Fonts: Best Free Fonts of 2011

http://webdesignledger.com/freebies/best-free-fonts-of-2011

35 Excellent Icon Design Tutorials

http://spyrestudios.com/35-excellent-icon-design-tutorials/

Sketching: The 4 Step Method

http://www.stevenpowerssmp.com/2011/09/sketching-4-step-method.html#more

Fonts: 8 Fresh Free Fonts for Your Designs

http://webdesignledger.com/freebies/8-fresh-free-fonts-for-your-designs

How Metrics Can Make You A Better Designer

http://uxdesign.smashingmagazine.com/2011/09/20/how-metrics-can-make-you-a-better-designer/

Fonts: 10 New Free Fonts for Your Inspiration

http://webdesignledger.com/freebies/10-new-free-fonts-for-your-inspiration

Fonts: 7 Fresh Free Fonts for Your Designs

http://webdesignledger.com/freebies/7-fresh-free-fonts-for-your-designs

High-Quality Free Fonts

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2011/08/02/new-high-quality-free-fonts/

10 New Free Fonts for Your Delight

http://webdesignledger.com/freebies/10-new-free-fonts-for-your-delight

GIMP: 30 GIMP Text Effect & Typography Tutorials Collection

http://superdit.com/2011/05/27/30-gimp-text-effect-typography-tutorials-collection/

creating text border
http://www.gimptalk.com/index.php?/topic/42509-how-to-create-inset-typography-in-gimp/
Select Text highlight, make the selection one pixel smaller (with Select > Shrink) and invert the selection with Ctrl+i or Select > Invert. Now fill the Text highlight layer with a white color. After you've done that you invert the selection again, make it one pixel bigger (with Select > Grow), invert the selection again and press delete or Edit > Clear.

You can clear the selection with Select > None or Ctrl+Shift+A.

Examples And Tips For Using Illustrator’s Warp Tools

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2011/07/28/examples-and-tips-for-using-illustrator-s-warp-tools/

Fonts: 10 New High-Quality Free Fonts

http://webdesignledger.com/freebies/10-new-high-quality-free-fonts

The Forgotten Design (The simple design)

http://webdesignledger.com/tips/the-forgotten-design

Colors in Web Design: An Exploration

http://sixrevisions.com/web_design/colors-in-web-design-an-exploration/#more-5555

Fonts: 8 New Free Fonts for Your Designs

http://webdesignledger.com/freebies/8-new-free-fonts-for-your-designs

GIMP: How to open eps files in GIMP

http://www.squidoo.com/epsGIMP


http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Open-An-EPS-File

Fonts: 7 Brand New Free Fonts for Your Designs

http://webdesignledger.com/freebies/7-brand-new-free-fonts-for-your-designs

Blender: Material Library and Material Library Linking

Part 04 - Blender Basics - Material Library from Hans B Erickson on Vimeo.

Blender: How to Create an Explosion

How to Create an Explosion from Andrew Price on Vimeo.

GIMP, Inkscape and other open-source software in DeviantArt

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/photoshop-15-amazing-logos-portraits-open-source-tools/

Blender: Blender's Armatures: A Crash Course

Blender's Armatures: A Crash Course from CG Masters on Vimeo.

In this tutorial we go through a rapid fire, crash course overview, of Blender's armature system, the bones they are comprised of and all the little tricks and buttons available when making a skeleton rig for your character.

Notes from video:

Shift+A : To add armatures

Tab : To switch b/w edit mode of armatures.

Ctrl+Tab : Get to pose mode. The usual mode for animating a character when the skeleton is complete.

In Edit mode:

E : hitting E after selecting a joint you extrude out to add another bone.

Ctrl+LMB : Make immediate extrusions

W : After selecting the whole bone and hitting 'W'(specials) and can subdivide.

'[' or ']' : Move selection through bones. (works with edit mode and pose mode)

Creating another branch of bone: Select the joint and place the 3D cursor where you want the tip of the bone to be and hit 'F' key.

Shift+D : Duplicate bones.

Blender: Splatting & Library Linking in Blender 2.5

Blender 2.5: Splatting & Library Linking from CG Masters on Vimeo.

Blender: 2.5 Animation

Blender 2.5: Animation from CG Masters on Vimeo.

Showcase of Inspiring Foggy Photography

http://webdesignledger.com/inspiration/showcase-of-inspiring-foggy-photography

Blender: Camera Mapping in Blender 2.5 (Still Image to 3D)

Camera Mapping Tutorial from Andrew Price on Vimeo.
also learn camera tilt.

Which Video or Picture format to use?

What Content Works Best on Screencast.com?

http://www.screencast.com/help/tutorial.aspx?id=491

Choose the Best Video File Format

http://www.screencast.com/help/tutorial.aspx?id=393

Logo: 20 Fresh Icon Design Photoshop Tutorials

http://webdesignledger.com/tutorials/20-fresh-icon-design-photoshop-tutorials

Blender: Blender 2.57 is Released – Video Overview

Overview of Blender 2.57 from CG Cookie on Vimeo.
Addon: Looptools

Blender: Create a Shiny Logo Animation

Create a Shiny Logo Animation from Andrew Price on Vimeo.

Search: How To Find Creative Commons Content With Google

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/find-creative-commons-content-google/

Now what you simply need to do is add this part to the end of it:
&as_rights=cc_publicdomain|cc_attribute|cc_sharealike|cc_noncommercial|cc_nonderived)

Blender: Basic Sculpting in Blender 2.5

Basic Sculpting in Blender 2.5 from Oliver Villar Diz on Vimeo.

GIMP: How to make a Hockney style Photograph in GIMP

http://www.scottphotographics.com/how-to-make-a-hockney-style-photograph-in-gimp/

Logo: 15 Excellent Logo Design Tutorials Using Illustrator

http://sixrevisions.com/graphics-design/15-excellent-logo-design-tutorials-using-illustrator/

GIMP: A colored swirl of light

http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/colored-light-swirl

Blender: Tutorial from Videocopilot to Blender 2.5

Tutorial from Videocopilot to Blender 2.5 from Project EYE on Vimeo.

Blender: Introduction to Cloth Simulation

Introduction to Cloth Simulation from CG Cookie on Vimeo.

Blender: Gummy Node Composite Passes

Gummy Node Composite Passes from Reynante Martinez on Vimeo.

1st layer -> 1st:RGB Curves -> 1st: Blur -> 1st: RGB Curves -> 1st: Blur
2nd Layer -> 2nd: Blur -> 2nd: RGB Curves -> 1st+2nd Layer Mix
3rd Layer -> 3rd: Blur -> 3rd: RGB Curves -> 1st+2nd+3rd layer mix
4th Layer -> 4th: Blur -> 4th: Flip -> 4th:RGB Curves -> 1+2+3+4: Layer Mix

Vignette

Blender: Slumber Compositing Breakdown

Slumber Compositing Breakdown from Reynante Martinez on Vimeo.
To follow-up, here's a short compositing and node breakdown of my previous animation "Slumber" which you can watch here http://vimeo.com/16054952 or here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibzsXFvEQ6w


1. Sky Texture  -> Defocus -> Color Curve
2. Dandelion -> Defocus -> Color Curve
3. Dust -> Defocus -> Blur
4. Main Scene -> Defocus -> Color Curve

Main Scene + Dandelion + Sky + Dust -> Sharpen Filter -> Color Curve -> Blur Overlay (Screen) -> HSV Adj -> Lens Distortion -> Color Balance -> Hue Correction -> Vignette -> Gamma Adj

GIMP: How To Create Amazing Text and Font Effects in Gimp 2.6

http://www.packtpub.com/article/create-amazing-text-font-effects-with-gimp-2-6

Creating 3D text

Creating glowing text effects

Creating shining plastic text

Creating gold text

Creating icy cold and fiery text

Creating paper cutout and rubber stamp text

https://www.packtpub.com/article/creating-company-logo-with-gimp-2-6

Blender: Getting Started with Blender’s Particle System (Packt)

http://www.packtpub.com/article/getting-started-with-blender-particle-system-1

Introduction to the Editing Operators in Blender: A Sequel

http://www.packtpub.com/article/introduction-editing-operators-blender-sequel

GIMP: How To Make A Custom Gradient

Logo: 50 Beautifully Blue Logo Designs

http://sixrevisions.com/design-showcase-inspiration/blue-logo-designs/#more-5258

Blender: Addon: Using the ANT Landscape Add-on

Tip: Using the ANT Landscape Add-on from CG Cookie on Vimeo.

In this quick video tip for Blender 2.5 we take a look at using the ANT Landscape generator add-on that is bundled with Blender. This tutorial gives an overview of all the settings available from the script while generating a very cool terrain that otherwise would be quite difficult to create.

GIMP: How to fix Lost layers, Tool Options and Docks in GIMP

GIMP: G'MIC Gimp Plugin

http://gmic.sourceforge.net/gimp.shtml

Blender 2.57 Quick Effect Operators Demo

Blender 2.57 Quick Effect Operators Demo from Kernon Dillon on Vimeo.

GIMP: The Ultimate Gimp Planet Tutorial

http://mygimptutorial.com/the-ultimate-gimp-planet-tutorial

Blender: How To Use FractureTools Inside Blender

http://www.directcg.info/how-to-use-fracturetools-inside-blender.html

Blender: Terms and Concepts used in 3D Graphics

http://showmedo.com/videotutorials/video?name=blenderMoyes-000-capture-terms&fromSeriesID=31

Blender: Creating a Bug Zapper

Creating a Bug Zapper - part 2 from CG Cookie on Vimeo.

In Part two of this tutorial, I go on with the Bug Zapper to create multiple materials, including the glowing blue light of the bulbs set as an Emitter, and using that to turn on the Indirect Lighting effect. I set up a few different lighting rigs before finally deciding on Spotlights with Buffer Shadows to render out the final image.

Blender: Getting Started on Interface, Modelling, Animation, Rendering & Lighting

http://www.blendercookie.com/getting-started-with-blender/

Blender: Creating a Text Outline Effect in Blender

Creating a Text Outline Effect in Blender from Kernon Dillon on Vimeo.

In this short tutorial, we'll take a look at how you can use Blender to create text outline effects. Our goal will be to have the text appear as two-dimensional printed text as opposed to 3D text.



After viewing this tutorial and studying the included references, you will be able to:



* Add text to a Blender scene and change its font

* Setup a camera to render a scene orthogonally

* Create a window to display your rendered scene using the Image Editor

* Gain control of the bevel of a curve object

* Control the anti-aliasing of your rendered scene using the OSA filters

* Create a text outline effect

* Remove shadows and lighting from an object's material



and more...



More info: http://blendernewbies.blogspot.com/2008/02/video-tutorial-creating-text-outline.html

Blender: Wavy text in blender

Moving Camera:
Go to camera view and select camera -> Press Alt+R -> Press Alt+G -> Press 'R' and then 'x' and type 90 and grab it back on the Y axis.

GIMP: Glowing Text with Motion Blur

  Using Fuzzy Select tool (magic wand). Hold the Shift button and click on each letter

Converting text to path:

click on the text we just wrote so it becomes active. Click the button that says Path from Text in the toolbox. Now delete the layer with text on.

Create a new layer. Go to the Paths Dialog and doubleclick on the path called “I can”. This will make the path active so we can stroke it.

GIMP: Fancy Glowing Lines

http://mygimptutorial.com/fancy-glow-effects-in-gimp

MY NOTES:
Filters->Distorts->Ripple

Filters->Distorts->Whirl and Pinch (Whirl Angle to 360.)

Filters->Blur->Motion Blur (Blur Type to Zoom and Length to 150)

Filters->Distorts->Iwarp.

Working with paths tool

Select the path tool. Create an S like shape

Now first create a new layer, and then choose stroke path.

Now find Filters->Blur->Gaussian Blur.

Using Layer mask:

Add a layer mask to the layer. (right-click on the layer in the Layer Dialog and choose Add Layer Mask).

Make sure you set it to White(Full Opacity).

The layer mask controls the transparency of the layer, but unlike just setting the opacity of the entire layer, the layer mask allows you to set different transparency for different areas in your image.

So let’s put that layer mask to good use. Select the Free Select tool, and draw a selection around

First, make sure that it’s the layer mask that is selected and not the layer itself. (just click on the layer mask once in the layer dialog to select it).

Now set your FG and BG colors to black and white

Give some glow:

Duplicate the layer, then lock transparent pixels.

Blender: Shape Modeling Exercise #5 - Wrapping an Object with a Lattice-style Mesh

Shape Modeling Exercise #5 - Wrapping an Object with a Lattice-style Mesh from Kernon Dillon on Vimeo.
In this exercise, we'll be creating a lattice, or net-like, mesh that we will then wrap around our targeted object.

The blend file that matches the starting point of the tutorial can be found at:
 http://tinyurl.com/22ojhe6

(the reference image is packed within the blend file)
---------------------------------------------------
(CTRL+A) or object -> apply -> Rotation  (it zeros out the rotation of object or resets the rotation values to zero)
* using array modifier, Solidify modifier, etc.

For textures, a few good sites are:
http://www.cgtextures.com/
http://www.openfootage.net/
http://www.textureking.com/

Using ZBrush MatCaps (Material Captures) in Blender

Using ZBrush MatCaps in Blender from Kernon Dillon on Vimeo.
In this tutorial we'll take a look at how to use ZBrush MatCaps in Blender, and where to find MatCaps.

 This works in Blender 2.5 and 2.49.

Links to MatCap resources can be found at the BlenderNewbies blog.
 tinyurl.com/23b8ogo

MY NOTES:

MatCaps means Matierial Captures

http://www.pixologic.com/zbrush/downloadcenter/library/

under matcap library:

* used (check) premultiply option in material tab under image submenu

Shape Modeling Exercise Series - #4 (Twisted Doorknob)

BlenderNewbies Shape Modeling Exercise Series - #4 (Twisted Doorknob) from Kernon Dillon on Vimeo.
In this shape modeling exercise we take a look at modeling a Twisted Doorknob.

You can download the blend file, reference image, and texture at http://tinyurl.com/2epmkfm .
 ----------------------
 The point of these videos is not to model a complete object but to rather focus on different shapes and issues that you may encounter while modeling. So, essentially, these are exercises.

Hopefully, these videos will help you better understand how to approach modeling certain shapes, and what tools are available in Blender to make things easier.
 ----------------------
MY NOTES:

Some key elements of video:

* Making groups of vertices (16:00min)
* Using simple deform modifier

* Adding Texture: (26:00min)
Texture Tab -> Change Type to: Image or movie ->  In 'Image' submenu click 'open' -> under 'Mapping' submenu, select for coordinates 'Normal'

Go to Material Tab:
Under 'shading' submenu click shadeless.

Press N -> Under 'Display' -> Select Shading as GLSL in dropdown.
and Set Viewport Shading to Textured.

Blender: Shape Modeling Exercise Series - #3

Shape Modeling Exercise Series - #3 (Fenestron Tail Rotor Blade) from Kernon Dillon on Vimeo.
In this shape modeling exercise we take a look at modeling a Fenestron Tail Rotor Blade.

You can download the blend file and the reference image at http://tinyurl.com/266qxu2 .
 ----------------------
 The point of these videos is not to model a complete object but to rather focus on different shapes and issues that you may encounter while modeling. So, essentially, these are exercises.

Hopefully, these videos will help you better understand how to approach modeling certain shapes, and what tools are available in Blender to make things easier.

MY NOTES:

To create a little gap b/w the outer rim and inside circular section:
Select the rim (alt + left)
Shift+D to duplicate
Mesh -> Vertices -> Seperate (by selection)

* also check using proportional editing (at 25:00)

Blender: Shape Modeling Exercise Series - #2

Shape Modeling Exercise Series - #2 from Kernon Dillon on Vimeo.

In this shape modeling exercise we take a look at modeling a fancy doorknob handle.



(Please excuse some issues caused by my sinus allergies. :p )



You can download the blend file, the reference image, and the texture file at http://tinyurl.com/29v6uu4



----------------------

The point of these videos is not to model a complete object but to rather focus on different shapes and issues that you may encounter while modeling. So, essentially, these are exercises.



Hopefully, these videos will help you better understand how to approach modeling certain shapes, and what tools are available in Blender to make things easier.



(The techniques demonstrated aren't intended to be the exact solution for every scenario.)

Blender: BlenderNewbies Shape Modeling Series - #1

BlenderNewbies Shape Modeling Series - #1 from Kernon Dillon on Vimeo.

This is the first video in a series of videos on modeling shapes in Blender.



The point of these videos is not to model a complete object but to rather focus on different shapes and issues that you may encounter while modeling. So, essentially, these are exercises.



Hopefully, these videos will help you better understand how to approach modeling certain shapes, and what tools are available in Blender to make things easier.



(The techniques demonstrated aren't intended to be the exact solution for every scenario.)

Blender: Changing Cameras during an Animation in Blender 2.5

Changing Cameras during an Animation in Blender 2.5 from Kernon Dillon on Vimeo.

Blender: Tip: Moving Objects out of the Local View without leaving the Local View mode

Tip: Moving Objects out of the Local View without leaving the Local View mode from Kernon Dillon on Vimeo.

Moving objects out of local view without having to exit the local view.

Isolate objects: Select object -> View -> View Global/Local (num/)

Sending few objects from local view to
Select objects -> Object -> Move to Layer (M)
(There are no layer options in a local view but we can use the same key stroke to get to Global view.)

Blender: Tip: Aligning Objects in Blender 2.5

Aligning Objects in Blender 2.5 from Kernon Dillon on Vimeo.

Object -> Transform -> Align Objects
(This is available only in object mode)

Align Objects: Align Mode: Postive Sides (means top side)

Relative To: Scene Origin (the intersection b/w x and y axis (green and red)).

Blender: Tip: Optimizing Blender 2.5 UI Interaction

Tip: Optimizing Blender 2.5 UI Interaction from CG Cookie on Vimeo.

In this quick tip, we'll take a look at probably one of the most important settings to control the smoothness of Blender's UI interaction, the Window Draw Method.

GIMP: How to Make Your Photos Look Vintage! Old Photo Effect -- GIMP Tutorial

Colors -> Brightness and Contrast -> (Brightness: 0; Contrast: 20)

Colors -> Hue Saturation -> (Hue: -10; Lightness: 0; Saturation: 20)

Colors -> Curves -> Select Red Channel -> and make changes to curves. Similarly make changes to green and blue channels.

Colors -> Hue Saturation -> (Hue: -10; Saturation: -20)

GIMP: How to make a Disintegration Effect

Filters -> Renders -> Clouds -> Plasma (Random Seed: 0; Turbulence: Maximum)

Filters -> Map -> Displace (x-dis: 26, y-dis:27, all other settings as default)

Blender: UVs & Textures (Part 1)

Uvs & Textures (Part 1) from Oliver Villar Diz on Vimeo.

Blender: Introduction to UV Unwrapping

Introduction to UV Unwrapping from CG Cookie on Vimeo.

In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial we introduce you to the concepts and methods of UV unwrapping. Using three progressively more complex primitive mesh objects you are shown the basics of unwrapping, how to set seams, how to reduce stretching, how to assign materials to use the UVs and more.

Blender: Creating a Glowing Stripes Effect

Creating a Glowing Stripes Effect from CG Cookie on Vimeo.

In this special Holiday Blender 2.5 tutorial we go about recreating the infamous glowing stripes effect from Tron. Although the subject is not seasonal in its self, many of you have probably made it one of your holiday movies. The tutorial covers the processes of creating the materials, lighting, rendering, and post processing of the scene.

Blender: Rendering with a Background Image

Tip: Rendering with a Background Image from CG Cookie on Vimeo.

In this quick Blender 2.5 video tip we show you an easy way to render your scene with a background image. This technique makes use of the Node-based compositor to overlay the scene on an image of your choice.

Blender: Organize a scene (Learn: Layer, Scene, Groups)

How to Organize your Scene (Layers, Groups & Scenes) from Oliver Villar Diz on Vimeo.

Blender: Video Sequence Editor - Title Slides and Callout Video

"Video Sequence Editor - Title slides and Callout Video" from CG Cookie on Vimeo.

In this tutorial, I import a video clip into the Video Sequence Editor as a "base" clip. Then I import a second video, which I show how to overlay onto the first one by using a "Transform" strip effect, resizing and positioning with the controls in the Properties Panel. Next I go into Gimp and create a title slide png, and import that back into Blender, and superimpose it on top of the first two video clips. Finally I bring in an audio clip, and export out to mpg.

Blender: Create a Fluorescent Light Bulb.

Lightbulb Revisit - Energy Saving! from CG Cookie on Vimeo.

Are Touchscreen Tablets Effective Design Tools?

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2011/03/18/are-touchscreen-tablets-effective-design-tools-review/

Blender: Text: Text Objects Blender 2.49b Tutorial

Blender: Camera Controls Tutorial

Blender: Particles: Boids: Intro to Boids Particles in Blender 2.5

Intro to Boids Particles in Blender 2.5 from CG Cookie on Vimeo.

Fonts: 8 Fresh and Free High-Quality Fonts

http://webdesignledger.com/freebies/8-fresh-and-free-high-quality-fonts

Blender: Outliner Panel: Introduction to Outliner

Tip: Introduction to the Outliner from CG Cookie on Vimeo.
http://vimeo.com/20932727

Blender: Add on: Cloud Generator: Creating Volumetric Clouds

Creating Volumetric Clouds from CG Cookie on Vimeo.

Blender: Modifier: Boolean : Tip - Using the Boolean Modifier Effectively

Tip: Using the Boolean Modifier Effectively from CG Cookie on Vimeo.

Blender: Modifier: Wave:Using the Wave Modifier

Tip: Using the Wave Modifier from CG Cookie on Vimeo.

Blender: How to Create a Lightning Storm

How to Create a Lightning Storm from Andrew Price on Vimeo.

Blender: Create an Eye Catching Energy Drink Advertisement

Create an Eye Catching Energy Drink Advertisement from Andrew Price on Vimeo.

GIMP: MSNBC Style Effect

GIMP 2.3 Tutorial - Lightning

GIMP 2.4 Tutorial - Selections (excellent)

GIMP: How to Make Sunrays/Rising Sun | GIMP Tutorial

GIMP: Create a Pencil or Charcoal Sketch from Photo.

1. Duplicate the Photo
2. On Duplicate layer: Color-> Colorize the image-> Set Saturation to '0'.
3. Duplicate this color-less layer again.
4. Now choose Filters / Blur / Gaussian Blur, value: 5 by 5 and hit 'ok'.
5. Then use Colors / Invert. Then change the opacity of the layer to 50% to get a grey layer that shows the photo’s edges very weak.
6. Merge the layer with the layer down: right-click the layer in the Layers window and choose “Merge down”.
7. Duplicate the merged down layer And change the mode to 'Dodge'.
8. Then merge down 3rd and 2nd layer. Duplicate it again and select the 3rd layer and set the mode to 'Multiply' and merge them down.
9. Repeat the process - the features become more detailed and looks more like a charcoal drawing than a pencil drawing.

GIMP and MyPaint: Drawing techniques

Digital Watercolor with Mypaint 0.9 and Gimp-painter from David REVOY on Vimeo.

GIMP: Creating Pixel Sharp Diagonal 45-Degree Scanlines Patterns

http://websitetips.com/articles/photoshop/45degreescanlines/
This kind of background is used in TechlineGreen website.

GIMP: How To Make An Icon From A Picture

http://gimp-tutorials.net/How-to-make-an-icon-from-a-picture

A Good Tutorial for image resize, canvas(grey and white square screen) and boundary size(image boundary).


"Image>Canvas Size..." [to clip a part]
Right-click on the layer now, and select "Layer to Image Size." The layer boundary (the black and yellow line) should now be the same as the canvas.

Select the Scale Tool (or press Shift+T), and shrink the image to 256x256.
Go to "Image>Fit Canvas to Layers" now the canvas should match with the layer boundary.

GIMP: Glow Effect

http://gimp-tutorials.net/gimp-glow-effect
Nice tutorial to learn 'Layer mode: Dodge'.

GIMP: Broken Screen Effect

Layer Mode "Screen" : Means everything that is black is transparent and everything that is white is visible.

GIMP: Blog Theme Design tutorial

http://gimp-tutorials.net/blog-theme-design-with-gimp

GIMP: Fun with Light (Excellent New Techniques)

http://gimp-tutorials.net/light_bulb_gimp_tutorial

GIMP: Creating Abstract Wallpaper

GIMP: How To Make Brushes Change Color In GIMP

GIMP:"Golden Text

http://gimpology.com/submission/view/gold_text_effect/

Steps:
STEPS

1. Give the background a radial gradient in the middle (#4d4932 to #201e1b)

2. Set foreground Color to white -> Select Text Tool -> Type Text -> Select Text Layer ->  Click "Create Path from Text"

3. Create new layer(called: MAIN) above text layer -> Hide Text layer -> In new layer Click 'Select'in menu 'from Path'(Shift+V).

4. Duplicate 'MAIN' layer and call it 'OUTLINE'. -> Make sure your text outline is still selected (if not, just Shift+V) -> Now Select > Shrink by 1px, uncheck the checkbox and click ok, and delete the selection

4b. Turn up the layer's brightness all the way (Colors > Brightness-Contrast...) and set the blend mode to Overlay

5. Re-select the "Main" layer. Filters > Light and Shadow > Drop Shadow: [offset x: 0, offset Y: 1, Blur Radius: 5, Opacity: 50]

6. Duplicate your "Main" layer again (leave it above the "Main" layer, below the "Outline" layer). Filters > Distorts > Emboss...
[Azimuth: 30, Elevation: 45, Depth:20]

Set this layer's blend mode to Overlay and set its opacity to 50%.

Done!

GIMP: How to Make a Battery Icon in Gimp

Logo: Clever Examples of Negative Space in Logo Design

http://webdesignledger.com/inspiration/clever-examples-of-negative-space-in-logo-design

40 Awesome Photography Shots From Daily Life To Change Your Mood

http://webdesignledger.com/inspiration/40-awesome-photography-shots-from-daily-life-to-change-your-mood

Useful Icon Sets

http://webdesignledger.com/freebies/25-fresh-and-useful-icon-sets

How to Use Visual Hierarchy in Web Design

http://designshack.co.uk/articles/graphics/how-to-use-visual-hierarchy-in-web-design

Few resources from sliderocket.

http://portal.sliderocket.com/AKARC/SlideRocket-Presentation-Resources-Guide

Fonts: The Top 100 Best Fonts Of All Time

http://justcreativedesign.com/2009/03/04/the-top-100-best-fonts-of-all-time/

99 Sites All Designers Must Know About

http://justcreativedesign.com/2008/02/25/99-graphic-design-resources/

Fonts: 30 Fonts To Last A Life Time

http://justcreativedesign.com/2008/03/02/30-best-font-downloads-for-designers/

GIMP: Text and Path Tracing

http://showmedo.com/videotutorials/video?name=2820040&fromSeriesID=282

GIMP: Zebra Stripes

* to close the path - press ctrl at the last vertex.
* right click - Path to Selection
* Fill with foreground color.

GIMP:Brushes in GIMP-Download, Install & How to Use

Fonts: Theory

Choosing Type Combinations
http://layersmagazine.com/choosing-type-combinations.html

Matching fonts
http://www.webreference.com/dlab/9802/matching.html

19 top fonts in 19 top combinations
http://bonfx.com/19-top-fonts-in-19-top-combinations/

Mixing Typefaces - Chart
http://www.as8.it/handouts/mixing-typefaces_U&lc1992.pdf

Typeface Combinations
http://www.peatah.org/combinations2.html

Design 101 | 7 Typographic Resources
http://www.bigbrandsystem.com/design-101-7-typographic-resources-and-1-type-joke/

Combining Fonts
http://www.typography.com/email/2010_03/index_tw.htm

GIMP: How to Install Script Fu

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