How to Make Graphics Using GIMP on "Stardoll"

If you have created a club on "Stardoll," you can upload your own club picture or logo for use in your club. You can make your own graphic for your club using GIMP, a free graphic design program that can produce quality images similar to those made in commercial programs like Photoshop. At the time of publication, this is the only place you can upload your own graphics to "Stardoll."

Instructions

1. Creating the Background

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     Review the Image Upload Rules and the One-Stop-Rules in the "Stardoll" Help section before selecting images for your graphic. All graphics on "Stardoll" must be child-friendly. Graphics can't consist of pictures of yourself, other people, copyrighted content, website addresses, or any personally identifiable contact information.
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     Launch GIMP, click the “File” menu and select “New.” The "Create a New Image" window opens.
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     Set the height and width to any size you want, as long as it is no larger than 1024 pixels on the longest side.
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     Click “Advanced Options” and select “Transparency” in the "Fill" menu. Click “OK.”
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     Open the “File” menu and click “Open as Layers.” A navigation window opens. Select an image from your computer to use as the background and click “OK.”
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     Select “Move Tool” in "Toolbox," then drag the image so it is placed where you want it.
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     Select “Scale Tool” from the "Toolbox" and drag the corners of the image to adjust the size as needed.

   Enhancing the Graphic

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     Add a second image to use as a foreground by selecting “Open As Layers” from the "File" menu. Decide on which feature of this picture you want to use as the foreground, then select the “Free Select Tool,” or "Lasso," from the "Toolbox." Drag this tool over the picture to trace the parts you do not want to keep, then press “Ctrl-X” to cut them from the picture.
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     Look at the “Layers” panel and select the image you want to work on in this panel before making changes, adding filters, drawing, painting or adding text. You can only work on one layer at time in GIMP.
   • 3
     Click the “Filter” menu to see the effects available for your image. Select any of these options to make changes to the image. For example, you can use “Motion Blur” to blur an image, or add a “Lens Flare” from the "Light and Shadow" options.
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     Use the “Paintbrush Tool” to draw original artwork on your graphic. Select colors for the paintbrush by double-clicking the “Foreground Color” palette at the bottom of the "Toolbox." Select a brush size and texture from the "Brush" panel, which appears beneath "Toolbox."
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     Press “Ctrl-Z” to go back a step and undo any changes you have made if you do not like the results.

   Adding Text

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     Select “Text Tool” in the "Toolbox." Drag it across the picture to create a text box on the graphic. The text editor opens.
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     Type the text you want to appear in the text editor. Click the “Use Selected Font” check box.
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     Select a font from the "Text Panel," which is located below the "Toolbox." Select a size for the font and a font color. Changes you make here automatically change the text on your graphic.
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     Drag the corners of the text box to change its size. Drag the center of the text box to move it. Click the “Close” button in the text editor when you are satisfied.

   Saving the Graphic

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     Save your graphic by clicking "Save As" under the File menu. This automatically uses GIMP's XCF format. Use this file type if you want to make changes to the graphic at a later date. Type a name in the "Name" field, select a folder, then click "Save."
   • 2
     Save a copy of the graphic for uploading to "Stardoll." Select "Save As" from the File menu.
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     Click the "Select File Type (By Extension)" option. Scroll down and select "JPEG," "GIF," or "PNG" from the list of options. "Stardoll" will not accept other formats.
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     Click "Save." A dialog may open suggesting that you export the image first. Click "Export." A new dialog box opens. Click the "Show Preview" option, then drag the "Quality" slider to the left to reduce the file size. In most cases you can reduce the quality to "60" percent without negatively affecting the appearance of the graphic. Click "Save."