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Thursday, October 25, 2012

Software Review - Manga Studio EX 4

About the Software
Manga Studio EX 4.0 delivers powerful, cutting edge features for Manga and Comic artists alike. Manga Studio EX 4.0 offers thousands of screen tones, professional coloring tools, built in 2DLT and 3DLT rendering capabilities, advanced vector tools and image filters. Manga Studio EX is the leading comic software worldwide, making it the ideal tool for professional Comic and Manga artists.

  • Choose from over 3,000 screen tones or create your own.
  • Resize with no loss in quality by converting your bitmap drawings to resolution-independent vector images.
  • Export to a wide variety of formats such as BMP, JPEG, PNG, PSD, TGA, EPS (monochrome only), TIFF, PDF and PICT (Mac only).
  • Draw naturally with a pen tablet and recreate the sensation of drawing on paper offering an incredibly natural drawing experience.
  • Simplify your layout and design process with easy to use features such as a variety of built-in rulers that save you time.
  • Color artwork using the integrated tool set enabling you to mix and blend for custom color work.
  • Convert 2D images to line and tone data by using the 2DLT Rendering function.
  • Import 3D objects and easily transform them into tone and line drawings by using the 3DLT Rendering function.
  • Add speed line and focus line effects in seconds to express motion or moods.
  • Work with precision using unlimited layers.


Select from a suite of advanced filters to quickly apply distortions and special effects to your artwork.
New and Updated features Manga Studio EX 4.0 allows you to create professional, ready to publish manga and comics.

NEW! Professional Color Set
Choose from literally millions of colors and create your own color sets. Includes dodge, burn and color blend tools.

UPDATED! Additional Word Balloons
Add word balloons with ease by dragging and dropping any of almost one hundred preset editable word balloons. Freely adjust the font, size, style and spacing of the text and add a curved or straight tail.

NEW! Vector Toolkit
Speed up production using the built-in vector tools such as "Show Center Line" which makes spotting trouble areas in need of smoothing, a breeze.

UPDATED! Additional 3D Objects 
Manga Studio EX comes with over 550 built-in 3D Objects. Quickly, position, rotate and adjust them on your page. Convert them to line and tone data and use them as backgrounds and props for your drawings.

NEW! Professional Filter Set 
Manga Studio EX now offers a suite of advanced creative filters. Quickly distort images, adjust hue and saturation, or add rain and sparkle effects to your artwork.

UPDATED! More export formats
In addition to the existing BMP, JPEG, PNG, PSD and TGA formats, Manga Studio EX 4.0 now offers the ability to export your artwork as TIFF, EPS (monochrome only), PDF and PICT (Mac only) formats.

NEW! Story Editor
Enter and edit the text for your entire story and distribute across pages using the Story Editor in Manga Studio EX.

NEW! Advanced Text Input
Manga Studio EX now allows you to enter text directly on your page using a standard text tool. You can also quickly add special characters and with support for many characters such as Katakana and Hiragana, Manga Studio EX is better than ever!

NEW! Mesh Transformation
Use the Mesh Transform tool to modify scre
en tones to better showcase clothing textures by giving them a wrapping appearance. NEW! Special Rulers Choose from a variety of rulers, including symmetry rulers, radial line rulers and concentric circle rulers that speed up production.

UPDATED! Extra Pattern Brushes
Choose from 80+ customizable pattern brushes. Adjust the size, color and angle quickly using the sliders to create an almost unlimited number of unique effects.

Note: Register your product within 30 days of purchase and receive the Manga Studio EX Content pack valued at $39.99 for free. This package includes 20 3D models, over 100 background templates and over 100 Power templates. Information regarding registration and how to redeem your content pack are included with your purchase.

My Take on the Software
I tried Manga studio Debut and found this to be very user-friendly and quite robust for a novice like me. This version takes the Debut to a whole new level. I will state that because I am not an expert, nor a graphic designer, it took me a little while to get the hang of this program. Yet, once I did spent time with the program I started to get the hang of it, and using Debut first also assisted me in better understanding how programs like this would work.

I did find that the manual was a bit hard to follow, and for me it was a bit easier just diving in and trying, failing, trying again, and succeeding. the software has many more features than Debut, which definitely makes it a more robust product.I would have to say that if you are truly into manga art and want to take your art next level and this is the software that you want to use to do it. Though the price tag is a bit higher than you will find for Debut, it is well worth the price for what you get in return.

One final thing that I will add is that I loved the brushes and tools that this provided the user has a truly made the imaging much more depth and richness to the overall product that you produce in the end.

This was a powerful program that I would highly recommend to any current artist or aspiring artist has this will take your art to the next level.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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