View Full Version : Creating avatar/display picture
Oxwivi
October 20th, 2011, 07:52 PM
I want to create a unique piece of image to use as a display picture or avatar (take your pick), but I don't know how to get started with creating a digital image. Art and craft are something I don't have a clue about, and as suck to create something unique, I just want to have random mixture and splashes of color.
What software will fit the purpose? And a recommendation of the size of image would also be helpful (a size that can scale well even when it's displayed larger in places like profile pages).
Thanks!
MG&TL
October 20th, 2011, 07:58 PM
There is various open-source image creation and manipulation tools out there.
I suggest Inkscape and Gimp. In a terminal:
sudo apt-get install inkscape gimp
Inkscape creates svg graphics that can be scaled up and down infnitely. Resize these ones to the size required, then edit them in GIMP (it's like photoshop) Inkscape is fairly intuitive (as with gimp), but there's plenty of tutorials on the web if you're confused.
collisionystm
October 20th, 2011, 08:01 PM
There is various open-source image creation and manipulation tools out there.
I suggest Inkscape and Gimp. In a terminal:
sudo apt-get install inkscape gimp
Inkscape creates svg graphics that can be scaled up and down infnitely. Resize these ones to the size required, then edit them in GIMP (it's like photoshop) Inkscape is fairly intuitive (as with gimp), but there's plenty of tutorials on the web if you're confused.
or install it with the new fancy software center.....
scania_gti
October 20th, 2011, 08:04 PM
... And a recommendation of the size of image would also be helpful ...
Mostly 80x80 pixels or 100x100 pixels or 125x125. If created avatar too big - site image simply don't upload.
Just try ;)
MG&TL
October 20th, 2011, 08:21 PM
This forum (and I'm guessing any that are based on the same vBulletin thing) take avatars up to 90px; but anything down to about 60px will look OK.
I'd just save as SVG, then export as a PNG or whatever in the size you need. GIMP has a convenient 'scale image' button.
MG&TL
October 20th, 2011, 08:22 PM
or install it with the new fancy software center.....
I'd forgotten about that...:) Yeah, do that.
Oxwivi
October 21st, 2011, 08:34 PM
Okay, the softwares down, but how do I make random art, if it can be called art at all.
MG&TL
October 21st, 2011, 08:40 PM
Okay, the softwares down, but how do I make random art, if it can be called art at all.
The software's down? Errr... the centre's malfunctioninng, apt has crashed, your internet's failed, the servers are down?
Random art? Well, do random splodges all over the screen in inkscape or something. Or use one of those mandelbrot set generators.
Oxwivi
October 21st, 2011, 09:02 PM
Random art? Well, do random splodges all over the screen in inkscape or something. Or use one of those mandelbrot set generators.
Well, that's what the thread is all about. I don't know how to do those. :/
scania_gti
October 21st, 2011, 09:14 PM
...I don't know how to do those. :/
Try this turorial for photoshop; all image editing programs do it similar:
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=70387
Oxwivi
October 22nd, 2011, 06:36 AM
Try this turorial for photoshop; all image editing programs do it similar:
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=70387
I'm pretty sure I can do the same thing using MS Paint. :)
MG&TL
October 22nd, 2011, 10:57 AM
There's plenty of painting programs for linux; try mypaint:
sudo apt-get install mypaint
Oxwivi
October 22nd, 2011, 11:03 AM
/facepalm
I know there are paint programs out there, but the words on your own picture was his suggestion not mine.
What I want to do is some random artish type of splashes and mixture of colors or whatever I can do on a screen the size of an avatar. But I don't know how to use the tools in GIMP or whatever the other programs there are.
MG&TL
October 22nd, 2011, 11:03 AM
And if you don't like something you've installed:
sudo apt-get remove <packagename>
MG&TL
October 22nd, 2011, 11:05 AM
Mypaint is really easy.
Just choose a brush, make some random splodges all over canvas, save. All done. Down to your creativity, really.
satanselbow
October 22nd, 2011, 11:28 AM
But I don't know how to use the tools in GIMP or whatever the other programs there are.
Might it not be better to search google for gimp tutorials and grab some inspiration from deviantart? The online gimp manual is pretty good for instructions how to use the basic tools.
There are also numerous archives of eps/pdf vectors you can search and make a collage as an alternate approach ;) Plenty of grungy splat and smudge goodness online :D
Oxwivi
October 22nd, 2011, 11:32 AM
Well, I don't want complicated stuff, just want to know how to use the tools to do what.
satanselbow
October 22nd, 2011, 11:36 AM
Well, I don't want complicated stuff, just want to know how to use the tools to do what.
http://docs.gimp.org/en/
scania_gti
October 22nd, 2011, 12:23 PM
Gimp? Gimp very complicated, until you meet Gimp logic.
Gimp is "mister right click" and "all in toolbox" :lolflag:
If you prefer see tutorials, youtube full of tutorials:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LmW5ndnEqw
Angelus-Michael
October 24th, 2011, 02:25 PM
There is various open-source image creation and manipulation tools out there.
I suggest Inkscape and Gimp. In a terminal:
sudo apt-get install inkscape gimpInkscape creates svg graphics that can be scaled up and down infnitely. Resize these ones to the size required, then edit them in GIMP (it's like photoshop) Inkscape is fairly intuitive (as with gimp), but there's plenty of tutorials on the web if you're confused.
Thanks a lot:KS
MG&TL
October 25th, 2011, 10:32 PM
Thanks a lot:KS
No prob. Have fun with them. :)
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