Man, I don't know the first thing about this forum. I don't even know what CnC means. Lol. Apparently, you post a piece and get some responses, yes? I just started with GIMP a couple days ago and was finally able to come up with this little gem. I wanted something nearly unreadable and a dirt(a)y as possible. I'm pretty happy with the result, but if you guys have any tips you thinks I should know about, let me know. I'm VERY new to this. EDIT: Possible alteration on bottom
Hi Rick, it's nice to see you ventured into this forum. CnC is just comments and criticism... or something along those lines. The style of what you made is nice, but the execution is flawed. I see you were going for the dirty thing, but with all the dirt, the text is hard to read. The only way you can get better is really through practice. It seems like you understand GIMP to a decent degree though. I suggest you try out some tutorials and just keep making sigs.
Well Mr Rick, mission accomplised. I can't see ****. And as a side bonus, my eye's are now bleeding. XD
Lol. No, the text is exactly as I want it. I realize the only reason I see it so clearly is because I made it, but I was going for a burnt on whisp of text. Think of it as a futuristic (the metal-mesh background) Cosmic Cola (the red) can after a nuclear blast and several years of weathering. Lol. Anyway, I tried some filters and custom brushes and whatnot to outline or in-line the text, but everything I tried really ruined the burnt-on effect for me. I was thinking the ideal would be to do a faint brownish, whispy skeletal structure within the text, but I didn't spend the time to really explore it. Think that'd help? If not, what would you guys to do enhance the text? Also, remember: I'm colorblind. That's why I only work in B+W and reds. Lol. I assume the image looks a lot better to me than you guys, lol.
I'm color blind too, but not as bad as you (according to LIGHTS) I'm no GFX wizard (by any means at all, I'm a nub) but I'd suggest an uppage in contrast between the letters and the background...as it stands the colors blend like dark grey and black do (to put it in colorblind terms XD)
Actually, I think it would look cool if you just had the text and mud/dirt effects over it, but a transparent background. Since you want it to be mainly a text sig, I think that would turn out well.
Hmm... I added a version I messed around with earlier today to the OP. Is the bottom one any 'better' for you non-seriously-colorblind people?
I agree with Randie maybe try a transparent BG and just have text with some grunge brushes and dirt brushes. But I mean this is about as good as my first sig that was posted here and I know what it is like making a sig for the first time in GIMP. It is hard as hell but when you're done you fell like you have the best sig out there...until you post it up in this forum and it gets completely decimated by people like Mace lol. But ya for a first sig it is good but go for a transparent BG with brushes. lolz XD
Yeah, it'd be cool. But transparent BKG typographical sigs are so played out. Plus, then I'd have to use a clean bold font (*cough* Arial *Cough*), and I work in powerpoint all day, so F-that. Lol. Anyway, I'm going to avoid mimicking Mace and them. The sigs are clean and great-looking, but they (Mace's at least) seem to follow a template that isn't my style. Plus, why do what somebody else is already doing a great job at? Oh, don't worry about me. I still feel like I have the best sig out there (of this style at least). I learned long ago not to take criticism harshly. I'm definitely paying attention, though, guys. A colorblind guy can't get too big of a head in a G&A forum. Anyway, I can definitely see improvement in my skills with each piece. It's an impressive piece of software.
Grungy-links, plox? EDIT: at least my sig doesn't have a ghost-***** protruding out the right side. Jokes... but that's what I see every time I look at that sig, lol. EDIT EDIT: I meant grunge-style-specific tutorials. I'd like to make the sig better while staying in the same style.
here are some beginner gimp tuts you might wanna check out Sig tutorial GIMP Sig Tutorial by ~Dragonslifeforever on deviantART
I think this will do you good for that signature. Using Clipping Masks to Place Images Inside Shapes or Text | Design Links | Tutorial Blog
Oh no, I wasn't thinking an arial font at all... I was thinking you keep your current sig, and just edit it to not have borders, to basically not be a rectangle. I think it would look better that way, because, at least in my opinion, straight edges don't strike me as dirty. Do you get what I'm saying?
Aah, I see what you're talking about. I suppose that might be worth trying out... I'll see if I come up with anything tomorrow. And Frag Man, I hope you're messing with me. Clipping masks? The technique is already in effect in the sig... and I don't see how further use would really improve it. You're probably just commenting on filling in the text with something to make it stand out better, so thank you. But don't worry, I'm not THAT new to this. I understand layers, the different layer modes (and their equations), masks, selection masks, filters (layer and selection), selection tools, gradients, brush attributes, and whatever the antialiased-line tool is called... all the basic tenets of GIMP. Seems like you just threw a random beginner tut at me, though... unless I'm not seeing how it could be applied to improve this sig. If so, please extrapolate. Don't get me wrong. I'm grateful for any links and assistance, but I think you're underestimating my knowledge of the program.