GIMP Lettering Effects
The text tool in GIMP lets you type words and phrases in any of the fonts you have loaded on your computer. You can make them any size and any color. But if you want something more interesting, you can apply one of the special effects that come with GIMP to give your block of text an interesting look.
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Text on Path
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Normally, text sits on a baseline that is a straight horizontal line. It may be more than one line, if there are multiple lines, but the lines are still straight. GIMP gives you the option to draw any kind of curved path and then make the baseline of your text follow that path. So you can type text that goes around in a circle, or follows the curve of a part of your illustration or photograph.
Textures And Patterns
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GIMP comes pre-loaded with patterns and gradients, and it also has a filter that lets you add a texture to any item, including a bit of text. So you can make text that looks like it's made of leaves or grass, leopard fur or leather, marble, granite, ice, dried mud or any of a number of other patterns that come with GIMP or are available for download on the Web. In addition, gradients go from white to dark green, or from dark red to light yellow. Some gradients contain three or more colors; just as with patterns, you can use those that come with GIMP or find some online to download. Textures work a bit differently, because you can apply them to a surface that already has a color, achieving a different look for the same texture such as crumpled paper or wood panelling.
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Glowing Text
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Glowing text is an effect that often combines several steps. Generally it is best to make the text blurry before adding the glow effect. You can make it glow in many colors, including neon. Add an extra touch by making the letters look like they're linked together. This effect works best on a dark background.
Three-Dimensional Text
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Many image creation programs have a bevel tool that makes letters or frames have a three-dimensional effect. GIMP doesn't have this tool, but a combination of steps, including a bump map, will give text a beveled effect. Another way to give text a three-dimensional effect is to add a drop shadow behind it, which is easy to do in GIMP. You can even add a drop shadow to beveled text.
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References
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
