How to make cool ASCII logo - how to draw a cool logo in ASCII.

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                 HOW TO MAKE A COOL ASCII LOGO.

                      PART I "BLOCK ASCII"
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Immediately apologize for the clumsy style of writing, because 
I tutor I write first, and then only under public pressure. =) 
Personally, I I think that has not yet reached that level, to 
teach someone. So think of it not as a splint, and merely as a 
small tips on drawing ASOC.


So, you decided to draw the ascus on the Spectrum (here we are 
talking ONLY on the Spectrum!). Immediately the question arises 
of what the editor choose. In principle, and not much choice, 
because until Spectrum is not a specialized program to create

ASOC-all sorts of converters does not count. So what we have 
with you content with a text editor. At this

time to create the most appropriate ASOC 3 is more or less
convenient text editor - it is: plain old ZXWord,
ModernWord and HorrorWord. All of them are similar in 
interface, so that no fundamentally important, which editor you 
prefer. Those who have on the table is not just the Spectrum, I 
certainly would advise AciDraw on a PC or ANSIDraw on Amiga, 
but then again, we say only on the Spectrum, so forget about 
the PC and Amiga! 

The fastest of all is HorrorWord, but the mouse
only supported in the old ZXWord'e. Personally, I like it most
preferable because, firstly, the easier it is for all the rest, 
and there are no those are not necessary for drawing asci 
things. And secondly, font that is used there, most closely 
approximates the original on the PC and Amiga, although it can 
be changed. But drawing in other editors is no different from 
drawing ZXWord'e - all of them not intended to create ASOC = 
(So we have tormented. I repeat: this is the case of taste! It 
would be easy blasphemy not to mention trying to create a 
really cool tool for creating ASOC on the Spectrum. I'm talking 
about CanSee by Raid / Mayhem. Trying to very, very successful. 
Unofficially released only the beta version, and she especially 
did not spread - just for testing, some people, and it was a 
long time = (now, to Regrettably, the editor does not develop, 
which is a pity: it According to the authors, he could surpass 
the capabilities of the editors on the Amiga and PC!


So, you make a choice. Start by creating a so-
called "dummy". What is it? It's just a screen, the entire
filled with blanks. It is necessary to you without
Labour were able to get the cursor to any location on the 
screen. Otpishites this file, it still is useful for your other 
works. 

Before you draw directly on the computer, I
would recommend that you first draw a sketch of your future
masterpiece on paper, with all the shadows - so it will be 
easier transfer it to the screen.


To create a block ascii commonly used symbols ■. Not
Use a font of Borndead'a, which is attached to the HW, as he
differs from the standard font, which is usually used for
create ASOC. And although there are more gradations of 
brightness, it is already nonstandard asci, and people from 
other platforms are unlikely to enjoy your masterpiece.


So, first transfer the approximate form of a paper on the 
screen symbol . Do not try to immediately smooth out all 
irregularities. Better transfer about the contours: so you will 
then be easier bring to mind the ravine, and the approximate 
form of the screen you'll be have!


Here are all transferred to the screen. Looks, of course, once
square and ugly. The next step - is the smoothing of all
angles and irregularities, as well as bringing logs to the 
greatest similarity to the fact that you have drawn on paper.


So, to draw vertical bumps and irregularities
perfect characters. Here, you can achieve quite
nice and smooth anti-aliasing, which unfortunately is not true 
of horizontal lines: the characters are used here. As you

see for yourself that they are too highly of each other, and
so get pretty rough smoothing.

The next step - a so-called coloring of the resulting
silhouette. Basically, if you like, you can and
leave because it is quite not bad looks, and besides
Yet many ascii artists painted in that style. Or
simply can not use grades. For example, in my practice
there were also cases: it was necessary to draw a ravine
catalog disk warez'om with SS001, and, as we know,
standard set of Spectrum, the so-called UDG, there is no 
gradation brightness. But we do not draw for the catalog and we 
are not satisfied unfinished logs, so we will paint =) For 
Colouring use the symbols, you can also apply: "

(Colon) and "." Because it's, like, too, like the shades
brightness. Then again, it all depends on your imagination. Can 
both want to paint ravine. But I still definitely recommend

consider the location of the light source, and in
Depending on this provision to apply graduation. Most
common and simple way - this is the usual dithering on the left
hand by increasing the brightness gradation from left to right. 
Also can within the letters instruct some spots of gradation, it

looks pretty impressive.

That log is almost ready, but it looks like something 
pustovato, although for some cases nothing more to do. Let's try

add a background. Again, decide for yourself how to make it. 
Just stick dots, stars in the sky type? But it somehow

looks corny. Can try to make all the fringing
logs with snot dangling, drops in acidic style. Thanks
an edging log looks much cooler.

Draw logs to the effect of imposing on each other letters better
just aciddraw on pc, because there is everything necessary for 
this business functions. At Spectrum also due to a lack of

tools have to do this manually, but it is not so
difficult. First, draw the entire letter in full, then use
, puts it on the next.

Well, the last one - it's clean file. Remove all unnecessary
gaps that may appear at the end of lines, as well as all
extra lines. Automaton can be done in the latest versions
Best View. Like, he knows how to dry text. Put your
signature is not very prominent location. They usually have all 
ascii Artists signature consists of 3, maximum 4 characters.

Group name is usually written in square brackets immediately 
after the nick. But here there are no rules - what you like, and

subscribe. Try to sign in is not very noticeable
place that it is not conspicuous and do not spoil the look
logs.

And then, voila, your masterpiece is ready!

Ideal viewing asci in the same ZXWord'e, for lack of
desired. I would not recommend watching them in the BV, as 
height character there at least 8 pixels, and all of your 
masterpieces to be cut horizontally, making ASKA just looks 
disgusting. Quite not a bad show old prog Burst Eyes and a good 
prog ANSI View, and if there is another turn on the 80 
characters per line, ASKA then it will look smaller and thus 
more beautiful.


A few more tips finally ...

I recommend to draw in the 64 characters, because just a lot of 
places and smaller characters, and as a consequence, we can 
achieve a smoother smoothing.


Never use tabs, as for different viewer'ov and
editors, its value may be different, and your pictures will be
simply disperse - the screen will asci porridge. Instead of
tab always use spaces. Suppose that the file will be slightly
length, in bytes, but it will give you a guarantee of the right
view all smotrelkah and editors. In my opinion, in
ModernWord'e have the opportunity to replace tabs with spaces.

Do not try to help converters. The result of all very
dubious quality, and you just give it evaporated in
normal appearance. Better learn how to draw themselves. Believe 
me, it more appreciated!


Practice drawing various circles and ovals of various diameters
and size. This exercise will help you learn how to make smooth
smooth - then this technique is very useful to you!

Try not to interfere with style. Ie if you draw a block ascii,
there should not be admixed elements of the new or old school'a
school'a. As a result, it may not look very nice.

Draw a logo - is the most easy-to-ascii. The next step -
is drawing full picture. But training with the logs will
you all the necessary base for further steps. But all of this - 
the theme for another story ...


Good luck in mastering ascii!

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------------- by DMan / Placebo (c) Buzz 2002