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GIMP tutorials: Translucent tape

Synopsis

A nice simple technique for making translucent tape.

This technique is probably easier then it looks, as most of it really just involves basic techniques.

For this tutorial I have made a couple of brushes you can download here.

Now lets get started!

Note

This tutorial was originally written for GIMP 2.4, although the same principles should apply to later versions.

Step 1

First step is to create a new transparent image. It can be any size, though we want it to be larger then our peace of tape.

Step 2

Apply a rectangular selection (press R your keyboard). Again it can be any size, though I have made mine roughly 30px*90px (give or take a few). Fill your selection with a grey colour (I used the HTML notation #dddddd).

GIMP translucent tape tutorial shows a rectangle filled with grey

Step 3

Select the Eraser tool (hold Shift+E on your keyboard). Make sure in your Tool Options dialogue (go to Windows -> Dockable Dialogs -> Tool Options if you can't find it), you have the check box for Hard Edge selected. While erasing the left and right side of your rectangle, try to keep it fairly random to avoid making it symmetrical, as this will just make the torn edges more realistic in my opinion.

Translucent tape tutorial made in GIMP showing edges erased to be jagged

Step 4

Time to add some highlights! Select the airbrush tool (press A on your keyboard), then using a soft brush create some white diagonal squiggly lines. You can also add some dots in places.

Translucent tape tutorial in GIMP, showing step 4 where you add hightlights with a soft airbrush

Step 5

Now select none (hold Shift+Ctrl+A at the same time), then duplicate your layer (Layer -> Duplicate Layer). You need to select your bottom layer (Layers -> Stack -> Select Bottom Layer). Now Gaussian Blur this layer (Filters -> Blur -> Gaussian Blur) and set the Blur Radius to 3*3 then click OK.

Step 6

You should now merge your two layers (Ctrl+M then OK), then to make your tape translucent I would suggest changing the Layer Opacity to somewhere between 40 and 70 ... and you are now done!

Possible outcome

A photo of Ayumi Hamasaki taped to some wood board, demonstrating a possible outcome in GIMP

Notes

The photo used as an example of a possible outcome of Ayumi Hamasaki is not my property and all rights are reserved for the respective owner.

Updates

2010 October 16: Step 3 - Added additional information on finding the Tool Options dialogue.