shanefrost
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Machine was one of my earliest projects when it came to comic work. Back then I had been doing single pages of a story, what would later become panels of my story-board comic style.
MachineSR was my way of coming back and honoring the original work. At the time of working on the comic, I was using a desktop app called Pixlr Desktop, which I had been using for many years for effects and texture works.
Out of nowhere however, Pixlr would go on to release an update during working with this comic that completely erased all the files, textures, effects, and access to the app itself. I was devastated. Later I would learn they sold it off to an art and photo company that sold digital assets.
I tried for a long time to see if I could find files, codes, cracks, anything to get the app up and running again but I never could find anything. A year ago I looked again with no hope. Because I lost all these tools, least of which for my aesthetics, I stepped away from the project, feeling like a lot of the flavor and style would be lost and an utter whiplash for readers, least of which myself.
I never stop thinking about this story. I never stop thinking about that app...and nothing could ever be how accessible, straightforward, and endearing for my needs that it was. The same way I use only Macromedia Flash 4, a 2001 app, for all my art due to its straightforward use.
-TLDR- This comic is incomplete but I wanted to share it, so I hope you'll forgive me and not be upset if you read.
Again, it saddens me dearly how I lost and was never able to reclaim an app and toolset that had been such a part of me, it was like losing my right hand.
If you're looking for more curious, strange, and playful stories/comics among other stuff too, come check out my stories here on Imgur. Who knows. It might make for a decent distraction. Knowing I can be some good part of a person's day is one of the few joys I have.
https://imgur.com/user/shanefrost/posts
And if you're feeling especially generous, here's a link to my patreon! Bless you silly dears!
https://www.patreon.com/join/Shane_Frost
ShadeMeadowsArt
THESE ARE SO GOOD×
kitkatarine
I love your stories, especially with these robot companions. I did find the text a little hard to read sometimes but that might just be my eyes going bad too.
DimwitF
Shane, have you ever played Citizen Sleeper? These "rebuilding busted robot person who should stop being so hard on themselves" stories remind me a lot of it. Two games now, some of my absolute favourite stories.
shanefrost
I have not, no! Looks like an absolute wild trip! Thank you for nudging it my way! ^^
onlyfourlinks
Would love to see this work continued as well! It is so nice. I'm sorry for the loss of your old tools.
moonshadowkati
I love your stories and your artwork, but I admit the text was a bit hard to read on this one.
shanefrost
Really sorry about that! These days I mostly have outlined text and do my best to make the text easier to read!
Euclid11010
Yes!! Another one! Yet again, thank you! As always, a delightfully engaging read!
Rakoth
More. MORE!
DigitalHare
Oh, shoot. Machine was the first comic of yours I came across. Had saved it because I didn't know if I'd be able to find the work again. Good to see it's getting a second pass ♥
shanefrost
Aw, that's so nice to hear. <:) Grateful it had been a first! Appreciate you taking the time!
XenAylomen
That's some good story, si love it, and I would love to read the rest of the story, should you ever draw it! :)
elvianempire
you have something going there. I like your story telling.
ArenJ6
Your "helping an abandoned broken robot" stories were always among my favourites. I don't thing it's because of an underlying psychological trauma I may or may not have, but I do think the story setting is very cool.
shanefrost
I feel a lot of us can relate in a way to the idea of being a robot. Not being seen, only used. Talked at but not talked to. So many of us busted and damaged things out there. People take from us. We lose parts of ourselves, a name tag slapped on us, a designation with little of our input wanted.
Even if we haven't experienced it, we see it. We all need a little comfort, a little hope and moment to breathe. Find ourselves again. So bless for being so kind. <:)
ArenJ6
https://media2.giphy.com/media/EvYHHSntaIl5m/200w.webp?cid=a57373e5tys8w3m0dtwxdgld6tvdtr2yfnutdmcp1nzwwfnf&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=200w.webp&ct=g
AnonOmis1000
Dammit why are you so good at making sad stories :(
shanefrost
Well I'll level with you. Pain resonates with me. Like a splash of cold water when I was thoughtless and just going along with things. That deep sadness was like a disconnect. Woke me up to looking deeper within, exploring myself. A lot of us...we ignore our feelings these days, get lost in nonsense and all the things that hollow out and make us miserable.
But emotions like in my comics...express our humanity. That we feel and are more than what we ignore nearly every day, year after year.
CallMeMcGyver
I like your characters... especially the ones who remain true to their ideals and do the right thing because doing the right thing is the right thing to do. Being kind and understanding is important and your stories reflect that core belief very well. This stupid world needs more stories like yours.
shanefrost
Bless, hun. I'm grateful you can enjoy my characters. That's part of why I do the work I do. We see so much toxic, apathetic, and tenuous friendships out there in media, online, our lives. Some of us don't even know what a healthy, mutual, and honest relationship can be.
It is always my hopes that these stories may present both sides a person needs. That someone may consider being vulnerable, caring, sympathetic/empathetic, and reflecting the good in their souls, not the greed in their hearts
Foxsayy
I like it. If you ever finish it, I'll be the first to read it :)
Wingshark
Race you there
shanefrost
So sweet of you to say, thanks hun. <:)
shadowmetachu
Agreed; truly sad to have reached the end
ignotoCiResto
ok bro, I know it aint much, especially since I couldnt find the textures, but here: /versions">https://pixlr-desktop.en.uptodown.com/windows/versions you can download the PE up to just over ten years ago (1.0.2.0). Lemme do a deeper search and let's see what we can scrounge
shanefrost
Bless you dearly, hun! Unlike other versions I have gone through, this one was able to boot into the actually program. Alas, every asset used to edit is missing, requiring downloads from servers that no longer exist. blast it!
ThingsThatDontJustifyGenocide
Do you remember the names of the textures and the like that you prefered/need? Or is it a "too many to name" kind of situation?
shanefrost
It is missing every single asset file which is wild! So even though it could open, nothing is accesible. I said could because after closing it and trying to reopen, it now will not open! aaaUGH! Really though, I am so darn humbled and grateful for you trying to help. Everyone's time is precious.
ignotoCiResto
sadly, I couldnt find any asset, not even sailing the high sea. Tomorrow I'll ask a friend that was into graphic about that time if he have those. If so I'll see to upload em on mega.
ignotoCiResto
WAIT! You get to ride in the wayback machine! https://web.archive.org/web/2/http://pixlr.com/
For some reason it dont work for me, but maybe you are lucky
shanefrost
How wickedly fascinating! I went searching back but remembered they never provided downloadable assets, only the app itself, which even attempting to download that tries to access a page that cannot load. So wild though!