PWI's First Copy Cat Challenge

Silvychar - Sanctuary

Results are up!
Congratulations to:
Dorset - Heaven's Tear
ruritania
Krisnda - Lost City

Greetings fellows!

I warmly welcome you to Perfect World International's first Copy Cat Challenge!
I'll be your host for the time being and I hope we'll be having a great competition. =D
Upon request by Felizia - Lost City, (who hereby receives the title 'First Challenger' since she triggered the actual challenge) I bring you this small-scaled signature copy contest.

And of course everyone is invited to participate in this contest!

Now, you may wonder, what's this about?

The key is as following:

I took the time to create a signature for this contest, wrote down everything related to making it (fonts, colours, brushes etc.); and now I ask YOU to recreate it! The more the replica looks like my version, the greater your chances are at winning this little competition.

As this contest is something like a 'experiment' to check whether there could be more of such themed contests in the future, the prizes won't be that great I suppose since my resources are limited.
However I do hope that the general idea of the challenge will be positively perceived by the community and some join in just for the fun of chasing away boredom a bit.

About prizes:
Like already mentioned, my resources are limited, so it's not possible for me to throw in in-game related goodies. Nevertheless I'd like to give something to the winner (>in the multi-challenge mode< if there are some more competitors than just Felizia, because it's not said that she will win in the solo competition mode),
that is something from the community for the community, meaning creative handy-crafts like art, music, poetry and such. But because my own drawing skills for example are ... not that awesome, I'd be glad over any donation in the creative domain.
So if you, as artist, are interested and willing to donate some kind of 'creative coupon', I'd be really grateful. Just PM me whether you'd like to lend us your skills.
The same thing counts for actual prizes. Tell me what you'd like to win! What would make you happy? Music written for you? Some art of your own character? A story/poem written about your character? Something else?
Just tell me! I'd be happy for every incoming thought.

Note: The winner receives the copy cat signature as trophy afterwards and an additional prize (some creative handy-craft coupon).

The following post contains every data regarding the signature you'll have to copy.

P.S.:
About choosing a winner: If there are more than the first challenger; just tell me whether you'd like me to set up a poll with the finalists or if you like to have a jury judging. Or if you trust me in choosing the one who's the most similar to the original signature. Comments appreciated! Thank you.



After that the finalists will be picked (takes approx. one week).

Now that's it, ladies and gentlemen!
Thanks to everyone who took the time to read this wall of text and I hope some creative heads out there (I know you're out there in masses!) tag along.

Good luck and have fun!

Oh, and if you have any questions regarding the composition of the signature or the contest itself, feel free to spam me. I'll answer every question for sure.

Regards,
Silvy

Silvychar - Sanctuary

Copy Cat Signature Original:


Don't mind the 'Anti-Copy' and 'Sample' on it. Your replica doesn't need this.

Program used: GIMP

Resolution: 500x100

Saved as: .png

Colours used:

Black (as base colour and additionally); White; Gold (FFD700); Charcoal (36454F); Alizarin Crimson (E32636)

Images (Render prepared and modified by me):



Fonts used:

Broken (size 15)

Writing: 'The light won't reach his eyes...'

Brushes used:

For Gimp-Users:
KatiyaR's Smokey Brushes
(used only brush 'smokey11b' and 'smokey11')

For PhotoShop-Users:
Click me. (Thanks to Myralis for converting and uploading the brushes! *takes a bow*)

Steps used:
Layers; Gaussian Blur; Dodge & Burn tool; Colour Gradient (White & Black); Transformation



Need anything else? Go ahead and ask!
Good luck!

Hope this won't be too difficult. Just try your best! =D


Additional hints and tips:
Make sure you always save your copy as .png! Otherwise the quality is lowered, but that won't affect the rating.
Saving the raw copy once every step should be more of convenience for you; if you mess up somehow you can start out from a previous step.

You can enter max. 3 attempts/edits. (Raw and finished replica count as one attempt)

Please make sure you enter your final replica AND your raw background without writing when you submit your entry!

Don't forget to PM me your entries! That way I can provide you with the security that no one claimed your work as his own.

Felizia - Lost City

aw do these brushes exist in .abr too? o:

Myralis - Sanctuary

@Felizia
Check this one out http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_5964851_convert-gimp-brushes-photoshop-cs3.html
Didn't try it myself but I'm also a fan of photoshop lol GIMP loves to crash on me too much ^.~

Interesting challenge
Might have a try at it.

Woot Silvy hosting a contest go go!

edit: Ok its annoying as hell having to convert them but it works

Silvychar - Sanctuary

Yay, participants

And I'm awfully sorry to all the photoshop users. x_x

Gonna see if I can upload the converted files for you somewhere.

Just didn't had it in mind that that set was for gimp... and since photoshop brushes work finely in gimp... argh. >

EDIT: Doesn't work. T.T Maybe my PhotoShop version is just too old...^^

Anyway updating~

Wolfssohn - Sanctuary

How exactly can ya tell if someone didn't just saved this sig on his pc to reupload it here...? Maybe with small changes to make it less obvious...?

I like this challenge...but copy & paste sigs might destroy this challenge in the long run...
(But maybe ya already got a plan...)

I might give it a try aswell...though...it's a big "might"...

Silvychar - Sanctuary

Input taken into consideration, thanks. (To be honest that's exactly what crossed my mind yesterday when I was going to sleep...)

But well... since this is a small-scale contest with only a handful participants (if ever) and since I pretty much know the people of Fanatic's and the likes... I trust them well enough not to just simply go and enter an exact copy of the original.

I doubt that unless you're a real professional forger your finished replica won't look that much like the original (I mean if I were to recreate the signature... the result wouldn't look exactly like the original).

But if it eases your worries, I'll re-upload a sample version shortly.

... if it's not too late. ;D

EDIT:
Uploaded.

2nd EDIT:
By the way if you guys have any problems regarding finishing in time, there aren't problems with extending the deadline.

Myralis - Sanctuary

Hm... maybe demand the actual .psd/.xcf file as proof or... since this might be hard with versions of the programmes..
A useful and clear screenshot of your working file and some single layers maybe oO
What do I know lol

My problem atm are the brushes.. got them converted and all nicely.. but I fail at using them lol

Silvychar - Sanctuary

Would you mind uploading the converted brushes for photoshop to some hosting site, Myra?
I'd really appreciate this. :O


And hmm... screenshots... nice idea! I guess I'll go with entering the raw background (without writing) AND the finished signature copy.

Gonna add that bit, thanks very much! b:thanks

EDIT:
Photoshop converted brushes added, kudos to Myra! >:D

Now go go, PhotoShop folks! ^_^

Miciix - Lost City

lawl wh00t I thought in that file the were only the smoke brushes xD

I love the flower brushes, Myra (think it's you since you uploaded it so... correct me if I'm wrong )

Myralis - Sanctuary

OMG lol
No I know why that file was 18MB big :'D

Haha I failed there big time. Could swear I only selected the 2 smoke ones but o.o
Well they should be named smoke1&2 b:surrender

Jeremied - Sanctuary

*.* My human copy machine powers may come in handy here.

Myralis - Sanctuary

Ooookay, fixed.
This file should only contain the two snoke brushes lol
http://www.file-upload.net/download-3564473/Smoke.abr.html


I'll get to Silvy tomorrow so she can fix the link in main post too.
Sorry for failing so bad b:surrender

But glad you like them Felizia xD

Silvychar - Sanctuary

*coughs*

Might have been a better idea to download Myra's converted pack beforehand. :'D

Anyway, fixed, thanks a bunch~


6 days left!

Up until now I haven't received ANY PM's.


Oh, and to all the silent forum lurkers out there who read the intro but didn't post anything... if you consider joining, write something here!

I need some numbers so I can plan ahead... if there aren't like 10 competitors I cannot do my best to get an additional AWESOMESAUCE prize. And I mean it. It's something... even I'd love to possess. Cannot promise anything though.

I know you professional evidence forgers are out here!

Hazumi_chan - Sanctuary

Silvychar - Sanctuary wrote: »

*coughs*

Might have been a better idea to download Myra's converted pack beforehand. :'D

Anyway, fixed, thanks a bunch~


6 days left!

Up until now I haven't received ANY PM's.


Oh, and to all the silent forum lurkers out there who read the intro but didn't post anything... if you consider joining, write something here!

I need some numbers so I can plan ahead... if there aren't like 10 competitors I cannot do my best to get an additional AWESOMESAUCE prize. And I mean it. It's something... even I'd love to possess. Cannot promise anything though.

I know you professional evidence forgers are out here!

And I know what she wants to arrange... >:3

Wolfssohn - Sanctuary

Well...I don't know if I can make it in time...unless ya come here in person and force me to...maybe...

Silvychar - Sanctuary

Wolfssohn - Sanctuary wrote: »

Well...I don't know if I can make it in time...

If you only have issues regarding entering your submission within the deadline, I see no problem to extend it (if the other participants don't mind this).

Point is I cannot host a fake competition - I need participants. And if the only thing you need is more time then I'd gladly give you that. But I assume that many 'potential' competitors are in a way reluctant regarding the prizes... which I can only be sorry for. b:surrender


EDIT:

Deadline has been extended. I know this won't change the fact that the chances at more people joining are beyond zero.

krisnda

I'm interested in this ^^. Already sent my first try .

Dorset - Heavens Tear

hmmmmmm iwasnt gonna give this a try but i guess i will seeing as you short of competators. also ive never used Gimp brushes before how funny is that xd

Silvychar - Sanctuary

Received Krisnda's entry.

So far, so good. =D

And yay, Dorset tags along. >:D
Means that I obviously cannot ask you for help in super secret paint jobs this time. b:chuckle


Keep them submissions coming, peeps! ^_^

EDIT: Another entry has arrived! *hums happily*

Oh just in case you want to know... I've already made some preparations for the AWESOMESAUCE-tastic super duper top secret prize that might additionally await the winner. Still cannot promise anything regarding that matter though. Fingers crossed that'll work out!

lamesquiirelel

did i win??? IM JUST KIDDING! i just copied the image location... i use Pixlr.com i cant do this :P well i dont think i wouldnt know how to do the background and make it ghosty like that

Silvychar - Sanctuary

Actually you could recreate the signature on pixlr.com as far as I'm concerned (just checked it out...and it pretty much looks like everything's possible there) ... 'tis a nifty page.

EDIT: ...suppose you couldn't upload the brushes as they ain't .pbr... :<

Dorset - Heavens Tear

submitted xd

krisnda

Oh **** Dorset's in this?! I lost >< lol ^^.

Silvychar - Sanctuary

Entries received~

3 so far

And every entry looks good. ^_^


And to the others: You've got still plenty of time, so don't worry and do your best. =D

Dorset - Heavens Tear

Krisnda wrote: »

Oh **** Dorset's in this?! I lost >< lol ^^.

lol i wouldnt count on it luv i rolled in after a 11 hour shift at nursery, had to wash the toddler pee off myself and then did the sig in a state of exhaustion lol and i didn't follow half the instructions i prolly ripped poor silvys sig to pieces but was still fun to have a go.


I think once silvy has finished this challenge Which was AWSOME i have an idea for a short one. I love forum challenges they so fun.

LOVELS SILVY XD

Silvychar - Sanctuary

Aww, thanks, Dorset! And by the way... about your entry ;P I think I don't have to repeat what I said in my PM. b:chuckle

And I cannot wait for the time when you host another contest >:D
-eager to participate-

Updates for those who are interested:

Still 3 entries so far~

And still no response regarding that top secret prize...
Good thing there's still plenty of time left for me and for you, guys ^_^

Keep going!

EDIT:
Alright. Let's see whether this might help some of you guys out there. I'll see to it that I'll post every once in a while a hint, consistent of one word.

Todays hint:

Symmetry


EDIT:
So since I'm too cheap to double post; I'll do it this way.

Announcement:

I will be absent for the next 10 days, therefore the judging phase is delayed until I return.
The deadline WILL NOT be further extended, so make sure you send me your entry in time via PM.
Any entry sent in AFTER the 18th of July will be silently disposed of. So please stick to the deadline.
Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for your patience!

lodionx

nvm this post >.<

Felizia - Lost City

uh what I wanted to say TT-TT
Guess I'll have to drop out on this one tried for days to do your siggy but the result is just shtty :c
aka not close at all /gfsgsdgd

gl to all the participents tho /hides in corner of shame

Asgardeus - Sanctuary

Oops I swear I read the deadline was the 19th lol

Oh well.. you know I tried and I just couldn't get anything useful done with those brushes xD
You got the Myralis alternate version though b:chuckle

Sorry Silvy xD

Dorset - Heavens Tear

Dors likes to BUMP