Misty
01-15-2007, 10:13 PM
Creating a Basic Grunge Signature. Tutorial can be for everyone, but is aimed towards people who are new to GIMP.
Before we start, I just want to ask that you find out how to install brushes.
1. Get some Grunge Brushes! You can use ones that you already have, or install some new ones. If you don’t have any, here are some you can download:
http://search.deviantart.com/?section=browse&qh=boost%3Apopular+age_sigma%3A24h+age_scale%3A5&q=Grunge+GIMP
2. Open up GIMP.
3. Open a new file. (File>New) I usually use 400x125, but you can use whatever size tickles your fancy. It should have a white background. (I’ll spare you the image of a white sig)
4. Brush around with some Grunge Brushes. Use colors like White, Black, and different variations of Gray. For best results, switch brushes often. You should get something like this:
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/7757/grungetut1vd0.png
5. Find a render, and open it up as a new layer. (File>Open As Layer) Carefully resize and place your render where you want it.
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/2286/grungetut2bh5.png
Halfway there!(Sort of)
6. Duplicate your render layer. Layer>Duplicate Layer) You should now have 2 render layers. Hide the top Layer, and take out your smudge tool. On the bottom render layer, go to Layer> Layer to Image Size. Then, with your smudge tool, smudge it a little bit to both sides, using a Grunge Brush. Set this Layer to Screen. Make the top Layer visible. Do this as many times as you see fit.
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6141/grungetut3oy8.png
7. Make a New Layer, above all of your previous layers. Get out your Paint Bucket tool, and fill the signature with a color that matches you render. Set the Layer mode to something you think looks good. Some good ones to use are Overlay, Burn, Hard Light, Soft Light, Grain Merge, and Color.
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6231/grungetut4mq2.png
You’re almost done…
8. Add text. Pull out your text tool, and… Use it. I usually put 1-2 words, so it won’t look too crammed. Place your text where you want it.
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/5972/grungetut5sk8.png
OPTIONAL: If your text is looking a bit plain, there are two ways I like to improve it. For one of the ways, duplicate the text layer. Do a Gaussian Blur(4.0) on the bottom text layer, (MAKE SURE THE TEXT IS WHITE). Then make the upper layer’s text black. Another way is to change the Layer mode of the text.
9. Create a new layer and add a border. There are multiple ways to do this. One of the easiest ways is to go to Script-Fu>Décor>Add Border. Another nice way is to Select all, and then go to Edit>Stroke Selction. Make sure your color is black, and Stroke the selection with 10 pixels. Switch the color to white, Go to Edit>Stroke Selection, on 8 pixels. Switch back to black, and do Edit>Stroke Selection on 6. Set the Layer mode to Overlay.
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/9149/grungetut6oz5.png
10. Save your image and share it!
Before we start, I just want to ask that you find out how to install brushes.
1. Get some Grunge Brushes! You can use ones that you already have, or install some new ones. If you don’t have any, here are some you can download:
http://search.deviantart.com/?section=browse&qh=boost%3Apopular+age_sigma%3A24h+age_scale%3A5&q=Grunge+GIMP
2. Open up GIMP.
3. Open a new file. (File>New) I usually use 400x125, but you can use whatever size tickles your fancy. It should have a white background. (I’ll spare you the image of a white sig)
4. Brush around with some Grunge Brushes. Use colors like White, Black, and different variations of Gray. For best results, switch brushes often. You should get something like this:
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/7757/grungetut1vd0.png
5. Find a render, and open it up as a new layer. (File>Open As Layer) Carefully resize and place your render where you want it.
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/2286/grungetut2bh5.png
Halfway there!(Sort of)
6. Duplicate your render layer. Layer>Duplicate Layer) You should now have 2 render layers. Hide the top Layer, and take out your smudge tool. On the bottom render layer, go to Layer> Layer to Image Size. Then, with your smudge tool, smudge it a little bit to both sides, using a Grunge Brush. Set this Layer to Screen. Make the top Layer visible. Do this as many times as you see fit.
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6141/grungetut3oy8.png
7. Make a New Layer, above all of your previous layers. Get out your Paint Bucket tool, and fill the signature with a color that matches you render. Set the Layer mode to something you think looks good. Some good ones to use are Overlay, Burn, Hard Light, Soft Light, Grain Merge, and Color.
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6231/grungetut4mq2.png
You’re almost done…
8. Add text. Pull out your text tool, and… Use it. I usually put 1-2 words, so it won’t look too crammed. Place your text where you want it.
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/5972/grungetut5sk8.png
OPTIONAL: If your text is looking a bit plain, there are two ways I like to improve it. For one of the ways, duplicate the text layer. Do a Gaussian Blur(4.0) on the bottom text layer, (MAKE SURE THE TEXT IS WHITE). Then make the upper layer’s text black. Another way is to change the Layer mode of the text.
9. Create a new layer and add a border. There are multiple ways to do this. One of the easiest ways is to go to Script-Fu>Décor>Add Border. Another nice way is to Select all, and then go to Edit>Stroke Selction. Make sure your color is black, and Stroke the selection with 10 pixels. Switch the color to white, Go to Edit>Stroke Selection, on 8 pixels. Switch back to black, and do Edit>Stroke Selection on 6. Set the Layer mode to Overlay.
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/9149/grungetut6oz5.png
10. Save your image and share it!