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Game Forge => DIY => Topic started by: acctingman on August 04, 2017, 11:44:40 AM

Title: Counter art
Post by: acctingman on August 04, 2017, 11:44:40 AM
So, I'm wanting to add additional units to my Conflict of Heroes gaming.

I have zero artistic talent and I can't afford an artist to do what it is I'm looking for. This, of course, is only for personal use. I've gotten a few images from Google, but I was just wondering is there are sites that have good samples of various infantry poses?

Thanks
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: bayonetbrant on August 04, 2017, 01:17:55 PM
https://www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5042&columns=4&rows=7&search=
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: acctingman on August 04, 2017, 01:26:27 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on August 04, 2017, 01:17:55 PM
https://www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5042&columns=4&rows=7&search=

Thank you for this brant. Looking for world war 2 infantry and guns and not real life picture, more artsy (if that makes sense  :uglystupid2:)
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: acctingman on August 04, 2017, 01:29:19 PM
Just realized since this is strictly for personal use, I can just cut/crop the bajillion images that are online of other ww2 board game counters  :crazy2:
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: bayonetbrant on August 04, 2017, 01:32:51 PM
yep, that too
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: acctingman on August 04, 2017, 02:06:33 PM
Looking on BoardgameGeek....are there any of the WW2 tactical board games that have nice shiny artwork for Italian/Japanese infantry & guns? Seems everything is either US/Brits/Russians or Germans!

Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: mirth on August 04, 2017, 02:10:40 PM
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/99573/lock-n-load-tactical-heroes-pacific (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/99573/lock-n-load-tactical-heroes-pacific)

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/132766/lock-n-load-tactical-heroes-north-africa
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: Barthheart on August 04, 2017, 02:27:54 PM
Download any of the VASSAL modules for any of the tactical games out there and steal the art work directly. Modify it to your liking.

VASSAL modules are just zip files with .vmod instead of .zip extensions. Change the extension back to .zip and open it with any extractor. There will be a folder inside called "images".
All the art is stored in there. It will be .bmp, .jpg, .png files mostly.
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: mirth on August 04, 2017, 02:34:24 PM
^the man is good.
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: acctingman on August 04, 2017, 02:35:51 PM
Quote from: mirth on August 04, 2017, 02:34:24 PM
^the man is good.

You all are!  :hug:

Thanks gents!  :bd:
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: Barthheart on August 04, 2017, 03:52:11 PM
Quote from: mirth on August 04, 2017, 02:34:24 PM
^the man is good.

Probably a trade secret but f-it, it's a great way to make PnP games.  ;)
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: mirth on August 04, 2017, 03:57:12 PM
You could do the same thing with most computer games you own. The image art isn't too hard to find if you root around in the files.
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: Barthheart on August 04, 2017, 03:58:54 PM
True, done that too.
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: mirth on August 04, 2017, 04:00:46 PM
Now you've got me thinking....
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: Barthheart on August 04, 2017, 04:06:00 PM
Stop thinking, more drinking.  :bd:
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: mirth on August 04, 2017, 04:07:14 PM
Don't worry. It was fleeting.
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: Jack Nastyface on August 08, 2017, 05:05:57 PM
Hey Accntingman...not sure if you are interested, but if you want silhouettes via a font, try here:  http://www.mapsymbs.com/
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: BanzaiCat on August 09, 2017, 09:46:52 AM
Try Flaticon also...www.flaticon.com

You have to cite any icons you use from this site, but that's easily enough done.
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: acctingman on August 09, 2017, 12:04:35 PM
Thank you both!
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: acctingman on September 27, 2017, 06:41:34 PM
I'd rather resurrect this thread than create another....

Is there a way to take layers off counters? I'm not smart enough to use PS or anything complicated like that, but there has to be something out there that you can just plop in an image and it will remove the layers so you are left with just the little infantry dudes or guns.....right?
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: Capn Darwin on September 27, 2017, 08:05:55 PM
Quote from: acctingman on September 27, 2017, 06:41:34 PM
I'd rather resurrect this thread than create another....

Is there a way to take layers off counters? I'm not smart enough to use PS or anything complicated like that, but there has to be something out there that you can just plop in an image and it will remove the layers so you are left with just the little infantry dudes or guns.....right?

Not unless the art files you have are saved in a format with layers embedded. If you have a jpg, PNG, BMP or similar flat file, then you will have to hand edit the stuff off with a paint program.
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: BanzaiCat on September 28, 2017, 07:30:34 AM
Yup. You need it to be a .PSD or (I think) a .PDD file, though .PDDs are older and generally not a standard anymore.

I think a .TIFF or .SVG might support layers too, but I've never messed with them - I just use .PSD.

Photoshop is not hard to learn, especially with the plethora of YouTube vids out there with free tutorials. The only stumbling block with it is Adobe's ridiculous per-month renting of the software. :(
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: mirth on September 28, 2017, 07:34:41 AM
GIMP or Paint.Net are both free and should do everything an average user needs. No need to pay for an Adobe CC sub.
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: BanzaiCat on September 28, 2017, 07:49:27 AM
^ Definitely start with the free stuff before you go spend money on software you might not need.

As for paid software, Photoshop Elements might be another option. It's a lighter version of Photoshop but if you're not needing all the bells and whistles, go check it out. I believe you can get the full license for a hundred bucks or so.
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: bayonetbrant on September 28, 2017, 08:49:50 AM
Quote from: acctingman on September 27, 2017, 06:41:34 PM
Is there a way to take layers off counters? I'm not smart enough to use PS or anything complicated like that, but there has to be something out there that you can just plop in an image and it will remove the layers so you are left with just the little infantry dudes or guns.....right?

To answer this question more succinctly:  No.

To give you the detailed reasons:  when you scan a counter, you have a 'flat' image with everything in one layer.  You can't move the 'layer' with the numbers off of it b/c there's nothing "under" it.  Think of trying to cut out your ex from a picture of y'all in front the Golden Gate Bridge.  If you cut her out of the picture, it's not like the bridge is somehow in the picture 'underneath' her to show thru once she's gone.

Now, what you can do when creating your own counters is to create multiple layers with different elements of the counters on them, and that makes moving them around a lot easier. 
The Orange Crush counters, for instance:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbayonetgames.com%2Fimages%2F4NWCounters1.jpg&hash=8c4a35bb41d2759ac8ed938b9400c082aafba228)
(a little fuzzy b/c I blew them up from a low-res image)

have the following layers:

Having those different layers makes it very easy to make 'select all' style global changes, like opacity levels or blending.  It also makes it easier to put a 'glow' or keyline around the text on an entire layer to make text pop from the background a little easier.  (Note that if you're working in something like InDesign, this can be done with globally-defined character/paragraph styles but that's usually too far advanced for new users).

Now, what apps can do this for you?


Now, the gold standard in all of these are the Adobe Creative Suite of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.  I personally do almost all of my work in Photoshop and InDesign and almost never use Illustrator, but I know others that swear by it (and John Cooper's got some great Illustrator templates [urel=http://www.jrcooper.com/wargameart.htm]on his site[/url]).  But they're expensive (unless you've got a friend at a local college that can hook you up) and there's a steep learning curve, even with the YouTube tutorials.
Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: acctingman on September 28, 2017, 08:54:21 AM
Thanks gents

I  :notworthy: to you all!

Title: Re: Counter art
Post by: acctingman on September 30, 2017, 08:05:58 PM
Brant

thank you for this

I want to take some counter art from one of the Lock n Load games (just bought Heroes of North Africa) and make some units not in the game.

Might have to come back to this again once I learn that game.