How do I layer a picture using GIMP?

[katzdvd]

I am trying to "layer" a picture over another picture using GIMP & I am not having any success. Anyone on here have any experience with this?

[UncasMS]

i'm not a gimp user but maybe this can be of help:

http://mozillaquest.com/OpenSource04/Gimp-Photo-Edit-Tutorial-02_Story01.html

[katzdvd]

Thanks for the link, UncasMS.
I had checked out that page before in my travels. Is it just me or are online tutorials severely lacking for the open source software? Over the few weeks that I was trying to do this, I couldn't find any *really* informative pages anywhere, just bit 'n' pieces that I picked up from various sources.
In the end, I finally figured this out just be messing with the program on my own. The websites that I checked out have you doing it in very convoluted ways, such as "intelligent scissors, masking, erasing the background" & all other sorts of clunky methods.

The method that I used is a piece of cake & I am really pleased with the results. I have a wee bit of refining left to do yet, such as drawing Tux's arms around the guitar.
Again, I figured this part out on my own.

I'm sure there is probably a site out there somewhere that explains the method that I used, but you would've thought I would have come across it in 3 weeks time...



Did I mention that I figured this out on my own???

[gonwk]

Hey Katz ... how about a Penguin that is a "Drum Player" !?!?

BTW, I am curious ... what do you use a "Layered Picture" for???

Thanks,
G!

[katzdvd]

Hey Katz ... how about a Penguin that is a "Drum Player" !?!?

That would be easy enough to layer a drum or drum kit over the penguin. I suppose you would have to find a penguin pic where he is standing so he isn't hidden by the drums!

BTW, I am curious ... what do you use a "Layered Picture" for???

Well, in this case, I wanted to create a custom avatar with tux playing my own guitar, instead of the others that I find on the 'net. But you could use the layering for just about anything; a fav. of many people is putting one persons head on another body, that seems to be a popular one in the forums that I have seen.

Basically, you are adding things to the pic that weren't there originally. I am no expert on this by any means, I am still clunking my way thru all of this.

[gonwk]

Hi Katz,

Thanks for the explanation on "Layering" ... that sounds like a lot of fun ... I might start playing around with it.

G!

[katzdvd]

Did I mention Tux has a brother on the drums?!?!?



Needs some work, but it's a start!

[gonwk]

Hi Katz,

I just about fell off my chair when I saw this ... that is so "Funny" ... THANKS!

I saved the 2 jpgs under "Katz" and I will use them as my Background once in a while!

G!

[katzdvd]

gonwk,

Why not download GIMP & play w/ it a bit? As you mentioned, it is fun to work with, & you will probably end up with better looking creations than I did.

I noticed that I forgot to "sharpen" the drums before I overlayed the pic on the penguin. The drums are slightly "fuzzy"...

[damifiknow]

i read your post and thought i'd give it go bro....

but i cheated and used photoshop...

[sarahmartin]

Nice discussion people. I will also try GIMP for my upcoming project. Thanks in advance.