EDIT January 2, 2008: This tutorial has been converted to a script. If you would like to check out the scripts, you may do so here:

GIMP 2.4 Animated Rain Script
GIMP 2.2 Animated Rain Script

I recommend you still try out the tutorial so that you can understand how the animations are created manually. Enjoy!

Hello, Class! In today's lesson, I'll show you the steps to creating animated rain like in the image shown below.



The method we'll be using requires some basic GIMP skills (adding layers, setting layer modes, using some basic filters, etc.). One nice thing is that we will be doing the animation directly within GIMP (I'm specifically using 2.2.9, but the older versions should work fine). No GAP will be necessary.

Step 1

Open up the image you desire to add the rain effect to. I'll be using this one:



Step 2

Duplicate the image 2 or 3 more times. I'm duplicating mine twice.

Step 3

Add 1 new layer for each number of background image layers and fill them with white. Since I have a total of 3 background layers, I now have 3 white layers as well (a total of 6 layers).

Step 4

Re-order the layers so that you have a background layer with a white layer on top of it. The layers should alternate like so:



Step 5

Add some noise to each white layer by going to Filters | Noise | Scatter RGB. I've used the following settings, but you can experiment a bit:



It's really not necessary to change the settings of the noise filter as the noise is placed randomly. After I got the settings I wanted, I just made each white layer active and hit Ctrl-F to repeat the filter with the previous settings. You can change the settings if you want, but I'm just letting you know it isn't necessary.

Step 6

Now add a motion blur to each noise layer. Here's my settings:



Step 7

Now, set the layer blend mode for each of the noise layers to "Multiply" (or some other blend mode that suits your taste.)



Step 8

Merge each one of the noise layers down to the background image below it. Menu: Layer | Merge Down. I now have 3 background layers with rain.

This is what my layers look like:



Step 9

Now, try out your rain.....Filters | Animation | Playback

Step 10

Optimize it for animation: Filters | Animation | Optimize for GIF

Step 11

Save as a GIF

Step 12

When you see this window, please set the options as follows:





Here's my results once more:



How'd you do?

Now, get out there and show me your rain! Happy GIMP-ing!

Art

I was looking for this. awesome. I'll post my result later.

The Picture I tried to use was a little dark and didn't turn out to great, But awesome tut!!!

Pic's too big to upload buts here pic i used

http://www.exoticfruit.com.au/images/We ... Stream.JPG

That is a thumbnail.

Thanks so much i had another tutorial but i did not understand it. This was very clear and it produces great results.

Good results, George! Glad I was able to help.

Art

A good thing to add to this tutorial, when the rain hits something say like a rock, you can see the rain bouncing off. I think that would add a great effect.

Good tutorial.

Dead Krypt

Heres my result -

Great guide, I really enjoyed this experience.

Really awesome tutorial, a 10/10 of course.

Seems very easy to follow, the rain could have a slight bit of tweaking (erase some make it "slow" down etc) and it'll be VERY realistic but that is a WONDERFUL tutorial, I have to try this thing out .

hey could you make a tut on how to make rain splatter against stuff

Looks great! im sure this is gonna come in handy

Yeah, good tutorial.

It would be nice to know how to make rain bounce off things too.

that and how to make lightning in the background look real.

Thanks for the compliments, everyone!

As far as the suggestions for improvement go, I see that someone has stepped up to the plate and made a tutorial for making the raindrops bounce off a surface. I thought that was a pretty creative approach.

For the rest of you who offered suggestions, here's my $.02: It is the teacher's job to teach. It is the student's job to apply. I've done my part. Now, get out there and apply what you've learned! :w:

Art

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

Iv been experimenting with the lightning tut but I can make it realistic enogh!

btw heres my result:


And as for this:
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
theres also a saying
"Give a man a fish, he knows where to come back for fish. You teach a man to fish you lose a costermer and he gets all your profits!" :h:

Ooh?Where? Has anyone got the link? Thanks for the tut, by the way, brilliant!

http://www.gimptalk.com/topic.php?a=v&t=2410&f=14 There you go.

Hey fencepost! your tutorials are great! i combined yours with the person who made rain splash and i got this:

lol that person is me :c: :w:

That was a GREAT tutorial, fencepost! Your easy-to-use instructions make this tut one of my favorites!

Here are my results :

My result:

Looks good :l:

Hmm, I can't seem to get it to work. :c:

This awesome tut. Thanks for sharing..


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this is my rain picture


sade.gif

the animation doesnt work correct.....

Great Tut thanks.. that taught me than just how to make it rain.