Making Images Seamless Horizontally or Vertically Only (for "The GIMP") .

Intro: Making Images Seamless Horizontally or Vertically Only (for "The GIMP") .

If you try the "Make seamless" plug-in in GIMP, it will make the image seamless both horizontally and vertically at the same time. It will not allow you to make it seamless in only one dimension.
This instructable will help you to make images seamless in only the dimension of your choice.

STEP 1: Open the Image in GIMP .

(Lets call the default layer the "base")

STEP 2: Select and Copy the Left 1/3rd of the "base" Layer.

STEP 3: Paste It in a New Transparent Layer

Let us call the new layer "left on right".

Make sure you paste at the right 1/3rd of the image.

STEP 4: Select and Copy the Right 1/3rd of the "base" Layer.

STEP 5: Paste It in a New Transparent Layer

Let us call it "right on left".

Make sure you paste it at the left 1/3rd of the image.

STEP 6: Add White Layer Masks to Both the New Layers.

STEP 7: Blending the Masks. Step1

Select the "blend" tool - use the "Foreground to background" gradient, linear blend mode.
(make sure the 2 colors are black and white)

STEP 8: Blending the Masks. Step2

On the layer mask of "right on left" layer, draw a gradient from exactly 1/3rd of the image, all the way to the left boundary of the image.

STEP 9: Blending the Masks. Step3

On the layer mask of "left on right" layer, draw a gradient from exactly 2/3rd of the image, all the way to the rightmost boundary of the image.( or you can also copy "right on left"'s mask and paste it on "left to right"'s mask and flip it horizontally)

STEP 10: Crop Away 1/6th of the Image From Left and Right Each

STEP 11: Testing & Finish

With these, the image will now be seamless horizontally, retaining the nature of the image vertically.

To test, use the "tile" plug-in. It is at various places in different versions. So i wont instruct on how to use it.

These instructions were for making an image seamless horizontally. You can adapt them to make images seamless vertically only too.

Comments

[CptnEdge]

What version of Gimp are you using? I have version GIMP 2.6.3 I'm trying to learn it but I think each new version is a little different. Would appreciate any help possible. Thanks, CptnEdge

[kamathln]

Currently, 2.6.5 . But if you are asking which version of GIMP I used for the instructablee, I am guessing 2.3 or 2.4, I can't remember.

[CptnEdge]

Okay thanks I'm using 2.6.3 I'm learning slowly but am proceeding nicely. Is the difference in the newer version 2.6.5 worth upgrading too?

[kamathln]

GIMP Changelog . Read and suit your self. If you dont understand or need more input, there is always Mailing lists. I suggest the GIMP User mailing list.

[aetherguy881]

I've had a problem with completing this as seamless as possible. I was doing this with a picture of the ocean and the picture was slightly tilted thus giving me an unsightly jump on the horizon. Any tips on to fixing that?

[kamathln]

Not much :-( except Rotate and crop ;-)

[sbennettinst]

Cool! I like it. I have a similar instructable here:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Creating-Seamless-Tiled-Wallpaper/

[Patrik]

Even easier: tile 3 copies of your original image vertically, use the "make seamless" plugin, then cut out the center third of the resulting image...

[kamathln]

... and people called me genius.. doh. ;-)

[kamathln]

I tried this.. It does not work. The result is not tilable horizontally or vertically. The problem is, the "make-seamless" plug-in uses the "gradient" in "symmetrical conical" mode when blending. This makes the image untilable when only the center third is cut. Never the less, keep trying .. I have a feeling that you are in the right path.. just not yet reached there ;-) .. You might make my 9 step instructable obsolete with a single liner. :-D

[Patrik]

Ah - I'd assumed you used the same method as the plugin. If the plugin worked the same way, this method would work. To quote Donald Knuth, famous computer science pioneer, "Be careful about using the following code - I've only proven that it works, I haven't tested it." :-D

[kamathln]

The logic of the thought process they used to arrive at their method was same. But in their method, they use "symmetric conical" blend to make all sides seamless and they "shift and wrap" a duplicate layer in both x and y dimensions, whereas I use "linear blend" and "shift and wrap" only in one direction.

[kamathln]

Thank you all for the praises. I am highly encouraged :-)

[ScottSEA]

Well done. Great Instructable.

[SpecialEd101]

AWSOME DUDE i would have never figured that out

[GorillazMiko]

Genius! Never thought of this, I always wondered how they did this with the pictures! +1 rating.

[mikedoth]

+1 for using and open-source program.

[kamathln]

Thanks.. I live - eat - breath - sleep Free and Open Source Software :-)