Making Logos: A GIMP tutorial

[Boltinho]

Firstly I don’t think I’m any good at this. Even so I’m very much a GIMP amateur and this is basic even for me. I won’t even touch effects, filters and lots of other things here. This is purely designed to enable you to make very basic pics and logos so you can create whatever promotion you want and have some basic graphics to go with it.

 

Best of luck to everyone.

 

Creating a logo: an example.

 

For this tutorial I want to create a logo for my created federation SBF (Scary Bugger Fighters). These are the basic steps I go through.

 

Step 1.

 

Open GIMP

 

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/4595/tut1vo.png

 

Step 2 getting started

 

Start a new file. Go to File and pick ‘New’ or just hit ctrl+N. A menu will ask what sort of file.

 

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/8530/tut2t.png

 

A TEW logo is 150x150 but we want to work at a bigger size (we’ll shrink it down later to use). Let’s pick 500x500.

 

Now click OK.

 

Step 3 Background

 

This is what you should have:

 

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8051/tut3dr.png

 

Notice that we only have one layer so far (called background) and it’s blank.

We want a graded background so select the Blend tool (4th row down in the toolbar and 3rd from the right - it looks like a graded colour box).

We want our colours to be quite scary for SBF so we’ll go for red and black. To do this we need the colour selection tool. It’s beneath the other tools and looks like two rectangles.

 

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/4027/tut4v.png

 

Black is already the background colour so we click the white box and select red. Either click on the big square for the shade you want or fiddle with the sliders until you get it.

 

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/8462/tut5n.png

 

We’ve now got our layer selected (we only have one so far) and the right tool with the right colours. Click on the main window (holding the left mouse button) and you can drag an arrow around. This shows where the foreground colour (black) will shade to the background colour (red). Release the mouse button and your layer will be shaded like this:

 

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/4157/tut6w.png

 

If you want to use different gradient styles click ‘shape’ in the lower half of the toolbar. You can do this radially, bilinear etc. Have a play.

I’m happy with this background (for now).

 

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/4157/tut6w.png

 

Step 4 Text.

 

I want my logo to say SBF in big letters. So I’ll add some text.

 

Click on the text tool in the toolbar (4th row, 2nd column – looks like a big A).

Now click on the main window (holding the left mouse button down) where you want the text to go. I want it at the top all the way across. Click the top left of the logo and drag the mouse to the far right of the top third of the logo. As you do this a new box will appear. Don’t panic; this is fine.

 

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/9950/tut7p.png

 

Once you’ve set your text-box size we need to set the content. In the new box that appeared type “S.B.F” and hit close. The text will now appear in the main window. (Note how it’s also been added as a new layer).

 

Unfortunately that’s not at all how we want it to look.

 

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/8615/tut8c.png

 

Firstly – it’s too small. In the text section (now the lower half of the toolbar) there’s a size section (2nd down). Just change the number until the letters are as big as you want them. I’m happy at 150.

 

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/1638/tut9k.png

 

Secondly – the text is the wrong colour. You can’t see it on the black background. A few rows below size in the toolbar there’s a colour box. Change the text to white for now.

 

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/2563/tut10o.png

 

Thirdly – the letters are aligned to the left. Under the text colour box there are 4 boxes for justification. The 3rd from the left centres the text in the box. Click it.

 

http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/9734/tut11.png

 

Fourthly – the font is rubbish. At the top of the text functions (above size) is the font selector. Click on the box and select a scary font. You’ve probably got Chiller. Pick that.

 

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/3954/tut12.png

 

Notice how the text is now too small again (Chiller is a small font). You can rechange the size to make up for this. Mine looks good at 200.

 

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/8364/tut13.png

 

I also want the logo to say the full title of the fed. Create another text box at the bottom of the logo and type Scary Bugger Fighters in it. Repeat the other stages. Mine is at size 72. Note how it’s a 3rd layer.

 

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/9898/tut14.png

 

Step 5 decorating text

 

The text is OK but I want it to pop a bit more. To do that I’ll add an outline.

Firstly select the first text layer (S.B.F). Right click where it says that in the layer window and select ‘Alpha to selection’ (3rd up – looks like a red box).

You should now have a blinking border surrounding the text S.B.F.

 

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/4287/tut15.png

 

This has created a custom selection in the shape of our text. We want to make it slightly bigger so click on the ‘Select’ tab and go to ‘Grow’. A new box will open:

 

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2407/tut16a.png

 

Change the pixel number to 5 and click OK. The blinking selection is now a bit bigger than our text in all directions. You could now fill that selected area with any colour you want and it would just make our text a bit bolder. Select the paintbrush tool and have a go. It should paint your text in black like this:

 

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/9674/tut17.png

 

However we can get an effective result by slightly changing that. First undo your black painting by clicking ctrl+z. Next we need a new layer. Right-click on any layer in the layer window and select ‘new layer’ (looks like a blank white page). A new window will open:

 

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3555/tut18.png

 

Select the transparency option and click ok. Click on the current layer in the layer window and drag it to below the S.B.F layer. Now select the paintbrush again and fill the selected area in. You should end up again with thick black type around the white like this:.

 

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/3765/tut19.png

 

Much better.

 

Repeat these steps for the second text layer (Scary Bugger Fighters). Instead of growing the selection by 5 pixels just make it 3. Black won’t show up against the background so use red instead.

 

Step 6 a logo

 

Our text and background look ok but it’s not a real logo unless we’ve got some sort of picture. Let’s stick a skull on it shall we?

 

First – go to Google Images and find yourself a cool skull. I’m going to search for scary cartoon skull. I like this one:

 

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/1513/skulllogoforurbanpirate.png

 

Save that on your PC and then open it using GIMP from wherever you put it. It will open in a new window.

 

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3473/tut20.png

 

We want to add this skull to our logo but obviously if we cut and paste it the black background will stick out like a sore thumb. Let’s use a new tool.

 

Choose the colour select tool (it looks like a hand pointing to stacked up coloured blocks) and click on the white skull. You’ll notice that all the white areas are selected.

 

Next copy this. Either right-click and go to Edit>Copy or hit CTRL+C.

Next go back to our logo window and paste. You’ll end up with this:

 

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/8823/tut22.png

 

Clearly not what we want. However we can of course manipulate it. Firstly – the skull isn’t a new layer yet. Go to where it says Floating Selection (Pasted Layer) in the layer window and right-click. From here you can select ‘New Layer’. The Skull is now a proper layer.

 

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/3574/tut23.png

 

But with it being white it looks a bit funny. Let’s change the colour of it.

First, as before, right click the layer and select ‘Alpha to Selection’. The flicker border will tell you that’s accomplished.

 

Next select the Blend tool from the toolbox. This time we want a radial fill so change ‘linear’ to ‘radial’ in the Toolbox menu (bottom half). Once that’s done select red and yellow as the foreground and background colours. Then click on the centre of the logo and drag the arrow to the outside of the skull and ring. Let go and you should have this:

 

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3857/tut24.png

 

Getting better but still not right.

 

Firstly we need to change the size. Select the Scale tool in the toolbox (3rd row, 4th from left. It looks like a small box arrowed to a big box). Once that’s on click on the skull. A new box will appear that looks like this:

 

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4523/tut25x.png

 

First click on the small broken chain logo. It will become a linked chain. That tells us the aspect ratio will remain locked. Change the sizes to 250 x 250 and click OK. You’ll get this:

 

http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/4045/tut27u.png

 

Next we want to centre the skull logo up. Select the move tool from the toolbox (2nd row, furthest right. Looks like 4 crossed arrows) and move the skull to where you want it. Like this:

 

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/8094/tut28.png

 

I’m not happy with it. The sizing is wrong. So go back to Scale and Move and get it where you want it. I’m happy with this:

 

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/6451/tut29.png

 

Step 7 Retouch

 

Now the text looks weird. The initials are surrounded by black whilst the full name is surrounded by red. Not cool. Let’s change the red to black. Go back to select the ‘Scary Bugger Fighters’ layer and again go to ‘Alpha to selection’. As before go to Select>Grow and pick 3 pixels.

 

Now we want to fill it in black. Select the layer where you added the red earlier. Mine is called ‘New Layer #1’ but you can tell which it is as it has red on it. As before select the paintbrush, choose black and paint it on. You’ll get this:

 

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/8335/tut31.png

 

Step 8 Resize and admire

 

Go to Image>Scale Image and change the size to 150 x 150. Its easiest to work with slightly bigger and then scale down.

 

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4813/sbf1.jpg

 

That’ll do for now. We’ve got a basic logo with the correct text and a pretty picture. All that’s left is to save it. Make sure you save it as a GIMP file as well as a JPEG. TEW needs a JPEG to be able to read the file in the game but a JPEG is saved as one pic – not as layers.

 

If you ever want to update the file it’s far easier to do from layers.

 

Well done chaps. You’ve just learnt how to make a basic logo. You can import photos, change colours, manipulate text, use shading and recompose pictures. From here it should be a doddle to create a matching banner for your promotion (600 x 50 pixels) and event pictures (also 150 x 150).

 

To move on a bit I’d recommend playing with putting text at angles, merging several pictures and using text filled with gradient shading. All very simple techniques that will look good.

 

Now you don’t need to beg someone to make you a logo. You can make as many as you need. Please feel free to post examples, experiments and ideas here. I’d love to see how quickly everyone picks this up and goes way past my own meagre ability.

 

Boltinho

[-laz-]

Thank you so much for this

[jtlant]

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/8335/tut31.png

 

Step 8 Resize and admire

 

Go to Image>Scale Image and change the size to 150 x 150. Its easiest to work with slightly bigger and then scale down.

 

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4813/sbf1.jpg

 

That’ll do for now. We’ve got a basic logo with the correct text and a pretty picture. All that’s left is to save it. Make sure you save it as a GIMP file as well as a JPEG. TEW needs a JPEG to be able to read the file in the game but a JPEG is saved as one pic – not as layers.

 

Boltinho

 

One quick note to add. Before you scale the image down, go through each of your visible layers, right click on each and use the "layer to image size" selection to set all your layers to the same size as the image. That way you'll avoid the pixelization/fuzziness the shows up around the SBF part of the scaled down version.

 

Other than that, nice work on the tutorial!

[Jingo]

Wow that looks so simple even i could do it .. thanks alot for this.

[1234]

While I was just coming in here to have a look at the tutorial, not expecting to learn much new (Im Decent with Gimp), you have successfully taught me how to add a 'text outline'. (Me not knowing how to do this probably says a lot for my definition of "decent" ).

 

For that I say thank you Boltinho. Great job on the tutorial.

[Powerful_Fox]

Boltinho, this is exactly what I was referring to in my post. Thank you so much. The only question I really have is this...

 

When you extracted the skull and pasted it into the other window, how can you do that with an image that is different colours? If for example, I wanted to take an image from one background and put it onto mine. Or for that matter how would I go about taking a background from an image and use it for my own?

 

Again mate thank you for doing this. It has been very informative and easy to read. Wonder what the chances are of getting this threat pinned?

[JJArocho]

I must say this is a very effective tutorial for someone who works with GIMP. Good going, dude.

[Boltinho]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. And for the tip Jtlant!

 

Boltinho, this is exactly what I was referring to in my post. Thank you so much. The only question I really have is this...

 

When you extracted the skull and pasted it into the other window, how can you do that with an image that is different colours? If for example, I wanted to take an image from one background and put it onto mine. Or for that matter how would I go about taking an background fro an image and use it for my own?

 

Pasting an image

A couple of ways you can do this. If its something simple and maybe only a handful of colours (like the Pepsi logo for instance) then you can use the "Select by colour" tool and select more than one. Just hold shift and click on all the colours and it will pick them all up. Then just paste as normal.

 

If its something more complex (like a photo or the Universal logo for insyance) then you need to use one of the select tools. The 'free select' one (1st row, 3rd from left. Looks like a grey squiggle/tie) is good for this. You just zoom in and click around what you want in detail. Once you have the whole thing (ie join it up) then you can copy and paste as normal.

 

You cn see how that works with stuff like this:

 

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7104/xnwoutburst3.jpghttp://img64.imageshack.us/img64/2627/allpw3.jpg

 

Copying a background

If youre looking to use a background from someone elses work (like the existing SWF logos for example) then you cant really. You'll need a file of it. Obviously if you plan on using a background many times just save it yourself!

 

If you want to use something a bit more complex than a gradient then you can just paste in a photo. Change the size until the detail looks how you want it and then get rid of the excess by rightclicking the layer and selecting 'Layer to boundary size'.

 

You'll end up with backgrounds like this:

 

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7589/win3n.jpghttp://img21.imageshack.us/img21/9061/war2j.jpg

[BHK1978]

I have GIMP but it looks nothing like your screenshots. My toolbar is horizontal and does not fit on the screen like yours does. I wonder if I have an older version.

 

Anyway, I was able to follow your tutorial for the most part (I got annoyed with the way my toolbar was and quit.). You did a great job on this tutorial thank you for this.

[Stennick]

I have GIMP but it looks nothing like your screenshots. My toolbar is horizontal and does not fit on the screen like yours does. I wonder if I have an older version.

 

Anyway, I was able to follow your tutorial for the most part (I got annoyed with the way my toolbar was and quit.). You did a great job on this tutorial thank you for this.

 

QUITTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Powerful_Fox]

I had a spare half hour today so thought I would try and make a Royal Rumble logo for my SWF game. It is ridiculously simplistic, but for a first time effort and for the first time of really opening GIMP, I am very proud

 

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/richard_fox/SWFRoyalRumble.jpg

 

At least now I can have a rumble with SWF.

 

I have also done a cheeky little Survivor Series logo for SWF. Didn't have a clue how to remove the black inside the target but still think it looks ok.

 

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/richard_fox/SWFSurvivorSeries.jpg

 

Thanks again to Boltinho for a great walkthrough.

 

For Sh**s and giggles, I thought I would post the logo I did using your walkthrough.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/richard_fox/SWFSkullLogo.jpg

 

 

I am coming across a problem though. Although I have saved them as JPEG's and put them in the events folder (size 150 x 150) they won't show up in the list of pictures when I create an event.

[ThatChizzle]

Did you put your event pics in the area for the mod you are using? I put your event pics for SWF Royal Rumble, and SWF Survivor Series, and when I go to the editor I have no problems putting them in for the Events...

[Powerful_Fox]

Strange as now I have just saved them again from this forum, they have worked. Odd.

 

Ah well, I have just put this together, I think I have a new addiction. So much for spare time..

 

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/richard_fox/SWFKOTR.jpg

[Powerful_Fox]

Last one of the night I think, I am away for the weekend so cant wait to have a crack on my rejuvenated SWF game.

 

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/richard_fox/SWFSummerSlam.jpg

[Boltinho]

Last one of the night I think, I am away for the weekend so cant wait to have a crack on my rejuvenated SWF game.

 

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/richard_fox/SWFSummerSlam.jpg

 

Good stuff there sir.

 

Its nice to see your own work being used in the game isnt it? Just annoying its used so little!

[Powerful_Fox]

It makes the game cometely different when you put a bit more into it. I'm going to change each the SWF logo to red instead of blue and put it on the black background I made for the above PPV logos. Going o amend the TV shows to. Looking forward to getting those sorted out.

 

Boltinho my friend, expect a PM or two from me down the line ha.

 

Chuffed to bits with it, thanks again mate.

[Kamchatka]

This is a very handy and informative tutorial. Gets my vote!

 

Might be worthwhile adding a small chunk about how to make sure your logo is properly centered/aligned. The human eye loves balance, and if a logo is even one pixel too far to the left or right you'll subtly like it less.

[Boltinho]

Excellent point. I'll update it next in a few days.

 

PS Thanks for the endorsement. Any praise from the King of Logos is awesome

[ThatChizzle]

I have been looking around the internet, and found a web site with thousands of fonts that are handy to use when making some logos and events logos

 

http://refont.com/

[Rick Savant]

So here's my first attempt... It's kinda blocky... is there something I can do to smooth it out?

 

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/3920/dollx.jpg

[Boltinho]

So here's my first attempt... It's kinda blocky... is there something I can do to smooth it out?

 

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/3920/dollx.jpg

 

One quick note to add. Before you scale the image down, go through each of your visible layers, right click on each and use the "layer to image size" selection to set all your layers to the same size as the image. That way you'll avoid the pixelization/fuzziness the shows up around the SBF part of the scaled down version.

 

Other than that, nice work on the tutorial!

 

Absolutely. As jtlant said just click "layer to image size" for each layer. That means that all the layers are shrunk/grown by the same process which should stave off the blocky borders.

 

PS Good work on your first logo

[Rick Savant]

Absolutely. As jtlant said just click "layer to image size" for each layer. That means that all the layers are shrunk/grown by the same process which should stave off the blocky borders.

 

PS Good work on your first logo

 

Thank you and thank you, I totally missed that.

[Unregistered]

Thank you for this! Very helpful and I hope to use what I learned here to make some cool stuff tonight. Sadly nothing to do with TEW, but it gave me a pretty cool idea.

 

I have to say though, when I was first skiming through, the way you started with the simplist aspect had me thinking "Really? Your going to teach us how to use gradient and then how to just write in text? I figured that part out!" after you said you weren't any good. You don't give yourself much credit, as basic as this may seem to you, it was still very helpful. All the logo's in this thread look pretty darn good to me.

[cymru1991]

I stumbled accross this topic recently and have been playing around with the software this evening. I made all my own event logos before, but they were normally a bang-up-job on paint and looked absolutely disgusting- but better than having no logo at all in my eyes! Here's my first effort at an event logo for my upcoming pay-per view "HeATWAVE". It's pretty simple, but looks so much better than all my previous logos!