In this guide, you’ll learn how to create a Windows Vista-style icon using Gimp. This is my initial experience with GIMP, so please excuse any incorrect tool names. For this tutorial, I used GIMP 2.2 on a Mac OS X.
Hope you find it useful!
Step 1
Navigate to File > New to start a new 250 x 250px image.
Step 2
Add a new Layer and use the Path Tool to create a shape similar to this:
Step 3
Use the “Create selection from path” option in the path tool’s settings.
Step 4
The design you created with the path tool should now be outlined and dotted.
Set your color palette to: #fff29e to ffd46f :
Apply the Gradient Tool from the top to the bottom of the folder. It should look like this:
Step 5
Highlight the folder and select Select > Grow – Increase by 1 Pixel. Then, choose Select > Border – Outline Selection by 1 Pixel. Switch the color to: #fff4db, and fill the border using the Paint Bucket (Shift + B). Finally, deselect everything with Select > None.
Step 6
Re-select the folder and grow the selection by 2 pixels. Follow this by Select > Border – Outline by 1 Pixel. Change your color to: #f4c85b, and fill the border using the Paint Bucket (Shift + B). Deselect all with Select > None. The result should look like this:
Step 7
Duplicate the layer in Layer > Duplicate Layer. Hide the original layer like so:
Step 8
On your second layer, use the “Perspective Tool” (Shift + P) to adjust like this:
9. Use the Scale Tool (Shift + T) to resize the image to:
Step 9
The folder is now complete, and it’s time to add a shadow.
Step 10
Create a New Layer and use the “Ellipse Select Tool” (E) to draw a circle like this:
Step 11
Fill the circle in the new layer with any color (the color won’t impact the final outcome). Then deselect with Select > None. The result should be:
Step 13
Adjust the layer’s opacity to 0.0 under the Layers panel.
Step 14
Go to Script-Fu > Shadow > Drop Shadow and apply these settings:
Step 15
A new layer named ‘Drop Shadow’ will appear. Position this layer between the Background and the First Layer:
Step 16
Move the shadow layer behind the folder for this final look:
Feel free to personalize the folder by adding items like papers, music notes, or movies. Enjoy your creation!
