how do i make pictures pop? (Edit: would like GIMP help pls)

[Chimera]

I see sigs where chars pop out of the background, my favorites among these being Veph's creations and i was wondering how that works? I use a program called Paint.Net because i cant get GIMP to work, i dont understand what plug-ins are and i apperently need them to do something specific or something... i have no idea lol. I just want programs that are easy and simple and free >.<

Ive figured out with everyones help how to put a character into a background but i dont know how to make them pop out of the picture so that its not the grey and white checkered background but instead the background of wherever the pic is showing up such as forum signatures. Any suggestions or ideas?

I also downloaded something called Photoscape but i havent gotten around to fooling around with it and figure out how it works xP

Edit: Ok, new question, can anyone help guide me into understanding how GIMP works? i got a serious headache the first time i tried to fogire it out and ragequitted, its extremely confusing-- i have just slightly above bare minimum knowledge of understanding editing software ._.

[TygerDarkstorm]

It's a transparent background and when you save it to use you save it under the selection "save for web and devices.

But basically, the image looks like it's popping out because it's a smaller picture set on a transparent, larger background.

for example.

[Chimera]

oooohk lol when i try to save it, it saves with the checkered background in the back and it drives me totally up the wall >.< im gonna see if i can figure out what you mean by 'save for web and devices', ive never seen that before

Edit: where should i be looking for that 'save for web and devices' thing?

[TygerDarkstorm]

Save for web and devices is right under save as for me in Photoshop

[Chimera]

._. damn i dont have that option in Paint.Net-- gonna try Photoscape

[TygerDarkstorm]

D= That sucks. I've never used anything but Photoshop so unfortunately I'm not much help. x_x

[Chimera]

Damn no, Photoscape doesnt have that option either... -_-;; guhh.. lol xP Thanks for the help Tyger :3 if i come across another program with that option i'll have you to thank for me understanding what it does lol

[lilatha]

Youtube > How to use GIMP
DeviantART > GIMP Tutorials

Your best bet ofc you can write which you wanna learn about Im sure they will have the information you need or close enough

[Xella]

When you say it saves with the checkered background, do you mean that the preview still shows the checkered background, or that when you upload it and display it on the webpage, you actually see the checkers?

I haven't used either of the programs you have access to, but I know in Photoshop, the "checkers" is the indication of transparency; in the preview for "Save for Web", the checkers remain (example of that display), but when you upload the actual image, the transparency is rendered properly.

[Chimera]

lol to youtube awaaaaaay! Thanks Lil lol i havent been actively on youtube in so many months its practically non-existent to me XD

Hmmm.. i havent actually uploaded the pics onto the web... i couldnt ever get past seeing the checkers after saving the pic, i'll check that real quick before i head off to youtube

[lilatha]

I used Youtube alot when I was learning I love seeing what they do since sometimes when people write tut's out they don't show exactly what to do or a example. With a video you get to see them do it as you follow along

[Chimera]

Its still very confusing and somewhat frustrating but it is new to me-- and a lot more sophisticated then Paint.Net so im not getting a ragequit feeling like i did the first time but ive figured out at least how to save pics with a transparent background which made me happy ^^

[lilatha]

Yey Progress! Everything take times to learn