Making a Flag Wave in GIMP

posted by hornj, Feb 12, 2009 11:06 PM — 6 comments

1. To begin, open up a flat image of a flag in GIMP. Make sure that there is either transparency showing around it, or that it is on it's own layer and it does not cover the entire screen.

2. Select the layer with the flag on it and open Filters->Distorts->Curve Bend
a. Check 'Automatic Preview'
b. In the modify curve box, play with the curve until it looks right.
c. Switch the Curve for Border to Lower, and basically make the lines allign.
d. Click OK

3. Duplicate the Layer

4. Draw black lines on where the flag curves up the most

5. Apply Filters->Blur->Gaussian Blur
a. The default setting of 5 horizonal and 5 virtical should be good unless the image is really high quality. Then you would need to increase it.

6. Lower the opacity until it looks right (In the layers dialog box)

7. Done!