Photoshop CS2 and other downloads (official) https://www.adobe.com/downloads/other-downloads.html For CS2, use the registration number given on the site. You can decline automatic downloads, registration, and updates.
You will need any version of Photoshop installed, plus some images you want to use for your signature.
Photoshop downloads (including cost-free)
Photoshop CS2 Download (cost-free and NOT a trial or pirated copy) If the program asks for a serial number, use the one on that page. No need to register or sign up for Adobe Updates.
Step 1: Setup Photoshop. Open Photoshop, then go to Window in Photoshop's options along the top and make sure there is a check next to Layer, Options, and Tools. If you don't see a check next to one of them, click it to add one. Example of a correct setup here.
Step 2: Choose signature size. Select File and then New. Choose the size of the image for your signature here. It must be under 640px wide and under 150px high. MAL admins will remove signatures that exceed these size dimensions, including any text or special effects around the signature. Set background color to White. Example here.
To help you choose a signature width/height, here are some example sizes:
note: Keep in mind things you add around the signature, like text links or outside effects, will count toward its total size. So it you want to add that type of stuff later, use sizes less than max size.
600px x 150px (max size)
600px x 105px (recommended size if you plan to use MAL updates)
550px x 150px
400px x 110px
300px x 120px
Step 3: Add and set images. Drag in the images you want for your signature into Photoshop, click the Move Tool, then into the signature. Examples here. Notice, all images added will get an image layer in the Layer Window. You can also move the image around now with the Move Tool still selected, by dragging the image around within the signature. Finally, right click each new image layer and choose Create Clipping Mask. Example here.
note: If you have a backdrop (scenic background) to lay behind a character render, drag the background in first.
Step 4: Customize and resize images (optional). You can right click the image layer in the Layer Window to access Blending Options to customize the image, or drag in special effect images, or use Filter -> Render in PS for premade special effects. With an image's layer selected, you can also click Edit -> Free Transform at the top to resize an image.
See the next post for more specific information on editing images and adding special effects!
Step 5: Add text (optional). Click the Text Tool, then click into the signature itself and add text as you would normally. Example here. It will get its own layer in the Layer Window.
Step 6: Customize text (optional). After adding text, you can move it with the Move Tool, or right click the new text layer to add special effects with Blending Options. You can click then customize a variety of effects to your text like Drop Shadow (adds shadow), Stroke (adds font outline), or Outer Glow (adds glow). You can remove an effect from view by unchecking the box. Example here.
Step 7: Add a border (optional). Right click the bottom layer. If it says "Layer from Background", choose this option and hit OK. Right click it again until you find "Blending Options". Click the Stroke blending option and set the Position to Inside. You can set color and size of the border with other options. Example here. If you didn't add Clipping Masks to the images as directed in step 3, you may not see the border.
Step 8: Save the PSD and image. Go to File-> Save as.. and save your work as a PSD (so you can go back to it later), and also save your signature as a JPG or PNG to make it into an image. Example here. If there's more you want to do to your signature, see the next post for special effects and additional tips.
Note: If the signature is large, I would strongly suggest you save the signature as a JPEG with high but not max quality.
Step 9: Upload the signature to MAL. There's two ways you can upload your signature depending on how you want your signature to look on MAL. You can repeat either of these processes anytime you want to upload new signatures.
Upload signature with automatic updates, example here
Scroll down to Options and Colors and click the box under Image Type. Choose one of the Custom types (depending on what you want). Under there, make sure you set the width big enough for your sig, and text colors for your signature too. Next, check the box next to "Check to use a custom background", then click the link that says "Choose File", find and select the signature you made, then click Submit at the bottom. Example of steps here.
Paste the code into the box under Signature. Then click the Submit button. Example here. Keep in mind it may take 5 minutes or more for your signature to show up correctly on Myanimelist forums, so just wait.
1. Upload the signature image to Imgur or a similar image-hosting site, then copy the BBcode link. These link types have [img] tags around the URL. Example here.
And paste the image code into the box under Signature. Afterwards, click the Submit button. Example here. Your signature will show up on MAL later- it might take five minutes or more.
If there's still changes you'd like to make to your signature, see the next post for more!
under your signature on this page, you can add links under the signature code you pasted earlier. Example here. This would be the BBcode used in the example:
[url=http://myanimelist.net/animelist/Shishio-kun&sclick=1][IMG]http://cdn.myanimelist.net/signature/Shishio-kun.png[/IMG][/url]
[url=http://myanimelist.net/clubs.php?cid=19736][b]My club on customizing MAL[/b][/url] * [url=http://myanimelist.net/animelist/Shishio-kun][b]My Anime List[/b][/url]
How to resize an image:
Click on the image's layer in the Layer Window. Now go to Edit -> Free Transform. New options should appear over the image, and at the top of Photoshop, to resize the image and move it around. Make sure the chain icon in between width and height is pressed down, so that width and height scale together. You can resize and reposition around any individual image with this!
Click for full view.
How to move an image around:
Click on the image's layer in the Layer Window to make sure its selected. Select the Move Tool and click and hold the cursor on the card itself. Move the image into place.
How to expand the size of your signature's space or size:
To expand the space around the signature, go to Image and Canvas Size. Expand the canvas size there, which will expand the space around the signature you made earlier! Don't go over 640px wide and 150px high.
Afterwards, you can use the Free Transform technique shown earlier in How to resize an image to adjust the signature image's size.
To adjust the size of the signature itself, click the bottom layer. Go to Edit and Free Transform, and adjust the numbers after W and H.
How to reduce (crop) the size of your signature's space or size:
Go to the Cropping Tool, and drag it over the signature to reduce its size.
Afterwards, you can use the Free Transform technique shown earlier in How to resize an image to adjust the signature image size more.
How to add or edit colors overlays, change lighting, set images to black and white, and add special fx
There are many ways but here are some easy and effective techniques. Double-click the image's layer in the Layer Window and choose Blending Options. There are a variety of powerful re-coloring options for you to play with here!
The half moon icon at the bottom of the Layer Window has lighting options too. Choose Hue/Saturation and then set Saturation to 0 to make things greyscale (black and white). The Brightness/Contrast option lets you adjust overall lighting as well. Example here.
You can go to Filter -> Render for some easy special effects too, like Lens Flare and Lighting Effects. You can specific lighting and spotlights for much more elaborate effects. Example here.
You can also download premade special effects online, like sparkles and stock images, and lay them on top of your card. Just download the special effect images online and drag them into Photoshop like with any other image.
A more advanced technique for special fx is to download brushes and textures with the effect (for example, a sparkle brush .ABR file) and use them. Light ray brushes are very effective for light rays.
How to add shadowing and glows:
You may first need to expand the size of the signatures space (shown above). Click on the shape's layer in the Layer Window. It should be the bottom layer. Double-click the layer and choose Blending Options.
Use Drop Shadow for adding a general shadow. Other blending options in the Glow and Shadow categories let you further enhance the border!
Demi_V said: Can I make a custom signature without Photoshop? Can I use GIMP?
You can do most (if not all) of the stuff you can do with Photoshop CS2 in GIMP aswell, so yes.. you can make a custom signature with GIMP, I use GIMP myself aswell..
Demi_V said: Can I make a custom signature without Photoshop? Can I use GIMP?
You can do most (if not all) of the stuff you can do with Photoshop CS2 in GIMP aswell, so yes.. you can make a custom signature with GIMP, I use GIMP myself aswell..
Thanks, I tried it on GIMP, and it worked for me. :-)
Hi just wondering if you have a tutorial on making gifs or moving objects within a signature. I have attached an example to give a better idea of what I'm saying.
You will need any version of Photoshop installed, plus some images you want to use for your signature.
Photoshop downloads (including cost-free)
Photoshop CS2 Download (cost-free and NOT a trial or pirated copy) If the program asks for a serial number, use the one on that page. No need to register or sign up for Adobe Updates.
You will need any version of Photoshop installed, plus some images you want to use for your signature.
Photoshop downloads (including cost-free)
Photoshop CS2 Download (cost-free and NOT a trial or pirated copy) If the program asks for a serial number, use the one on that page. No need to register or sign up for Adobe Updates.
You will need any version of Photoshop installed, plus some images you want to use for your signature.
Photoshop downloads (including cost-free)
Photoshop CS2 Download (cost-free and NOT a trial or pirated copy) If the program asks for a serial number, use the one on that page. No need to register or sign up for Adobe Updates.