PocketMatrix

I'll soon be making production graphics for my first game title.

One thing I will need is screen interfaces and buttons. Take a look at these WinAmp skins:

http://www.winamp.com/skins/details.php?id=211
http://www.winamp.com/skins/details.php?id=238
http://www.winamp.com/skins/details.php?id=9134

How do the skinners make the nice shaded and shiny doodads? The curves on the player, the buttons, everything?

The one guy said he used Photoshop. Sure, but what effects? Does anyone have tutorial links?

Can this sort of work easily be done in The Gimp? I don't have Photoshop.

Will I need a tablet to do this kind of work?

Another thing I'll need is flashy text logos for things like game titles. Let's say I wanted a word like "GreatGame" splashed across the top of the screen, looking really colourful and arty. Am I using Photoshop/Gimp to do this, or some sort of specialized logo maker?

I can do a fairly decent job already, I'm just wondering how the pros (or dedicated hobbyists) do it.

I mean, check out the curves on these babies!

http://www.winamp.com/skins/details.php?id=45968
http://www.winamp.com/skins/details.php?id=84959
http://www.winamp.com/skins/details.php?id=123545
http://www.winamp.com/skins/details.php?id=96206
http://www.winamp.com/skins/details.php?id=123924
http://www.winamp.com/skins/details.php?id=18390

To sum it up quickly: Layers. Lots and lots of layers. Some simple gradient fills can go a long way in making things shiny. Layer masks and playing with the opacity are simple ways to get things looking good. Playing with the noise filter can create some effects.

As for tablets, I've never used one. Since those skins are somewhat abstract, there's really no need for one, however if you're going to be doing things like drawing humans, it's pretty safe to say you'll want a tablet, or a high contrast source drawing (ie done with a sharpie marker) For small sprites, pixel art wouldn't really require a tablet, however I've no experiences in that deptartment.

Is there any one specific effect you'd like me to try and replicate to explain? I've never used Gimp, only Photoshop however, I can try and generalize any instructions.

As for those logo creators, if you're going to use them, stay as far away from you can from using included textures and presets, they stick out from a mile away. (I've seen a couple of PPC games use flat out WordArt. It's horrible.) I suppose it has it's uses, however with Photoshop now have text paths (although I had horrible luck figuring it out a demo anyway.

As for curves, if Gimp has a bezier curve tool, that'll get pretty much every curve you can see in those Winamp skins.

If you have any other questions, feel free to respond.

re: 3d text if you just want some really smart 3D text I'm happy to run a few words through my 3D text software, Cool 3D.
shiny metalic stuff takes several steps eg:

was obtained in photoshot using umpteen filters, alpha channels etc. The image shown is a reduced res. jpg for web use.

Cool.

I'm still doing graphic design on pencil and paper. So I'm still trying to settle on a look and feel.

I think I've come up with a text logo that is nice and I like, and the good news is that it won't require any nice 3D effects or anything. It has simple clean lines.

These two tutorials seem to really show how to do the shading effects.

http://www.handson.nu/HTML/texwrap.shtml
http://www.handson.nu/HTML/kriskros.shtml

I can't believe I missed this thread. But anyway, I use Photoshop for all my graphic stuff. The layers are very useful in designing interfaces. If you're looking for cool special effects to enhance your interface, there are tons of tutorial on the web on how to do it using Photoshop. Check this one out: http://www.eyeball-design.com/.