I've already started out webpage design by using frontpage and created ones like www.pphost.info
However, I'd likek to learn how to make templates like the ones templatemonster.com sell, with psd and everything. Just a note: I don't have photoshop, but I do have illustrator.
It'll be nice if sombody could post a link, or tell me "step by step" how to make them. I still need to learn the basics as well, ie layers.
You want to sell templates with .psd when you don't have Photoshop and that is the best program for creating & editing the files? Lol. First thing, go out and buy Photoshop. You can't get away from it, do it!
Then, learn how to use it - you need to know it like the back of your hand.
Then I'd imagine you just make a layout, slice it up and make certain section editable, then sell it.
I'm not an expert on this, but I do know that you will, about 90% sure, that you'll need Photoshop.
You most certainly need to have Photoshop, otherwise you're going nowhere (.PSD is the most widespread format in the industry)
Other than that you might also need Flash from Macromedia and a HTML editor. Dreamweaver would do nicely for the start.
Only thing is, these cost a cartload of money. So you'll need to think it over well before you go out and buy them. Competition is pretty fierce in this field, but everyone is doing hosting templates, so you might have a chance if you did yours for other types of sites.
Yeah, you will need ALOT of software that will cost a cartload of money, but the MOST important one is Photoshop, if you learn to use it well enough you can do just about anything, even things that look like they are rendered in a 3D Program, you have to understand everything and apply it, like the lighting, shading, everything comes into play when designing.
The process of learning doesn't take place overnight, you have to devote hundreds of hours into it. Also, you may find Fireworks, Dreamweaver, and 3D Studio Max helpful as well... Don't give up, all it takes is practice.
Yes, 3D Studio Max 7 costs $3,400 (something around that)...such expensive price, nice software though .
templates like the ones they have on templates monster required mostly Photoshop, flash if you want your thing to look all fancy, and 3dsmax or other 3d modelling softwares for the cool graphics
I don't think 3D Studio Max is a must, but it certainly is very nice!
There are tons of renders and stock images laying around out there, but it's always good to customize your own.
I think there is a discount for students buying 3dsm, so you may try that if you are really into that, you can also try other alternatives like Cinema 4D, Bryce(IMO its only so-so, good for buildings tho), Terragen(I think its free), Lightwave, Maya, and some others. I've tried all of them and personally I think Cinema 4D + 3D Studio are the best, although Lightwave is decent too. Terragen is good for landscapes, Bryce is easy to use, but I never got into it. Maya was just so-so, but I think its free, so its a place to start if you aren't looking to break the bank .
I very much like XaraX, until I noticed that it wasn't such a wildly used format. Also, photoshop costs $300? With that money, I could get alot of things. Just making templates with that probely won't cover the costs of $300. I got the trial a little while ago but then it's expired. People, considering that I do have photoschop, how do I make templates?
I have heard of xarax, but resources are not as readily available for it. I thought photoshop costs $700?
Anyways, you will most definitely if you become a template designer for template monster, a decent template will make about $200, and if you look at the profiles of the designers, each one has probably made at least 150+ templates. Of course it takes time, and a certain degree of artistic ability, TM level designers are not all that common, their skills are certainly way above the average designer.
Maybe I should have looked at Adobe's website before asuming it was $300. $700 is quite enough for you to hire a freelancer to make you quite an "above average" site. Sombody was willing to make me my own paid to sign up script for $20. Graphics isn't really the thing, so maybe I don't really think it's worth it.
You don't need to buy expensive 3d modelling software. Here it's a little different because there are a lot of formats that are being used, so you don't have to buy *that* particular program to get in the game.
What I mean is, for the ocasional 3d render you need for templates you can use Blender (it's free, just check google for their site and download it). Blender is capable of extreme performance, I don't think there's something you can do in StudioMax and can't do in Blender.
lol,
sorry to have to tell you, but there is no set way to making templates, you just need to know how to use the software (i learned mainly through tutorials i found on google and just playing around with it). Then use your imagination and see what you can come up with.
don't be put off if your initial designs aren't all that, you don't get 'good' over night, my first few designs were shocking looking back on them now, but it's true what they say, practice DOES make perfect.
anyway, i would definately suggest following some photoshop tutorials to start learning how the program works.
secret to making template monster templates (in other words this is what they do)
step 1. browse web for an intresting layout
stpe 2. theme the layout to reflect a category (includes adding dummy text and nice ions)
step 3. steal high quality images and add to template.
step 4. deliver psd template to tm and their people slice and code it.
You dont NEED photoshop, Macromedia Fireworks, and Jasc Paint Shop pro are good starting tools. I actually know a person who is 14 or 15 and he uses fireworks, could blow alot of designers who use photoshop that i know out of the water, infact i believe he occasionally posts on here.
And domain spotlight you dont know what your talking about templatemonster has several very talented designers who have probably been designing atleast 3-4 years+.
Theres a site called Biorust with a tutorial on how to make those litle metal looking things. Google Biorust and you should find the site.
I would strongly advise looking on good-tutorials.com, they have the widest variety of tutorials on the web.
Anyway, good luck, basically you really just have to practice alot, you probably wont be able to create anything half as good as the suff on TM for atleast 1-1/2 years , so its not an overnight thing where u just develop into a crazy graphics maker overnight, if i were you i would start small by making ignatures and gradually get into larger art, stop by clantemplates.com some time if you want some.
Vue D'Esprit is a good 3D renderer which version 4 goes for $69 for the download. It has a great 3D renderer and is nowhere near the cost of 3DSMax. You can also get Wings3D or Blender for free which will allow you to model things to put into Vue (which has a lot of content already for it).
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Try before you buy 
