Text

lindyloo · **Joined:** Oct 09, 2017 **Posts:** 26

GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Mac OS
GIMP Experience: New User

Hi, I'm trying to make an ebook cover for a book I've written, but I'm having trouble getting the text to write properly and choosing a new font, plus I have a strange yellow dotted line on the photo and a square thing to the right. This appeared when I was trying to move the text box, which I think is at the top, under the ruler.
What am I doing wrong?

Thanks, Lynne

Wallace · **Posted:** Mon Oct 16, 2017 3:21 pm **(#2)**

From your screenshot,
it looks as though you have many more text layers then is needed.

Perhaps we can help sort things out,
if you posted the XCF file of your image.

Blighty II · **Joined:** Sep 23, 2016 **Posts:** 316

I would recommend watching some Gimp tutorials on the text tool.

There are many if you look on Google. Here is one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1jFaMwx8U4

lindyloo · **Joined:** Oct 09, 2017 **Posts:** 26

Thank you so much Blighty, I really appreciate your help. How do I do that? Somehow I've managed to get my screen so far over to the right I can't reduce it by dragging the far barrier. How do I change that?

Blighty II · **Joined:** Sep 23, 2016 **Posts:** 316

lindyloo wrote:

Somehow I've managed to get my screen so far over to the right I can't reduce it by dragging the far barrier. How do I change that?

Can you get hold of the bar at the top? If you can you can drag the window to the left until the right edge becomes visible.

Blighty II · **Joined:** Sep 23, 2016 **Posts:** 316

Another thing: Are you running Gimp in single window mode? I would recommend that.

There is a menu bar across the top of the Screen. One of the menu items is Windows. Click that, and then check Single-Window Mode.

lindyloo · **Joined:** Oct 09, 2017 **Posts:** 26

Thanks Blighty, its a great video, I have watched loads on you tube but none like that. I just managed to get the screen to get back into its boundaries after a lot of fiddling but its ok now. I'll post the rest tomorrow, its late now.

Erisian · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2017 1:53 am **(#8)**

The yellow dotted line looks like a layer boundary to me. You may have moved the layer rather than the text box.

lindyloo · **Joined:** Oct 09, 2017 **Posts:** 26

Thanks for your help Eresian & Blighty. I took it back to the original file which I created with Canva during the free trial, but I don't have that and can't afford it. It still doesn't seem to be working properly, I can't get any writing to show. I was also hoping to use open sans & cooper Hewitt scripts. I'm not sure if they're on gimp, but I can choose something else if need be.
I'm off to watch some more videos now, I'm determined to get gimp right!!

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:10 pm **(#10)**

lindyloo wrote:

Thanks for your help Eresian & Blighty. I took it back to the original file which I created with Canva during the free trial, but I don't have that and can't afford it. It still doesn't seem to be working properly, I can't get any writing to show. I was also hoping to use open sans & cooper Hewitt scripts. I'm not sure if they're on gimp, but I can choose something else if need be.
I'm off to watch some more videos now, I'm determined to get gimp right!!

I still feel you would be better helped,
if you upload the xcf file of your image.
This way we can open it in GIMP,
to see what the issues might be and advise you,
as to what the might be done to get it corrected.

lindyloo · **Joined:** Oct 09, 2017 **Posts:** 26

Sorry I thought I'd done that!! I'd love to do that, but can you tell me how?

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2017 4:40 pm **(#12)**

lindyloo wrote:

Sorry I thought I'd done that!! I'd love to do that, but can you tell me how?

Under Upload attachment,
within the Post a reply dialog.

Click the Choose File radio button and select your xcf file,
from the location it's stored at on your computer.

lindyloo · **Joined:** Oct 09, 2017 **Posts:** 26

Thanks for that Wallace, I have it now I think. This is a cover I started on the Canva trial period. The original had a blue text I didn't like so I bucket filled over it and merged the two layers. Now I want a title etc in mustard yellow text. I hadn't yet decided which font, I hoped to be trying several out. Currently, the text is tiny, I'm not sure why. I changed the font style & size.

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2017 5:15 pm **(#14)**

lindyloo wrote:

Thanks for that Wallace, I have it now I think. This is a cover I started on the Canva trial period. The original had a blue text I didn't like so I bucket filled over it and merged the two layers. Now I want a title etc in mustard yellow text. I hadn't yet decided which font, I hoped to be trying several out. Currently, the text is tiny, I'm not sure why. I changed the font style & size.

Unfortunately,
The file you just uploaded is not an xcf file,

that we can open using GIMP.

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2017 5:22 pm **(#15)**

Here is what an xcf file attachment looks like.

Attachment:

4.xcf [68.64 KiB]
Downloaded 78 times

As long as you're able to watch YouTube video in 1080p.
You can upload the xcf file of this image.

Then I can create a video for you to watch,
as I opening the file in GIMP.
To possibly be able to show you,
what the issues might be and how to go about correcting them.

lindyloo · **Joined:** Oct 09, 2017 **Posts:** 26

So sorry! I hope I have it this time

rich2005 · **Joined:** Mar 04, 2011 **Posts:** 2424

Going back to your earlier post, you had text layers. Gone in the Gimp .xcf file you posted, presumably somewhere along the line you merged some layers.

The great thing thing about the Gimp .xcf format is it saves guides, active selections, masks and text layers all sorts of information within the file.

When complete, that is the time to export in a publishable format.

lindyloo · **Joined:** Oct 09, 2017 **Posts:** 26

that is a good point Rich, I merged two layers and deleted others because I was concerned that they were causing the problems. It would have been better to keep them, I'll do that next time. I'll go and try again as you have shown. Thank you so much, Lynne

Wallace · **Posted:** Wed Oct 18, 2017 12:01 pm **(#19)**

I was having issues with my recording software.
So I made this xcf file for you to check out.

I added a few text layers.
Along with the woman and baby image and a background.

Attachment:

Into My Loving Arms_Gimp_Chat.xcf [11.33 MiB]
Downloaded 83 times

lindyloo · **Joined:** Oct 09, 2017 **Posts:** 26

That is beautiful Wallace! Thanks so much for doing that for me. Its amazing how we can be so many miles apart yet it doesn't matter. I'm just going to use the heal tool, because under the lady's chin is a triangle of white which I want to make grey so it tones in. I have a video I'll watch and see if I can work it out by myself. I also have two more book covers to do then I'd better get writing some more.
Lynne

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