Unlike Anime Studio (which is also released by Smith Micro) which is a somewhat Flash-like vector based animator, Manga Studio is geared more toward organic artists, especially ones who have their own tablets. So if you happened to be one of those folks who can barely draw a stick figure, then this is not going to be a computer program will magically turn you into the next Stan Lee. The program itself might improve your drawing a little bit, as it has some nice brush tools that automatically smooth out lines and make the drawings look more polished, but it’s not going to turn stick figures into Sailor Moon.
MSE4 has a sketch function so you can start from scratch and sketch out your characters first. It’s possible to do this with the mouse, but can be more time-consuming, especially if you’re used to making quick strokes and/or doesn’t have an especially steady hand. The artist who wants to get a lot of use out of this program really needs to have a digital tablet to draw on. As for the purists who would rather originate their art outside the computer, don’t worry. You can still do your sketches by hand and scan it in. Manga Studio will import multiple formats of picture files.
Of course, the great advantage of using a computer program is the ability to easily change lines or patterns – when working with pen and ink there are no erasers! Manga Studio has quite a wide variety of pen sizes and styles to choose from when it’s time to flesh in the lines, as well as a large pattern bank available for shades and tones. It has the same types of icons as normal photo editing software – eraser, lasso selection tool, fill, text, gradient fill, even smudge and blur.
The program has multiple styles of text balloons, built-in 3D objects, and an easy function to divide a page into panels. There is even a story editor function that allows you to enter the text for one’s entire story and distribute it throughout the pages – a lifesaver for those of us who are more impatient or impulsive with our artwork.
