In this tutorial I will explain how to create manga / comic backgrounds using 3D materials.

 

You just have to follow 4 simple steps, which I will summarize in a short and simple way so as not to extend too much.

 

There are many and different ways to carry out this process, but I will explain my way of working and the one I feel most comfortable with. Of course, you are free to refer to this tutorial and add or remove the steps you prefer to suit your work process.

⦁ MODELO 3D

① Choose the model you prefer from the palette on the right of the screen or by accessing from the menu toolbar [Window (W)] → [Material] and choosing the folder where the 3D model you want to use is located .

 

▼ I will choose this model ▼

② Change the angle and position of the 3D model to form a composition as you like.

 

③ You can also modify the lights and shadows that are embedded in the 3D model from the [Tool Property] palette on the left of the screen.

 

• It is important that you decide the final shape of your composition at this time because you will no longer be able to change it when we do the next step.

 

⦁ LAYER LT CONVERSION

① Select the layer in which the 3D model is located and with the right click of the mouse we will select [LT Conversion of layer]. You can also perform this action from the [Layer] menu toolbar → [Layer LT Conversion]. Or if you prefer, by clicking the [Layer Property] palette → [Extract Line] → [Layer LT Conversion Execution].

 

② Next, a window will open in which you can adjust the settings. You can manipulate and change the parameters as you prefer, so that it suits your drawing style.

 

• In my case I do not worry much about adjusting the settings, as I am still experimenting. But you can adjust your settings as you wish, remember that you have the [Preview] button to be able to observe your edits while adjusting the settings.

 

Here I will briefly explain how the settings in the [LT Layer Conversion] dialog work:

 

 

• [Extract Line] and [Depth] are limited to adjusting the line width.

• [Extract Texture Line] extracts the 3D layer texture as a line outline.

• [Extract after posterization] will extract the outline after degradation of the texture of the 3D layer and the original layer.

• [Black Fill Threshold] determines the areas that will be filled with black.

• [Correction Line Width] takes care of adjusting the width of the outlines.

 

• [Edge detection procedure 1]:

⦁ "Edge threshold" determines how wide the area will be drawn as a line drawing.

⦁ "Detection direction" determines the appearance of the lines, which vary depending on the number of activated arrows.

 

• [Edge Detection Procedure 2]:

⦁ "Edge edge threshold" determines the thickness of the edge.

⦁ "Gradient variation threshold" adjusts the continuity of the lines.

 

• The only mandatory setting in my process is to select [Vector layer] where it says [Extract line], as this will be important for the next step.

 

③ When you have finished adjusting the settings, click the [OK] button to finish the process. Once the conversion is complete, a new folder will be generated that includes different layers.

 

• The number of layers created depends on the settings you have made on the [LT Layer Conversion] dialog box.

 

Next I will explain in a simple way what these layers are:

 

• [Outline] layers refer to line drawing.

 

• The [Tone] layers are created according to the specifications in the posterization settings.

 

• The [Fill] layer is a white painted layer that prevents the transparency of the upper layers.

 

④ This step is optional, but in my work process I always do it. You can use the tool [Line correction (Y)] → [Modify line width] → [Increase / Decrease] so that the background acquires a Line art similar to one made in a traditional way.

 

▼ The finish would be as follows ▼

⦁ DETAILS

With a good Line art the image begins to acquire an appearance similar to that of a drawing, so now we will continue adding details so that the drawing ends up having a finish similar to the traditional style.

 

▼ I have added some of the bricks on the wall and a couple of details with "Achurados" ▼

① For wall bricks, I took a photo of a brick wall outside my house and edited the lines by clicking the [Layer Property] palette → [Extract Line]. Afterwards, I simply placed the image in perspective. To do this I went to the menu [Edit] → [Transform] → [Free Transform].

 

② For the shadows and small details I used Cross hatching style brushes that I downloaded from the Clip Studio ASSETS gallery, this gives the drawing a finish similar to a traditional inking. These brushes can be found in the Clip Studio ASSETS gallery as カ ケ ア ミ.

 

• Maybe by searching in Japanese you can get more results.

 

 

▼ Finally we will add a sky with clouds to complete the scene and finish the details section ▼

③ For the clouds I first placed a Screentone, with the [Manga Gradient] tool. Then I used the [Vertical Cloud] brush for the base shape of the clouds. And finally, with the [Scratch tone] brush, I gave them the final shape that you could see in the previous image.

 

Now the background only needs lights and shadows to be finished.

 

⦁ LIGHTS AND SHADOWS

Finally we will add the shades of gray with the help of Screentones to generate lights and shadows that help the drawing to gain a little more realism.

 

As I mentioned earlier the light source can be changed before the [LT Layer Conversion] process, so you can take advantage of the Screentones generated in the folder after conversion to shade your drawing.

 

In my case I changed my mind on the fly and decided on a sunset, as you saw in the last image, so the lights and shadows changed slightly.

 

① For sunlight I used the [Airbrush (B)] tool. For the light rays I used the [Shape (U)] tool, specifically the [Burst] sub tool. And finally, I added a halo of light with the ["Soft" circle] brush.

 

② Again with the help of the Screentones incorporated in Clip Studio, I finished the section on lights and shadows, defining the parts where the sunlight shone and the shadows generated by that light.

 

 

▼ This is the final result ▼

With this I say goodbye, it has been a pleasure to share my work process and I hope this tutorial has been useful to you. If so, I would be delighted if you let me know in the comments.

 

ま た ね ぇ！