse on the "Eraser Tool") and use it to erase your background. I usually start at a high tolerance setting (70) and go down if it starts to cut up my render. If you have a slightly more colorful background, I'd suggest using the "Polygonal Lasso Tool" (under the "Lasso Tool") to select your background, and then delete it that way. This will probably end up a little less "fine-tuned" than the Magic Eraser, but it gets the job done on tough backgrounds. You should eventually have something like this: http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ Tip - The higher your tolerance level is, the more colors that are similar to the one you're erasing will also be erased. Sometimes this can erase too much, and get rid of part of your render. And DO NOT use the Magic Wand to select your background/render. It's BAD. STEP 3 -- Copy your render This is an easy step. Simply hold control and left click on the render layer, to select it. If the background is fully deleted, you shouldn't see anything selected but your render. Then copy (ctrl+c) your selection. This is the result: http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ Tip - You can also just select all, because the rest should be transparent, but this just makes life easier. STEP 4 - Put the render into your sig Now's the moment we've all been waiting for. Open a new document sig size (or a previous one, if you already started on a sig) and paste this render in there. Move it around until you get what you want to show. This is what you should have: http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ Tip - If the render is too big for your sig, you can go back to the render's window, and change the image size, to make it smaller. Then recopy and paste, and delete the big one. So, there you have it. Simple as...something simple. Have fun with your sig-making. Here's something I did with the same render, to show an example. If you see any errors or have any suggestions to better the tutorial, I'll try and do so. *BTW, this tutorial is done in Photoshop CS. Things may vary in different versions, but you should be able to get the same result.

Hm...I've never heard of that happening to anyone else, so I'm guessing it was just a fluke with that particular PSP...but hey, maybe Sony screwed up again?

We um...know that...that's what I um....just said...

IE is only the most used because it is included with all Windows builds, and users who don't know too much about browsing, or don't really care, don't know that Firefox is better. It's better in just about all of it's features, with the exception of maybe shell integration?

Darn, that was exactly what I was going to suggest. I know of another host that has a similar system, and upon post edits or deletions, the new point count is calculated, and quoted text is negated. If this could be done for Xisto, and the edit button put back, I'm sure all our lives would be easier. ^-^ And then staffies wouldn't have to do so much work in editing posts and such for people, and double-posts would be reduced, letting members view the forums more clearly and all that good stuff.

DOH! Stupid stupid stupid...I can see now that there was already a previous topic about this...very sorry for that little mishap...please delete it.

I know you guys kinda labelled me as a "heretic" already, but here goes.My suggestion is that all users get EDIT permissions. I know that I've double/triple posted before, or had to post something again to fix it, and I'm sure many other users are having the same problems. I'm sure having the ability to edit one's posts will greatly reduce spam and overposting. I can see no real reason why we -shouldn't- have editing permissions, since it's not likely to cause any turmoil or chaos. So my question is, why not?Please don't flame me for making this suggestion, like in a certain previous suggestion topic...

I see it in Firefox. It's kind of annoying...Note to OpaQue - Firefox is the new cool. Everyone's doing it. Why aren't you? =PThe site should be Firefox-optimized. IE's old, outdated, and has TONS of security holes. I'm surprised anyone still uses it.

Hm...seems like a slight increase in page loading, but nothing too substantial...I'm guessing that this modification raises the number of threads Firefox uses to load an individual page, so then, will it raise memory usage? Mine is already bad enough...it's usually around one hundred thirty megabytes, and I only have six hundred eighty six total, with Photoshop CS, Cinema 4d and a few Bittornado windows open at the same time...

Doom - Yelling at moderators is bad. Very very bad. I'm guessing moonwitch either knows OpaQue and got a free seat (X.x) or maybe it's just a new account for an old member. Either way, it's not your problem.To staffies - Can someone check my tutorial for any rule breaks? Those rules are kinda vague (like the image rules and such) and II want to make sure I didn't do anything bad.

Yes, you could googlize some decent tutorials, I suppose, but they usually aren't as high-quality as ones from submission sites...

That's abstract for ya. =P

The memory card doesn't matter to me, but I would definitely like to see a better looking Playstation. More color, and a less "boxy" look...Pre-integrated broadband adapters would be VERY cool too...

Hm, my hands have never hurted while playing a video game, even during my 24-hour streaks I sometimes have with a party of friends. Sometimes when I'm typing a big story or something they hurt though. It's probably because I don't type properly. I don't have a set way of putting my fingers, and I always use Shift instead of Caps Lock...I've probably used Caps Lock twice in my lifetime. X.x

Hurgh...I hate hate HATE it when parents restrict games based on ratings. Ratings just give a general description. The parent should actually look at the game before making decisions...DMC3 is barely what you would call a bad game. I've seen worse things on the NEWS...Also, my local gamestop won't give me M rated games until I'm 17 (2 more months), so I've officially disowned them. =P

@ joshthegreat - That's exactly what I'm talking about. People don't consider the actual games, they consider how the hardware "looks". Thank you, for proving how stubborn people can be.

Actually, if you really want to be technical, it's called 1337speak, not just 1337. And it's used by Phrackers, not Hackers. Hackers are security experts who "hack" constructively. Phrackers are the young ones who supposedly "hack" to be cool. The two terms should NOT be confused. It annoys hackers a LOT.And yes, I use lol a lot, but only because 1. laughing out loud sounds weird to say, and 2. It's not that I'm lazy, it's just much easier.I also say w00t a lot, because my gamer friends got me saying it, and frankly, it's hard to stop. =PThe gay and retarded comments don't really -offend- me, because, let's face it, it's gonna be used. And it has absolutely nothing to do with gays or retards. It's much similar to using the word "*bottom*" as an insult. We are referring to donkeys, are we?@ elvenmil - But that's just the thing. Internet chat *shouldn't* be so lazily and sloppily written. We shouldn't adjust, the people using said language should. That's what this whole topic says...

I'm sorry, what are you talking about?

Double post.Yes, I suppose that is a good point though, about if you knew the person. I don't think I could steal from someone I know, but a complete stranger isn't really going to haunt me or anything.And what's the old saying? Live without regret and you'll die a happy man?

Hehe, you guys have terrible logic. The "extras" on each system are nothing compared to what the systems are really built for: gaming. Althought extras do matter, you also have to look at a few other things:1. Hardware -How good is the hardware? PSP has advanced graphics capability, but DS looks like a more generally durable system. Sony makes the PSP flimsy. Although I'm sure eventually DS users will have problems with the touch screen dying from use.2. Software -How good are the games? PSP has some of Sony's good games, and much more advanced ones, but the DS has a series LEGEND backing it, which of course would be Nintendo, with the Zelda, Mario, Pokemon, Metroid, and a few other very good series.3. Replay Value -How long will each system last? The PSP has a VERY strong lineup, but I'm thinking Nintendo with it's many different established games, may last longer, as far as good games go.4. Features -What can your system do for you? If you don't care about movies or music on your handheld, then PSP already has two features you don't want. Most people won't like the DS's touch screen (I know I hate it...), so that might be another leap Nintendo wasn't supposed to take.5. Other stuff -What else do you need out of your handheld? Maybe you want to play with friends, and so you might get the same handheld. Maybe you want to still play all your old GBA games? One handheld or the other might have the other misc. things you want/need.So, it boils down to a variety of factors. I guess I'm kinda sick of seeing these kinda topics, because it doesn't really matter what other people say, what matters is what you personally want in a handheld.So, that said, don't listen to other's opinions. Someone may just like Final Fantasy a lot, and convince you to get that system, regardless of how much they or you really like it. Do what makes you happy.And remember kids, "Arec Barlwrin is worfress".

Which is exacttly what I said. X.x