GIMP created clothing

#1 — download the templates from Chip Midnight and/or Robin Wood and save them in a file you can locate easily. I use primarily Robin Wood’s since her files that end with the extension .psd (photoshop files) open with layers which  GIMP easily reads as well.   A .jpg file will be a flat image.  You can Yahoo/Google search for Robin Wood and look for her Second Life Tutorials.  http://www.robinwood.com/Catalog/Technical/SL-Tuts/SLTutSet.html

***by the way, use the 1024×1024 size–we will scale it down afterward***

#2 – If you have GIMP downloaded already, great. Otherwise go to [url]www.gimp.com[/url] and download the stable version.

#3 — Open GIMP.   If you don’t see a small window called “Layers” open don’t worry.   Just go to FILE>DIALOGS>LAYERS to open it up. Move it over to the right part of your screen and out of the way.

#4 — Now we will open the template you downloaded from either Robin or Chip.   GO to FILE>OPEN>(and whatever folder in which you placed the template).   When you open the template (if it is a .psd file and not the .jpg version) you should immediately see your LAYERS window show all the layers in that template.

#5 — I would suggest that you immediately RESAVE this file with a unique name like “SHIRT WORKING SAMPLE.XCF” or something like that. Note that GIMP files should be saved as .XCF (or even a .PSD)  until you are ready to save them as something you can use in SL (ie, Second Life).  SL will allow upload of .tga, .jpg, and .png files–it will not allow you to upload a .psd file or a .xcf, so these file types are strictly for working your design.

#6 — Note the small EYE that is next to each of the layers in the Layers Window. You can toggle whether or not the layer can be seen on your screen by clicking on this eye.

• Keep in mind that when working with layers, you want to be sure you have the correct layer “highlighted” in the layers window by clicking on it.   I’ve found myself erasing on a layer with the visibility turned off, wondering why it didn’t seem to work only to discover that I had an invisible layer highlighted and was destroying my work on that layer.   Thankfully there is an UNDO option.
• ALSO, in the LAYERS window you may find it handy to adjust the Opacity of certain layers as you work. You can readjust them all back to 100% when you are through, but having a layer somewhat transparent so you can see the lines of the template to be sure everything matches up is very handy.

#7 — This is where it starts to get tricky. Now…you’ve opened the template and you are ready to design.  In the LAYERS window, RIGHT click on the background layer. (You can actually do this on any of them, but we’ll start here for simplicity).  Choose the option “New Layer” and another window pops up where you can give the layer a name (leave the size alone) and the fill type. Choose Transparency.  It is on THIS layer that you will do your work. The layers provided in the template are just there as guides to help you match up seams, etc. You can also move this new layer up or down in the levels of layers by using the up or down arrows you see on the bottom of the Layers window.

#8 — Make sure that you have your NEW LAYER highlighted in the Layers window.  Now you can do what you want to do. Perhaps paint on straps? or paint on a design?

**** BUT WHAT IF YOU NEED A FABRIC with PATTERN?? ****

#9 — If you don’t want to just “paint” something on (and most of us don’t), then you can open a texture as a “layer”. TO do this you will look at the top menu bar in the TEMPLATE WINDOW or CANVAS in which you are working — (NOT The GIMP window which only shows File, Xtns, and Help as your only menu options).  So, at the top of the template window you choose File>open as layer>(your texture file of choice). You will notice that this created another new LAYER in your Layers window.

#10 — With the layer you just opened highlighted you can move it, shrink it, adjust it any way that you need to do. IF for some reason you have difficulty moving it around, then close the ‘eyes’ of the layers above it. I’ve noticed sometimes in GIMP you move all other layers instead of the one highlighted in the Layers screen if there are others open above it. This seems only to happen with the MOVE choice and not the Rotation, Scaling, Shearing, etc. options. (just a bit of FYI there)

#11 — In the GIMP window (probably to the far left of your screen) you will see a lot of icons corresponding to what you may wish to do.  If for example you wanted to expand this layer you can click the SCALE LAYER icon–it opens a window you can use or you can drag to the size you need.

#12 — Let’s assume the texture you imported is the perfect size, but you need more than one. Go over to the LAYERS window, right click on the layer you want to duplicate and choose DUPLICATE LAYER.

• Now…let’s presume for a moment that you wanted to flip the new layer to create more of a mirror immage of the first. Here is what you do…..in the WORKING WINDOW of the TEMPLATE hover your mouse over the layer and right click. You will get a pop up window of some additional layer options, OR you can just use the menu at the top of this window.  Choose LAYER>TRANSFORM>FLIP HORIZONTALLY.  Now you can move this layer to where you need it to go.

!!!!  OH, and if I have not mentioned this before…..SAVE, SAVE, SAVE your work on a regular basis during the working process.  GIMP, even the stable version, can sometimes just lock up for no reason–causing you to have to close the software and losing your all your hard work. So SAVE !!!

#13 — Now that you’ve adjusted, moved, erased, painted and done what you wanted to do to create your new design it’s time to prepare for upload.  Go ahead do a quick SAVE of the current document then do a FILE > SAVE AS>UNIQUENAME.tga (if it has transparencies) or as a .png if transparency is not a problem for the image we will now upload.

• NOTE:  Once more.. if you have created a design that has to be transparent in certain areas (for example, a skirt with a cut-out space in front to show some leg) then save the file as a .TGA.
• If you do NOT need to worry about transparency, then the easiest way to handle images is to save your final image as a .PNG file.  With a .PNG you merely need to hide the layers instead of removing them that you don’t want to be included in the finished design (ie, those graph layers) and make sure the bottom background layer is transparent. 
  

We are saving this as a .TGA file.  You will get a window that comes up letting you know that it can’t handle layers yada, yada…just hit EXPORT. On the next screen UNCHECK ‘RLE Compression‘ and the ‘Origin at bottom left…’ boxes that you see then hit OK.

OK…file is saved…..now, time to get rid of the layers we don’t need PRESUMING you may not need them later.  If you think you may, please go back and read the lovely orange paragraph just above.

#14 — in the LAYERS window, highlight, right click and then DELETE all the layers that you don’t want to show up on your final design–this includes the background layer that is on the very bottom.  You want your bottom “background” layer to be transparent.  You can tell it’s transparent when you see little light/dark gray squares.   Also remove any layers you may have added but don’t need for the final image.

• Note here that if you saved the file as a .PNG, you cannot open it again and see all the hidden layers–they will disappear……..SO SAVE A WORKING COPY IF YOU MAY NEED THOSE LAYERS AGAIN

#15 — after all this you may still have multiple layers from items (textures) you imported and arranged as part of your design.  That’s fine — you don’t have to do everything in one single layer.  However, we do need to reduce it to one single layer before we can upload it into SL.  So, if you have multiple layers you can now reduce them (merge) to one single layer.  First make sure the ‘eye’ is open on all the layers you want to show up on your final design.  Then on your main template window (the working canvas) choose  IMAGE>MERGE VISIBLE LAYERS.

#16 — If you’ve been using the 1024×1024 size, it is going to be TOO big for SL, so now that you have created your design, removed extraneous layers, and merged (flattened) it into one layer we need to shrink the entire IMAGE.   In the main working window chose IMAGE>SCALE IMAGE> and put in 512 where you see the 1024 then hit the SCALE button.

Last step… ……..we’re in the home stretch

#17 — Save the file and close it. Now you can go into SL, you will choose UPLOAD FILE, and upload your new design as a texture. Once you get it into SL, you will go into appearance mode, create new (shirt for example) and click the area on the appearance block for texture. At the window that pops up you will locate and select your new design texture. Do a save as in-world and you have your new piece of clothing!

VOILA!

NOTE: These instructions are from a slightly older version of GIMP.  I’ve recently downloaded the newer version and noticed that if one is CROPPING a layer, one must be sure to have the box checked to “apply to this layer only”.  Otherwise it will crop the entire image and totally freak you out!

A really good hardcopy book available called:  “Beginning GIMP–From Novice to Professional” by Akkana Peck
….this book is a WONDERFUL and easy to read resource if you prefer having something in your hands.

Starry Night

Without a doubt fashion designers are artists in their own right.  The inherent talent and drive to create are intangible traits, and teamed with these is the ability for an artistic soul to find inspiration from many sources:  abstract angles, insect wings, history, rocks,  fabric…the list can go on forever.  Ahhhhh…but when an artist is inspired by (or CHALLENGED by) the known work and style of a painter of long ago…..it is THEN that we can see, and touch, and admire  these characteristics made manifest.

Jamie Holmer is one of the many clothing designers participating in the recent Fashion Designer’s Challenge. Her inspiration to complete her fashion challenge was the work of well-known artist Vincent Van Gogh:  Starry Night and Sunflowers.

Jamie has thoroughly channeled Van Gogh in her brave use of brilliant color–a recognizable trademark of impressionist paintings. One quickly sees the bright sunflowers strategically placed along the bosom and that dangle at the end of the scarf.   Bright petals play peek-a-boo just above the hemline of the matching hose. The background for all of this is many variations of blue that one also finds in Starry Night as the moon shimmers and dances among the skylight twinkles.

Van Gogh’s style is uniquely recognizable….we can see that Jamie Holmer too has placed her own style stamp on  a combination of classics that create a wearable work of art.

Nyte Vargas' design for Lord Neptune (skin by Sofi Sullivan)

Lord Neptune steps out in STYLE!  Tired of swimming around in a blue-gill skin the God of the Sea takes it to terra firma with Nyte Vargas’ rendition of evening wear fit for Greek Gods.

Nyte is one of the many designers participating in the Fashion Designer’s Challenge (brainchild of Samsara Nishi) inside the virtual universe of Second Life.   How apropos to have this mythological man as a model when one considers the amount of water in Second Life that separates the many islands and surrounds the mainland.

Nyte created the underlying fabric texture for this evening look that easily captures the ripple of waves.  The EXTRAordinary tails of the evening jacket immediately and quite graphically pull to mind the image of tentacles; the dress shirt with it’s many French seam detailing definitely accents the overall colorscheme.

Neither has the gutsy designer left detail to the devil.  Nyte has included with her challenge submission a top hat, cane, and dress shoes.  Oh, and let’s not forget the seaweed boa (not shown here) which absolutely turns Neptune into one super MacDaddy of the Deep.

Neptune Evening Wear for Men

]]> http://pixeltoes.com/2009/05/16/fashion-designers-challenge-lord-neptune-puts-on-the-ritz/feed/ 1 Sofi Sullivan Blogging gown image_017 Blogging gown image_021 http://pixeltoes.com/2009/05/16/fashion-challenge-midsummer-amusements/ http://pixeltoes.com/2009/05/16/fashion-challenge-midsummer-amusements/#comments Sat, 16 May 2009 17:17:05 +0000 Sofi Sullivan http://pixeltoes.wordpress.com/?p=44 ]]>

Midsummer Amusements in "Dreamy Blue" by Clio Cardiff

FINALLY! The design deadline for the Fashion Designer’s Challenge has been reached and designs from the many intrepid participants are unveiled.  Two of these designers, Clio Cardiff and Mouse Mimistrobell, have worked together as a team to complete their challenge:  Clio completing the clothing portion and Mouse successfully designing jewelry to perfectly complement the design.

The designs are most appropriately named Midsummer Amusements.  This reporter cannot recall when she has seen a more refreshing depiction of an outfit that shouts SUMMER is HERE!  The full skirt in flowing chiffon along with the frilly collar are certainly reminiscent of days-gone-by when garden parties or dinner at the club was inspiration to dress in something other than jeans and a halter.  Okay, I have to admit the term Stepford Wife also came to mind when I saw how both the dress and the jewelry came together to create a complete look.

What may not be evident in the photograph for Mouse’s jewelry design is the attention to detail given to each piece:  the bracelet, the necklace, the earrings, and even….the HAT!  Think Carmen Miranda in the 1940’s musical where she sang “Lady in the Tutti Frutti Hat”.  Ok, so there’s no fruit, but the hat is FUN and certainly adds to the gaiety of the ensemble.

Midsummer Amusement jewelry by Mouse Mimistrobell

Midsummer Amusement in Juicy Orange

Both the jewelry and the dress are available in colors Dreamy Blue or Juicy Orange.  Either way, you will feel cool, feminine, and dressed for any summer amusement you find in your second life.

Summer and chiffon, dinner at the club,  juicy fruit gum, and a hot latin actress from the 1930’s………..so, what’s the connection?!!?   These are the thoughts and feelings inspired by the recent creations of  Clio Cardiff and Mouse Mimistrobell.  Clio and Mouse are just two of the 35 designers brought together to participate in the Fashion Designers Challenge inside Second Life.  This author wanted to strut around Second Life wearing Clio’s and Mouse’s challenge submissions, but that will have to wait until the conclusion of the contest and the unveiling to the Second Life community.

The Fashion Designer’s Challenge is the brainchild of Samsara Nishi who has helped organize and lead this exciting contest.  Each designer submitted their ideas to challenge another designer–often taking him/her out of his/her normal day-to-day design comfort zone.  Launch party and the display area for the designs are coming soon. Watch for more news and announcments inside Second Life!

Ocean waves pleasantly combined with terrific electronica/dance trance music and twittering birds to kick off the official launch of ozMoz–The Perfume Island inside the virtual world of Second Life.  Visual “particles” representing fragrance waft through the air from those that are wearing their choice of perfume obtained inside the clubhouse–a good thing too considering all the avatar bodies energetically demonstrating their prowess on the dance floor!

If you are currently a virtual resident of Second Life do stop by the island and pay a visit.  One can ride the free, floating tour with brief stops at each specialized section or take a leisurely stroll through the garden with a magical look to the oversized plants and flowers.  Better yet, play the “game” that has you choose certain responses to questions posed in order to determine the fragrance family that would be most appealing to you! 

The lead designer for realizing osMoz’s vision is Wolkam Winger-a talented builder and fellow resident-along with his crew (Laurine Brown, Bonca Chikuwa, yours truly.)  Julien Schell of osMoz provided the final thumbs-up on each piece of the design.

osMoz is a France based company and top marketer of many fragrances one easily finds at the perfume counter of a local department store:  Nina, Angel, Joop, Hugo Boss, Shalimar–the list goes on.   Visit their website at www.osmoz.com for just about everything you want to know when it comes to fragrance.   In the meantime, if you DO pay a visit to the island, don’t be surprised to come across one of the several fairies that are official residents of this aromatic paradise.