How To Curve And Slice An Image In Half? Options

[hm9]

I am looking for an image tool that can allow me to slice an image and bend it and manipulate it. i ve seen some good effects like the one on the top bar of the site: http://www.dreamticket.com. I want to know how to do it. I am using PSP8 but cant create such a thing with it. are there any tutorials about how to achieve this? or free tools to download that can do the trick?


thanks in advance

[Lyle]

GIMP ( www.gimp.org ) is probably your best non-photoshop bet for that kind of thing.

For how to do it, you're best off creating the smallest/thinnest slice possible, then extending the canvas with a transparent background and adding your curves to that transparent area. Save as a .gif with transparency , then use the contrasting background colour on your div.

This post has been edited by Lyle: May 6 2008, 08:25 AM

[Autocrat]

Gimp
Fireworks
Photoshop
Photopaint
Xara


Plenty of others out there too.

All take time to learn.
All have their own little quirks and benefits.


Plus, be aware that there are usually several different ways to get somethign that visually looks the same.

The image you mention could easily be 3 different layers.
The main background (blue)
a mid ground (yellow) with an eraser stroked over the top to rougly get the curves
a foreground... a thing wavy bar with a gradient fill, then nudge with a reshaper or bezier tool.

Alternatively, you could create a curved shape using reshape/bezier... copy it, use it to 'punch' or 'blockout'... then overlay background and mid-ground... then use the curve twice more to punchout the thing strip too.

All depends on how you approach things and how the program works.

[Lyle]

I opted to suggest GIMP as it's OpenSource/Free - if hm9's still on PSP8 I'm assuming a distinct lack of budget for things like Photoshop or Fireworks.

But you're right regarding the "any number of methods" - it's just that PSP8 sucks donkey balls on most decent design fronts.

[hm9]

Ok thanks guys. Its that wavy bar that i want to know how. i assume i can get 3 layers and then join them together i guess would be ideal. not sure how to do in PSP 8. i know
there is a paint brush in PSP 8. You can create a bend in colors but i want to insert an image in one half and a different image or sth in the other side and the curvy bit divide them in a curvy way. not sure if this possible in PSP 8? Its just i have this tool and want to use it

[Lyle]

Simple answer : No, it's not possible in PSP8.

That's why we both recommended other graphics packages that *will* allow you to do this - including the free GIMP.

[hm9]

Ok I agree that PSP 8 doesnt offer that much. I just downloaded gimp and it looks far more advanced than PSP 8. I just need to find some good tutorials on how to create the effect i wanted. but if anyone knows some good tutorials on how to do the curvy bit and add 2 different images on 2 layers etc, please let me know. its just i dont have time to learn everything at the moment, just want to achieve the effect


thanks again

[Lyle]

Have you tried doing the things Autocrat suggested?

All of those will create the image type you want.

As with all these things, your best bet is to experiment. Undo is your friend.

[hm9]

ok. is just i dont know where to start with gimp. i never used it before and I need some basic tutorials before i can achieve what autocrat explained to me

[Autocrat]

Go to the Gimp site.
If I remember correctly, there should be links to sites with tutorials... as well as a general help file system with the tools/uses listed.

And there is no shortage of Gimp sites... plenty out there.