Layout #29: The Truth of Alchemy
Layout #29: The Truth of Alchemy. Click here to return the layout listing.
Name : The Truth of Alchemy
Index : Yes
Made : Shaza – 2004
Site : MyCurry.Net
Brushes : No, Not Really
Shapes : Yes; Rectangles, Ovals, Lines
Effects : Yes; Gradient for Pipes, Shine, and Burn
Fonts : Yes; Haiku, Saved By Zero, and Verdana for CSS.
Navigation : None; Scrollbar Image
Artist/Comic : Full Metal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa
Original Picture from : Scans and translations of FMA manga.
Process : This layout was probably the longest ANY layout has taken me. The graphics took about 9 hours, and the coding was between 8-9 hours as well. First, I extracted the main image and pasted it on the side. I added a yellow circle over the alchemy circle and erased it around the hand. After I o pacified circle I burned the hand making it stand out more. Since I was unsure of what to do next, I decided to add something from the series: the alchemy circle. Using bent and configured ovals, lines, and the pen tool, I drew the alchemy circle. The circle itself was based off of the 3rd page spread alchemy circle which the characters had used for their mother. Next, I did the LONGEST thing DREW the pipes. Basically, I used the rectangle tool and applied a gradient. Before doing so however, I made some lines to use as a grid for the sizes and locations of the iframes. After doing so I drew the pipes by using two different gradients for either horizontal or vertical pipes. Since it looked sort of dark/black, I used some abstract tools to add some light and applied some effects with a rainbow gradient. This made the layout stand out. Afterwards, I added Al’s shoes/shorts and Edward with his leg chopped off—both from the manga. Since it looked akward in black and white I lightly added some color to give effect and blended them in. The reason for this is that the layout itself was to show the mishap of Alphonse and Edward Elric’s alchemy which results in their fake limbs. Hence, the alchemy circle as well since it matched the event. Doing all of this, I decided to add the Alchemy sign and applied some gradients. Since I had been watching the anime series as well, I went back to the second episode and watched the opening song, and took the quotes about alchemy and pasted them in Haiku around the layout. Added text effects. Finally, I started on the coding. First I took out the iframes and all but I also created 20 DIFFERENT overlaps to make the pipes seem more 3D. While doing so I changed a couple of things as well to make it look cleaner hence I cut off some of the pipes. The index was made simple through pipes, the sign, and font. Since the scrollbars on the iframes looked horrible I made some small circles and skewed them for the scrollbar up/down. Coded with 4 different CSS, combinations etc. The End ^-~ phew.
Description : This layout was made to look complicated. I wanted to actually use the maximum of my coding and drawing skills. It was my first time using an image scrollbar. I wanted to make this layout work on both Mozilla and IE without looking horrible or cluttered. The point of it was to capture the nature of Full Metal Alchemist. More of a dark, and complicated look. I wanted to highlight the main part of the series with Alchemy and go back to the mishap of their Mother’s Transmutation. Generally, it was an overall practice of everything I have learnt so far.
