GIMP Version: 2.6.11
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: XP - SP3
GIMP Experience: Beginner Level

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I've been playing around with trying to get a "rock-like" look to some text that I want to have a 3D look as well. I tried extruding the text and applying texture but it just doesn't look right. I've tried several approaches and nothing seems to look right. Anyone have any ideas? I'm having a brain cramp trying to figure this out.

Here's the pic I'm trying to make with the extruded text. It's the extruded part that needs to look like the rock face and still have that 3D look.

Always had an interest in rendering, going back to POVray in DOS days.
Tried all sorts in Gimp and achieved much the same as your example. beveling, bump mapping, G'mic extrusion etc.

IMHO best bet is going to be 'other graphics applications' As a quick trial using Art OF Illusion I came up with this



The hard part is going to be getting rid of the hard edges and making it suitably 'crumbly'

screenshot of AOI http://i.imgur.com/bWgYy.jpg

Wow, that looks like real marble... that would work well on a headstone.

I was afraid of that. Looks like I'm gonna need to breakdown and learn how to use Blender or Wings 3D to get what I want. Hopefully someone else may still weigh in on this and find a way to do it in gimp.

Draconian you can acheive this effect by duplicating your rock patterned text a bunch of times and moving each layer underneath the same direction (x and y)
Then merge all the layers except the top text layer and your white bg layer.
Make the top text layer invisible.
Now run Colors/Curves on the layer that contains all the merged text.
A slight downward bend just to darken the bevel a bit works fine.
Make the top text layer visible again.
You should now have
top text lighter layer
a darkened 3-D layer
a white bg layer
Keep in mind you can use this effect for shapes also.

Example

You can get a ridged look on the bevel by simply erasing some parts of the text edges BEFORE duplicating the text.

Example

I've always done this the way Rod describes. If there's a better way I'm all ears.

This is the method I use too Mike. I used Fence Post tutorial for that effect.
http://fence-post.deviantart.com/galler ... 20#/dlc50o

What i like to do is create each letter separately.
Then you can do this same effect and make each letter 3-D differently in each direction.

Nice 3D Rod.

What if you filled/bumped the extruded layer with the craggy rock pattern, then applied effects.

Would that give you the effect you are looking for?

Forgetting about G'MIC?

cool mahv,

That's it! Thanks mahvin. Totally spaced using GMIC.

Rod, I'll still try your method and see what I can come up with. Thanks

Another G'MIC extrusion: (Hint* After running 3D extrusion with Phong, duplicate the result and run Posterizer at 2 colors, to convert the duplicate to black and white for making Paths from selections. Then follow up with Rod's advice. I tried GnuTux's advice on bump-mapping and I have to admit that only works on very specific items. It didn't work on the brick or rock patterns, at least not for me. Although I am certain there is right way to use it and I just haven't found it.)



I did this the hard way! GAH!~

You can add texture pattern layers in G'MIC when using 3D extrusion:

I wonde4r if there is a way to make the front of the text shiny and the sides dull like carved marble.

Great results, folks.

Rod, I like your approach. I'll add it as an effect layer option in the logo script.

There's a script that does what Rod suggested, called Drawable Multiplication. It can be found here:

http://registry.gimp.org/node/22383

Using Drawable Multiplication is super fast:



Tossing in a bump, reversing the stack order:

Thanks Tux.
You know most beveled text or shapes do not shadow the entire beveled area.It is usually just the center, or more of the inside corner areas as a gradient effect - up and down (light-dark-light)

Maybe a dodge layer?

Example

Just for the record, to clear up any possible misunderstanding: I'm not suggesting that the Drawable Multiplication script take any precedent. The Logo Workshop is a great script and having all the firepower under one roof is awesome. But for anyone who has been clicking that layer duplicate button and rearranging each layer one by one, well, "THAT" is what makes the Drawable Multiplication script a super fast alternative to duplicating layers and arranging them individually.

Mahvin, couldn't Tux have his script call that one. The only real parameters are x and y offset, and number of copies.
It's a great suggestion on your part Mahvin i certainly get sick of creating a layer moving it x and y 20 times..
How about some spooky floating text.
Off Topic i know but...