How to Make Fragments & Fireworks on GIMP

Creating fragments with the free image editing software GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) lets you create the effect of decaying, crumbling objects. Learning how to make fireworks with this program lets you create sparks and other lighting effects for your photos and other pictures. You can make fragments easily using one of GIMP's filters, which are commands that morph your image in ways that simulate natural phenomena. Create fireworks with GIMP's tools for making custom brushes. As you do this, experiment with different painting modes by clicking different items from the "Mode" dropdown list in the "Painting" panel. The "Dissolve" mode produces a fraying effect that simulates firework explosions well.

Instructions

Fragments

1. Click the paintbrush icon from the tool palette to enter painting mode, then drag on the canvas to create any shape.

2. Click the "Filter" menu, then click the "Distorts" sub-menu, which holds filters that distort your image. Click the "Mosaic" item to display a window with controls for manipulating the characteristics of the "Mosaic" filter's fragments.

3. Click the "Octagons" item from the "Tiling primitives" dropdown list to set the rough shape of the fragments.

4. Drag the "Tile size" slider to the right until the "Preview" window shows fragments of the size you want.

5. Click "OK" to create the fragments from your original image.

Fireworks

1. Click the paint bucket icon on the tool palette to run the "Fill" tool, then click the black color from the palette's upper color swatch.

2. Click the mouse on the canvas to fill it with black. This creates a background that will make your firework effect stand out.

3. Click the page icon on the "Brush" window to open the window for creating a new brush. Click the diamond icon on the new window to indicate the general shape of the new brush, then drag the "Spikes" slider to the right until the text box to the right of the slider shows the number 12 or greater. This tells GIMP how many rays you want to emanate from the brush's center.

4. Click the "X" in the upper right corner of the new brush window to close the window, then click the paintbrush icon from the tool palette.

5. Click a brilliant color like red or green from the tool palette's upper color swatch, then click the mouse on the canvas to stamp a firework's starburst onto the canvas.

References

• "The Gimp User Manual"; Gimp documentation team; 2009