Thought I'd share with you that an amazing album about to be released is up for pre order!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Panic! At the Disco's New Album
Thought I'd share with you that an amazing album about to be released is up for pre order!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
How to Make a Background From Scratch
Making backgrounds may seem hard but it's really not. In fact it's probably the least complicated graphic to make. Let's get started!
The tile for the background can be any size but the smaller it is, the faster it will load on your page.
We're going to make a small tiled background 100x100px because it's not too small and not too big so it will load right away no matter how slow your connection is.
Step 1: Start Gimp!
Step 2: Go to File, New or press ctrl+n. A window should pop up asking what you want your image size to be.
Remember these are in pixels.
Width: 100
Height: 100
Like this:
Once you put in the settings click Ok.
Step 3: Now for the fun part! Decorate the little box that popped up!
This is how I decorated mine:
Proceed to Step 4 When you are done decorating.
Step 4: Time to make it seamless! Go to Filters, Map and click on Make Seamless.
You're done! Now if you like what you see you can save it. It's best to save your images in png so that it keeps the same quality.
My result:
The tile for the background can be any size but the smaller it is, the faster it will load on your page.
We're going to make a small tiled background 100x100px because it's not too small and not too big so it will load right away no matter how slow your connection is.
Step 1: Start Gimp!
Step 2: Go to File, New or press ctrl+n. A window should pop up asking what you want your image size to be.
Remember these are in pixels.
Width: 100
Height: 100
Like this:
Once you put in the settings click Ok.
Step 3: Now for the fun part! Decorate the little box that popped up!
This is how I decorated mine:
Proceed to Step 4 When you are done decorating.
Step 4: Time to make it seamless! Go to Filters, Map and click on Make Seamless.
You're done! Now if you like what you see you can save it. It's best to save your images in png so that it keeps the same quality.
My result:
Saturday, January 29, 2011
How To Remove Unwanted Objects
Ever wanted to try to remove something from an image but didn't how? Well you can via the clone tool!
To practice doing this we are going to be using the image below of Shim from the Sick Puppies.
Step 1: Save image above^ to your computer and then open it up in Gimp.
Step 2: Next we will be removing the yellow sticker on the guitar and in order to do that we need to use the clone tool.
Clone Settings:
Mode: Normal
Opacity: 100%
Brush: Circle (11)
Scale: 3.53
Once you apply the settings you're ready to start cloning!
Keep in mind that these settings should not be used for every image. Some images require that you use a fuzzy circle brush instead (ex. faces). The scale of the brush also varies.
Step 3: Now this is where things may get tricky. We need to select the area that best fits the area where the yellow sticker is. To do this you have to press ctrl and left click on your mouse.
Let's use this area:
Basically what we are going to do is take that sample of the guitar that we selected and place it over the yellow sticker. It's the same as copying and pasting.
Step 4: Now that your area is selected, hover over the yellow sticker but make sure that the circle stays within the guitar.
Like this:
When you have your circle positioned in the correct area left click on your mouse. If your positioning was correct then it should look like the sticker was never in the image. :)
There's a lot you can do with the clone tool. Play around with it to see what happens!
My result:
To practice doing this we are going to be using the image below of Shim from the Sick Puppies.
Step 1: Save image above^ to your computer and then open it up in Gimp.
Step 2: Next we will be removing the yellow sticker on the guitar and in order to do that we need to use the clone tool.
Clone Settings:
Mode: Normal
Opacity: 100%
Brush: Circle (11)
Scale: 3.53
Once you apply the settings you're ready to start cloning!
Keep in mind that these settings should not be used for every image. Some images require that you use a fuzzy circle brush instead (ex. faces). The scale of the brush also varies.
Step 3: Now this is where things may get tricky. We need to select the area that best fits the area where the yellow sticker is. To do this you have to press ctrl and left click on your mouse.
Let's use this area:
Basically what we are going to do is take that sample of the guitar that we selected and place it over the yellow sticker. It's the same as copying and pasting.
Step 4: Now that your area is selected, hover over the yellow sticker but make sure that the circle stays within the guitar.
Like this:
When you have your circle positioned in the correct area left click on your mouse. If your positioning was correct then it should look like the sticker was never in the image. :)
There's a lot you can do with the clone tool. Play around with it to see what happens!
My result:
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Blending Two Images Together
There are quite a few ways to blend images together. I'm going to show you one way for now.
I will be using this background that I made earlier:
And this image of A7X:
Let's start out by saving the images above to your computer or if you'd like you may use your own. Then start Gimp.
Step 1: Open up both images separately in Gimp. To do so hover over File and click Open... Then find your image, click on it and click Open. Once you have both images open, minimize the one called "a7xblendingimage.png" and proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Make sure the background image is active and then hover over Layer and click on New Layer.
A window should pop up that looks like this:
Check off where it says "Transparency" and click OK.
Step 3: Bring back the image you previously minimized. Right-click on it and go to "edit" and then click "copy". Now you may close that image.
Step 4: Now the only image you should have open is the background. Right-click on the background, go to "edit" and click "paste into." The a7xblendingimage should now be on top of the background, centered in the middle. Move the image so that the bottom of the image is touching the bottom of the background.
Your screen should look like this:
Step 5: Next go to Layer and click "Anchor Layer" or press ctrl+h.
Step 6: We will now be selecting the area we want to keep. Click on the Free Select Tool in your toolbox. It's the one that looks like a lasso. Then draw around the people in the image. Be careful not to draw over them, we don't want them to be missing parts. It's always best to not draw so closely to them. Leave a bit of background around them so that they don't get blended completely into the background.
Ex.
Step 7: Go to "Select" and click "Invert" or press ctrl+i.
Step 8: Then go back to "Select" and click "Feather..." A window should pop up that looks like this:
I'm going to Feather selection by 90 pixels like in the example above. The higher the number the more it feathers. I don't want it to feather so much so I'm going somewhere in between.
Once you put in 90 like the example above, click OK.
Step 9: Now go to "Edit" and click on "Clear" or you can press "Delete" on your keyboard. Notice how the area you didn't select disappeared? If you want the image to be feathered more you can hit "Clear" again. I like the way it is now but I see the outline of the image so I'm going to use a brush to get rid of it.
Click on the Eraser Tool (the pink rectangular shape) in your toolbox. Grunge brushes tend to work best for this so I'm going to use "Galaxy, Big." Once you have the brush, gently erase the outline.
When you are done proceed to Step 10.
Step 10: Go to "Image" and click on "Flatten Image."
Step 11: Go to "Select" and click "None."
You're done! To maintain the same quality it's best to save the image in .png format.
My Result:
If you'd like you can also blend in more images after Step 11 by starting at Step 2. All you have to do is add a new transparent layer and repeat.
Good luck!
I will be using this background that I made earlier:
And this image of A7X:
Let's start out by saving the images above to your computer or if you'd like you may use your own. Then start Gimp.
Step 1: Open up both images separately in Gimp. To do so hover over File and click Open... Then find your image, click on it and click Open. Once you have both images open, minimize the one called "a7xblendingimage.png" and proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Make sure the background image is active and then hover over Layer and click on New Layer.
A window should pop up that looks like this:
Check off where it says "Transparency" and click OK.
Step 3: Bring back the image you previously minimized. Right-click on it and go to "edit" and then click "copy". Now you may close that image.
Step 4: Now the only image you should have open is the background. Right-click on the background, go to "edit" and click "paste into." The a7xblendingimage should now be on top of the background, centered in the middle. Move the image so that the bottom of the image is touching the bottom of the background.
Your screen should look like this:
Step 5: Next go to Layer and click "Anchor Layer" or press ctrl+h.
Step 6: We will now be selecting the area we want to keep. Click on the Free Select Tool in your toolbox. It's the one that looks like a lasso. Then draw around the people in the image. Be careful not to draw over them, we don't want them to be missing parts. It's always best to not draw so closely to them. Leave a bit of background around them so that they don't get blended completely into the background.
Ex.
Step 7: Go to "Select" and click "Invert" or press ctrl+i.
Step 8: Then go back to "Select" and click "Feather..." A window should pop up that looks like this:
I'm going to Feather selection by 90 pixels like in the example above. The higher the number the more it feathers. I don't want it to feather so much so I'm going somewhere in between.
Once you put in 90 like the example above, click OK.
Step 9: Now go to "Edit" and click on "Clear" or you can press "Delete" on your keyboard. Notice how the area you didn't select disappeared? If you want the image to be feathered more you can hit "Clear" again. I like the way it is now but I see the outline of the image so I'm going to use a brush to get rid of it.
Click on the Eraser Tool (the pink rectangular shape) in your toolbox. Grunge brushes tend to work best for this so I'm going to use "Galaxy, Big." Once you have the brush, gently erase the outline.
When you are done proceed to Step 10.
Step 10: Go to "Image" and click on "Flatten Image."
Step 11: Go to "Select" and click "None."
You're done! To maintain the same quality it's best to save the image in .png format.
My Result:
If you'd like you can also blend in more images after Step 11 by starting at Step 2. All you have to do is add a new transparent layer and repeat.
Good luck!
Image Hosting Sites
Looking for a place to host your graphics? These are my favorites:
Photobucket: I like using photobucket for smaller graphics such as animations, banners and glitters.
ImageShack: I like using ImageShack for larger graphics such as wallpapers and layouts because they don't re-size them like photobucket does.
Photobucket: I like using photobucket for smaller graphics such as animations, banners and glitters.
ImageShack: I like using ImageShack for larger graphics such as wallpapers and layouts because they don't re-size them like photobucket does.
How to Make a Glittery Name Using Static
Step 1: Start Gimp
Step 2: Go to File and click on New or press ctrl+n. Make the width 300px and the height 100px. Click OK.
After you clicked Ok this should have appeared:
Step 3: Now we are going to add some text. Click on the Text Tool which is the A icon in your toolbox. Click and drag the text box onto the 300x100 box. A window should pop up: this is where you will type in your text. Pick a font and a color for your text. You can type anything you want and use whatever font as long as it fits in the box.
The font I used is called Ithornët and you can download it for free at http://www.dafont.com
Font color: b7b734
Step 4: Go to Image and click on Flatten Image.
Step 5: Now we are going to make the background transparent. Go to layer and click on Color to Alpha. A window should pop up. If the preview shows that the background is already transparent then just click OK. If not click on the colored box where it says From: (Box here) to alpha. Another window should pop up. Type in "ffffff"(white) where it says HTML notation. Then click OK. Instead of having a white background you should see a gray checkered pattern (this means it no longer has a background).
Step 6: Click on the Fuzzy Select Tool (looks like a wand) and make sure you use mode 2. Then click on your text. Make sure every letter that you want to have glitter is selected.
Step 7: Next we will need to create at least 2 more layers. Go to Layer and click on Duplicate Layer. Do it again so that you have a total of 3 layers. Or if you want you can press shift+ctrl+d two times.
Step 8: Time to add the static! Go to Filters, Noise and click on HSV Noise...A window should pop up. It's best to mess with the settings until you get the effect that you prefer. When you are done click OK.
These are my settings:
Holdness: 3
Hue: 0
Saturation: 106
Value: 134
Step 9: Click on the next layer which should be called Background Copy. It should now be highlighted in gray. Then repeat Step 8 but this time change the value one number lower. In my case it would be 133.
Step 10: Next click on the last layer which should be called Background. Repeat step 8 again but this time change the Value one number less than the previous one. In my case it would be 132.
Step 11: Let's see how it turned out! Go to Filters, Animation and click on Playback. A window should pop up with your glitter. Click Play. When you are done viewing your glitter close the window.
Saving: To save your glitter go to File and click on Save as or press shift+ctrl+s. A window should have popped up. In the box that says "Name" erase where it says "Untitled" and put the name you want for your glitter and add .gif to the end. I'm going to use "alyssagoldglitter.gif" Just make sure .gif is at the end! Click Save when you are done.
After you clicked Save a window should have appeared. Click on the circle that says Save as Animation. If you don't do this your image will be flattened. Then click Export and then another window will appear where you will click Save.
You're done!!!
Here is my result:
Step 2: Go to File and click on New or press ctrl+n. Make the width 300px and the height 100px. Click OK.
After you clicked Ok this should have appeared:
Step 3: Now we are going to add some text. Click on the Text Tool which is the A icon in your toolbox. Click and drag the text box onto the 300x100 box. A window should pop up: this is where you will type in your text. Pick a font and a color for your text. You can type anything you want and use whatever font as long as it fits in the box.
The font I used is called Ithornët and you can download it for free at http://www.dafont.com
Font color: b7b734
Step 4: Go to Image and click on Flatten Image.
Step 5: Now we are going to make the background transparent. Go to layer and click on Color to Alpha. A window should pop up. If the preview shows that the background is already transparent then just click OK. If not click on the colored box where it says From: (Box here) to alpha. Another window should pop up. Type in "ffffff"(white) where it says HTML notation. Then click OK. Instead of having a white background you should see a gray checkered pattern (this means it no longer has a background).
Step 6: Click on the Fuzzy Select Tool (looks like a wand) and make sure you use mode 2. Then click on your text. Make sure every letter that you want to have glitter is selected.
Step 7: Next we will need to create at least 2 more layers. Go to Layer and click on Duplicate Layer. Do it again so that you have a total of 3 layers. Or if you want you can press shift+ctrl+d two times.
Step 8: Time to add the static! Go to Filters, Noise and click on HSV Noise...A window should pop up. It's best to mess with the settings until you get the effect that you prefer. When you are done click OK.
These are my settings:
Holdness: 3
Hue: 0
Saturation: 106
Value: 134
Step 9: Click on the next layer which should be called Background Copy. It should now be highlighted in gray. Then repeat Step 8 but this time change the value one number lower. In my case it would be 133.
Step 10: Next click on the last layer which should be called Background. Repeat step 8 again but this time change the Value one number less than the previous one. In my case it would be 132.
Step 11: Let's see how it turned out! Go to Filters, Animation and click on Playback. A window should pop up with your glitter. Click Play. When you are done viewing your glitter close the window.
Saving: To save your glitter go to File and click on Save as or press shift+ctrl+s. A window should have popped up. In the box that says "Name" erase where it says "Untitled" and put the name you want for your glitter and add .gif to the end. I'm going to use "alyssagoldglitter.gif" Just make sure .gif is at the end! Click Save when you are done.
After you clicked Save a window should have appeared. Click on the circle that says Save as Animation. If you don't do this your image will be flattened. Then click Export and then another window will appear where you will click Save.
You're done!!!
Here is my result:
How to Take a Screenshot Using Gimp 2.6
Did you know you can take screen shots with gimp? Well if you didn't here's how you can!
Step 1: Start Gimp
Step 2: Have the page open that you want to take a screen shot of.
Step 3: Go to File, Create and click on Screen Shot.
A window should have popped up!
It gives you two options:
Grab a single window: This option will allow you to take a screen shot of whatever window you have open. All you have to do is click Grab. Another window should have come up that looks like this:
All you have to do is close everything you don't want in the screen shot and then drag the little crosshair over to the page you want on the screen shot.
Grab the Whole Screen: This option will take a screen shot of everything you see on your screen. It even gives you the option of using a delay in case you need to position your mouse over something so a little bubble will appear. Once you click Grab it will take a screen shot of everything you see on your screen. If you use the delay it will wait for the amount of seconds you put.
Step 1: Start Gimp
Step 2: Have the page open that you want to take a screen shot of.
Step 3: Go to File, Create and click on Screen Shot.
A window should have popped up!
It gives you two options:
Grab a single window: This option will allow you to take a screen shot of whatever window you have open. All you have to do is click Grab. Another window should have come up that looks like this:
All you have to do is close everything you don't want in the screen shot and then drag the little crosshair over to the page you want on the screen shot.
Grab the Whole Screen: This option will take a screen shot of everything you see on your screen. It even gives you the option of using a delay in case you need to position your mouse over something so a little bubble will appear. Once you click Grab it will take a screen shot of everything you see on your screen. If you use the delay it will wait for the amount of seconds you put.
How to Make an Image Glittery Using Static
Ever see those glittery images on someone's profile like myspace? Well keep on reading to learn how to make them!
In this tutorial we are going to create a glittery effect using static. (Yes, like the static you see on your tv. Trust me, it will come out looking great!)
Before:
Image taken from: http://www.thesugarband.co.uk/
After:
Step 1: Save the Before Image Above to your computer and Start Gimp.
Step 2: Go to File+Open... and then find the rose image you saved and click open.
Ex.
Step 3: You should see this now:
Step 4: Click on the Fuzzy Select Tool in your toolbox.
This one:
Step 5: Now we are going to select the area we want to be glittery (the rose) using the Fuzzy Select Tool. Before we start, click on the second mode icon that says Add to the Current Selection. Now you can start clicking all over the rose petals. Select any part of the area that is a shade of red.
Ex.
Step 6: In order to make an image appear glittery you need at least 3 layers. So go to Layer and click on Duplicate Layer. Now go to Layer and click on Duplicate Layer again. Or hold down shift+ctrl+D at the same time 2 times.
Ex.
You should now have 3 layers (1 original and 2 copies).
Your screen should look like this:
Step 7: Time to add the static! Go to Filters,Noise and click on HSV Noise.
When you clicked on HSV Noise, a window should have popped up. If it didn't, try clicking on it again.
When you use the HSV Noise option you get to pick your own settings! It helps just to mess around them to get the effect you want. However, since we are trying to recreate the example above of the glittery rose let's use the same settings.
Holdness: 3
Hue: 36
Saturation: 69
Value: 109
Once you put in the settings click OK. Your rose should have static on it now.
Step 8: Now it is time to apply static to the other 2 layers! First click on the second layer (Background copy).
Now do what you did in Step 7 but change the value setting to 108. Did you see the static in the preview change? That means you did it right! If you weren't paying attention but still used 108 I'm sure you did it right. :) Click OK.
Step 9: Almost done! Click on the last layer titled Background. It should be highlighted. If it isn't, click on it again. Now it's time to repeat Step 7 again. Go to filters, noise and then click on HSV Noise. This time we will change the value to 107. Click OK.
Step 10: Let's see what it looks like now with all 3 layers animated. Go to filters, animation and click on playback.
A window should have popped up with your image in it. Click play and watch what you created! Does it look like mine or somewhat similar? If so, good job! Close the pop up window because it's time to save your glitter!
Saving: Go to File and click on Save as or click on shift+ctrl+s. A window should have popped up. In the area where it says name erase whatever is there and type in rose.gif (or whatevernameyouwant.gif) Just make sure .gif is at the end! Click Save when you are done.
After you clicked Save a window should have appeared. Click on the circle that says Save as Animation. If you don't do this your image will be flattened. Then click Export and then another window will appear where you will click Save.
You're done!!!
You can use these same steps when trying to add glitter to a different image! Just remember you don't have to use the same static settings as I did!
Good luck!
In this tutorial we are going to create a glittery effect using static. (Yes, like the static you see on your tv. Trust me, it will come out looking great!)
Before:
Image taken from: http://www.thesugarband.co.uk/
After:
Step 1: Save the Before Image Above to your computer and Start Gimp.
Step 2: Go to File+Open... and then find the rose image you saved and click open.
Ex.
Step 3: You should see this now:
Step 4: Click on the Fuzzy Select Tool in your toolbox.
This one:
Step 5: Now we are going to select the area we want to be glittery (the rose) using the Fuzzy Select Tool. Before we start, click on the second mode icon that says Add to the Current Selection. Now you can start clicking all over the rose petals. Select any part of the area that is a shade of red.
Ex.
Step 6: In order to make an image appear glittery you need at least 3 layers. So go to Layer and click on Duplicate Layer. Now go to Layer and click on Duplicate Layer again. Or hold down shift+ctrl+D at the same time 2 times.
Ex.
You should now have 3 layers (1 original and 2 copies).
Your screen should look like this:
Step 7: Time to add the static! Go to Filters,Noise and click on HSV Noise.
When you clicked on HSV Noise, a window should have popped up. If it didn't, try clicking on it again.
When you use the HSV Noise option you get to pick your own settings! It helps just to mess around them to get the effect you want. However, since we are trying to recreate the example above of the glittery rose let's use the same settings.
Holdness: 3
Hue: 36
Saturation: 69
Value: 109
Once you put in the settings click OK. Your rose should have static on it now.
Step 8: Now it is time to apply static to the other 2 layers! First click on the second layer (Background copy).
Now do what you did in Step 7 but change the value setting to 108. Did you see the static in the preview change? That means you did it right! If you weren't paying attention but still used 108 I'm sure you did it right. :) Click OK.
Step 9: Almost done! Click on the last layer titled Background. It should be highlighted. If it isn't, click on it again. Now it's time to repeat Step 7 again. Go to filters, noise and then click on HSV Noise. This time we will change the value to 107. Click OK.
Step 10: Let's see what it looks like now with all 3 layers animated. Go to filters, animation and click on playback.
A window should have popped up with your image in it. Click play and watch what you created! Does it look like mine or somewhat similar? If so, good job! Close the pop up window because it's time to save your glitter!
Saving: Go to File and click on Save as or click on shift+ctrl+s. A window should have popped up. In the area where it says name erase whatever is there and type in rose.gif (or whatevernameyouwant.gif) Just make sure .gif is at the end! Click Save when you are done.
After you clicked Save a window should have appeared. Click on the circle that says Save as Animation. If you don't do this your image will be flattened. Then click Export and then another window will appear where you will click Save.
You're done!!!
You can use these same steps when trying to add glitter to a different image! Just remember you don't have to use the same static settings as I did!
Good luck!
Hello!
So basically, I decided to create this blog to share tutorials on how to create graphics in Gimp 2.6. I know that you can find a lot of Gimp tutorials online but I noticed that many of them aren't very descriptive and can be quite confusing. So, I'm hoping to create simple Step-by-Step tutorials so that even if you aren't really reading word for word you can easily figure out what to do by looking at the screen shots. If you are one of those people that do that, you're not alone. I do it all of the time! =D
Now just so we are clear, I am not a graphic design expert. I've been teaching myself since I was 12(while using Paint). I took a Communication Graphics class in high school but that was pretty much useless. Fortunately, the class did introduce me to Gimp, which I am very thankful for! It sucked having to use Paint and other programs that would give you viruses!!! Anyway...like I was saying...I'm not an expert, I just like to mess around with Gimp and see what happens. :)
I'm hoping to start posting tutorials next week...but if I don't I'll definitely try to post some asap!
Hope you enjoy them!
Now just so we are clear, I am not a graphic design expert. I've been teaching myself since I was 12(while using Paint). I took a Communication Graphics class in high school but that was pretty much useless. Fortunately, the class did introduce me to Gimp, which I am very thankful for! It sucked having to use Paint and other programs that would give you viruses!!! Anyway...like I was saying...I'm not an expert, I just like to mess around with Gimp and see what happens. :)
I'm hoping to start posting tutorials next week...but if I don't I'll definitely try to post some asap!
Hope you enjoy them!
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