I need some help with GIMP

[Kiba-kun]

Mods, if this belongs in tutorials I apologize.

I'm trying to edit an avatar I'm working on. I added text but it blends with an area and you can't read it. Does anyone know how to change the color of the text? I'd show the avatar here but I don't know how without a URL ^^; So can anyone help?

[Mangafanatic]

He he, yeah, I think this does belong in the tutorials section. No harm done.

Continue with your lives, citizens.

[ChristianKitsune]

hey kibs...sorry about doing that!! ^^;

um...do you have the same image somewhere? I am not sure if you can get rid of the wierd coloring..

or you could just cover it over with a new text thingy..

I wish I could help more...

[kryptech]

Is the text in a different layer than the avatar image or are they merged? If the text is in its own layer you do to the Tools menu > Color Tools > Colorize (or Hue-Saturation).

If it is merged to the avatar image layer, you could use the Fuzzy Select tool to select the area of the text's colour. Although if the background is identical to the text's colour then you might have a problem... If you can nicely select only the text then you can use the Color Tools to change the colour.

Or like CR said, you could just put some new text of the same font, size, and style but different colour right over the old text.

I'm not exactly sure if I'm on the same wavelength, but perhaps this might help a little.

[Kiba-kun]

I gots the avatar up! I followed CR's advise about putting it over the old text but I couldn't get it quite right so it came out like this. This is my first Avi I made myself. Did I do alright?

[QtheQreater]

So purty! It's great! Nice job!

[ChristianKitsune]

I like it kibs! good job!! ^_^

OKie you wanted to know how to animate your thingies...this is how I figured it out.. I am not sure it's right because sometimes it doesn't turn out right..^^;

okie I will do my best to show you the steps!

Step one: Compile all the images you want in different windows but on the same screen.

Step two: Choose the image you want to be first, and work with this window throughout the rest of your project!

Step three: Go to FIRST PIC'S Tool Bar (AT THE TOP OF THE SCREEN WHERE IT SAYS "DIALOUGE" Select "layers" It should look like three sheets of paper on top of each other. Click on this to select.

Step 4: After clicking on LAYERS a pop up pallet should come up with your pic on it...it should say "backround" go to a little icon at the bottom of this pop up pallet, it looks like two sheets of paper on top of each other, it's called "Duplicate layer". Click on this for as many other images that you have..in your case you have three total images so click on this THREE TIMES. then delete BACKROUND layer by highlighting this layer, and clicking on the trash can.

Step 5: After this is done choose what pic you want to be second. this should still be in one of the exisiting windows that you have open. Click on the image and go to EDIT>Copy then go to YOUR FIRST PICTURE'S LAYER POP UP PALLET AND SELECT THE LAYER AFTER THE FIRST ONE AND PASTE IT. *you can use short cuts by pressing the Control Key with C for copy, and V for paste.*
you will now encounter a thing called "Flouting layer" you will need to click on the Anchor icon to ancor it on the layer. REPEAT this for the next image, only use the layer AFTER the one you just used.

Step 7: NEXT comes the animation part! ^_^ Go to the top tool bar again and open the drop down menu called "FILTERS"

Step 8: after this search for the option called ANIMATION and click on it
Step 9: After you do this you will see a few options.. Select " OPTIMIZE (for GIF) and wait..

STEP 10: A new window will pop up. To view your animation go to FILTERS>ANIMATION>PLAYBACK. Right now you will notice that your avatar is REALLY fast...

Step 11: to remedy this, go to your layers pop up pallet again. you will notice it will have your layer's name will say "LAYERNAME 100(ms) next to it. (or something like that)
Change the number to something like 300... it will really slow it down.. (too fast can make peopl go @.@)

Step 12: go to FILE>SAVE (you have to select the type of file you want to save it as. So click on "SELECT FILE TYPE (by extension). and find GIF. Its in alphabetical order. After you do this, you will encounter another option. Because you can't save an image of this kind without flattening the image, or making them all ONE layer..you will need to select "SAVE AS ANIMATION."

Then it will ask you a few questions, I just say "I don't care and finish."

Sometimes an avatar of 90 by 90 with this many pics is TOO BIG for CAA. So.. to remedy this, just open your file again, and make the first image smaller, this will affect all the other images.

If you have any more questions just ask! Kay

[meboeck]

Another idea for future reference would be to copy the text as a new layer and then give it a shadow. A correctly placed shadow would make the text stand out from the background.

[kryptech]

Look's sharp, Kiba-kun. Glad you could get it working!

[Kiba-kun]

Ok. I need help again. I'm trying to use this drop shadow thingy but I don't know how. Can anyone help?

[Mithrandir]

What do you want to do with it? I combine that with a layer that fits a certain format when I want to use it. I don't find it usefull all the time, though. Maybe you could post a copy of the picture in question, and what happens when you use it. That way you could let us know what's not working right, and maybe we could help better.