Of course not everything that has happened to me have to be bad (Well, I’m kinda used having bad luck :P). I got promoted in Gimper.net to administrator. Gimper.net is part of Gimp-Tutorials.net and to sum it up for the people having a little hard time realizing what’s going on, it’s a site that contains gimp tutorials and resources. Thanks to Gimper for giving me the opportunity! I’d hope to give the forum users the best experience.

Anyway, a new blog design is coming soon. It might take a week or two to complete it and then another week to export it and make sure everything works in all browsers. Sadly, I had to rush the current one and there are a lot of default things in the source code.

Ahh, not to mention there might be a new version of the Gimp Compilation coming too. I’m a bit sad to say that there hasn’t been much of a movement lately on gimp communities. Yet I hope to clear more things out for starters and advanced users that are migrating to the GIMP.

ShareThis

It took me 10 seconds to actually get used to this, if I could do it then you can too!

If you are still having doubts then say so, I will do a little ScreenCast just for this. Many users are still confused on how to make gradients.

ShareThis

We are getting close to the 3rd edition of the ibre Graphics Meeting, where,
over the last years, we have been organizing the equivalent of GimpConf as
well.

It will take place in may, 8th to 11th, in Wrocław, Poland.

So, it is time for us to organize who is attending so that the conference and
GIMP treasure can hep funding transportation fees.

People interested in attending, please send me name, and a rough estimative of
the travel costs to getting there (sometime nearby we will need more precise
values, but I prefer to have a rough estimate as soon as possible)

Note that in other years people where asked to put their names on a wiki
page - this time, I am asking you to write me directly. We shall setup such a
wiki page, but I am rather getting e-mails and preparing a list here without
having to rely on the wiki.

http://www.libregraphicsmeeting.org/2008/index.php?lang=en

http://create.freedesktop.org/wiki/index.php/Conference

View Sources

The conference is not limited to the GIMP but inkscape and others. If you are near that area be sure to pay a visit. Please check the link for more information!

ShareThis

• Arabic Version

I’ve seen a lot of users whining and crying that GIMP doesn’t do X and Y thing. I do admit that a lot of things can be improved but GIMP Developers can’t read every distro forum to see users problem and ‘wish list’ for upcoming versions.

I will explain how to do proposals(either for features or improvement), because it’s something that most of the general users skip. Please be reminded once again that GIMP Developers are not mind readers (as far as I know, although I think Øyvind Kolås might be one). If you are a serious user who want to take time writing a proposal for an addition then please follow this:

1. Sign up in GIMP mailing list (I used the developers one to make mine)
2. Use an alternative interface like nabble to make your post along with your proposal.

When proposing a new feature or improvement, please be detailed as possible. For example, you can’t just say “hey, add Transform Tool because I want it”, you’d need to think globally. How many users will use this feature? GIMP is a software that thousands of computers have installed in their linux and some windows computers. Note that it’s not limited to features but you can also request filters and other things (as long as the it’s on GIMP’s range).

Things that you should know

• GIMP is not a clone of photoshop and it will never be, it could be better than photoshop if you decide to help. (Either by creating work with the GIMP, developing the GIMP, help debugging, reporting bugs, motivating users and developers)
• Before asking about layer ‘blending options’ you should know that GEGL is on its way, it’s GIMP future image processing framework that will be implemented in v2.6. GEGL is also a created by the GIMP team. Apparently something happened that caused GEGL to be dropped (in mid 2003), they’ve recently picked it up.
• We all know Photoshop have a lot of helpful features, but please do NOT flood GIMP developers with so many photoshop features!
• If you are a developer with knowledge in C and linux system and want to help develop GIMP in Linux (or Windows Builds) I guess you are more than welcome.
• ’nuff said there is a bug tracker

Why you should help? It’s not a matter of helping or not, it’s a matter of supporting open sources software like the GIMP(OpenOffice, and many more). Right now you guys have a free image manipulation program that might be capable of reaching PhotoShop or any other image manipulation software. Look at how successful Blender3D have been.

And now, without further ado: The GIMP Compilation!

The moment you thought that GIMP lacked features like color overlay, inner glow and so on it’s the moment you said “Okay, uninstall time!” It’s true that GIMP needs to be more of a “out of a box” term but here is a big one for you:

GIMP Plugins

Over 50+ scripts that are commonly used in graphic programs, that project is called GIMP FX Foundry. Inner Glow, Inner Shadow, Color Overlay, Photo Effects and many more are included in this project. You could think that GIMP is a little like firefox, except not many people is aware that GIMP purely runs on script-fus and plug-ins.

CMYK Support Plug-in

Removing a background from an image

• Path Tools Method
• Quickmask Method
• The Layermask Method

Website Layouts

• A complete website
• Creating Image Maps
• More on website
• Website Tutorial
• Vista Buttons

• A Quick Guide to GIMP

Effects

• Reflections
• Sketched Glass
• Creating Lighting

Retouching

• Make a photo more sexy

Resources Sites

Yes, sir. GIMP runs brushes, patterns, gradients and so on, what’s so strange about it? These are not resource sites alone, some of them have forums.

I will just post the active ones:

• GIMP Tutorials
• GIMP Tutorials NET
• Gimpology
• GimpTalk
• GIMP Users
• GIMPI Yahoo Group
• Gimpster Yahoo Group
• Tutorialized Section (not so active)
• GIMP Users (Mailing List one)

If I missed one then I apologize, and be sure to post the one I missed.

Occasionally you might need to learn some terms when learning the GIMP interface, in fact this guide might help you a lot. GIMP is still lacking user-base, and I hope this post helps you ditch your not-so-legal photoshop you have there. You can always use Gimpshop or GimPhoto (new).

I think linux distros should also include resources site along with the product they offer(if the product holds extensions) in their wiki. Great programs in development are lost because lack of motivation and no user-base cheering.

RouteCafe is a site that I want to transform into the next GIMP Resources site(but not limited to other things), sadly I haven’t had the time to work on it but it will be done! Anyway, I really couldn’t list all the tutorials, I just listed some that might cause some interest. GimpTalk have a Tutorial Index that you might want to look at.

I hope this article helps you to support the GIMP.

ShareThis

• A plugin that kills spam
• Easy interface
• CMS Abilities to create ‘pages’

Movable Type

This is the one that holds a competition against WordPress. MT is done by SixApart and it’s now distributed under open source, which no ones seems to be aware.

Featuring almost every ability that WordPress has, except it’s not written in PHP but Perl. Movable Type is really considered one of the most easiest to use. The bad sides of Movable Type is that the installation takes a little work, but it’s worth it once you set it up.

It supports Akistmet and other plugins you might want to look for.

Typo

Typo is written using Ruby on Rails and it’s not very knowledgeable in the blogsphere. Typo have the same aspects of WordPress.

Drawback of using Typo is that you need a host that supports Ruby on Rails, but from that you will enjoy a quality blog software.

Symphony

Symphony is not really directed for normal users. It’s more for developers with slight knowledge in HTML/XSLT/PHP. If you are new to the blogsphere you will go a little crazy with Symphony when it comes to customizations.

Textpattern

Their site might look boring and unfriendly but Textpattern is also one of the nicest blog softwares out there, don’t let it fool you.

Serendipity

I have heard reports from users that it’s really good. Serenpidity is a fast growing weblog software. It have a very easy templating system. You can gear it up with plugins, templates and so on.

That’s my top 5 for you all!

ShareThis

This tutorial is a conversion of 0tutor.com from photoshop to GIMP.

Alright then!

PLEASE NOTE: Use PATH TOOL instead of Scissors!

I used this photo to make this tutorial, open a photo:

Step One

Go to Colors -> Levels

Change the input (the last box) to 240 like the screenshot

Step Two

Go to your Colors -> Brightness-Contrast
Brightness: -9
Contrast: 12

The point here is to make the image cool in temperature enough to make the lipgloss look real.

Step Three

Pressing the key “I” will get your scissors out, lets select the lips

You can either use Path tool or scissors, you might get a better result with path tool… I really didn’t get mine using scissors.

Create the selection in scissors by selecting the first node you created, in path tool you can select in the toolbox sub-block.

Step Four

Create a new layer, call it whatever you want.

I used GIMP’s default gradients… I kinda regret it but this is just example purpose. You can create yours!

Take out your gradient tools and slide it over the selection

Change the mode to Hue

In cases, change the opacity a little

Result:

There you go, you can start change your lip colors right now!

I did this with the scissor tools and the result is really sketchy. My suggestion is changing to path tool and you might get a better result from this.

ShareThis

The main site of RouteCafe is going to be opened eventually. I’ve been working on several things and also been attending life issues. I’m happy to announce the main target audience that will be the future of RouteCafe.

What is RouteCafe?

RouteCafe is a social community, my target is to motivate PhotoShop Users to contribute in the GIMP, and put additional power over the GIMP Software to continue the movement of the community. RouteCafe is not limited to GIMP Users, we want to allow all kind of audience to share their knowledge and remarks.

Downtime

If you commented in any of my posts and now it’s not there I apologize. This site was moved to a new server where Apache does not exist. Dataloss was something I couldn’t prevent, but no worries now it’s up and running with a sleek design on!

Note that the server is fairly new and you might notice some weird things going on in the site (which I hope that never happens). If there’s something broken in the blog just contact me at

webmaster at routecafe dot com

One more thing~

I’m going to try my best to provide a better articulated post for you all. Note that this blog covers many things besides GIMP and it might not be what you expected. Even if my grammar is not the best—if you get the How-To’s and Tutorials done then my work is done.

Happy surfing!

ShareThis

I don’t know how many photographers are using the GIMP as a solution, but I’m sure they want to keep their girls to keep the radiance they deserve. You can find multiple use with this tutorial, either with family members, friends and more.

Step One

File to open:

I’m going to use THIS FILE as an example:

Attribution goes to DeusXFlorida

Step Two

Go to your Colors -> Bright-Contrast

Brightness: 39
Contrast: 34

I really suggest that if you are doing this with a different picture—use your common sense and don’t over do it. Sometimes cameras have a high brightness on them so it’s a problem to do exactly as I say. What you are looking for is an excellent radiance in body and eyes, discard the rest, use what looks good for you.

Step Three

Go to your Filters -> Enhance -> Sharpen

Sharpen: 65

Sharpen is a very important role when retouching in my opinion. It gives you a vivid and crispy style in the result, the important this is how far do you want to sharp the details in the photograph. There might be issues when printing, like the Sharpen might not be effective in printers, but if you try with a higher DPI and a higher Sharpen the result MIGHT pay off.

Step Four

This is really optional, but it’s good for you to know that GIMP do have the capability to go beyond what people believe. Here I am going to use Softglow, it also have a sharpen option but it does not affect the image as much. It’s also good to have to keep that radiance of the model flowing.

Go to your Filters -> Artistic -> Softglow

Glow radius: 13.25
Brightness: 0.41
Sharpness: 0.67

Again, I’d like to remind you that you must use your senses to know if it looks good enough, you can alter the softglow as much as you want.

Step Five

Now this step is really experimental. I did like how the result came but you should watch it because this one is really tricky

Colors -> Alpha to Color

HEX COLOR: eaeaea

By now you should have gotten the exact results I’m having. If you are using other photo I hope you get the results you expected.

Change the mode to Addition

NOTE: Before merging this with the original photo, if the photo came out too bright I suggest you lower the opacity of that layer before merging.

Merge down

Final Step

Wow, we made it! You might think this is hard but it isn’t I just divided it into tiny sections so you could see the examples. I hope you got the radiance you wanted in your photo.

Go to your Colors -> Channel Mixer

Red: 112.2
Green: 1.6
Blue: 27.6

Give the photo a nice touch using the Channel Mixer

Thanks for reading this tutorial! Any questions or comments can be made here.

ShareThis

Intype

Intype is still in Alpha, meaning that it doesn’t include many features, except the very basic of an editor. This doesn’t mean is no good, Intype is beautifully thought out in both interface and concept. Although its syntax support is very poor you might expect that when it hits Beta it will be worth the time waiting.

View Intype

PSPad

PSPad is like Notepad++, but the approach to the design is slightly different, it also has some autocomplete tags that are helpful when programming. This is also the main one I’m using to program my scripts. PSPad is heavily featured for your daily use, the difference is that it launches 100x times faster than a Dreamweaver.

Visit PSPad

[Show as slideshow]

ShareThis

The expected version, in a week starting from March, 10, is going to be a whole new experience for both developers and designers. Amazingly this new version is a bit lighter than any other wordpress version that have been released in the past, and this is really good news for huge sites that uses modified wordpress.

Here is what you can expect from WP 2.5

[Show as slideshow]

Overall, I personally don’t like the new Admin panel look, it’s too bulky. It takes away the real usability of the old 2.3. I don’t think people need bulky things that take space, really. I think they all just want to write, don’t become another blogger (reference to their interface).

ShareThis