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Creating a Box Sig In The GIMP
Outcome:
In this tutorial, I’ll show you create the above signature in my style. It’s not as popular as it used to be, but it’s still a very neat style. Plus, it’s really easy to create, especially using the steps in this handy, dandy guide.
The reason I call this Fencepost Style is that I’ve never seen it done like this before. Maybe it has been and I’m just not aware of it. But, I’m not trying to insinuate that it’s never been done before or that my name needs to be associated with it. It’s just name I’m giving it for the purposes of this tutorial.
The only way I’ve seen explained is to cut the signature up into little pieces, place them on their own layer and work with them individually. It’s a good way, but not the most efficient one. Here’s the way I’ve come up with.
I know it looks like a lot of steps, but this is made so a complete newbie can make a fine looking box signature, without a lot of pain!
Let’s begin!
Step 1:
Open your sig in GIMP. (File Menu | Open)
I’ll be using this one
Step 2:
Add a new, transparent layer above your sig layer (Background) and click on it so that the new layer is made active, similar to what you see in the Layer Dialog Window image to the right.
If you don’t have the Layer Dialog Window open, go to the Dialogs Menu and Select “Create New Dock” & Choose “Layers, Channels & Paths”
Step 3:
Double-click the Rectangle Selection Tool to open the Options window for it and click on the “Add to Current Selection” Button as shown.
tep 4:
On the new layer, start making rectangular selections. I like to start by selecting those things that will be placed at the top of the sig. It’s just a personal preference.
Since, I want the sprite to be a focal point, I’ve got a nice box placed around it.
Your sig should look similar.
Step 5:
Now, make one of your color swatches black (it doesn’t really matter which one) and click and drag the black color onto the new layer.
Your results should look something like this:
Step 6:
Now, the outline of the black boxes should still be selected. However, if it isn’t, right click on the new layer choose “Alpha to Selection.” This will select the outline of the black boxes.
Step 7:
Go to the Select Menu and Choose “Shrink…” and make the value 1. Select “OK.”
Step 8:
Highlight the background layer like the image to the right. Copy (Ctrl+C) and Paste (Ctrl+V) the selected contents.
The Layer Dialog Window should resemble the image to the right.
Before you can work with the pasted layer, you must add it to its own layer. To do this, click the “New Layer” Button at the bottom of the Layer Dialog Window.
Step 9:
Click on the black layer and go to the Script-FU menu, choose Shadow, then Drop Shadow…and change the settings as follows. This is just what I’m using. Experiment for yourself and see what looks best to you
Here’s a screenshot of the order of my layers…
This is my result so far. I’ve turned the background layer off so you could see it without any difficulty.
Step 10:
Repeat steps 2 -9 as many times as you want. Don’t worry about overlapping your new selections with your old, like that shown to the right. It adds depth to the final product.
Here’s a sample screenshot of the selection above filled with black.
And a final screenshot showing how I’ve ordered my layers. Just in case you’re confused.
Step 11:
Now save your image in a .gif or .png format and you are finished!
