Greetings Beginner Waller's

This thread is for beginner wallers. Young or old. It doesn't matter. For those who haven't made there first wallpaper yet and/or have attempted and still fell a little short. Also, for those who have no idea how to get started walling.

Getting Started

For those of you who don't have a clue at how to get started. You'll first need to have some software. Either, photoshop or a suite. If you don't have any of these then you'll need to download the free software: GIMP. Choose the latest version. Its quick and painless. I promise. Also small!

Now, if your a GIMP already or just downloaded. You'll need to check out DeviantART. Here you'll find the most coolest brushes. You'll need to save them in a folder because there .zip files and will need to be opened.

Once, your all done with getting your cool brushes. Check out this GIMP: Install Brushes Tutorial. I used this one myself when I first started.

Now, look on Google or Yahoo or your fav search engine and scout out some 'textures'. Just by simply typing in 'Textures' and make sure your search is for 'large' or 'extra large'. So, you know your texture will be big enough for your soon to be wall.

Extracting

Then after all of that. Your ready for your first lesson in wall making with GIMP and Photoshop.
If your a Photoshop user check out these tutorials. Photoshop Extraction Tutorial, Photoshop Masking Extration, and Photoshop Tutorial with color thingy. (If you can't tell. I am not a photoshop user.)

Now, for GIMP users: Here is a tutoral I made for extracting but without images. Here is a tutoral with images Yugure's GIMP Extration. Once you've conquered that. You'll be ready for your actual wall.

High Quality Images

Images worth extracting [high quality]. Places to search out and probably join for free. Always check out AP or Anime Vector or MiniTokyo or annime Project Alliance Gallery... .

Creating your wallpaper
Photoshop tips came from $damoser

First: Decide what size you want to create. Do you have a widescreen or standard screen? To help you decide what is best. Our AP staff have drawn up this guide to help you. Scroll down to 'Wallpaper Resolution'. It also contains how large your whole image file will need to be but details on that later.

Second: Once that is decided.
For GIMP users: click 'File'>'New'> Then in the new window type or scroll in your desired numbers and click OK.

For Photoshop users: file/new (Cntrl+N) for a new file / file/open (Cntrl+O) for a saved file


Third:
For GIMP users: You'll see your new window all white and pretty. Here is your 'blank canvas' as I'll be calling it. Here is where you'll click 'File'>'Open layer As'>New window pops up. There you select thru the browser you 'GIMPed' or 'extracted' image. Also, this is how you open any image file into your 'canvas'.

For Photoshop Users: the easiest way is to just open it and drag it with the move tool into the other file window. first you have to double click the layer in your layer window, and give it a name so it will be unlocked (if you have no layer window go to view/layers and check it). but if i'm working with an image directly i just open it, and resize the canvas to what i want it to be, then work from there. you may have to resize the image as well to make it the size you want it for the canvas.

Fourth: Now, its time to play.
For GIMP users: Most of your 'cool effects' will be in the Filters. So, play with them. In the 'Colors' you'll find different ways to play and alter your image file. Those are the basics that you'll be using in the 'canvas' area. Once you've messed around a while and gotten the feel for things. You've gotten off to a great start!

For Photoshop Users: Essential tools are brush, pen tool or magnetic lasso, move, eraser, zoom. In Damoser's oppion: tools to be careful with are smudge and blur. Tools to avoid are burn adn dodge

Fiveth: Time to save.
For GIMP users: To save your 'canvas' with everything intact. You'll go to 'File'>'Save'/'Save As'>window pop up>Find desired folder>type in name of file and end it with .xcf[ex. AngelEarth.xcf]>OK

For Photoshop Users: .psd is the workable photoshop extension, it's also the default. photoshop allows you to save in most image formats though, but for AP just use .psd as your work file and .jpg, as your upload file.
file/save (Cntrl+S) for save
file/ save as... (Shift+Cntrl+S) for save as.

NOTE: (Sorry Photoshop users. For now I can't help you)
If your GIMP and saving your image for AP upload. You'll need to check how much space it takes up. To do this you'll go to 'save'/'save as' and in the browser re-name your project and save it as (.jpg). This will allow you to customize how you save it. An 'export' window will pop up. Click 'OK'. Then another window will pop up. There click 'Advanced' and it will fall down. There go to the 'drop down' window and select 'Best'. (May be worded differently) Then save. Go to your folder and run your 'cursor' over the image and it'll tell you: Dimention/Type/Size/and something else. Look at the 'size' As long as its in the upper KB's then your okay. If its a MB then go back and save it again. This time only change the 'numbers in the last pop up'. Where you selected 'best'. You may need to do this a few times before you get the right Size number.

Image Hosting

Here are a few good image hosting places that I use personally. If you know of any good image hosting places. Please PM me or lead a note in the thread and I'll put it up here.

1. ImageShack is still a free site. (I believe.) Just keep your uploads in the KB's and you'll be fine. You will have to sign up to use.
2. PhotoBucket is a good site for uploading banners. I wouldn't upload a wallpaper because they tend to change the sizes.

Advanced: Vectoring

A. Vectoring is time consuming. Though if you have the time and dedication. Should only take about 2 days.

B. Vectoring isn't as hard as it seems.

C. Here are your Vectoring tutorials. Angel-sama's Color Book technic (For GIMP but probably can be translated into Photoshop). Photoshop vector tut on a car. If these aren't enough then just search on google or whatever you like. Just type in 'Anime Vector Tutorial'.

D. Good luck!

Now, that wasn't all so hard to do. Just give yourself time and learn about your software. It can help you create whatever is in your head. Just have confidence in yourself and you'll pull through. I know you will. Just don't give up!

If you still have questions either post in the thread or PM me personally.

Your Admin.
::Angel-sama::