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11.07.2008

Tutorial: Gimp Effects

This tutorial gives an introduction to using and creating effects. Apply what you learn here to your experimentation to do all sorts of cool things within Gimp (though the concepts can be applied to other programs as well).

Step 1: Get yourself an image.


Original Image

Step 2: Manipulate the image as you like and make sure you have an extra copy layer of the one you're happy with. Then click on the New Layer icon.


New Layer

Step 3: Select a White background.


White

Step 4: Select the Oval Selection tool and draw a nice oval covering most of the image.


Oval Selection

Step 5: Go to Select->Feather and make the value 250.


Feather


250

Step 6: Cut or Delete the selection from the White layer. You can also adjust the transparency if you feel like it.


Cut (Control+X)

Step 7: Make sure you select your Image Layer and then go to Filters->Artistic->Apply Canvas. You can play with the settings, but I left them as is.


Apply Canvas


Default Settings

Step 8: Choose the Text tool and type something. The text editing tools are on the lower left dialog box for things like font size, font type, and color.


Text Editor


Text Attributes

Step 9: Moving the text can be tricky. Choose the Move Object tool, and make sure your cursor is touching the text itself, otherwise you will move the layer below.


Move Tool

Step 10: Move the text layer above the white layer so it is more legible. Duplicate the text layer and then go to Layer->Transform->Flip Vertically.


Duplicate Text


Flip Vertically

Step 11: Use the Distortion tool to tweak the text a little.



Distortion

Step 12: Change the Opacity on both text layers...



Opacity 50 and 70

Step 13: Save and Save As, and...


Ta-da!

There you be.

A few things to keep in mind:
  • Make duplicates of your layer before you change it.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment (if you have duplicate layers).
  • If you don't like the way something turned out, delete that layer and start with a new duplicate one.
  • Duplicate layers are your friend.


~Luke Holzmann
Your Media Production Mentor

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