How to Make a Rounded Banner in Gimp

Create webpage banners using GIMP.

GIMP is a freeware program frequently used for creating graphics for ads or web pages, editing photos and making simple animated GIFs. It has many of the same tools and features you might expect to find in an advanced and expensive program like Photoshop. One of the things GIMP excels at is creating banners as ads or website headers. If you want a banner that's a little more visually interesting, you can use GIMP to make one with rounded rather than square corners. This process is relatively straightforward.

Instructions

1. Transfer any images or clip art you want to use in your banner design to your computer. Copy these images from a digital source like a camera or CD, or scan them in. Save them all to the same folder.

2. Open GIMP. Select "File" from the menu and choose "New." Enter the pixel width and height you want for the banner in the dialog box that appears, or click "Templates" and choose one of the web page presets. Click "Advanced" and change "Fill With" to "Transparency." Click "OK."

3. Click the "Rectangle" select tool on the toolbar. In the tool options below, click "Rounded Corners." Draw in the rectangle for the banner. Use the "Radius" slider to adjust the roundness of the corners.

4. Use the "Paint Bucket" tool to fill your selection with the color you want for the banner's background. Click "Select" from the menu, then choose "None."

5. Select "File" from the menu and choose "Open as Layers." Locate the images you chose for the banner in the dialog box that appears. Select them all and click "Open."

6. Use the "Scale" and "Move" tools to place each image where you want it. Since they are on separate layers, you can overlap them to produce a collage.

7. Go to the layer you filled with color in the "Layers" palette. Click on the little "eyes" next to the other layers to hide the images. Use the "Fuzzy Selection" tool to select the area around the banner.

8. Unhide the other layers by clicking on the "eyes" again. Select them in turn and press "Delete" to remove any parts of the images that overhang the edge of the banner.

9. Choose "Select" from the menu and click "None." Select the "Text" tool and choose the font style, color and size you want for your banner. Drag a text box where you want your text to appear and type it in the dialog box that appears type. Make sure to save your work.

References

• GIMP: GIMP English Manual

Resources

• GIMP