GIMP Help?

Kylie Sommer · June 2012

Basically I just downloaded this program because I had a few people tell me I should do so. Only problem is: I have NO IDEA HOW TO USE IT! I would like to know the following things: *How to make transparent backgrounds? *How to save an image? *How to re-color and touch up the colors of an image? *How to download texts? *How to do neat texts? *How to move texts and images? *How to get multiple layers onto one image? *How to use the program easily and quickly? If you can answer these questions or offer any more advice, please do help!!!!

PaperWings · June 2012

We don't exactly support programs outside of the game itself. But you'd find lots of tutorials via google. Nothing more fun than just opening up a new program and having a play around with things to see what you can find! especially stuff like 'how to save an image?' this kinda does not need explaining if you opened the program and had a look about. Lots of programs follow the same general set up with regards to saving. Just different file types to save as

So first off I'd recommend opening the program and having a look about. Then get back with questions that we'll try help answer. But I'm sure there are tutorials and help threads already inthe forums. I'll check when I get home as it is hard to track things down on my phone

Kylie Sommer · June 2012

I asked the 'How to Dave a photo questions' because when I tried to save it, it did not save correctly for some reason:/ I will play around with it again and see what I can find.

PaperWings · June 2012

You may need to look up the different file formats then, as some save better than others. Some save as transparent, most don't. <a href="http://www.yourhtmlsource.com/images/fileformats.html"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://www.yourhtmlsource.com/images/fileformats.html</a> That's a good summary of the main file formats if you aren't sure on them =D Some other useful links/tutorials. Personally I don't use GIMP, me and it never got on. I stick to Photoshop. - <a href="http://evlon-shape-shifter.deviantart.com/art/Art-on-GIMP-with-mouse-71565566"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://evlon-shape-shifter.deviantart.c ... e-71565566</a> - <a href="http://www.ufocomes.de/files/basegien.html"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://www.ufocomes.de/files/basegien.html</a>; (found on this in the art section: <a href="http://virtualpups.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=57559"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">viewtopic.php?f=23&t=57559</a>)

Kylie Sommer · June 2012

I am considering trying Photoshop, but untill I get enough money, I will be using GIMP:) Thanks for the links! It I'll see what I can do!

UnknownDreamland · June 2012

For saving, you press file>save I believe.. I haven't used it for a while. There should be a drop down menu to pick a file type. If you want to save your layers, save as an .xcf, if you're uploading a banner/art, save as a .png(it's typically better quality than .jpeg/.jpg), and if you want it to be an animation of some sort, save as .gif(this will take practice and there are tutorials on deviantart.com for animating in gimp). If you're interested in photoshop, I'd recommend photoshop element. It's a lot cheaper than the full photoshop. It seems to be more geared towards photography and photo editting, but the drawing tools are all there. I got mine for 30 bucks online and the only tool I occasionally miss is the pen tool.

Kylie Sommer · June 2012

Dreamland wrote:

For saving, you press file>save I believe.. I haven't used it for a while. There should be a drop down menu to pick a file type. If you want to save your layers, save as an .xcf, if you're uploading a banner/art, save as a .png(it's typically better quality than .jpeg/.jpg), and if you want it to be an animation of some sort, save as .gif(this will take practice and there are tutorials on deviantart.com for animating in gimp). If you're interested in photoshop, I'd recommend photoshop element. It's a lot cheaper than the full photoshop. It seems to be more geared towards photography and photo editting, but the drawing tools are all there. I got mine for 30 bucks online and the only tool I occasionally miss is the pen tool.

Thanks! Do I have to save files a certain way for transparent backgrounds?

UnknownDreamland · June 2012

I don't think .gif or .jpeg/.jpg support transparency. So definitely save as .png for that so you are covered. I'll open GIMP up a bit later and mess with it, but when you save an want transparency, make sure the image is showing transparency. when there's a transparent section, it will have a checkerboard-line background. I think you can press the new layer button if you have the layers dialog open and there may be a popup that allows you to choose the color of the background for that layer. If so, select transparency. I also think that the layer when you make a new.. uh.. window/page? I don't know the term. It's usually white, so if you do the above, make sure you hide or delete that layer so you can see the checkerboard.

Kylie Sommer · June 2012

Okay, I will fiddle witht GIMP when I get home. My main goal is to get transparent layers out of GIMP and neat, imroved graphics until I do Photoshop.

UnknownDreamland · June 2012

I'll check gimp a bit later(it's not on the computer I'm on right now.) to give you more helpful instructions. XD

Kylie Sommer · June 2012

Great! Thanks so much!

PaperWings · June 2012

Dreamland wrote:

For saving, you press file>save I believe.. I haven't used it for a while. There should be a drop down menu to pick a file type. If you want to save your layers, save as an .xcf, if you're uploading a banner/art, save as a .png(it's typically better quality than .jpeg/.jpg), and if you want it to be an animation of some sort, save as .gif(this will take practice and there are tutorials on deviantart.com for animating in gimp). If you're interested in photoshop, I'd recommend photoshop element. It's a lot cheaper than the full photoshop. It seems to be more geared towards photography and photo editting, but the drawing tools are all there. I got mine for 30 bucks online and the only tool I occasionally miss is the pen tool.

Don't think I've ever used the pen tool for the 6-8yrs I've been using photoshop xD

UnknownDreamland · June 2012

XD I hardly ever used it. It's more of a crutch than something beneficial.

Dark Flame · June 2012

Dreamland wrote:

I don't think .gif or .jpeg/.jpg support transparency. So definitely save as .png for that so you are covered.

Just to add to this... the format .gif supports transparency and animation, .jpg/.jpeg does not support transparency or animation and .png covers both transparency and animation. just be aware that using .gif lowers the quality of the image to produce a small file size, and .png does not lower the quality but creates a larger file size. Larger file sizes take longer to load. The best thing to do is save as both and test on the web which one looks better, if they look practically the same, then use .gif as it will load faster. If you have flat colors without shading .gif will most likely look the same as a .png file. Just for a little more clarification on why to use a .jpg file. A .jpg file is larger than a .gif in file size but smaller than a .png. And if you're working without animation & Transparency it's going to be the best to use

UnknownDreamland · June 2012

.png supports animation..? I've never heard of that, but maybe I'm more in the dark than I thought. XDD Regardless, I still stand by .png being better for saving graphics. XD .gif is limited to a certain number of colors, so for banners where you'll have way more than that..you'll lose some quality. .jpg is a lossy file format, from what I remember in web design.. I think that basically means that it gets rid of some data to make the smaller size file. For simple banners, it'll probably be okay, but personally, I'd rather opt for the larger file size and get better quality out of my work. C:

Dark Flame · June 2012

Yes .png supports animation

i think my siggy and avatar are .png files from what I remember, .jpg does loose some of colors and stuff, but not usually as bad as a .gif, it really depends what you are using the images for, as for a website you would use .jpg so it loads faster than .png since you want to keep file sizes down, to load the pages quickly. I studied a Software Development course 2years ago and I am now studying Web Development at university, so have studied file types too much lol Sorry Cecctl2 for stealing your post to talk about file types

UnknownDreamland · June 2012

Oh neat! That is good to know

We can be computer nerds together, Tiger! XD Yes, sorry Cecctl2!

Kylie Sommer · June 2012

It's fine! It actuallly gives me some more information on what different file types do! If I find time today, I will check out GIMP and the different file types! Thanks so much guys!

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GIMP Help?

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