Smith Micro ships Manga Studio Debut 4 and EX 4
updated 11:25 am EST, Wed December 24, 2008
Manga Studio updates
Smith Micro is shipping Manga Studio Debut 4 and Manga Studio EX 4, its updated comic and manga art software for Windows and Mac OS X systems. The programs are designed to create casual- or professional-level artwork; Debut 4 features a beginner’s assistant, more screen tones and patterns, additional preset page templates and a color palette. For EX 4, the update includes added 3D objects, increased export formats, a story editor, mesh transformation and a professional filter set. Both apps offer advanced text input that allows text to be entered directly on a page, as well as an increased number of word balloons.
Debut 4 comes with over 160 built-in page templates, 2,300 screen tones, and over 80 customizable pattern brushes. The color palette is an integrated toolset, from which users can select preset colors or create their own. Under the beginner’s assistant interface, meanwhile, commonly-used tool palettes are grouped together for convenience.
EX 4 can now export to TIFF, EPS, PDF and PICT formats. The software also comes equipped with a built-in vector toolkit, used to spot trouble vector areas in need of smoothing. Using the professional color set, people can choose from a large variety of colors, with burn and blend tools. Mesh transformation enables the modification of screen tones to better show clothing textures, by giving them a wrapped appearance.
Compatible with Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later, Manga Studio Debut 2 is priced at $20 as an upgrade or $50 new. EX 4 shares similar requirements, and costs $130 for the upgrade or $300 new.
