Is a free program that is great for making sigs(ie: My current Hellsing one). The only problem that I am having with it is...I don't understand the layering concept.^_^; I get what it does, but not how to do it to achieve the desired results.
In short...What is/how do you use layering?

Layering is very tricky...I'm still trying to figure out just how it works. Hmmm...I would ask Lady, she's really good at it.

Z="value" The greater the value, the more forward it is. you can even have negative values.

That's how it works in VB anyways.

In Photoshop layers can be set to varying opacity, and various "blending modes". These determine basically how the image above is combined with the layers below it...whether only the darker areas show through, only lighter areas, whether only the color values are used, etc. I personally find myself using "Color Dodge" a lot, but what looks best is going to depend completely on the images you're using. Just experiment.

(...did that help at all?)

That sonds like a good program. How do I get one?

In Photoshop layers can be set to varying opacity, and various "blending modes". These determine basically how the image above is combined with the layers below it...whether only the darker areas show through, only lighter areas, whether only the color values are used, etc. I personally find myself using "Color Dodge" a lot, but what looks best is going to depend completely on the images you're using. Just experiment.

(...did that help at all?)

Thats basically layering in a nutshell. Layering is the key behind my grunge backgrounds and after you get used to playing around to it layering will become your best friend.

The best way to learn layering though is to experiment with it on your own trying many different things. In effect you will start to learn how things fall into place and how one layer effects another.

Thanks for the information, all! I've been playing with it, and I am finally starting to get closer to the results that I want. Patience is a virtue with layering, I'm discovering...O.o


That sonds like a good program. How do I get one?

I had to search it on google to find the right link, but here it is:The GIMP! (http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html)