Design Principles 
&
Tips on Import Designing
Hey there and welcome to the world of Rexal design principles!
Remember, we're all about creating a space where creativity shines, while keeping design rules consise and in line with the species guidelines. As you get your design gears grinding, always make sure to follow the guides of the markings you are working on. The rules on those pages come first and foremost!
Design Rules
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Design Principles
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First, let's tackle what an 'import' is. In our ARPG (Art Roleplay Game), an import is a blank template or base on which you bring your Rexal design to life. You get to determine the look of the coat, markings, and unique attributes of your Rexal on this import base.
These Imports come in the form of PSDs, which are opened and edited in drawing programs.
These Imports come in the form of PSDs, which are opened and edited in drawing programs.
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Digital Drawing Programs: All designs must be created using a digital drawing program. These are software that allow you to draw, paint and design on a digital canvas using tools that mimic traditional art methods. Popular examples include Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, Procreate and even free online options like Krita and MediBang Paint. Note that physical, hand-drawn designs cannot be accepted as they need to be digitally editable for the design check process. What are PSDs? PSD stands for Photoshop Document. It's a layered image file used in Adobe Photoshop, a digital drawing program. A PSD file allows an artist to work with individual layers of an image even after the file has been saved. This is particularly useful in design projects like Rexal designs where multiple separate elements (like base coats, markings, and accessories) can be managed independently. Don't worry if you're not using Photoshop - most digital art programs can open and save in PSD format. |
Now, onto genotypes! Genotypes are the set of genes in an organism that determine a specific trait. In the context of Rexals, genotypes are the genetic codes that define the physical attributes of your Rexal. They dictate the base coat, markings, colors, and other unique characteristics of your Rexal. It's like the blueprint of your Rexal's appearance!
| As you design your Rexal on the import base, the genotype is your guide. It tells you the genetic attributes your Rexal has inherited and you bring these to life through your design. |  |
Coat Types
The first line of your geno tells you the coat type of your rex. The two are armored and furred, so it will be one or the other.
Did you know? The plates on an armored rexals coat were inspired by pangolins!
Base Coats and Their Colors
Base Coats are the primary color of your Rexal. Imagine it as the foundation of your design, like the first layer of paint on a canvas. This color will be present throughout your Rexal's body, and it's what all other markings and colors will be added on top of.
In some cases, your Rexal's base coat might be covered by other markings, but it will still be there underneath. It is what gives your Rexal its primary hue and sets the hue for the rest of your design.
In some cases, your Rexal's base coat might be covered by other markings, but it will still be there underneath. It is what gives your Rexal its primary hue and sets the hue for the rest of your design.
A closer look at Genes
Genes as discussed above, are dictating the look of your rexal. Not all genes are logged in the genostring, though! Only markings and Traits are. There are also genes you can chose freely. These aren't able to be passed down in breedings, because every rexal can have them free of choice!
Markings: These are the unique patterns, lines, spots, or patches that appear on your Rexal's base coat. They can also vary in color, and depending on the specific marking type, can have distinct color rules to follow.
The combination and placement of markings on your Rexal play a significant role in defining its appearance. Markings have their own guide, so you should definitely check it out if you are curious about their overall color rules!
Mutations: These are unique traits or genes that randomly pop up in breedings or geno rolls. If you see a gene written in italics in your geno when you receieve it in a breeding, it didn't come from the parents – it's a surprise addition! Just like other genes, mutations can be passed down to offspring.
Free Markings: Just as the name implies, these are extra markings that you can add to your design, even if they aren't listed in your genotype. They won't appear on the rexal's genostring, but you must include them when you submit your design in the Free Marking section of the form, so the moderators can keep track of them. Each free marking has its own set of rules, so be sure to familiarize yourself with those rules to avoid any design approval hiccups.
Under 3 Genes Free Markings: These are special markings you can choose when your genotype only has 3 or fewer genes. They work just like free markings, but are only available for less complex genotypes that have only up to 3 genes (minus the base coat). Example: Dune with Throw, Swathes and Daub
Markings: These are the unique patterns, lines, spots, or patches that appear on your Rexal's base coat. They can also vary in color, and depending on the specific marking type, can have distinct color rules to follow.
The combination and placement of markings on your Rexal play a significant role in defining its appearance. Markings have their own guide, so you should definitely check it out if you are curious about their overall color rules!
Marking & Their Colors - A guide
Mutations: These are unique traits or genes that randomly pop up in breedings or geno rolls. If you see a gene written in italics in your geno when you receieve it in a breeding, it didn't come from the parents – it's a surprise addition! Just like other genes, mutations can be passed down to offspring.
Free Markings: Just as the name implies, these are extra markings that you can add to your design, even if they aren't listed in your genotype. They won't appear on the rexal's genostring, but you must include them when you submit your design in the Free Marking section of the form, so the moderators can keep track of them. Each free marking has its own set of rules, so be sure to familiarize yourself with those rules to avoid any design approval hiccups.
Under 3 Genes Free Markings: These are special markings you can choose when your genotype only has 3 or fewer genes. They work just like free markings, but are only available for less complex genotypes that have only up to 3 genes (minus the base coat). Example: Dune with Throw, Swathes and Daub
Additional Import Areas
Eye Color: The color of a rex's eyes is your choice. They can match the color of your halo, or any other color you prefer. Feel free to shade the eyes, just ensure that the color is clear to read. The pupil must be black or notably darker, except when the halo magic is in effect when your rexal earned their divine status. The shape of the pupil should be either round or a slit.
Eyes cannot glow unless your rexal has the divine status.
Divine Eyes: Once a rex reaches the divine level, you can make their eyes glow with the color of their halo. For more details on Divine Eyes and Magic, please refer to the Magic Guide!
Teeth: Teeth can be white, yellowish, or off-white. You can also change them to black or gray using Charmed Paints.
Gums, Tongue, and Flesh: Gums and tongues can be any natural color, a color from the base coat slider (that is not the base coat), or black/gray. They can also be color-picked from your base slider (main or somber) or a shade of your base color, but must be visibly different and cannot be more saturated. You may choose to give the tongue a mottled look or a gradient, provided all colors look natural and fall within the rules.
Effect Layer: This layer represents the shine emitted by a rex's mouth. It must be colored with the same hex code as the halo. For more information, check the Magic Guide.
Apertures are also able to be flesh colored! Otherwise, please look at the Magic Guide !
Selection Layer: The layer that colors only parts of the rex is simply there for selection purposes, which makes coloring easier! You care free to ignore it.
Pink Sheen: Has it's own guide here
Eyes cannot glow unless your rexal has the divine status.
Divine Eyes: Once a rex reaches the divine level, you can make their eyes glow with the color of their halo. For more details on Divine Eyes and Magic, please refer to the Magic Guide!
Teeth: Teeth can be white, yellowish, or off-white. You can also change them to black or gray using Charmed Paints.
Gums, Tongue, and Flesh: Gums and tongues can be any natural color, a color from the base coat slider (that is not the base coat), or black/gray. They can also be color-picked from your base slider (main or somber) or a shade of your base color, but must be visibly different and cannot be more saturated. You may choose to give the tongue a mottled look or a gradient, provided all colors look natural and fall within the rules.
Effect Layer: This layer represents the shine emitted by a rex's mouth. It must be colored with the same hex code as the halo. For more information, check the Magic Guide.
Apertures are also able to be flesh colored! Otherwise, please look at the Magic Guide !
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Claws: Claws can be yellow, white, gray, black, a natural color, or a color from the base coat slider (that is not the base coat). They can also be color-picked from your base slider (main or somber) or a shade of your base color, but must be visibly different and cannot be more saturated. If snowed or another white mark affects your rex's coat, the claws can have different colors where the white meets them. |
Optional Layers & Help Layers
Selection Layer: The layer that colors only parts of the rex is simply there for selection purposes, which makes coloring easier! You care free to ignore it.
Pink Sheen: Has it's own guide here
Free Gradient: Has it's own guide here
Throat Armor: This layer is useful if you need to color Coating or Latro, but can be used for easy selection of the throat.
Import Backgrounds
Backgrounds: The Rexal hub website features an exciting functionality that allows you to place your Rexal in different environments! This is achieved by using PNG images with transparent backgrounds. When you submit your design, make sure to also submit a PNG file with your Rexal on a transparent background. This allows for easy switching of backgrounds on the website via your profile tab.
IMPORT BACKGROUNDS MUST BE TRANSPARENT
IMPORT BACKGROUNDS MUST BE TRANSPARENT
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Lineart Coloring: Add a touch of softness to your Rexal design by coloring the lineart! But remember to keep a balance - the lineart should never be too light and should remain clearly visible. |
| Import Halos: Want to make your Rexal pop more? Try creating an import halo around your Rexal! Here's a quick way to do it: simply copy the base color layer, select it, expand the selection, and fill it in. You can make the halo soft, dark, colored, or even double-edged. But don't make it too large or disruptive. If you prefer, you can use the ready-made import halos in the PSD - just recolor them to your liking. |  |
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Backdrop Behind the Head: Placing a backdrop behind your Rexal's head can enhance the magic halo. But be careful! This backdrop should not be mistaken for halos or special traits and should not be cut off at the edge of the canvas. You could use a soft brush to darken the area behind the head, or a hard brush to add a dark circle. This backdrop should always be black! |
| Selective Shading: Consider shading certain parts of your Rexal's design such as the eyes, teeth, mouth, claws, and apertures. However, remember, if you want the apertures to be shaded, they must be flesh-colored! Remember that anything that is not in the extras folder cannot be shaded! |
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Soft markings are able to have edges that are hue shifted to flow smoother into the base coat. Don't overdo the saturation here! |
Things you cannot do!
| Can I put a Logo, Writing or Icons on my Import? Unfortunately, we do not allow this anymore. With the current features of the website, we want them to be the optimal way to work with attire, overlays or the wardrobe. |
| Can I do a 3d effect? Sadly, not anymore. Many of our mods and users reported to get dizzy from this particular effect. Hence, we decided to dissalow it, as hard as that decision was. We don't want anyone to have a hard time from looking at an import. |
Quick Design Checklist
Are all of these good to go?
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Design Notes
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When you got a rather complicated design it's always better to utilize the 'Design Notes' point in the design submission form. This will help process the check faster, since the moderators will know better what you are trying to do with your design. Feel free to put anything here you can think of. Anything helps. Showcase Your Markings (Optional): To help the design check mods see your markings clearly, you could take screenshots of the markings when they aren't overlaid by other layers. Alternatively, you could temporarily color them in bright hues that stand out. This clarity can significantly speed up the approval process! |