Sure you can make banners in CC3. They just won't be the shaded version we can import as bitmap symbols. For that you would need a gradient fill, and we don't have one of those yet.
There is nothing stopping a person from drawing a vector symbol in a range of similar colours that mimic the shaded bitmap version.
To do a tutorial on how to draw vector symbol banners might be a good idea at some point, but let me first get the bitmap symbol banners themselves right ;)
There's a Spatial Matrix effect on the banner text that makes it appear embossed. I think the effect may depend on how large the exported map is, since it is nowhere near as visible here as it is in the FCW.
I'm thinking back to the "Connecting Symbols" CA issue. A few template banner symbols to guide the mapper and custom banners could be easily created. The tricky part is properly shading the curves of the banner ends. I've worked with other graphics programs but CC3+ is always home to me.
The only part you could do as a connecting symbol with a bitmap symbol like this is the main body of a single fold banner - the straight bit before it hits the shading at either end. I'm not sure that a connecting symbol would even be of that much use, since I will be making several different lengths of each type of banner anyway.
I will also draw a vector banner and write an explanation of how it was done - a blog maybe?
@DaltonSpence - I'm wondering if what you really mean is a three+ part symbol rather than a connecting symbol?
I've modified the ribbon symbol shown above to be in 3 parts because it is well over 6000 px long and far too huge to be thrown around as a symbol - especially if there is more than one of them in a single map. Here it is with all 3 parts neatly aligned, and with the middle section dropped away so you can see how it works. You would have to use snap to align them and then group the 3 parts together so you could move and scale it. There will be different length middle sections to make the ribbon longer or shorter.
The end pieces have to have a fade on them so that any mismatches between the texture of the ends and the texture of the middle section will be softened, but you will have to make sure that the overlap is complete for the effect to work.
Dalton - I think that's what I just made, um... isn't it? Please bear with me. It can take a while before what something someone else is describing to me snaps into a vision in my mind. Also, these are simply vast symbols. The longest bar I've made for the middle section will extend the title well over half way across a standard 1000 x 800 map, and there is nothing stopping the mapper from adding more than one middle section to extend it right the way across. The smaller place labels will look tiny in comparison. I suppose I could fudge a connecting symbol for the middle section, but the repetition of the pattern might lower the quality where you have no control over whether the line of connecting middle bits is made up all of one particular piece... I'll think some more on it.
Quenten - yes, that's what it is. Two ends and a middle, but with the middle being a connecting symbol which means you can make it go all the way across the map if you wish.
After accidentally corrupting the main file of ribbons, I had to start all over again with that style, but I've made a lot of progress in a day. Here are the colour variations on the title bar, which will have a connecting symbol for the middle section for adjustable length.
They will be published eventually. I am just unsure of how. They are not going into a regular annual folder, but one called Banners in the @Symbols/Other folder.
Lion, unicorn, stork, horse, stars (Southern Cross comes to mind, as you would expect ?), imperial profiles (like on coins - perhaps some roman emperors, and female monarchs as well).
Wow Quenten. Some of those are possibly a little too detailed to be clear on a little wax seal, but I will think about them. The lion is already listed in the group names on the right of the image.
Comments
Sure you can make banners in CC3. They just won't be the shaded version we can import as bitmap symbols. For that you would need a gradient fill, and we don't have one of those yet.
There is nothing stopping a person from drawing a vector symbol in a range of similar colours that mimic the shaded bitmap version.
To do a tutorial on how to draw vector symbol banners might be a good idea at some point, but let me first get the bitmap symbol banners themselves right ;)
Trying out the first nearly finished test banner:
There's a Spatial Matrix effect on the banner text that makes it appear embossed. I think the effect may depend on how large the exported map is, since it is nowhere near as visible here as it is in the FCW.
Spatial Matrix effects are pixel-sized effects. They can never be more than 7 pixels wide.
Ah, well that would explain it :)
I added a glow and shadow false bevel effect instead, to make the text appear to be embossed into the parchment as if it was stamped there.
The only part you could do as a connecting symbol with a bitmap symbol like this is the main body of a single fold banner - the straight bit before it hits the shading at either end. I'm not sure that a connecting symbol would even be of that much use, since I will be making several different lengths of each type of banner anyway.
I will also draw a vector banner and write an explanation of how it was done - a blog maybe?
I think this shape is better suited to ribbons?
@DaltonSpence - I'm wondering if what you really mean is a three+ part symbol rather than a connecting symbol?
I've modified the ribbon symbol shown above to be in 3 parts because it is well over 6000 px long and far too huge to be thrown around as a symbol - especially if there is more than one of them in a single map. Here it is with all 3 parts neatly aligned, and with the middle section dropped away so you can see how it works. You would have to use snap to align them and then group the 3 parts together so you could move and scale it. There will be different length middle sections to make the ribbon longer or shorter.
The end pieces have to have a fade on them so that any mismatches between the texture of the ends and the texture of the middle section will be softened, but you will have to make sure that the overlap is complete for the effect to work.
The question is - will this be too fiddly to use?
Just what the doctor ordered. This is fabulous.
Quenten - thank you :)
Dalton - I think that's what I just made, um... isn't it? Please bear with me. It can take a while before what something someone else is describing to me snaps into a vision in my mind. Also, these are simply vast symbols. The longest bar I've made for the middle section will extend the title well over half way across a standard 1000 x 800 map, and there is nothing stopping the mapper from adding more than one middle section to extend it right the way across. The smaller place labels will look tiny in comparison. I suppose I could fudge a connecting symbol for the middle section, but the repetition of the pattern might lower the quality where you have no control over whether the line of connecting middle bits is made up all of one particular piece... I'll think some more on it.
Are these long enough for everyone? :D
And will a simple middle section connecting symbol bit work for you? The ends of these title bars are still manual, I'm afraid.
Excellent
Cal
I really like the idea of 2 ends and a middle
Thank you, Calibre :)
Quenten - yes, that's what it is. Two ends and a middle, but with the middle being a connecting symbol which means you can make it go all the way across the map if you wish.
Sue, you are legendary!
Thank you, Daisho :)
After accidentally corrupting the main file of ribbons, I had to start all over again with that style, but I've made a lot of progress in a day. Here are the colour variations on the title bar, which will have a connecting symbol for the middle section for adjustable length.
Probably a stupid question, as they're variable length it would be better to place the text and then place the ribbon right?
Yes. That would probably be easier.
Those are amazing Sue! Are you doing these for a future product/annual? I'll pay! ;-)
Thank you, Daisho :)
They will be published eventually. I am just unsure of how. They are not going into a regular annual folder, but one called Banners in the @Symbols/Other folder.
Grimington Vale sounds a sinister place. Full of skulking Aussies, probably
LOL! It's just the name of the map I happen to have pasted the banners into.
To go with the ribbon banners I'm making a set of wax seals. There's an alphabet and a handful of hand drawn seals you can see here.
I was wondering if any of you had any requests.
Things that have already been suggested include:
Lion, unicorn, stork, horse, stars (Southern Cross comes to mind, as you would expect ?), imperial profiles (like on coins - perhaps some roman emperors, and female monarchs as well).
Wow Quenten. Some of those are possibly a little too detailed to be clear on a little wax seal, but I will think about them. The lion is already listed in the group names on the right of the image.
Thank you :)
News just in, Dalton. Ralf wants to make an annual issue called "Banners and Seals" for next year :)