This is just a sample tutorial on how create a box using paths. You should understand and know SOME BUT NOT ALL of the basics about gimp. I saw a tutorial similar to this one on the GUG site but I thought it could use a lot more detail. Note: The sizes, colors and directions of gradients are just examples. Change them to your liking.

1.new image
a)one white background layer and one transparent layer. we will be working on the transparent one.

b)configure grid (image->Configure Grid...) or ("The Gimp" File->Preferences->Defualt Grid) I like a 'Solid' reddish grid with 20X20 spacing

c)select both 'show grid' and 'snap to grid' (View-> ....)



2.select the path tool (Tools->Paths)

a)Show the paths tab. If you don't have it add it by clicking on that arrow next to the x in 'The Gimp'.
if you don't have it

3.create the top path

a)click on any of the cross section


b)now in your paths tab you will have a path called unamed. Change it to 'Top' and make it visible (the eye).

c)now go left and up 4 grid squares and make another path (add an anchor). If you cannot work off your path double click the 'Top' path in your path tab.

d)now go right and down 4 grid squares and make another

e)now the tricky part, HOLD THE CONTROL KEY, and go back to your starting point and click it. You should see a upside down U.


4. create the left path.

a) in the paths tab. create a new path. Right click->new path or the 'new path' button. Call it left.

b) use the same 4X4 box pattern staying along the left edge.



5. repeat for the right path.


6. hide the grid. unclick view->show grid

7. add color
a) In the paths tab select the 'Top' path. Do 'Path to Selection' (red sqaure)


b) fill the selection with whatever gradient you like. I used 'deep sea'. Starting from top to bottom.


c) repeat for the left and the right. Go from the bottom corner to the center of the box.


8. smooth it out. give it a gaussian blur (filters->blur-> Gaus...) of about 3 or 2. You don't have to do this but I like to. I usaully duplicate my box layer (duplicate all the layers then merge the duplicates) then blur that one. Crop the edges (make sure you don't have any fuzz sticking out past the box) and then overlay it by like 50%.

9. Add a drop shadow (Script-Fu->Shadow->Drop Shadow)

Final Results ...

Beautiful results, noclayto! I can already see how I can incorporate this into my stereograms! Great job. Art

Really beautiful results, and a great illustrated tutorial with each and every step well defined.
Thanks alot for your contribution, it will indeed be helpful for users.

really nice.. but my boxes don't look like that

Is it the lighting? I know its not perfect, it just an example. Could you explain? I would like to try to put a mac look and fill to the boxes eventually.

Great new results.
keep up good work noclayto :w:.

regards

Lighting Better or Worse???

I like the lighter one better than your most recent one :w:

Sorry to keep posting but I was having fun.

We love to see more and more work from talanted people like you, so you are welcome to post as many you wish to.

I love this one


btw the last one showing crystal keyboard keys are nice too.

keep showing us your great work :h:.

regards

could you explain alittler more on the step #8

how to crop the edges. so a newbi like me kan do as nice boxes as you

how did you make it transparent

my guess was to stroke the selection and then make the inner sides transparent by playing with opacity.

GUG click on 'Make object transparent.' I also added the back left, right and bottom sides. To make the cube more real. Make sure they are lower (layer) than your top, left and right sides.

As for the step 8 question, I will Update that will more detail soon.

Thanks

Thanks for the tutorial.

I made this image on my first try - I guess(hope) I do better next time

dude that very good

Just amazing and realistic.

keep up.

Hi All,

I just tried this technique, I started with a new image which had a white background (layer 1), and then I added a transparent layer (layer 2). Then I could create the 3d Box. I even selected a path, but I am unable to fill it with a color. It just wont fill my selected rectangle :(

Please help!

-Cathy.

Make sure you have the right layer selected.
Make sure that "Keep Transparent" is NOT SELECTED.

NC

how do you fill with a gradient?

I got as far as the end of making the basic shape on paths, I can never figure out how to fill with a gradient, can you please tell me?

I figured it out, very nice tutorial! :w:

Thanks for the tut noclayto...

I've been trying all the tuts to get better at GIMP.

Following this tut, I was able to completely recreate the image in step 7c.

But the images in step 9 look much better IMHO, since the vertices of the cube appear to be equal in length.

I went looking into the grid configuration to see if I could change the grid to be isometric. No luck with the version I have, 2.2.8.

I eventually remembered that the GFig renderer supported isometric grid.

It took some creative GIMP'ing, but eventually I got the results in step 9.
(well, OK, pretty close anyway)



I then realized how _nice_ a feature having an isometric grid would be in GIMP, not just GFig.

Maybe even some really special type of grids for true perspective look, polar, etc.

I am a little curious just how you got your step 9 images. Did you use GFig, and the isometric grid, or just creative use of the rectangular grid in GIMP.

Thanks in advance,

"Crop the edges (make sure you don't have any fuzz sticking out past the box) and then overlay it by like 50%."

I'm not sure how you did this one - cropping...my edges are a little too blury after the gausian at 2 (duplicating it twice on two layers).

Also, what is meant by "overlay it by 50%"?

I couldn't get a nice border either.




(My 2nd attempt)



...and 3 hours later (as the birds chirp and tell me it's time for bed - or fix breakfast)...



I've been wanting to learn Gimp for some time, thanks to this site, and free time!

Nice tutorial.

Here are my attempts at it:






Thank you for the tutorial.