GIMP Activity #2

Picture
In this activity, we will take the photo of Amber (same as Activity #1) and put just her head onto a Canadian flag.  
Then, we will add the curved text:
- "Vote for Amber" (top)
- "She's the best choice!" (bottom)
amber.jpg
File Size: 271 kb
File Type: jpg
Download File
canada_flag.png
File Size: 2 kb
File Type: png
Download File
GIMP.org Downloads Page
GIMP as a "Portable App"
for Windows computers.
More about Portable Apps here.
Video #1 - Preparing Amber's Face
  • Select just Amber's face
  • We want a transparent background
    (not white!  This is a bit tricky.)




Remember these Keyboard Shortcuts:
  • Ctrl-Z  = "Undo"
  • Ctrl-Y  = "Redo" (gets back the "Undo")

  • "+"     = Zoom In
  • "-"      = Zoom Out
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Video #2 - Using Eraser & Blur Tools
  • Fixing pixelation (blocks) beside erased selections.
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Video #3 - Paste on Indexed File
  • Indexed files only allow specific colors

  • Copy and paste Amber's face onto the Canada Flag (which is indexed)
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Video #4 - Scale Tool
  • Save your work

  • Scale Amber's face (just a bit smaller)
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Video #5 - Ellipse Select Tool (+ Create)
  • Use the "Ellipse Select Tool" to select a circular shape around Amber's head and the maple leaf.

  • Choose: Edit -> Copy Visible
    (This copies all the layers inside the selection)

  • Choose: File -> Create -> From Clipboard
    (creates a new file)

  • Save your work!
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ALTERNATIVES to Videos #6 and #7 (November 2013)
---------- The original videos #6 and #7 are kept below.  Use them if you insist on using The GIMP for text features.
After teaching these videos to 4 classes (about 100 students), I decided that The GIMP's "Text Along Path" ability is just too horrible.  The biggest problem: If you made a spelling mistake, you had to start over from the beginning!

BEGIN ALTERNATIVE-------------------------
So what do you do now?
  • First, have a look at this image.  This is what you want to make. --->

  • Second, save your GIMP file so far.  
    - Save it as a GIMP file - my-file.xcf (or whatever you've named it)
    - Save it also as a PNG file (to use in a minute) - my-file.png

  • Third, get "Inkscape" and open my-file.png.
    If you don't already have Inkscape on your computer, and if you are a student, then download and "install" Inkscape from PortableApps.
    http://portableapps.com/apps/graphics_pictures/inkscape_portable
    If you need instructions on installing this, I made a video to install The GIMP using PortableApps.  You will want to get Inkscape instead, but the process is almost the same.

  • Fourth, I've already made videos that show how EASY it is to use Inkscape to make text along a path.  It wasn't made for this activity, but it's so easy!
    Inkscape Activity #4
    - Go to Video #8 - "Text & Shadow"
    - Go to Video #10 - "Text on Path"

  • And if you follow all of these instructions, you should have no trouble making your image of Canadian Amber have the curved text like the image above.  Contact me to let me know if it's not easy!
END ALTERNATIVE----------------------------------
Picture
Ask your teacher whether the background is required. (I've added a green background so you can easily see the circle.)
Video #6 - Text Along Path
  • Create text on a path!

  • This part is difficult and has
    a number of steps!

  • Text along a Path ("Vote for Amber")
    - Create a new layer called "Text Top"
    - Create a Path ("Path" tool button)
    - Make the Path Visible (Path's tab, click
       for the eye)
    - Create the Text ("A" tool button, drag
       for just the text)
    - "Text along Path" (Layer dropdown
       menu, 3rd "A" choice)
    - "Path to Selection" (Path's tab and click
       the red square)
    - Bucket Fill *inside* the curved text
       (moving lines for selection)
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Video #7
  • Create text on a path!
    (Now for the bottom semi-circle)

  • Again, this part is difficult and has
    a number of steps!
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Video #8 - Saving & Exporting
  • Make sure you save your work correctly!

  • Save as activity-2.xcf
    - Be sure to upload this as a "File" on your Weebly site

  • Export as PNG - activity-2.png
    (PNG & GIF image files will both keep transparency but JPG won't - JPG will convert transparent to white)
    - Be sure to upload this as a "Picture" on your Weebly site and click the first button to "Open larger image ..."
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Don't know how to submit your work?

Video: How to submit "Raster Graphics"