i feel that layermodes are a very essential and powerful part of image manipulation

read bits about it here and there, but i still dont have a real knowledge what a specific mode will do or, how to achieve certain things with the right layermode

Overlay is probably the simplest and most obvious, but all the others are a lot more difficult to understand

most of the time i just try them all, until i find something that works for me, but thats just trial and error

i would really like to understand layermodes fully !

discuss, please
do you understand layermodes ?
do you know what layermode will achieve a specific effect you need ?
etc.

Have you had a look at this link and just need more info?
http://docs.gimp.org/en/gimp-concepts-layer-modes.html

yes i did

theres lots of information, but i dont feel im really learning when to use a certain layermode

there are other good links, here:

http://iffles.com/2009/10/29/layer-blen ... s-in-gimp/

http://emptyeasel.com/2008/10/31/explai ... ay-screen/


still, i think its a very difficult feature in Gimp to master

Hey Esper,

You are indeed correct when you say that layer modes are a very essential and powerful part of image manipulation.

There is this gimp tutorial out there that really taught me about layer modes and how they work. It's called, "Create Cool Splatter Color Effect with The GIMP".

The link to the tutorial, however, says that the account is suspended...

BUT...

I have a screenshot of it I took a long time ago.

Here's a link:

http://postimage.org/image/5ms89914p/

You should give it a go!

Checkout tstandiford's link.
http://gimpchat.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=4052

Layer modes are essential and they can be broken down to a few types.
In my signature there is a Quick Help Link
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=415&p=3587#p3587
Each mode is explained therein.
Just look for the Mode Name as it's listed in the drop-down.

Hope that helps a little.

thanks everybody for the advice and links !

A really quick and easy way to see the results of layer modes is to move your mouse cursor over the layer modes button, but don't click it. Just scroll your mouse button down (& up after you've gone down) and you can see a quick preview of what they will do to your layer.

I found myself doing also a lot of trial and error with layer modes since several years, but all along the path I think I mentally marked some usages, mainly depending on art category, I know for instance that "multiply" seems to be a must have for digital painters while "hard light" might be essential for texture artists. There is one I frequently use these days, the "value" one, very handy to preserve global brightness when you switch colour ambiance.

But, again, these usages may eventually show up once you've been practising enough..



How could I miss this one ?
That's a cool tip, thanks !