MANGA STUDIO 3 is the new comic drawing software distributed by e-frontiers. Deriving from the Japanese Comic-studio di Celsys. , is
available in two options:
Debut for beginners, and Ex for experts.
Having used Deleter Comicworks or two years myself, I can easily say that it’s like comparing Windows’ Paint and Adobe Photoshop…
I’ve tried both versions of this application: from the comparison chart you can see very few differences between the Debut and the Ex verson, but some of the latter’s functionalities give it an edge over its minor release, therefore I will be rewieving the Ex version.

MangaStudioEx offers a wide quantity of drawing instruments, inspired by traditional Japanese techniques, which are offered alongside the classic graphic tools.
Just as seen in Comicworks, it has the fundamental function of shaking reduction, indispensable for inking smoothly and avoiding the brush effect.

Another important tool in Manga Studio Ex is WORD BALOONS. Once I learnt using it, I felt extremely relieved. As far as I’m concerned, I’ve created some in the most various shapes, from vectorial objects (the predefined options are terrible), and when I insert text I can easily pick the most suitable. You can also add the tail to the baloon!

SCREENTONESapparently there are more than 3000 of them to choose from. They are easy to apply with a selection tool that highlights it in green, and extremely easy to change, every tone creating its own level, which can be grouped into folders just as with psb Photoshop files. The only drawback is the unrealistic preview of the page, forcing you to save the image as png and previewing it with a third part application such as Photoshop.Another way to lay small portion
of tones is by using the spray can, programmable to apply portions of black, white or transparent tone. This last option is very useful to cancel with a little smudge, instead of the sharp effect of the eraser..

Manga Studio Ex is not only a comic drawing application, but it offers a great page and project layout functions, just as in InDesign and Xpress. Exporting images is possible in all of the most common formats (Jpg, Bmp, Png, Tga, Pic and Tiff), but also PSD and PDF.
Exporting for the web is still not perfect, just as for Comicworks: it is advisable to adapt the images using Photoshop.

In conclusion I recommend this software to comicartis with a large monitor (there are many windows), gaphic tablet and .. some patience because it’s not an intuitive software.