51 replies to this topic

[Paul BlackJack Cady]

I wanted to start this topic in the hope's we can discuss, share, solve and fix any problems we are having with GIMP.

I myself am using rev: 2.8, I have almost totally moved away from Paint.net but I still use it.

I'm currently trying to get into the repaints but I'm having problems working with the PSD files.
I have posted on the repaint asking for help, but I thought it would be better to actually start a topic about GIMP.

I'm in no way an expert user, but I would consider myself an beginner/advanced user, sorta in the middle

I would also like to throw out a thank you to my friends who have been helping me with my Signatures in my other topic!

So let's get started and see where this goes!

[Acid Phreak]

Paul BlackJack Cady, on 28 November 2012 - 11:29 AM, said:

I'm currently trying to get into the repaints but I'm having problems working with the PSD files.

hi there

gimp can not edit PSD files, you have to open this files with photoshop (testversion works) and save it in a RGB format.

Edited by Acid Phreak, 28 November 2012 - 11:49 AM.

[Paul BlackJack Cady]

Acid Phreak, on 28 November 2012 - 11:48 AM, said:

hi there

gimp can not edit PSD files, you have to open this files with photoshop (testversion works) and save it in a RGB format.

hum....thatss not what other people are saying....

In fact I've never heard of that...what is testversion?
also I'm looking for a new image host....Imageshack only allows me 26 images before I have to start paying..
Does anyone else know of a free site?

[HanaYuriko]

Paul BlackJack Cady, on 30 November 2012 - 01:45 PM, said:

also I'm looking for a new image host....Imageshack only allows me 26 images before I have to start paying..
Does anyone else know of a free site?

http://imgur.com/


As of this posting, I have 143 images uploaded so far.

Edited by HanaYuriko, 30 November 2012 - 02:00 PM.

[Paul BlackJack Cady]

HanaYuriko, on 30 November 2012 - 01:58 PM, said:

http://imgur.com/


As of this posting, I have 143 images uploaded so far.

Thanks Hana!!
luv ya as always

[Paul BlackJack Cady]

Ok;

I can't seem to find how to open the layers in the PSD files to add a layer of soft light....
Heck I can't even find the soft light tab in gimp?? where is it?

(Opps...yea, soft light)

Edited by Paul BlackJack Cady, 01 December 2012 - 07:57 PM.

[Treehugger]

Paul BlackJack Cady, on 01 December 2012 - 12:28 PM, said:

Ok;

I can't seem to find how to open the layers in the PSD files to add a layer of soft white....
Heck I can't even find the soft white tab in gimp?? where is it?

If you're talking about Hayden's tutorials, I think "soft white" is the name of the layer. You can put "soft light" as blending mode in GIMP by selecting the layer and changing the blending mode at the top of the list.

[Paul BlackJack Cady]

Treehugger, on 01 December 2012 - 02:25 PM, said:

If you're talking about Hayden's tutorials, I think "soft white" is the name of the layer. You can put "soft light" as blending mode in GIMP by selecting the layer and changing the blending mode at the top of the list.

Ok;

I found the "soft light" under the [mode:] pull down tab... on the layers tool box, and I saw a few other cool effects there I can apply too.

Now I don't understand how everyone is painting the individual panels (sections) without isolating them first.
the tutorial shows smearing a paint brush all over a layer but then when removed or layered or something only like two or three sections are painted....how is that done? it kinda reminds me of the process used in screen printing T-shirts.

[BFett]

I know how to use gimp to make mech repaints. If you guys need pictures as to where the buttons are let me know and I'll post whatever you request.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Gimp Tutorial for custom mech skins


Open image you want to edit and use the free select tool to select the perimeter of your mech.
Ctrl L to bring up Layers box.
Add a new layer and call it white1 (set Layer Fill Type to Transparency).
Right click white1 and select Add Layer Mask (set it to Selection).
Select the blank layer beside the layer mask.
Paint the mech white.
Change the layer mode to Soft light using the drop down menu in the Layers box.
Duplicate the White1 layer which will rename it to white1_copy by right clicking the layer and selecting Douplicate Layer.
Set white1_copy Layers Mode to color (this should make the mech gray).
Duplicate the White1_copy layer and call it Paint by right clicking the layer and selecting Edit Layer Attributes. Set Paint Layers Mode to Multiply.
You may now paint your mech using any colors you want
Once you're done painting add decals by going to File and selecting Open as Layers (this will let you browse for pictures on your computer)



How to camouflage a mech/ make see through decals:

Create the camouflage you want to use and add it as you would an insignia so that the entire camouflage is covering your mech.
Next take the camouflage layers and merge it with the other visible camouflage layers (only if more than 1 layer was added).
With the camouflage layer selected change its mode to Multiply.
Now hide all layers except for Paint and the camouflage layer. Right click the camouflage layer and select Merge Down.
Make all the layers visible and remember to set Paint Layer Mode back to Multiply.


Tips and tricks:

free select (lasso) the area you want to adjust, then select Color -> Hue/Saturation

[Paul BlackJack Cady]

Ok...

Thanks BFett!!

So I took to the canvas and opened up a Viereth Catapult and this is what I got "in order top down"
1. a solid beige colored layer. (COLOR HERE)
2. a white multi layer.
3. a white soft layer.
4. background layer.

I clicked on the #4 layer then added a new layer and call it white1 (set Layer Fill Type to Transparency).
Right click white1 and select Add Layer Mask (set it to Selection).
at that point I think I lost you because nothing worked right..
two little canvases appeared one in alpha (left) one solid black (right).
I clicked on the paint brush, selected white and started painting on the alpha but nothing was happening onscreen but white was showing up on the little canvas on the layers tab. so I clicked on the black canvas then the white started to show up.
I followed the rest of your instructions using the black canvas as a reference. I just wanted to make a white mech to try this out.
when I merged the layers it all went to dodo....

Sorry I'm so stupid at this, but I don't even have a manual to read...you guy have been doing this for so long, I know it's easy for you.

[BFett]

Let me outline this from top to bottom:
Layer name | Layer Mode

Paint | Multiply
White1 copy | Color
White1 | Soft Light
Background | Normal

It sounds like you have the right idea. Did you use the Free Select Tool to select the perimater of the mech before you started adding the layers? If you didn't then things aren't going to work correctly. You should see a white outline of the mech on every layer except the Background layer (which should remain as the original image). On the right side of each layer there should be a black background, while on the left side of each layer the background should be checkered dark gray/light gray by default.

I hope this helps.

[Paul BlackJack Cady]

BFett, on 02 December 2012 - 11:44 AM, said:

I hope this helps.

No.. the only part I missed was the Free select tool, I wanted to paint the whole mech white just to start. I'll do different colors as I get more comfortable.

Yes! exactly... on the right side under the layers tab I do get the alpha sheet (checkered dark gray/light gray) and right next to it the solid black sheet..

You do know that you can click on the little sheets then paint on the larger main screen..
So when I paint on the main screen say (800x800) do I want the alpha or black sheet clicked on?
then when I go to save it which layers do I merge?

Better yet......could you do a quick paint job say a spider, and send me via e-mail the .xcf file with all the layers so I can backwards engineer it.

[S3dition]

Acid Phreak, on 28 November 2012 - 11:48 AM, said:

hi there

gimp can not edit PSD files, you have to open this files with photoshop (testversion works) and save it in a RGB format.

GIMP can edit almost any image file, but may require a plugin to do so.

Paul BlackJack Cady, on 01 December 2012 - 12:28 PM, said:

Ok;

I can't seem to find how to open the layers in the PSD files to add a layer of soft light....
Heck I can't even find the soft light tab in gimp?? where is it?

(Opps...yea, soft light)

Most image files are completely flattened when exported, so you won't be able to extract or work with the layers (that information is saved in the .xcf file, so make sure you ALWAYS save a copy of that somewhere). GIF files will extract to the animation frames, but not individual layers.

I have some examples of animations here. I'd direct link the tanks, but you couldn't see their tracks, defeating the purpose of the animation part .

I'm not an expert in gimp, but I'm learning my way around it pretty well. I can try to answer some questions. GIMP does have a manual, but it has to be installed before you can use it. You can also just use the online version: http://www.gimp.org/docs/

[BFett]

You use the free select tool to select the entire mech. If you don't select the entire mech you will run into problems with the layer mask and things showing up properly.

I can't really help much if not all the steps are followed.

Email has been sent.

Edited by BFett, 02 December 2012 - 03:35 PM.

[Paul BlackJack Cady]

S3dition, on 02 December 2012 - 02:18 PM, said:

GIMP does have a manual, but it has to be installed before you can use it. You can also just use the online version: http://www.gimp.org/docs/

Yea... I found the online manual and I installed it..but I already spend 14+ hours on this computer, I would rather have the book laying next to me like the old day's....flipping between the screens is killing my eyes..

BFett, on 02 December 2012 - 03:34 PM, said:

You use the free select tool to select the entire mech. If you don't select the entire mech you will run into problems with the layer mask and things showing up properly.

I can't really help much if not all the steps are followed.

Email has been sent.

Thanks!!

[Paul BlackJack Cady]

Hey BFett

Thanks for the email and the catapult!!!

It's starting to come together in my mind...
So for multiple colors do I need to keep adding the layers, one for each color?

[BFett]

If you plan on doing something like making a camo and then painting on top of it yes you want to use different layers. If you just want to use more than one color on the mech, you can do all of the coloring on the Paint layer (that way colors won't over lap).

If you disable the Paint layer (by clicking the eye icon) you will notice that the mech goes black and white. This is because all of the painting was done on that layer.

[Paul BlackJack Cady]

YES SIR...YES SIR!!!

I got all that, I sent you an email

[Paul BlackJack Cady]

can someone tell me how to do black on black without losing the image?

[BFett]

I can try out the color 55554f