There isn’t a way to denote a page break in a text import, unfortunately. The best option is to copy and paste each page of text separately onto each page in the Story Editor.

Just double-click where it says “Double-Click to Add Text” on the page you’re working on, and paste the text into the Text dialogue box when it appears. Make sure that the “Separate Layer With Blank Line” checkbox is checked, so that each line of text is converted into it’s own layer.

Not in the immediate future. Wiley Publishing is currently not interested in producing a new Manga Studio For Dummies book that covers Manga Studio 4. If I hear word that they do want to make a new Dummies book, I’ll be sure to let you all know.

The good news is that if you have the MS4D book, you’re pretty much covered with Manga Studio 4. I say “pretty much”, because the basics of the program are the same as version 3 (with different names in some places), but new features aren’t covered (for obvious reasons).

That said there are a couple of places to find updated information on Manga Studio 4. Think of them as your online addendum to the book:

Read the rest

Recently, Ray Frenden showcased his outside-the-box thinking when he released a series of natural media custom brushes that you can install and use in Manga Studio. You can download his brushes (and get instructions on how to install them) at his website.

So, how can you create your own brush? Read the rest

Yeesh, two months already? Well, that’s what I get for worrying about how to properly review Manga Studio 4, and not actually review it. You’d think that after writing a book, that writing a simple essay on if I like the program or not would be easy. Guess not.

So why should you upgrade to Version 4 of Manga Studio? Well, like all (okay, most) programs, the next version brings enhancements and additions — some slight, and some significant. I think what’s most important about this upgrade to Manga Studio is the streamlining that was done to help the productivity flow. These are functions and tools that I never thought of having in an art program, and now that they’re there, couldn’t imaging living without them.

A quick note before I get into the nuts and bolts of this review — this is going to be based on the Windows version of MS4. The Mac version just recently came out, but since I don’t own a Mac, I never tested it out. (you Linux users out there should be able to run MS4 through Wine).

Read the rest

Just wanted everyone to know (if you don’t know already) that Manga Studio 4 has been released to the public. I’ve had the opportunity to beta-test the program the last couple of months, and now that I’m free to talk about it, I’ll post a detailed review of the program this week.

The short version is that if you have enjoyed Manga Studio 3, you’re going to absolutely love MS4. While keeping the same basic structure as version 3 (which means that the MS4D Book will still be useful to a degree), there are many, many improvements that will help you produce some great digital artwork.

So, keep your eyes peeled for a review later this week!

In the meantime, you can pick up a copy of the program for the PC (the Mac version should be out later this year) at Smith Micro’s website (http://my.smithmicro.com/win/graphics.html).

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that if you’re going to be at the San Diego comic-Con, be sure to stop by the Smith Micro Booth (Booth #4516). They will be demonstrating the soon to be released Manga Studio 4!

Tell ‘em I sent ya.

Sadly, I wasn’t able to make it to the New York Comic Con this year, but I was happy to hear from a friend of mine that the book was seemingly all over the place, and selling pretty well, to boot!

So, I just wanted to drop a quick note thanking you guys for purchasing it, and I hope you had a great time there. Maybe I’ll be lucky and make it out next year (money willing )

In the Dealing With Cursor Offset post, I noted that I was didn’t know how to delete the preference file for a Wacom tablet driver on a Mac. Not long after I posted that, Andy Bold sent me an e-mail that may help you Mac users out:

I’ve never seen this problem myself, but I can tell you that the System Preferences panel that came with my Bamboo doesn’t have a ‘remove preferences file’ option. It does have “Defaults” buttons on the “Pen” and “Tablet” tabs that factory reset the settings on these panels.

If hitting the Default buttons doesn’t fix the problem then there are two preferences files that can be removed to try and fix it.

* Start Terminal to go to the command line.

* Run these two commands:

- rm $HOME/Library/Preferences/com.wacom.pentablet.prefs
- rm $HOME/Library/Preferences/com.wacom.tabletpreferences

Hope that helps!

If you’re unfamiliar (or uncomfortable) with the Terminal program, then I would suggest just re-installing the driver. But, if you’re like me and likes to get their fingers a bit dirty, you now have that option.

If you have (or want) to change the resolution of your monitor, there’s a good chance you’ll run into a very odd problem when you try drawing in Manga Studio with a Wacom tablet (I can’t speak for other tablet brands because I don’t own any other tablet brands. ).

If you switch resolution or orientation (if you’re looking to use a Cintiq in Portrait mode), you may notice that when you try drawing, the pen lines are way off compared to where you’re trying to draw. The obvious solution would be to go back to the original resolution or orientation. However, the problem doesn’t go away.

Apparently The Wacom driver doesn’t take too kindly to a change in resolution/orientation. The offsetting issue actually happens with all the drawing programs I’ve encountered. However, all I usually need to do is close and restart the program for the cursor to become properly aligned. Not so with Manga Studio — you can close and re-open the program until doomsday, and the cursor’s going to remain offset.

So, since that idea is thrown out, you have only one option. Well, two really..but they both produce the same result.

• You will need to un-install and re-install the Wacom driver. If you lost or deleted the driver installation, you can pick up a fresh copy at Wacom’s website.*

• If you use Windows, you can use the Tablet File Preference Utility to delete the driver’s preference file and restart the driver.** To do this:
  1. Find the program in your Start Menu (Start -> Programs -> Wacom Tablet -> Tablet Preference File Utility).
  2. The Preference Utility window appears (see Figure 1).
  3. Click on the button that says “Remove My Preference File.”
     
  4. Once it does its thing, close the window.

That’s it! If you use Manga Studio now, the cursor should now be properly aligned. Keep in mind though that all of the custom shortcuts you added to your pen and/or tablet will be gone. So you’ll need to re-enter them with the Wacom Tablet Properties program.

* It’s good to check there occasionally just to see if there’s an updated driver. Just be sure to hold on to the previous driver installation program just in case there are any problems with the new version.

** I don’t use a Mac, so I don’t know if the Mac has a File Preferences Utility program (I’d be shocked if they don’t). So, if any of you Mac users can confirm that (along with how to get to it), I’ll post it here.