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[johlin]

Hey guys,

I've been trying to figure out how to use Illustrator (or am I just off on what program to use?) to get lines with a more hand-drawn look, such as http://www.bearandtiger.com/?p=323. The line widths vary intentionally, not dependent on angle (like some of the brushes). I've tried screwing around with making my own brushes, but I'm guessing it's more a tablet pressure kind of thing? Any advice would be fantastic!

Thanks!
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[Casual Notice]

Tablet pressure, repetitions, and practice practice practice. I never quite got my lines to look the way I wanted them to (heck, I was still focusing on form and perspective when I ended my comic), but I'm finally getting some of it.

I do know that there are some folks here who endlessly redraw their comics, starting with pencil (or blueline), adding flat inks, then building up varied inklines.

Then there are others, like Oppy, who can scratch out a perfect line with perfect variance in ten seconds using a sharpie and a bizarre dream he once had.

EDIT: spelling corrections
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What I lack in sincerity, I make up for in sarcasm.
S*P*Q*R

[Varethane]

Illustrator?

The last I checked, that program is all vector-based-- tablet pressures don't really enter into it because everything is mapped out on anchor points and then tweaked after the fact. It's possible to get a hand-drawn look with that program, given a lot of practice and expertise, but it wouldn't be my first choice (takes a lot of tweaking, etc)

If you have a tablet and are after a more hand-drawn look, I'd advise using Photoshop (or, well, pretty much any other raster-based program) to draw.
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[oppernaR]

Don't be fooled, every line takes weeks of meditation.
That's why I hardly update.

¬_¬ *zing* added to excuse book

But yeah, what CN said. Tablet pressure's a big factor. When the nib of my (cheap copy of an excuse of a fake) tablet pen was completely worn down it only detected "off" and "bloody elephants stomping on the tablet with their full weight", pretty much meaning that any line variations were out of the question, regardless of brush etc.
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-I use a ruler for everything.

[Gregori]

Varethane wrote:

Illustrator? The last I checked, that program is all vector-based-- tablet pressures don't really enter into it because everything is mapped out on anchor points and then tweaked after the fact.

Not really true. Yes illustrator is a vector based application, but it's pen pressure works much in the same way as photoshop.

Varethane wrote:

If you have a tablet and are after a more hand-drawn look, I'd advise using Photoshop (or, well, pretty much any other raster-based program) to draw.

Definitely agree here, a raster application is what you're after I think. If anything, vectors (unless in ultra skilled hands) normally produce the opposite of the 'hand drawn' look you are trying to achieve.
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[gsilverfish]

I don't know how exactly how Illustrator works, but in any vector program I've used, a thick line tool just creates a complicated vector object that looks like a line, with segments that are curved or straight or whatever, with vertices (I guess that's what you'd call 'em?) marking those points. If you can get into a vertex edit mode, you should be able to pull on various parts and thicken or thin your lines manually that way. I've seen tutorials on the topic before, sometimes people don't even use a "line" tool, they actually create a very big, complicated vector object on top of a rough pencil drawing to create the "line," and control the thickness that way.
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Dawn of Time Comics

[henspacecwb]

I've used Illustrator in the past and you can get a hand-drawn effect out of it. You just need to play around with some custom brushes. Have you checked out these ones?

http://www.ankhammentu.com/index.php/2007/10/24/jw-inker-brushes/
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[Varethane]

Gregori wrote:

Varethane wrote: Illustrator? The last I checked, that program is all vector-based-- tablet pressures don't really enter into it because everything is mapped out on anchor points and then tweaked after the fact. Not really true. Yes illustrator is a vector based application, but it's pen pressure works much in the same way as photoshop.

Really? What tools do they influence? I don't use Illustrator much but am slowly trying to learn, and this is something I haven't encountered yet. (It seems like the pen tool at least doesn't care whether you're using a tablet or a mouse, and that's the only effective way of drawing I've figured out on it).
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[Irma]

I use the paintbrush tool. I make my own brush with my own specified width and angle, and then I edit the brush options on how tablet pressure will affect that brush.
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[smbhax.com]

Gregori wrote:

Varethane wrote: If you have a tablet and are after a more hand-drawn look, I'd advise using Photoshop (or, well, pretty much any other raster-based program) to draw. Definitely agree here, a raster application is what you're after I think. If anything, vectors (unless in ultra skilled hands) normally produce the opposite of the 'hand drawn' look you are trying to achieve.

Thirded!

Also, couldn't hurt to try contacting the Bear and Tiger author and asking what they do to achieve their look.
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[Gregori]

Varethane wrote:

Really? What tools do they influence? I don't use Illustrator much but am slowly trying to learn, and this is something I haven't encountered yet. (It seems like the pen tool at least doesn't care whether you're using a tablet or a mouse, and that's the only effective way of drawing I've figured out on it).

As Irma said, the paintbrush tool is the one you want. Still recommend photoshop though!
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[hollylaing]

How do you enable pen pressure in illustrator? I'd like to use it for my line work...
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[henspacecwb]

I'm using Illustrator CS2 so these may not be the same as yours but, in CS2.

Get the brush window up, Window > Brushes or the dropdown next to brushes in the toolbar.
Click on the new brush icon at the bottom.
Select new Calligraphic brush.
In the combo box next to the diameter change 'fixed' to 'pressure'.
Then set a value in the variation field for how much you want it to change.

You should be all set to go.
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[hollylaing]

henspacecwb wrote:

I'm using Illustrator CS2 so these may not be the same as yours but, in CS2. Get the brush window up, Window > Brushes or the dropdown next to brushes in the toolbar. Click on the new brush icon at the bottom. Select new Calligraphic brush. In the combo box next to the diameter change 'fixed' to 'pressure'. Then set a value in the variation field for how much you want it to change. You should be all set to go.

Awesome! Thanks
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