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I'm looking for a tutorial to create wavy flowing threads. Like this:

Sample

I'm open to tutorials in Photoshop, GIMP, or any freeware image manipulation program. We have a copy of PS. I'm not sure if another graphic app is in the budget.

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I'd use Inkscape's calligraphy tool, if I were you. It's way easier, and more powerful than anything you'd get with GIMP/Photoshop. – muntoo Jan 31 '11 at 1:04
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Is Illustrator not an option? Because it seems to be much easier there... – Johannes Jan 31 '11 at 1:58
Spend some time on Veerle's site. She has lots of tutorials in this vein: veerle.duoh.com – DA01 Jan 31 '11 at 14:13

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I'd use Inkscape's calligraphy tool to draw the curve, if I were you. It's way easier, and more powerful than anything you'd get with GIMP/Photoshop.

If you really have to use GIMP:

You can use curves (somewhere in the toolbox). Draw a curve (preferably without anti-aliasing). Make the thickness something large enough. Now, select the curve using the Magic Wand/Floodfill tool (possibly by selecting the background, then inverting selection?). Next, use a gradient (not sure where it is - I use Paint.NET mostly), and overwrite the curve with your gradient. Later, you can add highlights using more layers (create layer, same process, but make the gradients smaller.

EDIT: A little tutorial I made, as requested. Be sure to read the captions for instructions!

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Thank you for recommending Inkscape. I will use that instead of PS. However, I am still looking for a good tutorial on how to create that effect. – Levu WebWorks Feb 12 '11 at 4:49
@Levu WebWorks Added a tutorial. Hope it helps. :) Remember, you can export Inkscape files of ANY resolution/size (which is why vector graphics rock) to PNG/etc using File->Export Bitmap. – muntoo Feb 12 '11 at 6:02

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