Pixel Byter

Shine 2.0

2012-01-13T20:57:00.000-05:00

In this tut I'll show how to add some shine, or sometimes called web 2.0, glossy, gel.

First you will need a selection to work with. A simple circle, filled with red for this one.

Next you will want to add some contrast. I used the method used here: A pumpkin from paths.

After you create a contrast layer add another transparent layer, set its mode to screen.

Now lets get the gradient tool ready by selecting the default gradient.

Then on the new transparent layer, use the circle tool to make an oblong circle close to the top center of the red circle. With the selection in place go back to the gradient tool, and click on the bottom of the selection, then drag to the top of the selection and release. Might want to do a better job of making the line straight than I did.

For another shape get the rectangle tool, make a selection. You can use the rounded corner function located under selections. Add your contrast just as you did with the previous shape.
Next duplicate the layer with the shape, we are going to use it as a mask for a selection.
Take the rectangle tool, and make a selection about 1/4 from the top of the image. As shown below.
We don't want whats in the part that's in the selection, so delete that part, and release the selection.

On the duplicate layer do an alpha to selection over in the layers dialog.
You can delete the layer. Then add a new transparent layer on top, set its mode to screen, just as we did for the red circle. Be sure you keep the partial selection.

On the screen layer you can shrink the selection, two is good.

Now just as we did on the previous example, get the gradient tool, and lay a gradient just as you did before. Bottom to top.

When you merge the layers be sure to merge from the base up, I.E. first merge the multiply layer down onto the green part, then the screen layer down onto that.

Using the Image Manipulator to create levels (Construct Classic)

2011-10-08T19:32:00.000-04:00

In this tutorial I talk about using the object Image Manipulator to use images to not only set up levels, but control them as well.

A lot of people complain that Construct Classic lacks a visual editor for levels, but the thing is there are so many different ways to make an editor, and everybody is going to want something done differently. This is just one of the many possibilities.

pros:
-Can be stored internally
-Can be imported(mods)
-Has a visual representation
-No floating point integers
-Can be used as an array for other things
-Can be modified internally at edit time, and runtime
-Tile based, bitwise methods work well
-255^3 possibilities

cons:
-No floating point integers
-Flip
-Requires a tick to modify
-Tile based, mixing different size objects does not work well
-Does not support alpha
-Hard to differentiate similar colors
-No built in comparisons

So yeah, basically you already have a built in visual level editor, the editor that pops up when you add a sprite.
Then again there's no reason you have to use it to edit images, Gimp, Ps, or what ever you prefer will work. You just have to figure out a little bit of stuff before hand.

A pro, and a con of this method is that it's tile based, so most if not all of your tiles will have to be the same size. Then again that works well for optimization IE P^2.

So the first thing you have to figure out is what size your tiles are. In the cap:
imagen.cap
I use 32x32.
Once you have that your ready to make up a map. Just double click in the Construct and add a sprite.
When the editor pops up you will have to decide how wide, and how high the level is.
To do that hit the resize button in the editor.
To figure your width simply divide your desired width by your tile size.
Keep in mind the width must be completely divisible by the tile size... no remainders, no floats.
A good way to figure that is just to open up the system calculator and add your tile to itself, and hit the plus button till you reach a size you're happy with.
Same thing applies to the height, except most platform levels have much less height than width.
Keep in mind you can figure this out beforehand and have the map ready to import into the editor, if you made your image in another image editor.

Now the next thing you have to figure out is your palette, the colors you want to represent the different tiles.
The amount of possibilities is enormous to say the least, but to keep things manageable I suggest choosing colors that a fairly easy to recognize, both visually, and mathematically. For example I use pure black rgb(0,0,0) for the platform tiles, and pure white rgb(255,255,255) for the background.

Script - Morph Selection

2011-08-29T20:13:00.000-04:00

Morph-Selection

Morph-Selection is a script that works similar to the Round Corner feature.
Click the icon above, and save it to you scripts folder. It can be located under the Selections menu.
The main use of the plugin is to make objects like this:

It also has some additional benefits.

To use the script, you will need a layer with an alpha channel with some design on it.
The usual settings are 20 to 30 pixels on the blur. This basically is how much you want to distort the image.
The difference between Rounded Corners, and Morph-Selection is that you do not need to have any part selected, and it will return a mask that you can take a selection from.
Plus Rounded Corners always returns a rounded rectangle.

This before and after is just a couple of squares on the same layer.

And a couple circles here.

The plugin can also be used for antialiasing.
Here I blurred a circle about 5 pixels, and then applied the filter.

Then after this is how the circle appeared afterward, almost exactly as before the blur.

This approach works for a lot of selections, but there is a cut off point.
One way to deal with images that have small details, and have the "ziggy's", is to scale up the image.

Here is a before.

Then here is with the plugin applied with the scale set to 4.

And finally this is with the plugin applied with no scaling.

~This script is based on a tutorial found on the GUG (Gimp User Group) website~
Special thanks to its Aurthur.

Script-Plasti Wrap

2011-08-27T12:21:00.001-04:00

Plasti-Wrap

This script replicates the Plastic Wrap filter in Photoshop.

To use the script click the icon above, and save it to your scripts folder. The script should be located under Filters>Light and Shadow>Plasti-wrap.

The process adds a mask to the image, so everything that you want to apply the effect to should be in one layer.

Note: The script is somewhat changeable, but the presets work best.

The "final layer Copy" simply duplicates the mask as many times as you like.

Also note that since this is a mask you can add other effects to it.

Before

After

Its possible to use the mask in many different ways.

If you use Colors>Auto>Equalize, you'll get something like this.

While Colors>Auto>White Balance, gets something like this.

Essentially the same as adding multiple masks to the image.

You can also change its color, this was done using the Colors>Colorize filter.

Please take note that the layer mask has its mode set to Screen.

Camo

2011-08-26T09:14:00.000-04:00

Camouflage

In this tut you can learn how to make a easy camo pattern.

1

Now open Gimp, and add a new layer.
On that layer call the Solid Noise plugin, located under filters>render>clouds.
Set the x, and y values to 10, and check off turbulent.
Note: For this size image 10 works ok, but you may need to adjust it for different size images.

2

On the clouds layer we will lower the gray values to just black and white.
Under colors, go to levels, and this dialog should show up.
You will see 3 arrows on the first graph (input levels).
Move all three arrows to the middle of the curve.

3

Now right click and go down to colors again, then choose Invert.
We want spots, not stripes.
On the clouds layer set its mode to multiply.
You should have something that looks like this.
BTW This is also a good way to make cow spots.

4

Lets add some color by adding a new layer and filling it with green.
Then set its mode to multiply as well.

5

If you don't want just black and green, you can use the "Pick By Color Tool".
Just click on the tool, then click on the black parts. Then after you have the selection click the paint bucket tool, change the color to what ever you want and fill the selection.

Note: Be sure to check off "fill whole selection" in the fill tools options.

6

We can add even more detail, by adding even smaller spots to another layer.
Just make a new layer, and use the solid noise plugin with x,and y set higher.
Then invert the colors, and apply levels as before.

7

This time we will set the new layers mode to overlay.
Then go to colors>color to alpha, and get rid of the white.

8

Your pretty much done.
From here just merge visible layers, that will get rid of all the extra parts of our layer masks..
If you choose to merge the layers one by one, be sure to merge from the bottom up.
Since you have 2 different layer modes going on, you might get different results, if you were to go from the top down.

Carbon Fiber

2011-08-25T12:07:00.000-04:00

Carbon Fiber Pattern

This is a quick tutorial to show you how to make a Gimp pattern that gives a graphite, or carbon fiber look.

1

To start you need to make a new image.
Instead of defaults, use 2 pixels by 2 pixels.
Also set the starting layer to be transparent.

2

Next we go to the brushes, actually the pencil tool is what we will be using.
We need sharp edges for this, so select the smallest circle brush, that just happens to be one pixel in size.

3

Now with your pencil tool place 1 pixel up in the right side top corner.
Then copy the image to the clipboard... edit>copy.

4

Right click the image again, and again go to edit, only this time go to paste, then paste image as Pattern.
This dialog box should pop up.
Now give it a name, and click ok.

5

The pattern is ready to use, just go over to the patterns,(it should have automatically refreshed) and the pattern should be already selected.
If you cant find it, don't worry take a look at the top, and you'll see you can use the clipboard as your pattern as well.

Notice something different?
On this one I made a pattern out of an image that was 4x4, instead of 2x2, and then put 4 pixels in the top corner.

Brushed Metal

2011-08-24T07:58:00.000-04:00

Brushed Metal Texture

This tutorial will show you how to easily make a metal texture in Gimp.

1

First make a new image.
Any size will do.
Remember though we will be cutting parts out of it so make it large enough to accommodate your dimensions.

On the first layer start the clouds plugin "Solid Noise".
Located under filters>render>clouds.
Set detail to 15.
X to 16.
And Y to it's lowest.
Be sure to check off Turbulent, and Tilable.
Note our final image will not be tilable.

2

Next call the noise filter "Spread".
Located under filter>noise.
Raise H, and V all the way to 100.

3

Now on our layer add a Gaussian blur.
Unchain H, and V, then raise Horizontal to 70.

4

The last step left us with an image that's a bit too dark.
To fix this simply duplicate the layer, and on the new layer set it's mode to Screen.
You can then merge that layer down.

5

From here you can use a selection to cut out what ever shape you want.
This was with the rectangle selection tool, and then I applied the rounded rectangle function, set to about 10.
Its located under Selections.

Ortho Grass

2011-08-23T11:20:00.000-04:00

Grass

This tutorial will show you how to make some nice tileable grass.

1

To start out you want to create a new image with the width set to 400, and height set to 1600.
I know that seems big, but we will do some scaling later.

2

First real step is to make some clouds, or solid noise in this case.
Set the detail up all the way, and set x, and y values to 7.
Be sure to check off "Tilable" if you want the end result to be tilable.

3

Next do a blur, a fairly high value one, 50 to 100 is good..

4

Now go to filters and find RGB noise, under noise.
Set it to Correlated noise, at .5, for r, g, and b.

5

This next step is to take out some artifacts you might get later.
Be sure to click the chain icon, and set horizontal to zero.
Vertical to 5.

6

Now we need to rotate the image, I'd suggest just right clicking image> transforms> rotate 90 degrees.
Or you can rotate the layer 90 degrees as shown here.

7

Next located under filters, then distorts, is the wind filter.

For this image size use Direction left, edge trailing, threshold to 0, and strength to 10.
Be sure to do a layer to image size, after if you just rotated the layer, instead of the image.

8

After that rotate the image of the layer back -90 degrees, or counterclockwise for the image.

9

Next step is optional if you want to make it tilable. Make Seamless is under filters>map.

10

Almost there, we just need to scale the image down a bit.
All you really have to do is set the height to from 1600, down to 200.
Be sure the chain icon is apart first.

11

Now we can add some color, I happen to like hue set to 75 on the colorize filter, however 90 looks good too.

12

The finished image:
Be sure to play around with the settings, you don't have to use 400x 1600, 200 x 1200 will do, or 400 x 400 when its scaled down.
Just remember your scaling the pixels we stretched with wind, so if you want shorter grass scale to smaller sizes.
You can also change the wind filter, and the clouds filter, more detail means more spots.

Fog

2011-08-22T10:46:00.000-04:00

Fog

This tutorial is based on one from the Gimp User Group.
It shows us how to make fog, but also is a good implementation of Layer Masks.

1

First create a new layer, or new image.

Note: (If you want to make your image look like my example simply make a new layer, filled with black, then grab the circle tool, and make a selection in the middle.
After that simply invert colors on that layer.)

Now on a new layer use the clouds filter plasma, Filters>render>clouds>plasma.
The default settings will do.

2

Now we need to remove the color from the image. Use Desaturate, Colors>desaturate.
Lightness is the setting you will use most of the time.

3

Before we go on, make a copy of the clouds layer, just Edit>copy to place it on the clipboard.

Now on the plasma layer, add a layer mask. The function is located in the layers dialog.
Right click the layers dialog select Add layer mask.
Notice there are settings to disable it, and delete it as well.

We want to use White (full opacity), again you will use this most of the time.

4

This is what your clouds layer should still look like, be sure that this is what you copied, and not the layer after you added the Layer Mask.

5

Next after you have added the layer mask, right click and Edit> paste.
This will place the copy of the clouds into a floating layer above everything else.
Make sure the layer with the layer mask is directly under the floating selection, and then hit the Anchor button, located next to the Delete button.
This will place the "copy" of the clouds into the layer mask.
After that you can "Apply Layer Mask", a command found in the layers dialog that merges the mask onto the layer.

Note:This "fog" layer should probably be above any images you want the effect to show on.

Explosions!

2011-08-21T11:38:00.000-04:00

Explosions

This tutorial will show you how to make an explosion like this one.

1

On a new image use the cloud filter Solid Noise. Use these settings, be sure to check off Turbulent, and Tilable.

2

After that use the Wind filter located under filters>distorts.

Again use the same settings as the image here shows.

3

Grab the brush tool, set it to the biggest "fuzzy" brush, then scale the size all the way to 10.

Then on the left side of the image, brush that side making sure to cover the corners.

You will want to make the top, and bottom of the image about the same width.

This will help stop any creases you might get later.

4

Before we go on, duplicate the image, and select it in the layers dialog.

Now on that layer add a Layer Mask.

Right click the layers dialog, and select Add Layer Mask.

Use White (full opacity).

5

Grab the gradient tool, and set it to the default gradient.

Click in about the center of the image, and drag the line to the left.

Be sure to keep the line straight, we don't want the gradient going any other direction.

Now set that layers mode to "Lighten"

6

Rotate the layer 90 degrees clockwise.

Note how I didn't cover the left corner wery well.... thats going to show up later.

7

Next use the distort's filter Polar Coordinates.

Located under filter>distort>Polar Coordinates, make sure its set to "To polar".

8

Notice the little crease at the very top of the white brushing?

Oh well I'll get it next time.

To continue, get the lasso tool, and select the part of the image you want to use.

It doesn't have to be perfect.

9

We can add a little randomness by using the selection distort filter.

Its under selection>distort, the default setting is fine here.

10

Now invert the selection, and cut what we dont want.

11

We need to add some color so go change the gradient to Incandesent.

German flag smooth works well too, or feel free to make your own.

12

To add our gradient simply right click the image and under colors, select color>gradient map.

13

To soften up the edges just grab the layers selection, shrink the selection, about 15 pixels. Then feather it about 20 pixels, then invert, and cut.

Techie Flourish

2011-08-20T09:01:00.000-04:00

Techie Flourish

This tutorial will show you how to make this techie flourish thing.

1

First create a new image with a white background.

Then grab the rectangle selection tool and go nuts. Just make a bunch of random selections.

Try to group them close to the top.

When your ready fill the selection with the bucket tool.

2

Next right click the image, and go to filters>distors>Polar Coordinates.

Make sure its set to "Map from top", and "To polar".

3

The filter doesn't accept transparencies, and uses the background color instead, so to get rid of the white, right click choose colors>Color To Alpha.

The default is white, so we're ready to go.

4

You can use the layer's selection (alpha to selection) on another layer, and fill it with whatever color.

You can also use the original blurred, and moved a bit, for a drop shadow.

Try experimenting now, notice how horizontal selections tend to make circles, and verical ones make slices.

Have fun!

A pumpkin from paths

2011-08-19T09:36:00.000-04:00

A pumpkin from paths

This tutorial will show you how to make a pumpkin from some paths, as well as some strokes.

1

First create a new image with a white background.

Then grab the paths tool, and make a path as shown. Make sure its straight, andmake sure its smak dab in the middle.

2

Now with the path tool go to the center of the path, click on it, and while holding drag the path to the left, and down just a bit.

Note: The drag handles will give you an indication on your direction.

3

Due to the way paths are set up we will have to add a node to the path in order to close it. The problem is that once a path is edited you can't add more nodes.

To fix this just hold down the Ctrl key, and click on the path.

4

Before we close the path, lets flatten the top a bit. Simply grab the top drag handle and pull it up just a little.

We wouldn't want our pumpkin to look like an upside down heart.

5

Ok, now to close it up simply click one of the ending nodes, and pull a path to the other. Hold down the Ctrl key to close the path. This is just like the very first step so it shouldn't be too hard. Keep this line stright as well.

Now we need a selection out of the path so hit the button that says "Selection from path" in the tool's dialog.

We can now fill the path with black, but before you do, remember to add a new transparent layer, and then fill the selection on that layer.

Once thats done, duplicate the new layer you just filled.

6

On the layer you just duplicated grab the Flip tool, make sure its set to horizontal, and flip the layer.

Merge the top two layers together, and do a "layer to image size" in the layers dialog.

7

Grab that layers selection, add a new transparent layer and fill it with orange.

Dont release the selection yet.

8

This step is a shortcut to add some depth. First add a new white layer, set its mode to multiply. Now on that layer invert the colors, then release the selection, and invert the colors again.

Now blur that layer guassian, about 100 pixels.

Go back to the layer underneath and get the selection again, invert the selection, cut on the top layer and select none.

9

You should now have something that looks like this. Merge the "depth" layer down if you like.

10

Speaking of depth, we will now add some shadows using some path strokes.

First add a new transparent layer to the top. Then make a path just like the picture shows.

11

Now like in the second step, grab the path in the middle and drag it up a bit.

Then hit the Stroke path button in the tool box, set it to 1 pixel, stroke the path.

Be sure your foreground color is set to black.

12

Repete that step two more times, on the same layer.

Duplicate that layer when your satisfied..

13

Flip the duplicated layer just as before, merge it down, and add one more stroke to the center.

14

Set that layers opacity to about 10, and duplicate it.

15

On the duplicated layer do another guassian blur, about 10 pixels.

Now we will raise the opacity to where we like it, probably all the way to 100.

You might even want to duplicate that layer to get it even darker.

16

To add a stem add a new transparent layer, and make a polygone like the one in the image. Be sure to get the bottom side horizontal to the form.

17

Now just drag the bottom side's path out just a bit.

18

Now change that path into a selection, and fill it with green on the new layer.

Keep a hold on that selection, we're using it again.

19

Our stem needs some depth as well so we will do what we did with the pumpkin and add a new white layer, set it to multiply, invert the colors, release the selection, then invert again. Finally using the stems selection inverted to cut whats not needed on the white layer.

Now your probably wondering what to do with that first black form, you can delete it, or use it as a drop shadow, its your choice, your pixels, your pumpkin..... enjoy.

Gradient Designing

2011-08-18T10:44:00.000-04:00

Gradient Designing

Sometimes creating shapes can be a pain, with this tut I'll show you a great new way to design, that gets a unique result.

1

Open up a new image, I used 400x 400 px.

2

Set the background to black.

3

Set your gradient to "default".

4

In your tool options, adjust the settings to reverse, and shape to radial.

5

Now add a new transparent layer, set its mode to lighten only.

6

Do a gradient fill any where on the transparent layer.

7

You should have something like this.

8

Add a new transparent layer, change its mode to lighten only also.

9

Do a gradient fill just like before, onto the layer you just created.
You can place it anywhere.

The new gradient fills into the previous layer without covering it up.

10

If you dont like how the fill came out, just undo and try again, or if the size is right just get the move tool and move the new layer around.

11

Since its set to "lighten only" you can move it just about any where.

Like this it sorta looks like a bug, so lets go with that and make it look more like one.

12

You can only add one fill per layer, so add new layers as needed, or duplicate one, and move it around.

13

You can merge 2 layers together by setting the lower layer to normal, then merge the one above down.

Then change the merged layers setting back to lighten only.
You can also move the merged layer where you like.

14

Grouping layers like this give you the ability to add some detail, like color to the different layers.

An easy way to add color is with the corlorize tool, be carefull not to change the background too much.

15

When you have your basic shape done just merge the visable layers.

You can seperate it from the background using the magic wand.

16

From here you can add your effects and spice it up a little.

Quick and easy avatars

2011-08-17T17:45:00.000-04:00

Easy Avatars

This works great for avatars, and for making random patterns.

1

First create a new image, something avatar sized.

2

Next get the path tool set it to design, polygonal is fine.

3

On a transparent layer make several segments randomly, right to left, top to bottom, whatever your heart desires.

Don't make too many, but more than 2 or 3.

4

Now make a selection out of the path.

Look 2 steps above at the image if you don't remember.

5

Then fill the selection, with the bucket tool.

Release the selection.

Now duplicate the layer, and go to it.

6

Select the flip tool, make sure its set to horizontal.

Flip the layer and your done.

7

Merge the two if your happy with it, or go back and make some new random paths to get something new.

Gimp Cables

2011-08-16T20:43:00.000-04:00

Cables and Tenticals

This tut will show you how to make those cool cable/ tentical shapes in Gimp

1

You will need to change your brush to the one we made in "Quick Brushes" if you have changed it .
First create a new image.

Any size will do

2

Then enable the path tool, make sure its on design, without polygonal, polygonal will work if you just want straight lines.

3

Make a path on the image, something curvy, anything will do, this is a tech you need to experiment with

4

Go to your paths menu, hit the stroke button.

5

Change the stroke to use the paint brush.

Now hit the stroke button to stroke the path.

6

There are many ways to add color but I like the colorize button best.

Simply change to the colorize tool and click the layer you want to change.

7

From here you can add lots of different effects, the perspective tool will let you make one side look smaller, even a drop shadow can add quite alot.

Quick Brushes in Gimp

2011-08-16T20:40:00.000-04:00

Quick Brushes

This tutorial will show you how to make custom brushes in Gimp

1

First create a new image any size will do.

Then grab the circle tool and make a oval shape.

2

Now go to your gradients and select the gradient named Default.

3

Next two steps fill the selection with white, then add a new transparent layer, and use the gradient tool on it... right to left.

Release the selection

4

On the layer with the white oval use a blur.

5 pixels.

Once this is done you can turn the "eye", or "visable" icon off.

5

On the gradient filled layer do a bumpmap, using the blurred layer, with a depth of about 3.

6

After that on that layer you should autocrop it.

7

Then copy that layer, and "edit>paste as new brush"

Name it as you like, and set the spacing to about 5.

You can now close the image we were using.