GIMP Tutorial: Mandala From Your Name

By Pat625
Member: GimpChat & Gimp Learn Forums

While searching for some information about mandalas I discovered a PhotoShop video tutorial on how to make a mandala from your written name. It seemed easy to do but I could not find one for GIMP either written, or video. I decided to convert the PhotoShop tutorial into one for GIMP.

This tutorial is over explained and with many screenshots. I wrote this tutorial for the newest of GIMP users that might not yet be knowledgeable of where all the commands and filters are, but still ready to learn more GIMP effects. Certainly, everyone is invited to play!!

All commands and filters used are in the standard GIMP issue. There are probably decorative fonts available in the standard Gimp but two are included in the zip that make very nice images.

To use: Download the files, unzip, and place the two fonts in: C:\Users\your name\.gimp-2.8\fonts

If you find any mistakes, problems, or have questions, please let me know.


Here is a preview:

My Name
Finished Mandala

Pat - well done, I knew it would happen sometime

Now I can do one of your tuts!

Very nicely written tutorial. I used a font called Fantastic Pete, available here:
http://www.dafont.com/fantastic-pete.fo ... 50&psize=l

My name is Tonya and that's what I used for my mandala.

OMG: Thank you. I'm sure that this tut will be boring for such an excellent user as you are, but I hope you play.
Oregonian: A very nice looking mandala! I like the way each one is unique. Thank you for doing the tut. I downloaded "Fantastic Pete". It really is a beautiful font.

Pat, Thank you so much for your detailed nice tutorial. You are great!

Thanks Pat.That was fun.

Just a note here. Instead of stroking the selection, use the paintbrush to stroke it with. You get a smoother circle. I used stroking the selection on the one I made and it has "jaggies" around it.

Thank you for a great tutorial Pat, lovely results. I didn't know I can paint a selection - duh (and a good tip Oregonian). Here's my first attempt.

Issabella: Thank you for your comments.
Kimba: Thank you for doing the tut. Yours is very pretty.
Oregonian: You are correct. Using the paintbrush to stroke would make a more defined clear edge. I almost did that but then just went with the stroke line.
RJKD: Very pretty Mandala. Thank you for your comments and doing the tut.

Cool idea, Pat.

With the script, I made it turn selection into path,
then used the path to stroke so the result isn't jagged.

This is really excellent for a beginner like myself, having good fun working my way through your tutorial.
First time on the forum and first thing I've done in Gimp, much appreciated.

Thank you very much Lyle, but the tut was not my idea. I just liked it, thought it would a good one for beginners, and converted the tut.

Tran, you are correct, stroking a path makes a much cleaner and clear edge and is what I usually do. I was not sure about how much new users could absorb during the first session. I tried to stay close with the tutorial I was converting and did not add much extra while converting.

Peegee. Thank you for your kind comments and for doing my tut. Welcome to GimpChat!! Please post your results. Do not be afraid, this is how we learn.
If you need help, just ask. Someone will help you.!

Pat, your tut is very easy to follow and I've enjoyed doing it a lot. Thank you so much for your tutorial.

Pat, then I played with effects and shadow on my mandala result.

Pat - thank you for the tutorial.

Third try.... with Parchment Font

I did another, Pat. I used beautyfy after getting the result.

Nice ones
Tried another using Old English font.

I like it Sallyanne. Nice font, too.