Getting Started: Basic to Intermediate Tutorial.

[Gaarafan12]

LIVE NOW!! CLICK HERE!

This is a tutorial for anyone that has said "I wish I could make Signatures/Avatars". Well I'm here to tell you it's not as hard getting started as you might think. And I want to help you do it!

GIMP or GNU Image Manipulation Program is a free and safe online substitute for photoshop. I use Gimp and have been making Avatars and Signatures for 4 months now. I learn something new everyday, but I had a hard time getting started. So even though I'm definitely not the best GFXer on NarutoBase, I thought I'd make a tutorial to help those who want to start know how. So here we go!

ABOUT ME~ MY GFX HISTORY

First I thought I'd give you a bit of insight into how I got into GFX that way you know where I'm coming from!

I joined the base last august, and the first thing I noticed was all the awesome signatures and avatars people had. I started checking out the GFX forums and realized people were making these things! I had a couple of ideas for signatures I wanted and posted up a request, by the next day someone had made me a beautiful Signature! The problem was, next week I had another idea for a signature! haha I felt bad asking for a new one so soon, and waited patiently for time to pass so I could get a new one. Finally I decided to give GFX a go, and downloaded Paint.net, it was ok for a while but everyone on the Base advised me to switch to GIMP, so I did!

I love GIMP, it supplies me with everything I need to make Signatures and Avatars that I love! I've gone from this: my very first signature on GIMP...

To this, my most recent work:

And I learn new stuff everyday! I hope that I will be able to help others create stuff that they love through these tutorials!

If you want to check out my other works check the out here!

~NarutoBase Album: http://narutobase.net/forums/album.php?albumid=11613
~Photobucket:http://s1169.photobucket.com/profile...itsugaya/index

ABOUT THIS TUTORIAL~

~Note: I've only got a couple of videos on here now, because I haven't used many tutorials myself, but I hope to add more as I find them and maybe even make some of my own!

I'm going to try to commit to adding one video/tutorial link everyday for gimp so hopefully this can cover most of peoples questions!

THE VERY BEGINNING~

This is where you start if you've never made a signature before in your life, it includes the download link to GIMP, basic knowledge every new GFXer should know, and links to Brushes, fonts, fractals and more!

Downloading GIMP: http://www.gimp.org/downloads/

Now that you've downloaded Gimp you should familiarize yourself with how it works!

Here’s a tutorial explaining the different basic tools and layouts of GIMP. I have learned most of what I know about GIMP just by messing around, but if you are wanting a more detailed look at it these tutorials will help!

This tutorial is extreamely detailed and does a great job explaining each of the tools, options, and features of GIMP! I did not make this tutorial, it was created by Griatch on the Gimptalk forums!

http://www.gimptalk.com/index.php?/t...for-new-users/

Ok! Now let's move into the GFX side of GIMP. Here are a few elements that go into most Signatures and Avatars you should be familiar with!

Stock:

A stock is any picture that features a character or object that you want featured in your signature.

Example:

Renders:

A render is an image of any character or object that has had the surrounding background completely removed. A render is Always in .png file format. This is because jpg or other file formats do not support invisible layers. If a file seems to be a render but is not in png format, once you open it in GIMP you will see that it has a white background.

Example:

My render Stockpile: http://s1169.photobucket.com/albums/...ugaya/Renders/
Note: None of these images were rendered by me. I gathered them from other users on photobucket and put them in anime categories such as Bleach and Naruto.

C4D:

A C4D image is a rendered graphic image that many use in their signatures. I'm not really sure how to explain them other than they look really cool :D

Example:

Fractals:

Another thing I'm not really sure how to describe, a fractal is an image with cool graphic effects that do have a background. There is a video later on showing how they can be used despite having a background.

Link: Here are some awesome Fractal packs I use, I DID NOT MAKE THESE! http://www.gimptalk.com/index.php?showtopic=32709

Example:

GIMP Brushes:

When you first download GIMP it will come with only the very basic brushes, you can search online for Brushes that fit your style. I personally love to use very whimsical brushes with long flowing lines. There are tons for you to choose from that you can download for free. Here are some links to great brushes that I love. But you can easily search deviantart.com and you’ll find some great ones there!

Bush Resources:

http://www.noupe.com/how-tos/1000-fr...p-brushes.html

http://www.kumailht.com/blog/design/...-gimp-brushes/

http://browse.deviantart.com/resourc...q=gimp+brushes

How to Download and add Brushes to GIMP.

TTUTORIALS~

I'm gonna supply a tutorial video along with an explanation, any personal notes, and if possible an example of something I made after watching the video!

BEGINNERS~

Beginner Signature Tutorial 1:

This was the first GIMP Tutorial I ever used, it does a good job showing how to use a C4D well and just the basic elements of making a signature.



Personal Note: Most of the time I start with a transparent canvas of 150x400 then use File>Open as Layers to open the render, that way you don't have to open another window for the render! Also I recommend opening the render first thing before selecting a background that way you know the render and background will compliment one another!

What I made:

Beginner Signature Tutorial 2~ Smudging (tutorial supplied by Eternity000!!)

This tutorial does a great job showing how to properly use your smudge tool, don't forget that the smuding isn't just for blending, it can be a great way to make a background for your image!!

**Tutorial made by FaiaTentei on deviantart!**
http://faiatentei.deviantart.com/art...orial-80449283

INTERMEDIATE VIDEOS~

Intermediate Signature Tutorial 1:

This is a good tutorial because it shows some great strategies for creating backgrounds from using filters on the render, and blending.



Personal Note: He uses a ton of fractals and effects and I feel like in my signatures I try not to go overboard and keep it simple with the effects to keep it clean and not too busy!

What I made:

Intermediate Tutorial 2: GIF Rain~

This video explains how to make a really simple rain animation in GIMP. It's really easy the only reason it's listed as an intermediate tutorial is because it's a gif and that can be intimidating to beginners!



Personal Note: Anytime you save an image or images as a gif it's going to loose some quality, so don't be surprised when you upload it somewhere and it doesn't look quite as high quality!

What I made:
Mine's not gloomy, haha but I figured it worked!

REAL TIME TEACHING~

If you're looking to get some real time, live teaching look here for instructions on how to get started!

I'm going to start broadcasting myself live as I work on my signatures. If you want to watch and see my process, or want to learn a specific skill I'd be happy to over it for you!

1~ PM me letting me know you're interested!

2~ Follow this Link and create an account on this site, that way you'll be able to use the chat feature and communicate with me there!

3~ Make your way back to my profile on Twitch and if you want follow me so you'll know when I'm working!

4~ When you're watching me work on GIMP, don't be afraid to ask questions or request that I do something!

Here's the link to my first recording!

OTHER TUTORIALS~

These are links to others tutorials here on the base that I have used and think they deserve credit for!

Great GIMP tutorial by Reckoner27!
Great Air Signature Tutorial by Eternity000

Very detailed tutorial explaining how to make a shine effect with GIMP by Nerei!

Rushed Example sry! haha

[★Skylar Knight]

Good thread :D + rep for the effort

[~Dream~]

Thanks Gaarafan12, *****, when I feel like getting started then I'll come back to the thread.

[Naruto N. Uzumaki]

nice thread should help out newbie's

[Gaarafan12]

nice thread should help out newbie's

Thanks Gaarafan12, *****, when I feel like getting started then I'll come back to the thread.

Good thread :D + rep for the effort

Thanks guys! I hope it helps! :D

[gordo1]

Thanks, I've been looking to get started with gimp to replace my fake online photoshop I've been using. Perfect timing haha *****

[Gaarafan12]

Thanks, I've been looking to get started with gimp to replace my fake online photoshop I've been using. Perfect timing haha *****

Great! Your work has been really nice with whatever you've been using (I can't remember ) So I can't wait to see what you make with GIMP! Good luck I hope this helps!

[Powerflames]

Hope everyone sees this *.*
Great work Hope this makes people see that gimp is a great program and that they should try it instead of going for those browser programs that are bad
*****

[UchihaxSenju]

m funny those tuts were the first ones i used except eternity000s... the assasins creed tut was what actually started me to make sigs

[Hime..]

Simply amazing!~ :D

[Gaarafan12]

Hey guys, I'm going to start broadcasting myself working live periodically, if anyone want to get involved by either watching and asking questions or rather watching to give me advice, you can find the link and instructions above!

I will post at the top of the tutorial when I am working live.

Here's the link to my first recording!

**Oh and if anyone has any good tutorials they think would benefit people wanting to start gfx PM me and I'll add them here!**

[Gaarafan12]

Oh No!! It won't let me edit the original post any more to post new tutorials! ;_; WTH

So I guess I will continue to post tutorials and their links in these comments!!

Here are some now!

Intermediate Tutorial: Signature

http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&se...ature#/d1ad0jz

This tutorial walks you step by step through a very cool sig style!
It is labeled here as a beginners tutorial because it doesn't have you do any blending on the render which I would expect once you move out of the beginners stage of gfx. check it out!

EDIT: Here is the link to the (or a similar) brush she references in step 11!

What I made:



Intermediate Tutorial 2: C4D Signature

This signatures shows you how C4D's can be used to create depth and really ad to a signature, unlike the other signature above which used no C4D's, this ones uses a style that creates a focal point by lots and lots of C4D's and messing around with their modes.

http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&section=&q=gimp+signature#/d28z3s9

What I made:

Well mine is terrible compared to his not kidding... lol. I loved the sig he made with the tutorial and am definately going to go back and try again until I get it right! But until then, here is mine!

[Expulso]

This is what I made up to now using your tutorials:

[Gaarafan12]

This is what I made up to now using your tutorials:

Very nice! I'm glad it's helping you get started!! ^_^ I hope you enjoy making gfx! ^_^

[Hime..]

I have this awesome tutorial that I used to use a lot~

http://billkaulitzluvergirl.devianta...0tutorial&qo=0

[Rand al'Thor]

not bad...good tut..

[killerman82]

*****

[gordo1]

This should be stickied. I've linked so many people to here, it's crazy.

[Gaarafan12]

This should be stickied. I've linked so many people to here, it's crazy.

Aww thanks! I'm glad it helped!! I'll try to get back to adding more tutorials. It won't let me edit the original post anymore to add them there, so the new tutorials will go here in the comments from now on!

[Gaarafan12]

~3 BEGINNER TUTORIALS~

Beginner Tutorial: Smudging

Smudging is a very important aspect of signatures. Here is a very simple tutorial explaining in complete detail the settings that go into her smudging effect. To download the brush, click download to the right of the tutorial!

http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&se...mudge#/d1wif2o

Beginner Tutorial: Smudging 2

Another simple smudging explanation. The main thing to take from this is the smudging technique. It's explained for both GIMP and PS.

http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&se...mudge#/d1bwb2b

Beginner Tutorial: Vintage Color Effect

Very, very simple explanation of how to manipulate layers to give a picture or sig a more vintage color.

http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&se...=gimp#/d10thcj

[Gaarafan12]

Step by Step Sig!

Recorded this quite a while ago, if people want more I can start making it a habit to record them when I work!

End Result:


Sry it is so long haha If anyone wants more in the future I'll make sure to have a plan before I start! I figured I'd go ahead and post this and people can skim though it if they want!

Part One:

Part Two:

Part Three:

[gordo1]

Definitely keep recording it. I'm gonna try out that video one when I find a cool render I like haha

[Gaarafan12]

Step by Step Sigs!

End Result:


Sry I can't get the video to upload to Youtube properly, so here is the link to the video! oh and the music is horrible so I'd mute it

http://www.twitch.tv/snowyhitsugaya/b/330301477#


End Result:

End Result:

[ROSH2]

LIVE NOW!! CLICK HERE!

This is a tutorial for anyone that has said "I wish I could make Signatures/Avatars". Well I'm here to tell you it's not as hard getting started as you might think. And I want to help you do it!

GIMP or GNU Image Manipulation Program is a free and safe online substitute for photoshop. I use Gimp and have been making Avatars and Signatures for 4 months now. I learn something new everyday, but I had a hard time getting started. So even though I'm definitely not the best GFXer on NarutoBase, I thought I'd make a tutorial to help those who want to start know how. So here we go!

ABOUT ME~ MY GFX HISTORY

First I thought I'd give you a bit of insight into how I got into GFX that way you know where I'm coming from!

I joined the base last august, and the first thing I noticed was all the awesome signatures and avatars people had. I started checking out the GFX forums and realized people were making these things! I had a couple of ideas for signatures I wanted and posted up a request, by the next day someone had made me a beautiful Signature! The problem was, next week I had another idea for a signature! haha I felt bad asking for a new one so soon, and waited patiently for time to pass so I could get a new one. Finally I decided to give GFX a go, and downloaded Paint.net, it was ok for a while but everyone on the Base advised me to switch to GIMP, so I did!

I love GIMP, it supplies me with everything I need to make Signatures and Avatars that I love! I've gone from this: my very first signature on GIMP...

To this, my most recent work:

And I learn new stuff everyday! I hope that I will be able to help others create stuff that they love through these tutorials!

If you want to check out my other works check the out here!

~NarutoBase Album: http://narutobase.net/forums/album.php?albumid=11613
~Photobucket:http://s1169.photobucket.com/profile...itsugaya/index

ABOUT THIS TUTORIAL~

~Note: I've only got a couple of videos on here now, because I haven't used many tutorials myself, but I hope to add more as I find them and maybe even make some of my own!

I'm going to try to commit to adding one video/tutorial link everyday for gimp so hopefully this can cover most of peoples questions!

THE VERY BEGINNING~

This is where you start if you've never made a signature before in your life, it includes the download link to GIMP, basic knowledge every new GFXer should know, and links to Brushes, fonts, fractals and more!

Downloading GIMP: http://www.gimp.org/downloads/

Now that you've downloaded Gimp you should familiarize yourself with how it works!

Here’s a tutorial explaining the different basic tools and layouts of GIMP. I have learned most of what I know about GIMP just by messing around, but if you are wanting a more detailed look at it these tutorials will help!

This tutorial is extreamely detailed and does a great job explaining each of the tools, options, and features of GIMP! I did not make this tutorial, it was created by Griatch on the Gimptalk forums!

http://www.gimptalk.com/index.php?/t...for-new-users/

Ok! Now let's move into the GFX side of GIMP. Here are a few elements that go into most Signatures and Avatars you should be familiar with!

Stock:

A stock is any picture that features a character or object that you want featured in your signature.

Example:

Renders:

A render is an image of any character or object that has had the surrounding background completely removed. A render is Always in .png file format. This is because jpg or other file formats do not support invisible layers. If a file seems to be a render but is not in png format, once you open it in GIMP you will see that it has a white background.

Example:

My render Stockpile: http://s1169.photobucket.com/albums/...ugaya/Renders/
Note: None of these images were rendered by me. I gathered them from other users on photobucket and put them in anime categories such as Bleach and Naruto.

C4D:

A C4D image is a rendered graphic image that many use in their signatures. I'm not really sure how to explain them other than they look really cool :D

Example:

Fractals:

Another thing I'm not really sure how to describe, a fractal is an image with cool graphic effects that do have a background. There is a video later on showing how they can be used despite having a background.

Link: Here are some awesome Fractal packs I use, I DID NOT MAKE THESE! http://www.gimptalk.com/index.php?showtopic=32709

Example:

GIMP Brushes:

When you first download GIMP it will come with only the very basic brushes, you can search online for Brushes that fit your style. I personally love to use very whimsical brushes with long flowing lines. There are tons for you to choose from that you can download for free. Here are some links to great brushes that I love. But you can easily search deviantart.com and you’ll find some great ones there!

Bush Resources:

http://www.noupe.com/how-tos/1000-fr...p-brushes.html

http://www.kumailht.com/blog/design/...-gimp-brushes/

http://browse.deviantart.com/resourc...q=gimp+brushes

How to Download and add Brushes to GIMP.

TTUTORIALS~

I'm gonna supply a tutorial video along with an explanation, any personal notes, and if possible an example of something I made after watching the video!

BEGINNERS~

Beginner Signature Tutorial 1:

This was the first GIMP Tutorial I ever used, it does a good job showing how to use a C4D well and just the basic elements of making a signature.



Personal Note: Most of the time I start with a transparent canvas of 150x400 then use File>Open as Layers to open the render, that way you don't have to open another window for the render! Also I recommend opening the render first thing before selecting a background that way you know the render and background will compliment one another!

What I made:

Beginner Signature Tutorial 2~ Smudging (tutorial supplied by Eternity000!!)

This tutorial does a great job showing how to properly use your smudge tool, don't forget that the smuding isn't just for blending, it can be a great way to make a background for your image!!

**Tutorial made by FaiaTentei on deviantart!**
http://faiatentei.deviantart.com/art...orial-80449283

INTERMEDIATE VIDEOS~

Intermediate Signature Tutorial 1:

This is a good tutorial because it shows some great strategies for creating backgrounds from using filters on the render, and blending.



Personal Note: He uses a ton of fractals and effects and I feel like in my signatures I try not to go overboard and keep it simple with the effects to keep it clean and not too busy!

What I made:

Intermediate Tutorial 2: GIF Rain~

This video explains how to make a really simple rain animation in GIMP. It's really easy the only reason it's listed as an intermediate tutorial is because it's a gif and that can be intimidating to beginners!



Personal Note: Anytime you save an image or images as a gif it's going to loose some quality, so don't be surprised when you upload it somewhere and it doesn't look quite as high quality!

What I made:
Mine's not gloomy, haha but I figured it worked!

REAL TIME TEACHING~

If you're looking to get some real time, live teaching look here for instructions on how to get started!

I'm going to start broadcasting myself live as I work on my signatures. If you want to watch and see my process, or want to learn a specific skill I'd be happy to over it for you!

1~ PM me letting me know you're interested!

2~ Follow this Link and create an account on this site, that way you'll be able to use the chat feature and communicate with me there!

3~ Make your way back to my profile on Twitch and if you want follow me so you'll know when I'm working!

4~ When you're watching me work on GIMP, don't be afraid to ask questions or request that I do something!

Here's the link to my first recording!

OTHER TUTORIALS~

These are links to others tutorials here on the base that I have used and think they deserve credit for!

Great GIMP tutorial by Reckoner27!
Great Air Signature Tutorial by Eternity000

Very detailed tutorial explaining how to make a shine effect with GIMP by Nerei!

Rushed Example sry! haha

sis super cool but http://www.gimptalk.com/index.php?/t...for-new-users/ this link not working please can u correct it i want to
learn gimp

[Dr Dark Knight]

Thanks .