Help recreating text effect on photos

Anonymouse · **Joined:** Oct 22, 2014 **Posts:** 6

GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: 10
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

Some time ago with web searches I found a way to create a text effect that I like so text stands out better on any sort of background or photo, no matter what part of the photo you put it over. I can't for the life of me remember how I did it - and I can't find the webpage with instructions either. I don't recall if I found it for photoshop but was able to do the same in gimp, or if I found it for gimp specifically.

I sure would appreciate it if anyone can tell me how to do this again! It was fairly easy, although it took a few steps, I remember that. I've attached an example - see the "Enlarge" in the bottom left hand corner of the photo.

It's not the typical text effect version where there's a translucent black rectangular box behind the text. Instead it was some way that wound up creating a translucent part that actually followed the outline of the text, and the further you got from the text, the less visible the translucent part... and you could choose the color of the translucent part, plus how translucent you wanted it and how many pixels out from the text it extended. I think it involved creating a translucent layer and then maybe something with the alpha channel, but heck if I know at this point.

I sure would appreciate it if someone knows how this effect was done - it's driving me buggy!!

Or for that matter, any suggestions for making the text even more easily visible that still looks good on the photo - other than making it larger of course!

dinasset · **Posted:** Mon Jul 02, 2018 2:02 am **(#2)**

Something similar can be obtained by:
- write your text
- duplicate
- on the layer below the top (i.e. the second text layer) select the text area
- grow it by a certain number of pixels
- fill it with a dark gray, mode multiply

Did you try it?

Konstantin · **Joined:** Sep 20, 2016 **Posts:** 293

Your description sounds like you are bluring a black copy of the text, or, alternatively, grow a selection and feather. (text 2)

It could also be a dropshadow. (text 1)

Attachment:

Example.png [ 30.83 KiB | Viewed 1300 times ]

Skinnyhouse · **Posted:** Mon Jul 02, 2018 11:22 am **(#4)**

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14753&p=204386&hilit=TextFX+Translucent#p204386

My Translucent Text filter might be of use to you.