How to Create Sparkles Using GIMP

GIMP's Sparkle filter adds glitter.

Add a glittering shine to digital images by using the free graphic design program GIMP. The Sparkle filter in the design editor's Light Filter bank turns pre-existing bright spots into starry sparkles. Customize the effect's settings to adjust the flare intensity, spike length, transparency and coloring of the starry objects. The sparkles are inserted directly onto your image. This simplifies the saving process, with no need to merge layers before saving the workbook as a standard picture file with an extension such as JPG or PNG.

Instructions

1. Launch GIMP and open the image you want to add sparkles to by clicking "File" and "Open."

2. Select the Filters tab. Click "Light and Shadow" and then "Sparkle." Customize the sparkle effect in the corresponding settings dialog.

3. Double-click the tab of the Flare Intensity scrollbar and drag it to the left or right, respectively, to decrease or increase the power of the effect. Similarly, adjust the scrollbars for the "Spike Length" and "Transparency" options as desired.

4. Check the circle next to one of the coloring options: Natural, Foreground or Background. If desired, change the foreground color by clicking the "Foreground Color" box in the main toolbar to select your preferred shade. Click "OK" in the settings dialog to implement the Sparkle effect when you're satisfied with the image's appearance.

5. Save your sparkly image by clicking "File" and "Save As." Insert a name for your file and follow it with the extension of your choice. Save the image as a GIMP workbook by using the extension XCF, or save the picture as a JPG or PNG file.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the Preview box in the settings dialog to see how your sparkle adjustments affect your final image.

References

• GIMP: Sparkle
• GIMP: Light and Shadow Filters
• GIMP: Save As

Resources

• GIMP