The Artist's Guide to GIMP, 2nd Edition

The Artist's Guide to GIMP, 2nd Edition

by Michael J. Hammel
Released June 2012
Publisher(s): No Starch Press
ISBN: 9781593274146

Read it now on the O’Reilly learning platform with a 10-day free trial.

O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Buy on ebooks.com
Start your free trial

Book description

As a full-featured, free alternative to Adobe Photoshop, GIMP is one of the world's most popular open source projects. The latest version of GIMP (2.8) brings long-awaited improvements and powerful new tools to make graphic design and photo manipulation even easier—but it's still a notoriously challenging program to use.

Table of contents

  1. The Artist’s Guide to GIMP: Creative Techniques for Photographers, Artists, and Designers
  2. Dedication
  3. About the Author
  4. About the Technical Reviewer
  5. Acknowledgments
    1. Credits
  6. Introduction
    1. What This Book Is About
    2. What This Book Is Not About
    3. How This Book Is Organized
    4. A Few More Hints
      1. A Useful Package
      2. About the Canvas
  7. 1. Fundamental Techniques
    1. Multi-Window vs. Single-Window Mode
    2. The GIMP Toolbox
      1. The Tool Options Dialog
      2. Color Swatches and Tool Previews
      3. Brush, Pattern, and Gradient Previews
      4. Active Image Preview Window
      5. Docking
    3. The Image Window
      1. Menus
      2. Additional Features
    4. The Preferences Dialog
      1. Shortcuts
      2. Undo Levels and Other Environment Options
      3. Resource Folders
    5. 1.1 Drawing and Painting
      1. Paint Tools and Features
        1. The Pencil Tool
        2. The Paintbrush Tool
        3. The Airbrush Tool
        4. The Eraser Tool
        5. The Ink Tool
      2. Brushes
        1. Creating Ordinary and Colored Brushes
        2. Creating Parametric Brushes
    6. 1.2 Layers and Modes
      1. The Layers Dialog
      2. Paint Modes
      3. Layer Modes
      4. Using a Layer Mode to Colorize an Image
      5. Using a Layer Mask to Colorize an Image
      6. Layer and Layer Mode Tips
    7. 1.3 Color Modes
    8. 1.4 Selections
      1. Selection Tools
      2. Editing Selections
      3. Selection Constraints
      4. Selection Modes
      5. Oddly Shaped Selections
        1. The Free Select Tool
        2. The Fuzzy Select Tool
        3. The Select by Color Tool
        4. The Scissors Tool
        5. The Foreground Select Tool
      6. Creating Masks from Selections
        1. Feathering Selections
        2. Using the Quick Mask
      7. Discarding Selections
      8. Working with Selections
      9. Selection Tips
    9. 1.5 Paths
    10. 1.6 Drawing Basic Shapes
      1. Drawing a Straight Line
      2. Drawing Simple Shapes
      3. Drawing Irregular Shapes
      4. Drawing Predefined Shapes
      5. Basic Shape Tips
    11. 1.7 Patterns and Gradients
      1. Patterns
        1. Concrete Texture
        2. Simulated Cloth
        3. Creating Tileable Patterns
      2. Gradients
        1. Using the Shape Setting with Gradients
        2. Using the Gradient Editor
      3. Pattern and Gradient Design Tips
    12. 1.8 Working with Text
      1. Creating Text
      2. The Tool Options Dialog
      3. The Text Editor
      4. Text, Paths, and the Context Menu
      5. Text Tips
    13. 1.9 Digital Cameras
      1. A Digital Camera Primer
      2. File Formats
      3. Camera Metadata: EXIF
      4. GIMP Photo Processing
      5. Digital Camera Tips
    14. 1.10 Basic Tutorials
      1. Clouds
        1. The Plasma Filter
        2. The Solid Noise Filter
        3. Difference Clouds
        4. Fog
        5. Combining the Filters
        6. Creating a Steam Effect
        7. Cloud Tips
      2. Rips and Cracks
        1. Ripping an Image’s Edges
        2. Ripping Tips
  8. 2. Photographic Effects
    1. 2.1 Soft Focus
      1. Getting Started
      2. Preparing the High Pass Filter
      3. Merging Layers
      4. Adjusting Light and Shadow in the High Pass Layer
      5. Blending Layers
      6. Fine Tuning
      7. Further Exploration
    2. 2.2 Photo to Sketch
      1. Getting Started
      2. Converting the Image to a Sketch
      3. Adding Depth to the Sketch
      4. Adding the Finishing Touches
      5. Further Exploration
    3. 2.3 Antiquing with Sepia Tones
      1. Getting Started
      2. Increasing the Middle Grays
      3. Adding the Sepia Tone
      4. Further Exploration
    4. 2.4 Color Swap
      1. A Simple Color Swap
        1. Isolating the Object
        2. Choosing the Destination Color
      2. A More Complex Color Swap
        1. Creating a Complex Selection
        2. Changing the Quick Mask Color
        3. Painting the Selection
        4. Working in a Duplicate Layer
      3. Further Exploration
    5. 2.5 Changing Depth of Field
      1. Getting Started
      2. Isolating the Foreground
      3. Adding Depth of Field
      4. Further Exploration
    6. 2.6 Reflections on Glass
      1. Getting Started
      2. Preparing the Image
      3. Creating the Reflection
      4. Adding a Surface for the Reflection
      5. Placing the Reflection on the Surface
      6. Adding a Shadow
      7. Further Exploration
    7. 2.7 Lake Reflection
      1. Getting Started
      2. Creating the Initial Reflection
      3. Adding Ripples
      4. Adding Waves
      5. Further Exploration
    8. 2.8 Photo Restoration
      1. Getting Started
      2. Enhancing the Scanned Image
      3. Correcting with a Single Patch
      4. Correcting with Multiple Patches
      5. Correcting Facial Blemishes
      6. Cleaning Up the Background
      7. Further Exploration
    9. 2.9 Casting Light Through a Window
      1. Getting Started
      2. Setting Up the Shadow Mask
      3. Increasing the Light
      4. Further Exploration
    10. 2.10 Light Streaks
      1. Getting Started
      2. Adding an Outer Glow
      3. Adding an Inner Glow
      4. Enhancing the Initial Streak
      5. Further Exploration
    11. 2.11 Miniaturizing a Scene
      1. Getting Started
      2. Blurring to Miniaturize
      3. Further Exploration
    12. Tips for Photographic Effects
      1. Autolevel Option
      2. Sharp Scans
      3. Selections, Selections, Selections
      4. Add More Contrast
      5. Soft Light and Overlay Modes
      6. Sepia Means Brown
      7. The Color of Kelvin
      8. Experimentation
  9. 3. Web Design
    1. Working in a Native Medium
    2. GIMP Tools for Web Design
    3. 3.1 Gel Buttons
      1. Getting Started
      2. Adding Colored Layers
      3. Adding a Lower Highlight
      4. Adding an Upper Highlight
      5. Stretching the Upper Highlight
      6. Adding Text to the Button
      7. Further Exploration
    4. 3.2 Metal Buttons
      1. Getting Started
      2. Adding More Reflections
      3. Adding Color
      4. Further Exploration
    5. 3.3 Tabs
      1. Getting Started
      2. Adding a Gradient
      3. Giving the Tab Some Depth
      4. Adding Color and Highlights
      5. Adding Text
      6. Creating More Tabs
      7. Further Exploration
    6. 3.4 Website Banners
      1. Getting Started
      2. Cropping the Background Graphic
      3. Enhancing the Glow
      4. Adding a Foreground Graphic
      5. Colorizing the Laptop
      6. Opening a Window on the Trees
      7. Exporting and Saving
      8. Further Exploration
    7. 3.5 Simple Logos
      1. Getting Started
      2. Creating Text
      3. Adding Borders and Clipart
      4. Adding a Watermark
      5. Centering the Text
      6. Further Exploration
    8. 3.6 Icons
      1. Getting Started
      2. Adding a Gradient Fill
      3. Creating a Checkered Pattern
      4. Adding a Pattern
      5. Masking the Bottom of the Icon
      6. Creating the Application Sphere
      7. Adding Highlights
      8. Adding the Application ID
      9. Further Exploration
    9. Tips for Web Design
      1. Use GIMP for Images, CSS for Design
      2. The Right Units
      3. Add Contrast Where Necessary
      4. Avoid Busy Backgrounds
      5. Choose File Formats Wisely
      6. Scan for the Web
      7. Subtle Gradients
      8. Transparency in Web Design
      9. Choosing the Right Colors
      10. Export Safely
  10. 4. Advertising and Special Effects
    1. Print vs. Web
    2. Stock Images
    3. Color, Contrast, and Grayscale
    4. It’s Up to You
    5. 4.1 Creative Text Design
      1. Selecting a Stock Image
      2. Choosing a Font
      3. Adding a Vignette
      4. Adding a Text Layer
      5. Creating a Mask Layer
      6. Further Exploration
    6. 4.2 3-D Package Designs
      1. Preparing the Front of the Box
      2. Creating a Patch
      3. Adding Text to the Front of the Box
      4. Creating the Side of the Box
      5. Merging the Front and Side Panels
      6. Cleaning Up the Edges
      7. Further Exploration
    7. 4.3 Reflective Glass
      1. Getting Started
      2. Adding a Border
      3. Creating a Glassy Surface
      4. Adding Reflective Highlights on the Right
      5. Adding Reflective Highlights on the Left
      6. Adding Text and a Drop Shadow
      7. Further Exploration
    8. 4.4 Popping an Image
      1. Getting Started
      2. Isolating the Boarder
      3. Enhancing the Board Details
      4. Removing the Background
      5. Adding a Drop Shadow
      6. Replacing the Background
      7. Adding Text
      8. Further Exploration
    9. 4.5 Shiny Emblem
      1. Getting Started
      2. Creating a Metallic Border
      3. Creating an Emblem
      4. Adding an Inner Border
      5. Adding Raised Lettering
      6. Further Exploration
    10. 4.6 Wine Bottle
      1. Drawing the Bottle Shape
      2. Adding Highlights
      3. Making a White Label with Gold Trim
      4. Making a Blue Stripe and Gold Wrapper
      5. Further Exploration
    11. 4.7 Gears
      1. Making the Gear Cogs
      2. Creating the Outer Ring
      3. Connecting the Disk and Ring
      4. Adding Depth and Texture
      5. Further Exploration
    12. 4.8 Cube City
      1. Getting Started
      2. Creating the Building’s Face
      3. Making the Face a Cube
      4. Multiplying the Buildings
      5. Adding Color
      6. Adding Highlights
      7. Further Exploration
    13. 4.9 Underwater
      1. Getting Started
      2. Creating Waves
      3. Adding Diffused Light
      4. Adding Rays of Light
      5. Intensifying the Light
      6. Further Exploration
    14. 4.10 Colored Lighting
      1. Getting Started
      2. Adding Cool Lighting
      3. Adding Warm Lighting
      4. Adding a Highlight
      5. Softening the Image
      6. Further Exploration
    15. 4.11 iPod
      1. Getting Started
      2. Adding the iPod
      3. Placing the iPod in a Pocket
      4. Drawing the Earphones
      5. Placing the Final Shadow
      6. Further Exploration
    16. Tips for Advertising and Special Effects
      1. Create 3-D Effects
      2. Add Texture
      3. Use Layer Modes
      4. Reflect with Gradients
      5. Emboss the Easy Way
      6. Eliminate the Jaggies
      7. Don’t Worry About Horizontal Alignment
      8. Watch Your Canvas Size
  11. 5. Type Effects
    1. GIMP’s Text Tools
    2. Predefined Text Effects
    3. Creating Your Own Type Effects
    4. 5.1 Chrome and Metal Text
      1. Brushed Metal
        1. Creating the Text
        2. Extruding the Text with the Bump Map Filter
        3. Adding a Metallic Finish
      2. Heavy Metal
        1. Creating the Text
        2. Adding Depth
        3. Adding a Metallic Finish
      3. Liquid Metal
        1. Creating the Text
        2. Liquefying the Letters
        3. Adding Depth and Polish
      4. Further Exploration
    5. 5.2 Gel Type
      1. Creating the Text
      2. Rounding the Surface of the Text
      3. Adding Lighting Effects
      4. Lightening the Text and Adding a Drop Shadow
      5. Further Exploration
    6. 5.3 Distressed Text
      1. Creating the Text
      2. Creating a Distressed Layer
      3. Applying the Distressed Effect to the Text
      4. Further Exploration
    7. 5.4 Frost
      1. Creating the Background and Text
      2. Bringing the Text Forward
      3. Adding Snow
      4. Creating Falling Snow
      5. Further Exploration
    8. 5.5 Neon Signs
      1. Experimenting with the Built-in Neon Effect
      2. Creating the Background
      3. Preparing the Neon Tubes
      4. Adding the Glow
      5. Adding a Glass-Edged Reflection
      6. Further Exploration
    9. 5.6 Spray Paint
      1. Creating the Background
      2. Adding a Text Outline
      3. Converting the Text to Spray Paint
      4. Further Exploration
    10. Tips for Type Effects
      1. Make Alignment Easier
      2. Find Good Fonts
      3. Use Only the Fonts You Need
      4. Use Large Type and High Resolution for Print Projects
      5. Remember That All GIMP Text Is Rasterized
      6. Practice Copyfitting Manually
      7. Edit Text Layers Wisely
      8. Plan Ahead
      9. Create Font Maps
  12. 6. Creative Inspiration
    1. 6.1 Fire Girl
      1. Isolating the Girl from the Background
      2. Edge-Detecting the Girl to Create Multiple Layers
      3. Blending in Ornamental Elements
      4. Blending to Remove Excess Details
      5. Adding Flame Coloring
      6. Creating the Crown of Flames
      7. Further Exploration
    2. 6.2 Star Field
      1. Starting Small
      2. Growing Bigger Stars
      3. Working at a Larger Scale
      4. Adding Space Voids
      5. Clustering
      6. Coloring
      7. Using Lens and Gradient Flares for Highlights
      8. Adding Space Dust
      9. Further Exploration
    3. 6.3 Creamsicle Love
      1. Creating a Custom Gradient
      2. Creating Temporary Grassy Hills
      3. Adding a Background Sun
      4. Giving It the Retro Feel: Sunbeams
      5. Adding the Lovers’ Silhouette
      6. Finishing Off the Grassy Hills
      7. Further Exploration
    4. 6.4 Mobsterville
      1. Establishing the Base Image
      2. Making It Rain
      3. Adding a Background Building and Lamp Posts
      4. Adding Lamps and Lights
      5. Retrieving a Red Tie
      6. Further Exploration
  13. Index
  14. About the Author
  15. Copyright

Product information

  • Title: The Artist's Guide to GIMP, 2nd Edition
  • Author(s): Michael J. Hammel
  • Release date: June 2012
  • Publisher(s): No Starch Press
  • ISBN: 9781593274146