[Award Winner] Fast and Easy Artistic Maps in the GIMP

[TheKoalaNxtDoor]

Hello! This is my first post in this forum, mostly because I really needed to make a nice world map for a DnD campaign i'll be running for my friends. I only just installed the latest version of the GIMP, so I am about as new to the program as they come. This tutorial seemed simple and easy to make a nice map, and I started right away. However, as soon as I completed making my mountains brush, I ran into a problem. I went to the top left corner of the screen, clicked "Save as" and the named the brush Mountains Tall.gih, as instructed. In the Select File_Type slot, i put down Gimp brush (animated), but in the folders option, there wasn't a spot for brushes. Just pictures, documents, desktop, ect. I browsed for such a folder but could not find one. I tried making a brushes folder, but no matter what I do, the brush Mountains (Tall) does not show up in my brushes dialogue. I don't want to be a bother, and sorry if i am, but I am just really confused here. It's entirely possible I am just skipping over the neccessary step when it's right in front of me, as I am as green as they come with this program. Please help, and sorry for being so clueless.

[HBrown]

<snip> I went to the top left corner of the screen, clicked "Save as" and the named the brush Mountains Tall.gih, as instructed. In the Select File_Type slot, i put down Gimp brush (animated), but in the folders option, there wasn't a spot for brushes. Just pictures, documents, desktop, ect. I browsed for such a folder but could not find one. <snip>

They changed the UI for saving stuff between 5.6 and 5.8. I don't have 5.8 on the machine I'm on right now, so I can't verify this, but you might try File->Export

[Catfish]

They changed the UI for saving stuff between 5.6 and 5.8. I don't have 5.8 on the machine I'm on right now, so I can't verify this, but you might try File->Export

I can verify this. I recently started making a map with this technique, and this worked for me. Everything else is right when it comes to animated brushes, just use Export instead of Save.

I did run into another unfortunate problem on the new version of gimp. When saving a brush as .gbr (which the author recommends for houses), only the top layer of the brush will be saved. So it's probably a better choice just to save them as .gih, or save each individual building as separate brushes.

Anyway, very helpful tutorial. I'll be posting my map once it's all finished.

[RobA]

I did run into another unfortunate problem on the new version of gimp. When saving a brush as .gbr (which the author recommends for houses), only the top layer of the brush will be saved. So it's probably a better choice just to save them as .gih, or save each individual building as separate brushes.

That is not new. .gbr is "gimp brush" and has always only supported single images. Greyscale images will create a gimp brush where the grey level equals brush transparency, and will paint in whatever the foregound colour is. RGBA images will paint exactly as they are created.

.gih is "gimp image hose" and is the format needed to create brushes containing multiple images that vary by direction, randomly, alternately, etc. The greyscale and RGBA are as per .gbr

-Rob A>

[Catfish]

Oh. Well, disregard my post then. I must have just misunderstood your tutorial.