Since I've had so much luck with feedback from lj challenge mods last month, we can use one of them right away! \o/

This round caught my eye because I've never ever used this feature before, and I am curious what will happen! I googled for a GIMP equivalent, too. I've added instructions for that as "ETA".

This challenge was originally posted to theskilltester in March 2010 here. Thank you so much to blueymcphluey for allowing us to use it!

---

Challenge Post by blueymcphluey

rgb

Aside from one exception, every single layer can be visible on a maximum of two of the RBG channels. I don't know how to adjust this on any other program but in photoshop if you right click on the layer and under 'blending options' tick two of these boxes then you'll be fine :D

If you need any explaining on how and why this works, feel free to ask.

Doing so will change the way a lot of your effects work, so this challenge is all about experimenting with the different effects it can achieve.

ETA: if you're using GIMP, you can achieve this by using curves on every single layer. You have to separately adjust the red, green and blue curves, and always set at least one of the curves to black, i.e. make it one flat line on the very bottom. Here's the documentation: https://docs.gimp.org/3.0/en/gimp-tool-curves.html

Since I don't have gimp, I can't verify your process, but that's not really what theskilltester is about anyway. It's about finding out new things about your software and experimenting with it in ways you haven't done before. Do that, and you're fine!

---

ORIGINAL RULES - for reference only

-> You may submit one entry in each medium (icon, wallpaper, layout, etc)
-> A set of textures or brushes can be considered one entry as long as it's obvious that they are a set (e.g. paint themed or sky themed)
-> Remember to enter your submission as a new post to the community and include your .psd (or alternate program equivalent).
-> Also remember to tag your entries with your username, the kind of graphic you've made and the challenge number

---

NEW RETRO_ICONTEST RULES - mandatory

-> Remember that exactly one layer in your icon is exempt from the channels restriction. This makes it easier!
-> The original comm allowed wallpapers, texture sets, and other things in addition to icons. You are free to make those here, as well, if you like.
-> Please post your psd (or alternate program equivalent) along with each icon you make. That comm was all about learning and sharing that knowledge, and that's what we'll do too!

-> you may enter as many icons as you like. minimum 1 icon. (the maximum of one icon specified in the original rules does not apply!)
-> submit your icons as a new entry into the community. if there are more than five, put the rest under a cut or a link to your unlocked journal post. tag your post with round number and your username (or ask me to tag it for you).
-> submit the URLs along with your icons. I'll only put the first five per person into the roundup post. Either you only list five, or I'll take the first five.
-> make an effort to leave positive feedback on other participants' posts. <3
-> read the full rules here in our userinfo.

---

This comm generally runs from mid-month to mid-month every month, always ending on Fridays. There is no voting. I will make a roundup post containing up to 5 icons per person after every challenge.

Deadline for round #29: Friday, August 15th 2025 your end-of-day