Making of a webtoon

Making of a webtoon step by step

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pacotine

SCENARIO

Before I even started drawing, I prepared a detailed scenario.

I describe each box as well as the dialogues, a bit like writing a play. This ensures that I have the right number of squares before I start drawing.

CREATE YOUR DOCUMENT

NEW DOCUMENT

Then I create my document, thanks to the webtoon tool: File > New

You can create different types of documents. We will choose the webtoon

You can choose the size of the pages, their resolution, as well as the number of pages.

The particularity of the webtoon is that it takes place vertically.

But to have a file that is more practical to work with, both for the format and for the size of the file, which would slow down the computer enormously if it had to be processed in a single image, we will divide it into pages.

Note that this is not necessarily the dimension at which we will export the file at the end (we will talk about this when we discuss the export of the file). It's just the workspace. At this stage, the important thing is to choose parameters that allow us to work comfortably!

RESOLUTION

Final files will be 800px wide for posting. For cleaner work it is better to work in a higher resolution, so my files will be 1600px wide. For the height, choose what makes you comfortable, but I advise you to be able to make several boxes on the same page to have an overview of the process.

The number of pages as well as their format can be modified at any time.

So I usually start with 12 pages.

ORGANIZE YOUR PAGES

I realized later that it was too little.

So I added some. Very simply, I right click on the page after which I want to insert my new page and I choose add.

Note that there are plenty of other options for organizing the pages!

FILES

So we have a folder that contains a .cmc file as well as a .clip file for each page of our episode.

LAY THE FOUNDATION

I double click on my first page to open the first file in a new window.

Personal preference: I keep on my left vertically the preview of the pages which gives me an idea of the unfolding of the boxes.

Each page is an independent file. In the title of the document you can read the page number / the total number of pages (here 1/16)

I import on the first page the last boxes of the previous episode as well as the title, and I continue on the continuation in quick sketch to pose my cutting and to have an idea of the space (it is generally at this stage whether or not I decide to add pages).

To help me better distribute my boxes, I tick:

Display > webtoon display area

This is very practical for evaluating what will be displayed on a smartphone screen and thus being able to manage the scrolling of images.

Don't forget that it's the scrolling on the screen that will punctuate your story. Even if at first it will seem a bit empty to leave so much space between the boxes, you realize when reading that this is what makes your story breathe.

Do not hesitate to leave a gap between the boxes and to provide about one box per screen or two small ones if the pace is more sustained.

A long scroll filled with a gradient, sky or other effect will also allow you to slow down your story or mark an ellipse.

here are some examples

The rhythm of scrolling is a key element for your webtoon!

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TEXT

I then put the text bubbles and the box borders. It is important that the text is readable and well distributed.

I may change a few small boxes at this stage, for example to divide a long text into several easier to read speech bubbles (again and always this story of rhythm!)

INTEGRATING SETTING

I then integrate the sets before taking care of the characters. It will be more practical to integrate them correctly if the decorations are already in place.

I use brushes to suggest trees, sometimes crowds, etc… as well as certain pre-drawn or 3D decorations. It's up to you to see what suits your story. In any case, do not hesitate to use the tools available in csp, whether brushes, patterns, 3D decorations, etc… they will simplify your life for a very satisfactory rendering!

I directly adjust the atmospheres of my decorations (to make a night decoration for example)

I explain in this tutorial how to improve the atmospheres of your 3D decorations:

I can then draw my characters more precisely, well integrated into their decors. It's important to start with the scenery, especially when the character interacts with it or the framing requires you to place it correctly.

FINALIZE THE DRAWING

I can finally color. Add effects, etc.

SAVE AND EXPORT

BEFORE EXPORT

The files will be saved in image format in the order of their filename+number.

At this point, you may have edited your episode a lot: deleted pages, created new ones, etc. And although the pages are in order in your script in CSP, the file names are without the mess. Problem ? No !

It is very easy to put order in all this!

Go to History > sort page filenames

And your files are renamed in the order of the scenario! Convenient !

EXPORT EPISODE

So we go to file > export the webtoon

You can choose a destination folder as well as different options to adjust the format.

Here are the 2 key points:

1- The width of the files: This is when you will adjust the size of your file to the webtoon size which is 800px wide. Your image files will be saved at this width. It doesn't matter how wide your working file is.

2-The height of the files: so that the files are displayed smoothly for reading, the images are cut vertically into smaller files which are glued end to end invisibly. You will therefore have to export your pages in multiple small sections of maximum 1280px high. Fortunately, it is the software that takes care of it! Choose your height in this box and all your pages will be exported full of images at the right size!

So you have all your files, at the right size to publish your webtoon!

READY TO PUBLISH

You will need a few additional files to create your series on a webtoon platform

Here are mine for example

An overview of the series (1)

A vertical banner (2)

(be careful, the title of your series will appear on the lower half of the image, keep the details and the faces for the top of the image)

And for each episode

a thumbnail of the episode (a close-up on an element of your episode will do) in addition to your episode.

Note: (Sorry, I haven't tested automatic publication yet, but I invite you to test this option if you're interested)

PUBLISH ON THE WEBTOON PLATFORM

Before you start you will need to create your series:

Add the preview of your series, your vertical banner, fill in the genre, the title and a catchy summary!

You are ready to publish episodes!

Just click on new episode , Add your thumbnail and the title of your episode (you can settle for a number if you are not inspired)

You drop all your image files in the frame. Note that the application will automatically cut files that are too large, which is still very practical if you ever skipped this cropping step explained above!

I add at the end an image made separately with the credits and signature.

And all that remains is to publish!

WELL DONE ! You are now a webtoon author!