Fusing Fractal images

(Fractal artwork merged with digital photographs)

Next Step :

It seems like everyone has digital photographs stored on their computer. In this tutorial we'll overlay a digital photograph with the fractal images you recently created in the previous tutorial.

My Chamber-Orhestra rehearal image combined with fractal artwork

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Click here to Download GIMP v2.4.5 by Spencer Kimball
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We'll use GIMP to process our images. Here is a bit about GIMP. The GNU Image Manipulation Program, or GIMP, is a free raster graphics editor used to process digital image. GIMP can create graphics, resize, crop , altering colors, combine images, remove image features, and even convert between image formats. GIMP is a powerful program and very comparable tool to the expensive paint program called Adobe Photoshop. I think you'll like it. Note that it is a relatively large file at 16.3MB but small compared to the graphic editing ability it gives you. Now let's begin the tutorial.

1) Run (install) the free GIMP software from the link provided above.

2) The GIMP program can run directly after installation. Under the File menu choose Open.

3) Locate one of the fractal images you created previously. GIMP provides some buttons on top of the dialog box in case you need to click backward and get out of a folder. Notice also that when you click on an image the preview thumbnail shows up on the right-side of the dialogue box. Simply double-click on the image you want to edit when you locate it. This will load it up into GIMP.

4) Locate an image you'd like to merge with your fractal artwork. Under the File menu choose Open again. Use the buttons on the top of the dialog box to back you out of the current folder to find your digital photographs. Again, double-click on the image you want to fuse with your fractal when you locate it. This image will load it up into GIMP too.

5) Go to your fractal image window. On the menu of that window choose Edit and then Copy.

6) Go to your digital photograph window. On the menu of only that window choose Edit and then Past. Your images may or many not be the same size. This isn't important right now.

7) In this window where both images are present go up to the menu titled Dialogs. Under dialogs click on the Layers option. Another box will pop up titled Layers.

8) In your layers dialog box there is an Opacity slider. Move the slider left to about 50%. This means you can now see through the first image about 50% as though it were glass. Secondly go up to where the Mode is set to Normal. Change the normal to another setting such as Difference.

What the difference does it takes and subtracts the two colors from one another. Other filters allow you to use "Screen" for instance like screening ink onto a tee-shirt. There are many more. Try them all and see what you think.

9) Now stretch your images to match up the way you'd like. Do this by going up the menu titled Image and choosing Scale. When the Scale dialog box pops up push the Scale-button. Next, left-click on the image and handles will appear on all corners of your front image. Use these handles to situate or scale your top image the way you wish. Push Scale-button again on the Scale dialog box when finished.

To finish your masterpiece continue using the Modes, Opacity levels, and Scale abilities to make the fused image look as you want it to.

10) When done procede to the image File menu and choose Save As. Assure it is in the folder you want and left-click the Save button.

Marvelous job!

My rendered family crest image fused with fractal artwork

Written May08 and updated May 2008 by Tracy Rose