Blend/layering help
Hello!
I have been trying to learn GIMP 2.0 on my own for about a month, but, for whatever reason, I just cannot get the hang of it, so I thought that I would come here so someone can, hopefully, help me.
I am trying to make a new layout for my LiveJournal (I'm new at this). One of the things that I want to have is a banner at the top of my journal.
I want to take this picture:
And put it on a custom gradient background, like this:
But I have a couple problems:
a) I cannot figure out how to make a gradient like the one above.
b) I cannot figure out how to blend the image with the gradient. Every time I try to make a gradient with a custom color (e.g. one that you pick out of the picture with the eyedropper), that option is not selectable.
c) I know that it's a smart idea to put each element of the banner in a layer so you can go back and alter it easily, but every time I try to compile the layers, I tells me that I have to flatten every layer first before I compile them. Why is this?
d) I don't know which kind of layer to choose (e.g. transparent, bg, fg)
e) I don't know which file format would be best to save my graphics. Or if I should save every layer.
If someone could help me out with any little part of my rather large question, I would really appreciate it. I have looked in the memories and have learned from some of the tutorials, but I haven't found the answers to the questions above.
Thank you kindly,
-- Miriam
I have been trying to learn GIMP 2.0 on my own for about a month, but, for whatever reason, I just cannot get the hang of it, so I thought that I would come here so someone can, hopefully, help me.
I am trying to make a new layout for my LiveJournal (I'm new at this). One of the things that I want to have is a banner at the top of my journal.
I want to take this picture:
And put it on a custom gradient background, like this:
But I have a couple problems:
a) I cannot figure out how to make a gradient like the one above.
b) I cannot figure out how to blend the image with the gradient. Every time I try to make a gradient with a custom color (e.g. one that you pick out of the picture with the eyedropper), that option is not selectable.
c) I know that it's a smart idea to put each element of the banner in a layer so you can go back and alter it easily, but every time I try to compile the layers, I tells me that I have to flatten every layer first before I compile them. Why is this?
d) I don't know which kind of layer to choose (e.g. transparent, bg, fg)
e) I don't know which file format would be best to save my graphics. Or if I should save every layer.
If someone could help me out with any little part of my rather large question, I would really appreciate it. I have looked in the memories and have learned from some of the tutorials, but I haven't found the answers to the questions above.
Thank you kindly,
-- Miriam