Post by Jess on Jul 29, 2011 14:07:10 GMT -5
Hexing Tips
Here you can find various hexing tips - helpful to those just starting out, are un-experienced with hexing, or would just like to gain some tips to apply to their hexies! If anyone has anything they would like to add, feel free to post here with your input and I can add it to the list.
The Tips & Suggestions -
Have some tips you'd like to share?
Feel free to post here with your own!
You're always welcome to post here if you've found any of these particularly helpful and have some feedback regarding this thread.
Happy hexing! ;D
Here you can find various hexing tips - helpful to those just starting out, are un-experienced with hexing, or would just like to gain some tips to apply to their hexies! If anyone has anything they would like to add, feel free to post here with your input and I can add it to the list.
The Tips & Suggestions -
- It is suggested that if you've never hexed before that you check out some tutorials and download some hexing programs. Click here for a thread containing various websites where you can find them.
- Save backups! Before hexing, I highly recommend that you save a backup of all your original breeds so that you have the original copies once finished hexing. It is also a good idea to save your work as you go along and finish a major part of the hex just incase something goes wrong so you still have some of your finished work available.
- Overwriting vs. Non-Overwriting: Most people prefer to adopt a pet that requires no extra breedfiles. Whenever possible, the original OB's should be modded rather than a new breedfile created for the pet you're adopting out.
- Practice, Practice, Practice. Hexing takes a lot of time, and even some of the best hexers had some serious flops and 'newb' hexies when they first started out. The only way you can get better is if you hex more. You cannot get better at hexing or develop a hexing 'style' without hexing in the first place. It'll take some patience, but is worth it in the end!
- Have patience and take breaks. Some of the best files have taken hours to create. Sometimes when you're stumped or frustrated with the file it is better to take a short break and return to it later and have a fresh view of what needs to be improved.
- Experiment! You never know how something will turn out unless you try it. It may go badly, but it may go incredibly well. Try new things that no one has tried before! You may be surprised with what you're able to come up with when you try something new you've never tried before. Put those ideas to work & add a little of yourself into your hex.
- Line-Less Petz: While in many cases they may work nicely and look well on the pet, not all petz look good without their outlines! Files without outlines should be hexed carefully and maybe held off until a hexer has more experiance.
- Colored Outlines: A lot of the OB breeds have grey outlines, or outlines that fit the pet. More often then not, it looks much better if these outlines are changed to 244 black to match the new color of the pet better.
- Untextured colors: Only colors 12-149 on the petz coloring chart are textured. Smal portions of untextured colors go over well sometimes, but coloring the entire base an untextured color usually doesn't turn out very well. Alternatively, an external texture or furfile can be used over the untextured colors on the chart.
- Eye Sizes: Huge bug eyes or large iris(es) that do not allow the whites of the eyes to be seen are huge turn-offs. The majority of the time, eyes look best proportional to the body.
- Texture & Anchor Paintballs: Maybe it's not a turn off for everyone, but the mass majority of the PC prefer textured & anchor paintballs over those that are not. It's easy to do and can make a world's difference in a hex. It's one of those details that turns a beginner's hex into an amazing hex if done right. There are many tutorials on it and it's pretty simple to do.
- Use a spread-sheet: To texture & anchor paintballs quickly, a spread sheet such as microsoft excel can be used to get the job done. This is particularly helpful for those who have hexed 500+ paintballs and do not with to change them all by hand. First, go open your pet in LNZ and click on (+) Lnz > click on adult > select tools > reformat lines. Copy the code for your paintballs into a spread sheet. You can select huge regions at a time and hold down ctrl + f to open the find/replace window. Here you can change the number of a selected region all to a different number. It's helpful and saves a LOT of time. (Trust me. I used to texture/anchor 800+ paintballs by hand and I wish I would've known to do this sooner)
- Matching Eyelids: In some cases this is a personal preference of the hexer or adopter, but it usually looks much better to have "selfie" or eyelids that match the base coat color. Alternatively, eyelids that match another color somewhere on the pet tend to look much better.
- Fuzzing: A mix of some smooth and fuzzed up areas or files are always nice. However, many times fuzz over "4" is a little over done and "0" fuzz may look odd on some files because it doesn't give the pet much "substance"
- Houla Spots: Houla spots are basicly spots that are either slightly darker, or lighter than a color of that blend with the coat and make the pet looks more interesting. They're a different color than the main coat, and add some 'flavor' to your hex. Typically, houla spots are done with the plush texture.
- Blend Portions Together: Whenever possible, spots can be used nicely to blend colors together so that switches between coat colors are not so 'abrupt'. Colors can also be faded together by using similar shades in an area gradually - such as making the tail slightly darker or lighter by using different shades and textures along a portion fo the body.
- External Textures: Personally I love external textures that add a lot to the pet and their file. However, not everyone is a fan of them and it will require them to download an extra file they may not want. Do not rule them out completely, but do keep this in mind when deciding to use them - it may draw some PC-ers away.
- Original Ideas & Art: Be careful about the ideas you wish to incorporate into your hex and that you don't base it off of some one else's art. If something looks similar by chance - that's fine - but purposely hexing something to look similar to another's pet or artwork is a serious "no-no". Also make sure all of your hexing is your own, and do not steal from others' codes unless they are an available copy/paste code they gave for others' use on their website.
Have some tips you'd like to share?
Feel free to post here with your own!
You're always welcome to post here if you've found any of these particularly helpful and have some feedback regarding this thread.
Happy hexing! ;D