I agree. Add a couple of roach holes and some Dew stains and it would be hard to tell it from the real thing.


It should probably be noted that for the purposes of Displacement Mapping, the colors in the "spikes layer" are ignored -- only the (desaturated) lightness of the map matters. Motion blurring a layer filled with RGB Noise might also be worth experimenting with (sort of a brushed metal appearance).

thank you saul. that is an interesting idea about the RGB noise..I must give it a try....

Great idea. =)

Interesting idea, saulgoode. I like the results. Thanks!

My RGB noise settings: Correlated noise, only, checked, RG & B = 1.00.

Had to give that a try. I do like the softer spikiness with the motion blur - my settings: Length 180, Angle 90; I made the motion blur layer seamless.

The displacement map settings were made larger.

they are getting fluffier all the time O..... very nice.

this is my latest messy shirt.

I've been playing with this since it was posted. To do it this way you need G'MIC and Math Map.

I'm attaching my zipped xcf file with all of the layers. The steps are numbered like the layers in the xcf file.

1. Start with a new, square image. I used 500x500px. Name the layer, bump.
   Filters > Render > Plasma. Move the Turbulence slider all the way to the right.
   
   
2. Use the crop tool and crop to the full width and to 1 pixel high, click the cropping to get an image with a single dotted line across.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Image > Scale Image. Break the chain to the right of the Width & Height settings by clicking it. Make the Height = 500 and click Scale. You will have colorful stripes.
   
   
4. Filters > G'MIC > Artistic > B & W ink wash. Make the size 0.22. Your bump layer will be in contrasting B & W stripes.
   
   
5. Make a new layer and name it gradient. Select the Blend tool and choose a colorful gradient. Make the Shape = Radial and the Repeat = Sawtooth Wave. Check Adaptive supersampling. In the center or near to the center drag a short way to make a gradient with several circular rows. You can drag over the image several times until you get it like you want.
   
   
6. Filters > Distorts > Polar Coordinates. Uncheck To Polar. OK.
   
   
7. Filters > Map > Displace. Make X = 0, Y = 60, and in the two dropdowns find the bump layer (B & W stripes). Click OK.
   
   
   
   
   
8. Filters > Distorts > Polar Coordinates. Check To Polar.
   
   
9. This step fills out the square image. Filters > Generic > MathMap > Distorts > Defish. Use the default settings.
   If your image is not square, in Defish click the User Values tab and gradually increase tweak until your image is filled.

Beautiful...looks like space travel tunnel or something

I like that O, very brilliant color. Reminds me a bit of a close-up of a marigold.

Well I did it three times now step by step. mine doesn't look the same at all. I will try it again with a different gradient.

Here's my go, using full-red FG to full blue BG gradient:I think I would have gotten more of a layering effect if I had made my gradient shorter.

@ Molly - yours looks very pretty. I don't think you did anything wrong. Perhaps a shorter stroke on the gradient may give more layers.

@ Bob ... I very much like your red and blue one. I was focused on multicolored gradients and I think your 2-colored one looks every bit as nice.

LOL, I chopped up mine and made a party hat from it.

@O, you can wear that to the next GimpChat Birthday party.... I always thought the red/blue combination always gave a strong 3D effect.

@molly, I think yours is neat. Sort of tie-dye-ish. I could put that on a T-shirt and everyone will know i was a child of the 60s.

LOL @ O!
Stylish! (Now everybody's gonna want one...)

Two awesome techniques, and they both work beautifully!

Must be cold in Jersey!

hahaha, you guys crack me up!

Wow it kinda reminds me of fireworks. =)

Yeah! I could use those! I certainly is freezing here!