So, have you seen those flashy signatures in forums you go to? How do those bastards make them? Is it really that hard? With a little magic, can I make them as well? Well, (hopefully) these questions will be answered here. :D

Image Editing programs are the source of these tags. There are many different programs, but the majority comes down to two main programs; [WIKI=Photoshop]Photoshop[/WIKI] and [WIKI=GIMP]Gimp[/WIKI]. There are clear differences between the two, as both have their individual pros and cons. Lets go into a bit of detail on both, shall we?

Lets first review THE GIMP. To avoid any confusion from the start, GIMP stands for...

GNU Image Manipulation Software

What is GNU you ask? I have no damn clue. Some obscure open source operating system you'd have to spend a night in your mother's basement to know about.

Anyway, the prime aspect of Gimp that appeals to many people is that it is open source, meaning that it is free. Yes, you heard that right—free. We all love free things. Also, its interface is much easier and simpler to use that of Photoshop. Overall, a nice beginner program for people who don't want to dish out $300 for a damn graphics program. I, myself started out in Gimp, and I still keep it today. Compared to Photoshop, it shares many significant features—one of which being able to open, edit, and save in Photoshop's native format .PSD. However, there are still features that are in the lacking, such as being able to produce vector graphics.

Now it's time for Photoshop, the big bad Adobe monster. Practically everyone has at least heard of this program. It's considered the program for 'professionals' in graphics. However, it doesn't come cheap, unless you got it like me (A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME). Its interface can confuse anyone prior to any experience with it. It took myself 10 Minutes to find the god damned smudging tool in Photoshop, until a friend of mine clued me in. 10 bloody minutes. However, despite the complicated appearance of the interface Photoshop is nearly endless with it's capabilities. Make beautiful forum signatures to enhancing breathtaking photos, Photoshop is there. That is, if you know how to use it.


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Okay, so now you've acquired your program, now what? You want to make those flashy and purdy tags right? Well, in a nutshell, it's easier said that done. The best thing to do is to sit yourself down, and play around with the tools, colors, filters, etc. This will give you a nice feel to the program and getting you to become comfortable to its interface.

Tutorials are very helpful, to beginners and geniuses alike. They expose you to a new array of techniques, tools, and many other ways to help you grow better in skill and knowledge. However, as good as it is to follow tutorials, art is still art. It is meant for you to express yourself through your own, individual style.

After following a tutorial, add your own twist to your work. Eventually, this will continue until you get a unique style of your own.

Once again, this is much easier said than done. Frustration will constantly knock on your door, discouraging you. You can never create the perfect sig, no matter how good you are. Perfection is nothing but an ideal, and that is your goal, to strive to perfection. Just keep that in mind people. ;D

Useful Links/Sites :D

-GIMP Home Site - The main site and download place for GIMP. Remember, it free and is compatible with all platforms. :D
~GIMP Talk - A great site with many fellow Gimper made tutorials.

-DeviantArt - This site is great for Gimp and Photoshop brushes a like. However, keep in mind that other people created them, so give credit to where credit is due!

-PlanetRenders - A fantastic site for renders. Too lazy to make your own renders for siggys? You've come to the right place. But the same goes to DeviantArt, give credit where credit is due. Also, it is an overall nice graphics community
~GamerRenders - Same concept as PlanetRenders, but a bit smaller and underrated. According to a little birdy *cough*, it's as 'equally good as PlanetRenders', so it's worth a post.

-DaFont - A really great source site for arious fonts! Looking for a specific font for you Gimp or Photoshop works? This is the place for you!

-Kidyoshi's little topic - Our very own Kidyoshi's topic is in this thread! Should he feel special? He should. Anyways, his topic contains some similar links to mine, however, his has more to rendering sites and such, and more anime renders! :D

-Shooter's Advanced Graphics Thread - Shooter's thread, introducing a lot of widely used terms, and techniques, coming from the pros!
More Links Coming Soon~

Comments, tips, gratitude, or any other additions to this will be welcome.

~Ikarou The Kangaroo


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Wow, I'm so glad I posted this on another forum. Wouldn't really want to type this up again. Anyway, as I'm sure some of you know, I wrote this guide a good some time ago to help those who wanted to become into graphics. Since it sort of, well, died a while ago, it wouldn't hurt to repost it.