The Artist's Guide to GIMP by Hammel, Michael -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

The Artist’s Guide to GIMP: Creative Techniques for Photographers, Artists, and Designers Dedication About the Author About the Technical Reviewer Acknowledgments

Credits

Introduction

What This Book Is About What This Book Is Not About How This Book Is Organized A Few More Hints

A Useful Package About the Canvas

1. Fundamental Techniques

Multi-Window vs. Single-Window Mode The GIMP Toolbox

The Tool Options Dialog Color Swatches and Tool Previews Brush, Pattern, and Gradient Previews Active Image Preview Window Docking

The Image Window

Menus Additional Features

The Preferences Dialog

Shortcuts Undo Levels and Other Environment Options Resource Folders

1.1 Drawing and Painting

Paint Tools and Features

The Pencil Tool The Paintbrush Tool The Airbrush Tool The Eraser Tool The Ink Tool

Brushes

Creating Ordinary and Colored Brushes Creating Parametric Brushes

1.2 Layers and Modes

The Layers Dialog Paint Modes Layer Modes Using a Layer Mode to Colorize an Image Using a Layer Mask to Colorize an Image Layer and Layer Mode Tips

1.3 Color Modes 1.4 Selections

Selection Tools Editing Selections Selection Constraints Selection Modes Oddly Shaped Selections

The Free Select Tool The Fuzzy Select Tool The Select by Color Tool The Scissors Tool The Foreground Select Tool

Creating Masks from Selections

Feathering Selections Using the Quick Mask

Discarding Selections Working with Selections Selection Tips

1.5 Paths 1.6 Drawing Basic Shapes

Drawing a Straight Line Drawing Simple Shapes Drawing Irregular Shapes Drawing Predefined Shapes Basic Shape Tips

1.7 Patterns and Gradients

Patterns

Concrete Texture Simulated Cloth Creating Tileable Patterns

Gradients

Using the Shape Setting with Gradients Using the Gradient Editor

Pattern and Gradient Design Tips

1.8 Working with Text

Creating Text The Tool Options Dialog The Text Editor Text, Paths, and the Context Menu Text Tips

1.9 Digital Cameras

A Digital Camera Primer File Formats Camera Metadata: EXIF GIMP Photo Processing Digital Camera Tips

1.10 Basic Tutorials

Clouds

The Plasma Filter The Solid Noise Filter Difference Clouds Fog Combining the Filters Creating a Steam Effect Cloud Tips

Rips and Cracks

Ripping an Image’s Edges Ripping Tips

2. Photographic Effects

2.1 Soft Focus

Getting Started Preparing the High Pass Filter Merging Layers Adjusting Light and Shadow in the High Pass Layer Blending Layers Fine Tuning Further Exploration

2.2 Photo to Sketch

Getting Started Converting the Image to a Sketch Adding Depth to the Sketch Adding the Finishing Touches Further Exploration

2.3 Antiquing with Sepia Tones

Getting Started Increasing the Middle Grays Adding the Sepia Tone Further Exploration

2.4 Color Swap

A Simple Color Swap

Isolating the Object Choosing the Destination Color

A More Complex Color Swap

Creating a Complex Selection Changing the Quick Mask Color Painting the Selection Working in a Duplicate Layer

Further Exploration

2.5 Changing Depth of Field

Getting Started Isolating the Foreground Adding Depth of Field Further Exploration

2.6 Reflections on Glass

Getting Started Preparing the Image Creating the Reflection Adding a Surface for the Reflection Placing the Reflection on the Surface Adding a Shadow Further Exploration

2.7 Lake Reflection

Getting Started Creating the Initial Reflection Adding Ripples Adding Waves Further Exploration

2.8 Photo Restoration

Getting Started Enhancing the Scanned Image Correcting with a Single Patch Correcting with Multiple Patches Correcting Facial Blemishes Cleaning Up the Background Further Exploration

2.9 Casting Light Through a Window

Getting Started Setting Up the Shadow Mask Increasing the Light Further Exploration

2.10 Light Streaks

Getting Started Adding an Outer Glow Adding an Inner Glow Enhancing the Initial Streak Further Exploration

2.11 Miniaturizing a Scene

Getting Started Blurring to Miniaturize Further Exploration

Tips for Photographic Effects

Autolevel Option Sharp Scans Selections, Selections, Selections Add More Contrast Soft Light and Overlay Modes Sepia Means Brown The Color of Kelvin Experimentation

3. Web Design

Working in a Native Medium GIMP Tools for Web Design 3.1 Gel Buttons

Getting Started Adding Colored Layers Adding a Lower Highlight Adding an Upper Highlight Stretching the Upper Highlight Adding Text to the Button Further Exploration

3.2 Metal Buttons

Getting Started Adding More Reflections Adding Color Further Exploration

3.3 Tabs

Getting Started Adding a Gradient Giving the Tab Some Depth Adding Color and Highlights Adding Text Creating More Tabs Further Exploration

3.4 Website Banners

Getting Started Cropping the Background Graphic Enhancing the Glow Adding a Foreground Graphic Colorizing the Laptop Opening a Window on the Trees Exporting and Saving Further Exploration

3.5 Simple Logos

Getting Started Creating Text Adding Borders and Clipart Adding a Watermark Centering the Text Further Exploration

3.6 Icons

Getting Started Adding a Gradient Fill Creating a Checkered Pattern Adding a Pattern Masking the Bottom of the Icon Creating the Application Sphere Adding Highlights Adding the Application ID Further Exploration

Tips for Web Design

Use GIMP for Images, CSS for Design The Right Units Add Contrast Where Necessary Avoid Busy Backgrounds Choose File Formats Wisely Scan for the Web Subtle Gradients Transparency in Web Design Choosing the Right Colors Export Safely

4. Advertising and Special Effects

Print vs. Web Stock Images Color, Contrast, and Grayscale It’s Up to You 4.1 Creative Text Design

Selecting a Stock Image Choosing a Font Adding a Vignette Adding a Text Layer Creating a Mask Layer Further Exploration

4.2 3-D Package Designs

Preparing the Front of the Box Creating a Patch Adding Text to the Front of the Box Creating the Side of the Box Merging the Front and Side Panels Cleaning Up the Edges Further Exploration

4.3 Reflective Glass

Getting Started Adding a Border Creating a Glassy Surface Adding Reflective Highlights on the Right Adding Reflective Highlights on the Left Adding Text and a Drop Shadow Further Exploration

4.4 Popping an Image

Getting Started Isolating the Boarder Enhancing the Board Details Removing the Background Adding a Drop Shadow Replacing the Background Adding Text Further Exploration

4.5 Shiny Emblem

Getting Started Creating a Metallic Border Creating an Emblem Adding an Inner Border Adding Raised Lettering Further Exploration

4.6 Wine Bottle

Drawing the Bottle Shape Adding Highlights Making a White Label with Gold Trim Making a Blue Stripe and Gold Wrapper Further Exploration

4.7 Gears

Making the Gear Cogs Creating the Outer Ring Connecting the Disk and Ring Adding Depth and Texture Further Exploration

4.8 Cube City

Getting Started Creating the Building’s Face Making the Face a Cube Multiplying the Buildings Adding Color Adding Highlights Further Exploration

4.9 Underwater

Getting Started Creating Waves Adding Diffused Light Adding Rays of Light Intensifying the Light Further Exploration

4.10 Colored Lighting

Getting Started Adding Cool Lighting Adding Warm Lighting Adding a Highlight Softening the Image Further Exploration

4.11 iPod

Getting Started Adding the iPod Placing the iPod in a Pocket Drawing the Earphones Placing the Final Shadow Further Exploration

Tips for Advertising and Special Effects

Create 3-D Effects Add Texture Use Layer Modes Reflect with Gradients Emboss the Easy Way Eliminate the Jaggies Don’t Worry About Horizontal Alignment Watch Your Canvas Size

5. Type Effects

GIMP’s Text Tools Predefined Text Effects Creating Your Own Type Effects 5.1 Chrome and Metal Text

Brushed Metal

Creating the Text Extruding the Text with the Bump Map Filter Adding a Metallic Finish

Heavy Metal

Creating the Text Adding Depth Adding a Metallic Finish

Liquid Metal

Creating the Text Liquefying the Letters Adding Depth and Polish

Further Exploration

5.2 Gel Type

Creating the Text Rounding the Surface of the Text Adding Lighting Effects Lightening the Text and Adding a Drop Shadow Further Exploration

5.3 Distressed Text

Creating the Text Creating a Distressed Layer Applying the Distressed Effect to the Text Further Exploration

5.4 Frost

Creating the Background and Text Bringing the Text Forward Adding Snow Creating Falling Snow Further Exploration

5.5 Neon Signs

Experimenting with the Built-in Neon Effect Creating the Background Preparing the Neon Tubes Adding the Glow Adding a Glass-Edged Reflection Further Exploration

5.6 Spray Paint

Creating the Background Adding a Text Outline Converting the Text to Spray Paint Further Exploration

Tips for Type Effects

Make Alignment Easier Find Good Fonts Use Only the Fonts You Need Use Large Type and High Resolution for Print Projects Remember That All GIMP Text Is Rasterized Practice Copyfitting Manually Edit Text Layers Wisely Plan Ahead Create Font Maps

6. Creative Inspiration

6.1 Fire Girl

Isolating the Girl from the Background Edge-Detecting the Girl to Create Multiple Layers Blending in Ornamental Elements Blending to Remove Excess Details Adding Flame Coloring Creating the Crown of Flames Further Exploration

6.2 Star Field

Starting Small Growing Bigger Stars Working at a Larger Scale Adding Space Voids Clustering Coloring Using Lens and Gradient Flares for Highlights Adding Space Dust Further Exploration

6.3 Creamsicle Love

Creating a Custom Gradient Creating Temporary Grassy Hills Adding a Background Sun Giving It the Retro Feel: Sunbeams Adding the Lovers’ Silhouette Finishing Off the Grassy Hills Further Exploration

6.4 Mobsterville

Establishing the Base Image Making It Rain Adding a Background Building and Lamp Posts Adding Lamps and Lights Retrieving a Red Tie Further Exploration

Index About the Author Copyright

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