NeuroticMuse Presents An Introduction to the World of Fanfiction

Hello all! I assume you've found this site because you've read my fanfiction, most probably my HP works. As you know, I enjoy making other promotions for my pieces, everything from banners to book covers to buddy icons. Since so many have inquired on how I do these things, I've compiled this list of resources as well as my own manipulations which you are more than free to use. Enjoy!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

1) What program do you use?
--- Photoshop CS2. You can download a 30-day free trial of the latest CS4 here. You will need to register with Adobe.com but they're cool people. It's safe and totally worth it. Some sites like seriall.com give you free key codes to extend the free trial infinitely. It's not legal but I won't tell if you won't. Be weary of viruses though. Those guys aren't exactly on the up and up but most are safe.

2) Do you have any special techniques that you use or hints for first-time manip-makers?
--- I recommend using feathering (see below). It's what makes those flowy, kinda cloudy edges that allow you to blend various photos together and make manips. Depending on the size of the pic, I like to use a 5-250 point feathering setting. Most online photos only require a 5-point setting.
--- Also, use the lasso tool, not the magnetic lasso. Practice at it. It is your best friend.
--- Pressing Shift while holding the box selection tool (the top left button on the toolbox below) makes an adjustable, perfect square.
--- Make sure you're working with 72 Resolution. When you upload something online, it usually comes up in this resolution so make sure you know what you're working on.
--- Working in Grayscale is the best when doing manips. You can always add color afterwards. Go to Image>Adjustments>Desaturate or Image>Mode>Grayscale.
--- Use the Highlighting and Burn tools to work shadows. That's the extra step most first-time manip-makers mess up on.
--- Always work in layers but save to JPG or PNG. Keep a PSD file on your computer with the layers just in case you want to go back later and fix things up.
--- AngstGoddess003 has an excellent tutorial on how to blend images together and posting to LiveJournal here.
--- Background patterns, textures, and such can be found here.




3) What are the standard cover, icon, and banner sizes?
--- There are none. It depends on what site you're posting on. Fanfiction.net obviously does not allow photos so you can make them any size, upload them on a hosting site, and link to them on your profiles. Other sites such as ColouredGrey, Twilighted, MySpace, Blogspot, and LiveJournal have limits depending on the width of the posts. You don't want a banner that gets cut off by your website. Anything over 400 pixels wide is usually too wide. Again, it depends on the site. Also, some fan sites have specific sizes. All avatars/icons are 100 by 100 pixels. Some are 50 by 50.

A standard 100 x 100 avatar/icon.






A standard 50 x 50 buddy icon for AIM and others.



4) How can I set them to these sizes on Photoshop?
--- Go to the toolbar on top, click Images > Image Size and adjust the pixels in the boxes. On PCs, Alt-Ctrl-I does the same thing. Make sure 'Constraint Proportions' is checked off so the pic doesn't get skewed when resizing.

5) Can I just use any picture I find online?
--- Well, no. Some are manipulations which people spend a lot of time making. Also, don't use someone else's cover and change the words. That's just downright foul. But, you can use most promotional pics and magazine scans without much trouble. Honestly, if it's all for fun and you ask permission where admissable, you should be fine. It's not like we make money off this stuff. Always say thanks when you can and give credit.

6) Tom Felton or Boyd Holbrook? Which is the real Draco?
--- Lol. Well, I use both. Sometimes I put Draco's face on Boyd's body (see below). Boyd is kind of Draco grown up so he's great for Post-Hogwarts pics and manips. I have compiled a collection of pics of both Boyd and Tom, as well as all other HP actors and characters, at this site. You're welcome to use them in your promos. I've edited some of them for maximum quality and size, even removed some promo words and pixelation. Save them to your computer and edit them as you please. Just link me to the result. I'd love to see what you do with them.


Have questions? Want something answered or demonstrated? Ask me in a comment and I'll add it above.