GIMP by example/Golden Text

From openSUSE

Introduction

This article is inspired with the GIMP tutorial. The procedure described in tutorial is written for an older version of GIMP. Menus are changed, probably some default parameters, and effect can't be reproduced. Without missing steps effect doesn't look nearly as good as it is on the web page. That given, it was time to roll up the sleeves and find out how to use version 2.2.8, before someone write script-fu or plug-in and automate effect making this article obsolete.

It would be nice to have the same effect as GIMP tutorial, with rich golden surface and transparency,

but for now this is it.

The golden text effect is achieved using GIMP Lightning Effects that has nothing to do with lightning and thunders. It can be found in the Filters menu under Light Effects. In essence it combines 2 images, one with text and the other called "environmental map" into third image that in our case will look like the text molded in gold (or brass, but that looks fine to). Changing colors in environmental map one can make other effects, some metallic like, some like glass or ceramic.

First Image

Let's begin. Open new image (File-New).

In a dialog window set width to 800 and height to 200. That would be enough to for a nice sized image that can be later downsized as needed.

Select Tools - Text or just click on marked icon in The GIMP toolbox.

In this example is used

• Serif Bold Italic size 120 px.
• Dark foreground and light background.
• Antialiasing to smooth character edges.

Click in the window where you would like to place text. This will open text input window.

Yes, it can be easier for users, but the GIMP is, like the rest of open source software under permanent construction and this might be already solved in CVS version. BTW, the text input box appears outside the image window, as the window creation is KDE function, not GIMP's, but for simplicity of screenshot it was moved over.

Input the text, like "openSUSE". When done click on Close.

Apply Image - Flatten to compact (flatten) the text and background layers into one image and avoid confusion with layers. They are very useful, but not right now.

To give the end-image nice bevel and space feeling, apply Filters-Blur-Gaussian Blur on text image. Default values are fine. For more depth you may apply gaussian blur one more time, or raise default radius. What is proper you'll find out after few tries.

Second Image

Now it is a time for Environmental Map image.
Select Tools - (Paint Tools) - Blending or use The GIMP toolbox and click on marked icon.

The blending is also called "gradient tool".
Click on Gradient and scroll down until appear gradient Golden.

Check that Opacity is 100.

Open second image with the same size as the first one, 800x200.
Enlarge window (not image) like it is illustrated below and apply gradient to new image. The line marks start and end of golden gradient application.

Imperfection of this gradient is due to JPEG compression. The one produced by you will look much better.

It is also possible to crop this image to cut out dark areas at the edge of Golden gradient. The size of environmental image could vary in wide range giving different end effects, but small changes doesn't affect much the resulting image.

This simple environment image gives similar results as original that can be found on GIPM tutorial page.

Show Time

Now it is show time. Back to the image with text, it is the time for Filter - Light Effects - Lightning Effects

Window that opens has tabs Options, Light, Material, Bump Map, Environment Map.

• Options: Create new image.

• Bump Map: Check enable box and select the image with text as Bumpmap image. Set Maximum height to 0.03.

• Environment Map: Check enable box and select the image with golden gradient.

Although Light is the second tab it has to be visited after Bump Map and Environment Map are enabled.

• Light:
  • Light 1,
  • Type Point
  • Color default white (ffffff)
  • Intensity 0.81
  • Position X 0.83 Y 0.76 Z 1.00

• Material: wasn't used

Press OK, and wait until GIMP is done.

Few More of The Kind

Searching for the Golden Text gave a lot of images. Most of them were deleted, but some survived.