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We all know that with the GIMP you can make some nifty water-like effects using "Filters->Distorts->Ripple" or "Filters->Distorts->Waves". But sometimes that doesn't give you what you want...especially the "waves" filter. Sometimes you want to achieve the look of water as seen from directly overhead. Not only that; the filters can make the end result appear more 'mechanical' than natural. 
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This tutorial will explain one method of making a water-like texture that contains both larger waves and little "wavelets". The final image will remind you of what you might see looking down from a high point onto a body of water below. | |
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First, fill the image with "Filters->Render->Clouds->Solid Noise". |
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Next, change the positions of some of the pixels using "Filters->Noise->Spread". This will work out best if you use a value for the 'horizontal' input approximately ten times that for the 'vertical'; e.g., in this image, I used "90" for the horizontal and "9" for the vertical. |
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Apply RLE Gaussian blur to the image. Smaller values will work better in this step. You want to achieve some "chunkiness" rather that smoothing everything completely, since the chunkiness will make the image look more like little waves of water. |
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Bump-map the image against itself. Crank the "Elevation" and "Depth" way up to produce a more 'watery' effect: 
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Use the "Curves" tool (Image->Colors->Curves) to enhance the watery look; note I'm only changing the 'value' curve, and not any of the red/green/blue curves: 
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Finally, use the "Levels" tool (Image->Colors->Levels) to add some color; I added a little bit of green and a little bit of blue. Add the color by moving the dark triangle the right on the 'Output Levels' slider bar. You may also want to change the 'value' settings here to improve the contrast (i.e., to make the highlights lighter and the shadows darker); alternatively, you could do the same using "Image->Colors->Brighteness-Contrast" or the "Curves" tool again. 
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One final note: as in most things with the GIMP, experimentation and Ctrl-Z (undo) are your best friends. :-) Enjoy! | |