TEMPLATE TUTORIAL
In this tutorial, I will be explaining a very good, quick, and easy way to use premade templates to start drawing your own designs. Templates are outlines used to create decal or stickers that will fit perfectly on a figure or element you want to customize. A full set of templates in jpeg form can be found at the end of this post.
Here is what you will need:
Template (most are provided here in this tutorial)
Computer
Drawing program, vector program works best
Printer
A little explanation before I begin. When you copy a template from the web to your computer, it is not in a format that works for drawing programs. It is usually a jpeg, which cannot be manipulated in most drawing programs. You can draw on top of it, but you cannot move, mirror, copy, or resize the template, only the entire jpeg. This tutorial will show you how to bring the files into your drawing program, trace them, and save it as a functional template that can be used as often as you like. I will not assume what program you use, only that you have a basic knowledge of how to use a drawing program. If you do not have one, there are many free on the web, just search for a "free vector drawing program".
PART ONE - Preperation
1) Right click on the template you want to use and save it to your computer.
2) Open your drawing program and import the drawing.
3) Save the drawing as something new such as "mytemplate1" so you do no ruin the original.
You are now ready to trace the template.
PART TWO - Tracing the Template
5) Zoom in so the template fills your entire screen
6) Click on the "Draw Line" option.
7) Start in the lower left corner, and trace the template as closely as possible. Try to stay on the line, but remember that the line is the outer most edge of the template, so stay outside not inside the line if you cannot be that accurate (because you can always cut extra off later).
8) Make sure that all of the lines connect so that you can fill it in with color down the road. It can help to zoom in to each connection to make sure they touch.
PART THREE - Finishing
9) Now that the template has been traced, click on the original picture and delete it. This should leave only your newly drawn template.
10) Save the drawing (having already renamed it earlier).
11) You are now free to use the template in your own drawing program's format to create some awesome new custom decals and stickers!
Here are the templates I have created. I wish I could give credit to the people who made the originals I used, but it was a long time ago, so I give credit to the community as a whole, thanks!
Here is the folder on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31157752@N04/sets/72157623084896001/full body:
face:
torso:
arms (top is upper arm wrap, lower left is wristband wrap, and lower right is full arm):
hips and belt (upper is belt, lower is groin wrap):
legs (back, side, and front for both legs):
cape:
shields:
2x2 square flag:
I have more on the way, but this was all I could get together right now. Check back in this original post for updates.
The next tutorial will be the basics of drawing a torso design. Obviously, if you want to, you can just save the template, bring it into your drawing program, and start drawing right onto the jpeg. This tutorial was designed to allow you to start creating your own library of templates, which will be beneficial down the road, if you plan on making many designs, or if you want to create something unusual or different. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Next in the series will be choosing what to print on and how to do it. Enjoy!
Shmails
edit: pictures have been re-uploaded and should all be visible now and folder link added
