[Award Winner] Using GIMP to Create an Artistic Regional RPG Map

[jfrazierjr]

Even simpler... In Gimp 2.6, use File->Create->Screenshot, then choose either whole screen or a specific window. Then save as suggested

In 2.4, I think it was File->Acquire->Screenshot.

-Rob A>

Thanks. Yet another reason to love the free, open source software project that is GIMP. All hail YodA (aka -RobA>): GIMP Master. I would call you Darth GIMP, but someone on here already has that nick.

[jfrazierjr]

No not yet, and yes I expect you to keep "pestering" me until I come over to the 'Legion of the Masked'. I'll get there eventually.

Join the greyscale side... it's about half light and half dark for 50% opacity....

[jfrazierjr]

Yer right 'bout that. AND I figgered it out all by myself....whooda thunk?

Did you migrate to CA from the SouthEast? Your typing has an accent that seems peculiarly Southern(not that there is anything wrong with it since I am from a podunk NC town myself.)

[JrFan88]

Did you migrate to CA from the SouthEast? Your typing has an accent that seems peculiarly Southern(not that there is anything wrong with it since I am from a podunk NC town myself.)

Nope. California born and raised, lived here most of my life. Did spend a year or so stationed in Charleston whilst in the USN, but I attribute my typing accent to my near-fanatic devotion to NASCAR (re: my avatar) and my avocation of writing commentary on the sport for Inside Racing News. See, if'n y'all listen to ol' DW (Darrell Waltrip) often enuff, it sorta rubs off on you.

Boogity, boogity, boogity! Let's go racin' boys!

[Ascension]

Boogity, boogity, boogity. Let's go racin boys! I type the same way since I always play my fighter-types with that country drawl. In-game, I'm barely decipherable, I try to clean it up when not in-game but I backslide quite a bit. C'mon Carl!

[JrFan88]

Greets;

OK, I'm at another dead-end. According to the tutorial, one should be able to draw lakes, rivers, etc. on the layer mask for the "grass" layer with a black brush/pencil. The examples are as shown. My question: must you create a new layer based on the mask to do this properly? It doesn't say yes, but it doesn't say no, either. I suppose I'm looking for some detailed tutoring for this part of the procedure. Any takers?

Also, in regards to RobA's script for tapered rivers for GIMP, can they be copied/exported as a new layer and dropped into an exsisting map? I'm working on a project using this tutorial, and if I can use the script for adding rivers, things could be much easier.

THANX!!!

[jfrazierjr]

Greets;

OK, I'm at another dead-end. According to the tutorial, one should be able to draw lakes, rivers, etc. on the layer mask for the "grass" layer with a black brush/pencil. The examples are as shown. My question: must you create a new layer based on the mask to do this properly? It doesn't say yes, but it doesn't say no, either. I suppose I'm looking for some detailed tutoring for this part of the procedure. Any takers?

Now might be a good time to go read up on my layer mask tutorial. In a nutshell, a layer mask is a greyscale "pseudo layer" that sits on top of a particular layer. What ever is black on the layer mask does not allow that layer to show through, and whatever is white does, with shades of grey in between the two extremes allowing various levels of opacity. Your first picture is the actual layer mask itself if I recall. If you wish to get directly to the layermask for fine editing, right click on the layer mask in the Layers Dialog and click Show Layer Mask. You can then directly edit the greyscale layer mask with black/white as needed (actually, you don't have the show it to do this, but sometimes it's easier).

Does this help or am I totally flaking on your question(which could be the case!)

Also, in regards to RobA's script for tapered rivers for GIMP, can they be copied/exported as a new layer and dropped into an exsisting map? I'm working on a project using this tutorial, and if I can use the script for adding rivers, things could be much easier.

THANX!!!

Yes, but never haven done it, I could tell you the method and don't have the time to go try to figure out where you are at the moment.

[RobA]

Now might be a good time to go read up on my layer mask tutorial. In a nutshell, a layer mask is a greyscale "pseudo layer" that sits on top of a particular layer. What ever is black on the layer mask does not allow that layer to show through, and whatever is white does, with shades of grey in between the two extremes allowing various levels of opacity. Your first picture is the actual layer mask itself if I recall. If you wish to get directly to the layermask for fine editing, right click on the layer mask in the Layers Dialog and click Show Layer Mask. You can then directly edit the greyscale layer mask with black/white as needed (actually, you don't have the show it to do this, but sometimes it's easier).

Does this help or am I totally flaking on your question(which could be the case!)

I think that answered it well. When the tut says "draw lakes, rivers, etc. on the layer mask" I meant it literally... take the paintbrush tool, set it to black, and paint the rivers on the mask (like jfrazierjr explains, all the more eloquently!).

And yes, the tapered brush script (or the new gimp brush dynamics on a path) could be used rather than free-handing with the paintbrush tool.

Just remember... black on a layer mask is transparent, white is opaque and grey is everything else in between

-Rob A>

[JrFan88]

Man, I LOVE this forum! Fast answers, precise information, no rambling geek speak; just straightforward information! Many thanx to you both for being so readily available and incredibly helpful. Points all around!

[Hoel]

Very nice tut. Made me register just to see the pics.
I tried it in Photoshop and this is the result


As you can see I didn't follow it all the way. I didn't mask the mountans and forests by the TLS method but drew them by hand and I used som layer effects and other stuff on the land.