The GIMP, an image editor whose power and ease-of-use rivals that of Adobe Photoshop, is one of the world's most popular free software projects. Artists and designers have relied on the GIMP since 1995 to retouch photographs, composite multiple images, and create new artwork from scratch.

The Artist's Guide to GIMP Effects shows you how to harness the GIMP's powerful features to produce professional-looking advertisements, impressive photographic effects, as well as logos and text effects. And author Michael J. Hammel, who has used the GIMP since its first public release, won't mince words or waste your time. His extensively illustrated, step-by-step tutorials are perfect for hands-on learning and experimentation. After a crash course in using the GIMP's interface and core tools (such as brushes, patterns, selections, layers, modes, and masks), you'll learn:

• Photographic techniques to simulate ripped edges, create sepia-toned antique images, swap colors, produce motion blurs, alter depth of field, and even fix rips in an old photo

• Web design techniques to create tiled patterns, navigation tabs, rollovers, and fancy buttons and borders

• Type effects to create depth, perspective shadows, metallic and distressed text, and neon and graffiti lettering

• Advertising effects to produce movie posters and package designs; simulate clouds, cracks, cloth, and underwater effects; and create specialized lighting

• Interface design tips for creating textures, navigation bars, and buttons

Whether you're new to the GIMP or you've been playing with this powerful software for years, The Artist's Guide to GIMP Effects is sure to teach you some new tricks.

Visit the book's companion site for additional tutorials and resources. http://www.graphics-muse.org/artistsguide/

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 11 Ratings

Don't be intimidated by title. - 2008-12-19
Reviewer Rating:
I found this book to be a very interesting read even though I am not an avid photographer and certainly not an artist or designer. I now understand what can be done with GIMP and have some step-by-step examples to use as a template. GIMP is capable of doing much more than I will ever use but the book is easy to parse in to the topics which interest the reader. Don't be intimidated by the title.

Great help for beginners - 2009-10-10
Reviewer Rating:
I purchased this book as a resource for my students to use while learning the Gimp program. It is written for ease of understanding. I found going from Photoshop to Gimp to be just a bit confusing. The Artists Guide to GIMP Effects assisted in that transition. I would recommend this to any GIMP beginner or someone switching editing platforms.

Get up and running in Gimp quickly - 2009-05-01
Reviewer Rating:
I found this book easy to use to get started using the Gimp. Very clear explanations with complete screen shots will get you producing images in no time.

Great step by step ... - 2009-02-25
Reviewer Rating:
Great book. Highly recommended. Goes into step by step - steps which can actually be followed (Cant say that about many books). The only issue is that this is written fr 2.4, and I am using 2.6, Many things have moved around. Despite that, it proves to be a great reference. Looking forward to the next edition.

I Fear Photoshop! - 2009-02-20
Reviewer Rating:
If your afraid to try Photoshop or you think you might not use all of what Photoshop has to offer, buy this book, download Gimp and learn how to edit, manipulate, etc. your images. This book is easy to understand, although a little out dated due to the nature of software maturity, but still helpful nonetheless.