Drop Cap September 2014

[wizard509]

This month is L

[iamtheblues]

Hi Larry, thanks for this month's challenge.
Of all the letters, I find I, J and L are the least interesting. So I was looking for a distinctive L to use this month. Attached is The Upper Case L from Nick's Fonts - Speedball No2 NF Bold.
Despite the appearance of this drop cap, the result is pure vector. Not one pixel in the .xar file. What seem to be gradient fills are in fact inner contours with 500 steps, which create this metallic texture. If you were to copy the graphic into Illustrator, it would still be a bunch of vector shapes, which would not be the case if you were using gradient fills. (not that a gradient fill could follow the shape of the L in any case - or indeed the rounded rectangular frame) This is why the Contour tool is my favourite in the Xara toolbox, it's versatile, flexible and adaptable. This isn't the case in some other vector programs - how are contours working out for you guys using Serif DrawPlus?
Bob.

[Egg Bramhill]

Webby has got me into cubes recently, so here's mine.

[wizard509]

I like those Bob and Egg. Cool and possibly rusty I-beams Egg.
I know Webby is a regular on XU, but does he ever visit and contribute to TG? If he needs an invitation please do.

[maxcon62]

Hi

"L" is my wife's name initial letter, I've "embroidered" this for her



Max

[wizard509]

Pretty cool maxcon62. Just curious bow did you got that crochet look? Who knows, I may want to do that sometime.

[maxcon62]

Pretty cool maxcon62. Just curious bow did you got that crochet look? Who knows, I may want to do that sometime.

First, I've observed carefully some crochets .

I've drawn the "L" with "shape tool". then I've created the holes with "Eraser tool" ... it has been a long work
I'm going to show you the vector draw



Finally, I've applied a Canvas texture (from the "fabric" library), I've used Transparency function modifying the "Transparency profile" (I've followed an Angelize tutorial on "Distressed Text")

That's all.

Max

[iamtheblues]

Very nice job, I admire your patience.
Bob.

[iamtheblues]

Another contour drop cap, this time using the Storybook font, plus the Lots of Frames font for the frame.
I also used a grungy texture, to which I gave a fractal plasma transparency to get the aged effect.
Bob.

[wizard509]

Thank you Max. You sure did a lot of work to do that, but the end result is awesome. My hat is off to you. For anyone reading this, it shows that it's not always as easy as pushing a button and expecting the software to do it for you. What it does show is having an idea and the determination to make it happen. Well done Max.