Quote:
Originally Posted by MiniMouse
Wow...wow...this tutorial is detailed!
I'm even a little scared to try this... but nothing can stop me!
|
Go ahead
A little piece of advice: don't just follow steps. I don't explain a lot, as many things are readily apparant, but still, try to *understand* what each step does, how, and why. This is especially important with regard to layer masks and anchoring. This is the reason why I did explain that a bit further.
Layers and layer masks are really the start and end of it all. (Like: I put the the spine and trim on their own layers, so you can change them without touching the base of the cover. The ornaments will have their own layers, and so on.)
Remember:
SAVE A LOT. GIMP is a nice program, but as with all programs, stuff can go wrong. A plugin may crash and tear GIMP down with it. Or GIMP itself may crash. Saving creates an XCF file, which retains all information, just like Photoshop does with PSD. If you need a JPEG or PNG, use the "Export" function in the "File" menu.
Quote:
Definitely have to learn GIMP, even when it is just to give you some competition 
|
The only way to learn a program as big as GIMP is to just use it, and look up tutorials when you need to do something you yet can't. You could read a 5000 page book describing every tool in GIMP down to the last option, and you still won't be able to create something decent.
The tutorial is not only about how to create a cover, but also a run-through of many basic concepts and tools GIMP has to offer. The second part will introduce new tools than have not yet been used. For example, I could just give you an ornament, but I'm going to have you make your own (based on a free ornament), just so some tools can be used
When you can make the finished cover on your own, without following the tutorial and putting in your own stuff, then you understand the basics of GIMP; or *any other* raster graphics editor (Photoshop Paint Shop Pro), for that matter.
Quote:
But be aware, as soon as I try this, you will have to answer a lot of questions. 
|
Go right ahead. I'm aware. YOU be aware that I worked in computer support in the past, and I'm now inclined to answer some questions with actions displayed by the above icon
