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Hey guys,
Pen & Pixel Graphics is a 3D Graphics designing company that designs CD Jackets for hip-hop artists on No Limit Records (Master P, Snoop Dogg, Mystikal), Cash Money Records (Juvenile, Big Tymers, Lil Wayne), and others. Does anyone here know what software/programs they are or might be using to create these covers?? You can go to: www.penandpixel.com and click on the "world famous artwork" button to see what I'm talking about. You can click on images in the "Millennium", "Super Deluxe", "Platinum.." (their more advanced work), or any of the other pictures. I wonder what programs/software they are using to make the background images that they add to the artists' photos. I'm ESPECIALLY wonder how they get the text to look like that with the extrusion and adding textures to the front and different textures to the sides of the type and that SHAPE of the type (the funny arch-like warp). I plan on uploading choice examples if I can. If anyone knows what they use to make these images, PLEASE let me know.
I don't want to duplicate their work, I just want to be able to design on that level. Anyway, thanks for your time. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Take care.
(e-mail: mmpact2@hotmail.com)
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Hey guys,
Pen & Pixel Graphics is a 3D Graphics designing company that designs CD Jackets for hip-hop artists on No Limit Records (Master P, Snoop Dogg, Mystikal), Cash Money Records (Juvenile, Big Tymers, Lil Wayne), and others. Does anyone here know what software/programs they are or might be using to create these covers?? You can go to: www.penandpixel.com and click on the "world famous artwork" button to see what I'm talking about. You can click on images in the "Millennium", "Super Deluxe", "Platinum.." (their more advanced work), or any of the other pictures. I wonder what programs/software they are using to make the background images that they add to the artists' photos. I'm ESPECIALLY wonder how they get the text to look like that with the extrusion and adding textures to the front and different textures to the sides of the type and that SHAPE of the type (the funny arch-like warp). I plan on uploading choice examples if I can. If anyone knows what they use to make these images, PLEASE let me know.
I don't want to duplicate their work, I just want to be able to design on that level. Anyway, thanks for your time. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Take care.
(e-mail: mmpact2@hotmail.com)
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RJ Swift:
Hey guys,
Pen & Pixel Graphics is a 3D Graphics designing company that designs CD Jackets for hip-hop artists on No Limit Records (Master P, Snoop Dogg, Mystikal), Cash Money Records (Juvenile, Big Tymers, Lil Wayne), and others. Does anyone here know what software/programs they are or might be using to create these covers?? You can go to: http://www.penandpixel.com and click on the "world famous artwork" button to see what I'm talking about. You can click on images in the "Millennium", "Super Deluxe", "Platinum.." (their more advanced work), or any of the other pictures. I wonder what programs/software they are using to make the background images that they add to the artists' photos. I'm ESPECIALLY wonder how they get the text to look like that with the extrusion and adding textures to the front and different textures to the sides of the type and that SHAPE of the type (the funny arch-like warp). I plan on uploading choice examples if I can. If anyone knows what they use to make these images, PLEASE let me know.
I don't want to duplicate their work, I just want to be able to design on that level. Anyway, thanks for your time. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Take care.
(e-mail: mmpact2@hotmail.com)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
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I can't say I'm too excited about PPG's work... both technically and visually they all look the same too me (but on the other hand, that is issue in the business of CD-jacket design). Technically they are quite well done, but the "themes" are boring (IMHO).
Most of what they have done is merging different photos and using photoshop filters to achieve different effects. The background photos are probably stock photos. The text is probably also made photoshop, and the different 3D-looks are made with filters (some with photoshop's own filters, others with third-party-filters).
So if you want to make designs in the same manners I recommend that you buy a book or two in Photoshop techniques and effects.
-Paul
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I have a friend that works there...they do use Photoshop and other industry standard programs, but the also use a program developed specifically for them.
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Hey,
Yeah, Hiphop.. I'm fasinated by P&PG. It started when I saw a CD cover that they did for Snoop Dogg called "The Game Is To Be Sold And Not To Be Told". I learned that Snoop was photographed sitting in a chair and his "surroundings" were computer generated (even the "dogs"). The "Snoop Dogg" letters were the thing that also cought my attention and right then I KNEW I HAD to know who to turn out work of that calliber.
Paul.. I thought also that it was probably stock images with photos layered over them. Then again, that might be the case with the "cheaper" designs. But, the more expensive covers the surroundings, backgrounds, etc are all computer-generated. As far as the text goes. I can see that they probably use photoshop styles or actions for SOME of those. But for the thick 3D chrome or diamond and gold etc.. text, I think that's done with something else. I am looking into getting books on Photoshop. But, I have to say. I've been to a lot of galleries and seen some COOL images. But I haven't seen a mixture of photos, effects, and text as cool as P&PG, even though they DO have the same theme and they even go as far as having different artists posed the same way with the same effects as others. But still, I've yet to see anyone duplicate the same work (me included! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]). It's just my opinion, not to offend anyone.
GrfxQn... Seriously your friend works there?? Well, if that is true and not a crock, tell him or her to fell free to e-mail me!! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
You know, come to think of it, they said something about having software no one has and having software specificly designed for working with text also, something about the final image being "rendered" in program that was time consuming which was responsible for taking time. Maybe that's why I haven't seen anyone duplicate that type of design. Hey, they can tell me I can keep a secret! LOL Or if they tell me, would they have to kill me?? Well, I can take that chance!! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Thanks a lot for your comments, guys. You don't know how much I appreciate them. Also check out the examples I posted (Pts 1 & 2)
RJ
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Hi man [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
I checked out the new links and I gotta say I still dont see anything astonishing.Some of it is pretty good compositing,and that one Pootie Tang is not good [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] .The computer generated backgrounds are called textures,and I am still positive with practise with Photoshop and Xara etc that you could do the same thing yourself in time [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] ,but hey if you are happy then thats is all that matters [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] ,just dont feel that you cant do the same with practise as I am sure you could,with or without their special software [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Cheers
Stu.
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Heres some text for you [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] ,I made this with Cinema 4d.
I didnt use the words special software to be a smart ass either,I just preferred it to using say Snoop Dog and getting my butt sued [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
This still needs work yet as well,its just an example.
Stu.
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can you export the text from cinama
"If your not an artist first your still lost"...do mechanical animals dream?
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is cinama 4 a 3d base program.....can you animate 3d moving enviroments..with this ........and who mkaes it. company that is
"If your not an artist first your still lost"...do mechanical animals dream?
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Hey Hey,
Kiwi, I agree with ya about Pootie Tang. I thought it was pretty lame compared to their other work. No offense taken about the "Special Software" peice. Actually I love it!! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] I respect that most people don't feel that their work is all that great. But, I want to see someone do something like what's on their site, because, and I say this with ALL due respect, so far I haven't seen ANYTHING. So, to me, they MUST be using something no one else is using besides Photoshop, Illustrater, and a couple of other off the shelf appz. I KNOW that I can't duplicate any of that stuff. I'm going to learn though, if I have anything to say about it. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Thanks for the comments guys. They are appreciated. Keep them comming. I'm taking this all in. See you later. Take care. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
RJ
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Morbis it is a 3d base program,and you can export in many different formats,Cinema 4d now actually has an after effects plugin as well.
http://www.maxon.net/usa/index.html
RJ have you looked in the gallery here?,there are some pretty nice composited works in there by many people [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Stu.
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I can say this about the ppl at pen and pixel that I looked at there site and the art is one of a kind.....it has to take a real artist to do that work..what ever program they use is irrelevant..granted program has to do with the out come but I can bet the artist there can draw the out come just the same ... and just ass good
"If your not an artist first your still lost"...do mechanical animals dream?
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Heres one of my Photoshop images that I though you might find interesting [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Stu.
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Damn I hate what a jpg can do to an image [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]
Stu.
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image is good ..what where you going for...it reminds me of the old 80's album when I was growing up...I think it was billy square...or maybe earth wind and fire...cant remember...I liek the fence thing...the twirl looks good..or goo?...do you have any fine art skills...
"If your not an artist first your still lost"...do mechanical animals dream?
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Thanks Morbis [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
I suppose I do have fine art skills to a degree,with the majority being self taught from books and just closely observing everything around me,thats the key observation [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
I was not really going for anything in particular in the image above I just wanted to see if I could successfully combine a group of pictures I had in different folders [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Cheers
Stu.
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by kiwi:
Hi man [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
I checked out the new links and I gotta say I still dont see anything astonishing.Some of it is pretty good compositing,and that one Pootie Tang is not good [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] .The computer generated backgrounds are called textures,and I am still positive with practise with Photoshop and Xara etc that you could do the same thing yourself in time [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] ,but hey if you are happy then thats is all that matters [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] ,just dont feel that you cant do the same with practise as I am sure you could,with or without their special software [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Cheers
Stu.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
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Mmmmm.... i think i feel quite secure in saying that there's nothing in any of the images on that site that can't be done with 3 main apps:
1st & foremost is Photoshop
2nd is any 3D app (even a cheapy one for 3D type effects -- including the wavey, bendy effects -- Ulead's "Cool 3D" can do any of the 3D type effects i saw.) http://www.ulead.com/cool3d/runme.htm
3rd is perhaps Illustrator or any other "vector" program. Specifically for applying 2D type on a path (i.e. the curvey, bendy type effects).
The fact you haven't seen this style of art anywhere else doesn't surprise me at all. You're seeing the product(s) of one or a few artists. It's a very specialized style obviously, and not one you'd see just any ol' place.
I think some of it's pretty good. Very much like big movie posters would look like. And then some of it also is nice, but nothing real special.
And i'm only saying THAT so YOU don't get discouraged about trying to mimic or use it to develope your own style. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]
Just study the composition and 'trendwhore' techniques used. I don't think it's beyond your grasp to learn this style of artistic expression.
"The lessons to be learned, are found along the path of your journey, not at your final destination. That is only where you will rest, between lessons"
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Hi RJ Swift...
RE: GrfxQn... Seriously your friend works there?? Well, if that is true and not a crock, tell him or her to fell free to e-mail me!!
You know, come to think of it, they said something about having software no one has and having software specificly designed for working with text also, something about the final image being "rendered" in program ...Maybe that's why I haven't seen anyone duplicate that type of design. Hey, they can tell me I can keep a secret! LOL Or if they tell me, would they have to kill me?? Well, I can take that chance!!
I could tell you, but that would require murder / suicide...I'd have to die also. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Seriously, I could tell you a name, but the software isn't available for sale.
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Enough talking or typeing show me what the hell ppl got I mean man I read its easy and not a big deal well then show me Im interested in seeing what the heck ppl say is so easy ..... prove its easy
"If your not an artist first your still lost"...do mechanical animals dream?
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Im just saying I cant do it ...and I know a lot of programs ....
"If your not an artist first your still lost"...do mechanical animals dream?
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Im just saying I cant do it ...and I know a lot of programs ....
"If your not an artist first your still lost"...do mechanical animals dream?
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Morbis when you say you cant do it,do you mean you cant get the same overall image quality ,or do you mean that you cant composite like that or in that style [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] It mainly consists of layer masking photos onto a black background.Lets not forget these guys have high quality photo gear /print gear and probably an app that renders in 16 bit layers and access to the people they need for the photos etc,I bet if you had that sort of equipment at your fingertips you could do a brilliant job as well,and I still dont see anything really remarkable about the work these guys do.......just my opnion [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Stu.
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Regarding your challenge: Do you have some suitable (non-copyrighted) pics you can post to kickstart the challenge. Hip-hop style graphics it would seem need some hip hop pics upon which to be based. If you (or RJ?) can post some in a new thread perhaps this challenge can have a life.
Regards, Ross
<a href=http://www.designstop.com/>DesignStop.Com</a>
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Good idea Ross [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] ,I am willing to give it a try .
Stu.
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Hi guys,
I saw Morbis's reply and I can understand his point. I posted the Pen & Pixel topic in ANOTHER graphics forum called CGChat (www.cgchat.com/board/) in a forum called "CHIT CHAT" if want to check it out. The moderator there DID have a point in what they were saying, but, they were just downing them. But, they still have directed me to any are OR submitted any art themselves that is anything like Pen & Pixels. That's not to offend anyone, but, like Morbis, I would want to see someone duplicate something that's "nothing speacial" also.
They odviously have high quality scanning and printing equipment. They also replicate CDs Cassattes, and Vinyl recordings so, they also print up sleeves for these recordings.
Is this challenge like the CD Artwork challenge in the Xara forum. What kind of pics are requested??
RJ
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RJ - if you are able to provide a pic or pics to use that would be great. Perhaps pretend you are the client - provide the pics for possible use and provide the artist's name. Some of us at least would be happy to have some fun with this hip hop style. (yo - I may have a big battle axe but I'm not a gang-banger [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]).
Regards, Ross
<a href=http://www.designstop.com/>DesignStop.Com</a>
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What a lot of hoopla for a very mediocre site, hard to navigate, forces me to install a Java VM (I've already done this at five other sites, so I'm going' in pissed) and artwork I could teach in Photoshop to anyone in about 5 minutes.
Pen and Pixel is hype; enough banners to choke a horse, no taste, and nothing like
http://www.jonathonart.com/
The ONLY thing I saw of interest was image composition. But agian, that's trying to make a silk purse out of you-know-what.
You tell ME which site you'd prefer to visit: beauty or the bust?
Too much OT here: let's model something inspiring today...
My Best,
Gary David Bouton
Gary@GaryDavidBouton.com
Free education! The Writings Web site
and the updated GaryWorld Gallery is pretty okay, too.
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Whouweeeh this is real pod racin'...
This is *the* site you should visit:
www.go2sleep.be [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img]
If you don't work against time, time often works for you.
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the Go2Sleep site is indeed more creative than Pen & Pixel's site.
Check it out.
Gary David Bouton
Gary@GaryDavidBouton.com
Free education! The Writings Web site
and the updated GaryWorld Gallery is pretty okay, too.
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Hahahhaaaa that go2 sleep site is brilliant [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
RJ pp.com can photograph a high res image of one these stars,then they take another hi res image of a background or dole out some cash and buy the use of a background for their final image,what you dont seem to understand is these people have huge resources at their beck and call,we dont,and we also dont have whatever time it is going to take to make one up just so that you can see whether we can do it or not [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Like Mark said it is a fairly specialized style of job to undertake so thus you wont see much of it.Mark is very very competent with PS as is Gary and is Erik,Gary has even written numerous books on PS.If you really want another opinion on PP.com go to the Adobe web site,browse to the Photoshop users group,register so that you can post then ask the members there,their opinion of PP.com,they may even know more about the place then you do,you never know .
Stu.
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That's why I posted the pic of San Francisco (the park in front of the Moscone Center to be exact...I was lecturing there on Macromedia's behalf once and did about 11 rolls of film in 4 days) being menaced by the toy robot.
It takes patience, which eventually leads to technique, but it's not beyond the capability of anyone handy with a pixel editor.
Again, I salute Pen and Pixel with my very best YAWN.
Regards,
Gary David Bouton
Gary@GaryDavidBouton.com
Free education! The Writings Web site
and the updated GaryWorld Gallery is pretty okay, too.
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Hiya'
I'm missing a post that I left the other day called "Pen & Pixel Graphics (I know how they do it). I thought that's what the replies were for, but, it's not here. Well.. anywho...*shrug*
Aaron Brauch dreamed up "Pen & Pixel Graphics" and with his brother Shawn Brauch (which he made creative director), started the company out of their apartment in Huston, TX with $1000 seed money after they left Rap-A-Lot Records. They have been designing CD Jackets for local and national recording artists since 1992. As of 2001, their artwork has helped generate well over $750, 000, 000 in record sales. Q Magazine named Pen & Pixel Graphics Inc. in its' 100 greatest album covers of all time for their talent, power to difine a specific era and ability to enhance an album's imagery. With over 15, 000 images to their credit, they have been commissioned to design for movie releases not to mention advertisements and website design. They have been praised in countless magazines including Billboard, Spin, and Vibe. Also L.A. Times and Houston Chronicle, to name a few publications where they're featured. Pen & Pixel also does video and television production as well as CD cover art, posters, flats, billboards, print ads, banners, and much more. You can find Pen & Pixel designs in other genres of music not just for Hip-Hop. It was the essance of Hip-Hop, though, which helped Pen & Pixel capture the essance of the base of its' design. Even now as they get offers to design for movie studios and corporate logos Pen & Pixel Graphics still is a growing force in professional design.
"They may even know more about the place than you do" HA! And..ummm... Yes, I DO ("seem to") understand what goes into what they're doing. Also, I know about their resources at their "beck and call" and how it takes time to accomplish a final design.
Duh! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
I've been to the sites that were suggested and yes, I am VERY impressed! Nice work. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] I didn't see anything that outdid Pen & Pixel's work, but, I did enjoy it. For those who simply said that Pen & Pixel's stuff is not your thing, that's understandable. A LOT of things aren't for me, either. That's life. I don't like EVERY single Pen & Pixel design, but that would be because it's not my taste particularly NOT because I want to be hateful. Now, for all those that trash Pen & Pixel Graphics, where would it be said that YOU did anything to define an era of CD cover art design (or ANY design, for that matter)? Where would it be that YOUR work helped generate that much money in record (or any) sales? Where are YOUR praise when you look in sountless magazines or papers??
I'll tell you where.. IN YOUR DREAMS!
RJ Swift
[This message was edited by RJ Swift on April 29, 2002 at 13:44.]
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Mr. Swift-
I do not know what happens to postes sometimes either...the server burps as far as I can tell.
But I want you to know it was not yours truly. I have the power/authority to dump posts, but I'd only do it to an obnoxious troll and not contributors.
My Best,
Gary David Bouton
Gary@GaryDavidBouton.com
Free education! The Writings Web site
and the updated GaryWorld Gallery is pretty okay, too.
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Hiya Hiya!
Probably the server thing. It's all goody goody. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Thanks.
"MR" RJ Swift [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
