Slider Conversion Help

Hello all,

first, i'm reading pretty much everything here and it's been a huge help but i am stuck with the slider conversion package. i'm using GIMP. i can see all the layers, but what i'm lost on is how to use the actual masks. i'm guessing the point is to paint on the layer underneath and then the mask gives you the specific shape. when i paint on the layer beneath the mask all i see is the white of the mask. i read the alpha layers section and have done this and that with transparency but this has me totally stumped.

i accept i'm dumb as dirt and probably revealing exactly that by posting this but can somebody maybe write something very very simple, using one sylable words preferably, on how to make use of any mask. anywhere. ever. help. i'm drowning. or direct me to some passage of graphics scripture i should meditate on until i can hear the sound of one hand clapping or actually understand how to use a mask and stop making this horrible whimpering sound everytime i'm in the bathroom at work and catch myself thinking about this.

i did learn to make a perky nipple thanks to taunt online, however. very excited about that.

anik

Anik,

Well congrats on moving to the Gimp. It may not seem like it right now, but it's less of a headache in the long run. First off, what you have to do is remember that most of the tutorials out there are for the other major programs on the market. The Gimp is unique in that you don't have to fuss as much about alpha channels. though you *can" and they can be very useful. but if you want an area of your image to be transparent. you just make it transparent. In gimp it will render the alphatransparency properly when you save to TGA.

Now if you still want to use the alpha layers for shaping your clothing, you have to basically copy the alpha B&W layer to an alpha layer (alpha layers and masks in gimp are portrayed by being horizontal to the layer they apply to.. not vertical). This is easilly done by copying the layer. going to Layers>Transparency>Add Alpha Layer

(i think that's right. if not exact it will get you in the right area. i apologize i'm at one of the work computers i don't have it installed on right now.)

then you just paste the black and white layer into the horizontal alpha mask. and poof... you'll have sucessfully shaped your garment using the alpha layer.

Hope this helps... to be honest, i really stink at teaching. but atleast you'll be headed in partially the right direction.

-Gwyon

ok. i tried your suggestion and i did manage to add a layer mask, but it's not "acting" like a mask. i cannot get it to cover the base layer with the color.

i'm working with one of the eyeshadow layers from the slider conversion tool. i copied out one of the layers by itself into another file and i'm trying to apply color to the appropriate area - the white part where the eyeshadow should be. i can draw a color on that white part, but i can't apply a gradient and then mask that gradient to get the right shape.

i've been messing with this like crazy and just can NOT get it to work.
thank you for the help i've already gotten but any additional direction would be appreciated hugely.

thanks,
anik

ok, i warned you i stink at teaching.

but the alpha mask (horizontal layer) is only to provide shape to your image, not color or anything. it should only be black and white, or shades of grey depending on wether or not you want the layer it's masking to have transparency or translucency or to be opaque.

any coloring or blending needs to be done a vertical layer.

hope this helps! or i hope someone can explain it better.

-Gwyon

thanks, gwyon. you've made a great effort. i understand the mask is only intended to provide a shape. somehow i'm just not connecting the dots.

any additional suggestions welcome. all else is going surprisingly well, but using the masks still has me mystified.

thanks again,
anik

Great Gimp Book online
http://gimp-savvy.com/BOOK/index.html

Gimp Clothing tutorial
http://www.angelfire.com/planet/gimptutorial/SL_GIMPTUT.html

Lots more out there for Gimp

And my favorite
http://gimp.org/tutorials/