[GIMP] Shadows for Pillars/Columns in GIMP?

[Sharpe]

Greetings!

I'm a complete newbie at using GIMP or any image editor. I have neither skill nor talent. However, I can draw simple shapes and copy/paste textures, and even use a few filters. If it's beyond that, I'm worthless.

I'd like get a little better at making shadows for my columns/pillars for my battle maps. I just use ellipsis select, then fill with black to make circular columns.

Advice and links to other tutorials would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Sharpe]

Once, years ago, I got some great help on GIMP Talk forums, but I guess they are down. Here was the thread link: http://www.gimptalk.com/index.php?/t...mage-included/

If I could access that, I'd probably not be seeking help on the subject. XD

Oh! Actually, I found another 2010 post of mine: http://gimper.net/threads/creating-s...ze.7601/page-2

Start with the black Walls layer and:
1) Duplicate layer (Layer>Duplicate Layer) Note:You will be sitting on the duplicate layer ready to edit it.
1.5) I named the new layer "Shadow."
2) Filters>Blur>Motion Blur;
2.5) For motion blur settings I used length=10, angle=225;
3) Select>By Color and click in the background;
4) Select>Invert (this will result in all the blurred areas being selected)
5) Fill the selection with black;
6) Filters>Blur>Gaussian Blur;
6.5) I used a horizontal and vertical blur of 70 just messing around;
7) Drag the Shadow layer beneath the Walls layer.