Introduction

In this tutorial, we will be focusing on how to use Soecial Ruler for comics!

 

Before we jump straight into it, here is a quick brief on Ruler.

All types are rulers can be found under this Ruler tool icon.

For now in this tutorial, we will be focusing more on Special Ruler.

Please keep in mind that whenever you need to draw lines, make sure that the buttons shown below are selected to snap to the ruler guides.

 

You just have to select ones you needed. If you are not sure which button to select, hover over the icons to have a quick view of the tool description.

 

Since we are only focusing on Special Ruler, let's select the Snap to Special Ruler button.

Special Ruler Part 0: Basics

It is already useful to have a good amount of different types of rulers in CSP, though Special Ruler itself contains yet again numerous types of rulers for artists to experiment and use.

All of these special rulers are very useful in making comics, especially when drawing special effect lines. These lines are very important as they create motion, mood and energy.

The pen tool I used to draw these effect lines is the basic pen tool that is already provided in the software. Here are the settings I set for my effect line pen.

Special Ruler Part 1: Parallel Line

Parallel lines are usually demonstrating speed, direction and tension.

 

Below shows an image of a ball flying rapidly from left to right, but we are unable to feel the speed of the ball, this is where the lines come in.

Select Parallel Line option under Special Ruler tool. Next, click and drag the direction you want to draw your line, in this case, it is just a simple horizontal left to right direction.

 

You will see these purple lines shown on the canvas, and these lines are guides. So when you draw your lines, it will snap to these ruler guides.

A quick tip is to draw your lines in the same direction of the object is moving, especially if you are drawing your lines on the overall background.

 

If you are drawing the lines on or referencing the object, it is recommended to draw towards the vanishing point. (This is will be demonstrated in Special Ruler Part 2 section)

 

This is to make the ending of your pen stroke thinner than your starting stroke, to create an illusion of a slow to fast movement.

If you want to create a more dramatic effect, you can go for option like below.

Special Ruler Part 2: Parallel Curve and Multiple Curve

These two rulers are quite similar to each other.

 

The main difference between these two is that Multiple Curve allows you to make width adjustments between lines, hence not parallel.

With this in mind, Parallel Curve seems to be more suitable to draw in the overall background while Multiple Curve is more suitable to draw on the moving object.

The direction of strokes is also slightly different in this example. Similar to Parallel Line, draw the same direction of the object with the Parallel Curve.

 

As for Multiple Curve, where it is drawn on the object, the direction of your stroke will be towards the vanishing point which is at the top right corner of the panel.

These rulers are also very much suitable indicating subtle movement, like hand gestures, eyes blinking, simple action etc. Here are some example that I applied in my comic.

Special Ruler Part 3: Radial Line and Radial Curve

Radial lines are usually used in panels that demonstrate shock, enthusiasm and emphasis in certain emotion/subject/atmosphere. While Radial Curve provides the same purpose as Radial Line, it creates a more dynamic composition.

The focal point is best to be placed at the subject you want to focus, then draw the lines towards the focal point to give emphasis on the subject.

After you determine where is your focal point, draw your lines towards the focal point like so.

Special Ruler Part 4: Concentric Circle

Concentric Circle ruler allows you to draw circles or ovals based on a focal point.

This kind of effect is not frequently used in comics compared to others but it does give you that confusing, hypnotising, or futuristic effect for your panels.

Here are some example of the applications of this ruler.

You can also apply colors to the lines to enhance the mood and atmosphere of the panels.

Extra Techniques

➼ Draw better effective lines

 

A common mistakes I saw a lot of beginners tend to do is that they draw too many lines or the gap between lines are very close to each other or the width of lines are too thick. This will only create an over-saturated panel and might take away the main focus of the subject.

It is also good to alternatate the length of the lines so it looks more natural and pleasant to the eye.

 

If lines with the same length are needed, I do suggest to blur out the ends of the lines using MOTION BLUR so it looks like it fades towards the subject, hence creating that motion illusion (if motion is intended).

➼ Add Colours to your lines

 

In the case your comic is coloured, especially for webcomics, using colours can be a game changer for your panels.

The reason that colours are so important is that they are good for building the mood or vibe for your panels.

 

For example:

 

Red - Anger, Tension, Danger

Blue - Dread, Depression, Eerie feeling

Yellow - Shock, Playful, Surprised

These are just the basic applications of colours and you can apply them for your effect lines, though you are free to choose whatever colour that suits the atmosphere/mood for your panels. You can try different shades of the same colour to give different moods too. Like how baby blue and royal blue each gives off a whole different mood.

You can also add borders to your lines to enhance them by going to LAYER PROPERTY and click on Border Effect.

I suggest the colour of your border is best close to the colour of lines, or depending on the mood of your panel, just remember to make sure the constrsct of the colour suits the overall mood.

 

Like above provided examples, the border colour(light red) for the first panel are not as constrast as the border colour(white) for the third panel.

Conclusion

So that's about it everyone! Though in this tutorial is mainly focusing on comics, these rulers are, of course, also useful when doing illustration, designs and shapes.

 

Do try to experiment around these rulers to find what fits best to your style. You can also incorporate these rulers with other rulers to create complex effects and designs :D

 

Thank you for reading!

 

And remember to practice and use useful referencse to learn more interesting effects for your comic panels!