How would i use either the paint brush/burn tool/smudge tool to get GOOD or DECENT shading? everytime i try it seems to come out......crude any tips on that?
im very new to texturing, myself. in fact, i started on my first ever texture pack about an hour ago...
anyway, i am very familiar with gimp and use it all the time for editing my photography.
when trying to shade something, i dont recommend using the dodge/burn tool, as you can permanently destroy pixels by making them so dark or so bright that they reach black or white, thus losing their ability to be shaded after.
what you should do that gives you tons more control is shade on a new layer. ill make it in steps because honestly, i think those are the easiest to understand.
1. make a new transparent layer on top of what you want to shade.
2. set this layer's mod to overlay.
3. get black and white on your color pallete (you can switch between them instantly by pressing x, very helpful here)
4. get the largest (19px) soft round brush, and set the brush's opacity to around 20%
5. simply paint black or white onto the new overlay layer to darken or lighten. you can go over it multiple times with the brush, since the opacity was set low.
6. when you are happy with the rough shading, get the smudge tool, make the original layer (not the shading layer) invisible. no you will only see the shading you painted. smooth it out with the smudge tool.
anyway, i am very familiar with gimp and use it all the time for editing my photography.
when trying to shade something, i dont recommend using the dodge/burn tool, as you can permanently destroy pixels by making them so dark or so bright that they reach black or white, thus losing their ability to be shaded after.
what you should do that gives you tons more control is shade on a new layer. ill make it in steps because honestly, i think those are the easiest to understand.
1. make a new transparent layer on top of what you want to shade.
2. set this layer's mod to overlay.
3. get black and white on your color pallete (you can switch between them instantly by pressing x, very helpful here)
4. get the largest (19px) soft round brush, and set the brush's opacity to around 20%
5. simply paint black or white onto the new overlay layer to darken or lighten. you can go over it multiple times with the brush, since the opacity was set low.
6. when you are happy with the rough shading, get the smudge tool, make the original layer (not the shading layer) invisible. no you will only see the shading you painted. smooth it out with the smudge tool.
there you go, easy non destructive shading.