Reviewing software is a lot of fun and this was the very first software review I did for Manganews.
Manga Studio EX 3 Review
Reviewed by Julie Gray
Manga Studio 3.0 EX is considered the number one tool for Manga artists. This is a product that enables the artist to start the creation process from scratch, creating quality Manga from beginning to end.
The software is designed with artists in mind. It is not especially designed for beginners although anyone who is aspiring to become a Manga artist will definitely benefit from using software like Manga Studio.
Installation is fairly straight-forward, taking up around 650 megabytes of space after install. Anyone that has used Photoshop will be familiar with the interface and many of the features.
Probably one of the most important things to consider when first using Manga Studio is your workspace. It can become a little daunting to have so many windows open at once. For a beginner, it could be confusing. This is where having dual monitors setup for your PC at work or at home could prove very useful. You can easily drag windows you are not using to one side and only concentrate on the drawing area when you’re creating your art.
With Manga Studio 3.0 EX you have the option to either draw using a mouse or a tablet. For most artists, the tablet would more than likely be the best option (and many artists would probably not resort to using their mouse to draw). It is strongly recommended to use a tablet, even if you are just starting out. This is something that you will need to consider before purchasing Manga Studio, especially for beginners to the product or the trade.
One of the great things about drawing using Manga Studio is that there is an integrated feature that automatically straightens out those wobbly lines – an essential tool for beginners who may be a little shaky on the drawing side of things.
If you are familiar with Photoshop it is extremely easy to rotate the drawing area by selecting the rotate tool. The drawing tools that feature in Manga Studio are extensive and cover everything from pencils and pens to shaders and tones. Another one of the nice elements of Manga Studio is that you can easily take your pencil and paper drawing skills and create your art without the slightest hitch. The transition between the two is extremely smooth. You can easily draw out a rough sketch or two on one layer and when you’re happy with that, you can proceed to draw the outlines on another layer. Pens can be easily adjusted with presets that can deliver a nice, thinned out line for detailed sketches, to a full on brush stroke for accentuation.
Whilst all of these tools can be found in any version of Photoshop, Manga Studio 3.0 EX manages to organise the functionality of each tool in such a way that enables you to use your time efficiently. You don’t have to search for a specific brush thickness, darkness or taper length. All of the options are easily configured and accessible with the click of a mouse.
Once your initial drawings have been fleshed out, page creation for your manga art is also simply a click away. You can easily split the page into two sections with panels all ready to go. It’s very much like working with a template where all you need to do is create the art that fills the template. It is easy to see why this is the software of choice amongst many budding Manga artists and professionals alike.
