I can't remember how I did this effect on text... Reminder?

VolvoMatt · **Joined:** Oct 29, 2014 **Posts:** 9

GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Windows
GIMP Experience: New User
URL or Image link: http://i.imgur.com/47uxqLX.jpg

I managed to create this text effect 9 months or so ago. Trying to replicate it now, but don't remember how I did it. I recall it was quite simple... but I'm at a loss now. The gaps within the text, when pasted onto an image, fill with background, whatever it may be.

Wallace · **Posted:** Fri Jul 10, 2015 10:23 am **(#2)**

VolvoMatt wrote:

GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Windows
GIMP Experience: New User
URL or Image link: http://i.imgur.com/47uxqLX.jpg

I managed to create this text effect 9 months or so ago. Trying to replicate it now, but don't remember how I did it. I recall it was quite simple... but I'm at a loss now. The gaps within the text, when pasted onto an image, fill with background, whatever it may be.

Here's what I did...

I typed my text, did a Text to Path, used the path to create a selection of the text, grew the selection by 3 and filled it with white, on a layer below my text layer.
Alternatively, you can make your text and do an Alpha to Selection on the text. Grow that selection by 2 or 3 or whatever you like best. Then fill it with white, on a layer below your text.

Attachment:

Wallace 47uxqLX.xcf [1.32 MiB]
Downloaded 170 times

VolvoMatt · **Joined:** Oct 29, 2014 **Posts:** 9

Thanks! THat's a great start... It's the hollow letters.. better seen in this one..

I gotta remember to email myself when I accidentally do something cool

Wallace · **Posted:** Fri Jul 10, 2015 10:49 am **(#4)**

VolvoMatt wrote:

Thanks! THat's a great start... It's the hollow letters.. better seen in this one..

I gotta remember to email myself when I accidentally do something cool

IMHO, the selection made by paths seems to create better selection.
In this image the white outline is done using paths to create the selection.

Attachment:

Wallace 47uxqLX ii.xcf [1.31 MiB]
Downloaded 196 times

The font used is called Easy Open Face.

Issabella · **Posted:** Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:53 am **(#5)**

Thank you Wallace, I agree with you about using paths to get a good selection. It's very nice that text.

Wallace · **Posted:** Sat Jul 11, 2015 3:51 am **(#6)**

Issabella wrote:

Thank you Wallace, I agree with you about using paths to get a good selection. It's very nice that text.

Thanks Issabella and it's not very difficult to do either.

As far as making selections from paths is concerned, I hope that we're not fooling ourselves into believing this.

ofnuts · **Joined:** Oct 25, 2010 **Posts:** 4812

Create text layer
Layer>Text to path
Select>From path
Select grow (8px in picture below)
Open Path list, right click on path: subtract from selection
Bucket fill selection with white
Select>None
Edit>Stroke path (line mode, width: 8px in picture below)

Attachment:

HollowLetters.png [ 102.69 KiB | Viewed 3317 times ]

sallyanne · **Posted:** Sat Jul 11, 2015 7:38 am **(#8)**

like this?

I just did white text
alpha to selection on text layer then selection to path.
colour to alpha. Make sure colour is white.
stroke path white (I did 4px.)
If you want to give your text layer a drop shadow. (Layer effects, drop shadow)

VolvoMatt · **Joined:** Oct 29, 2014 **Posts:** 9

Thank you all so much! Time to update my 'watermark'. I just like something unobtrusive in the corner of pictures, but my old one is, well, old..

Really appreciate the help!

sallyanne · **Posted:** Sat Jul 11, 2015 10:11 am **(#10)**

VolvoMatt if what you want is a 'watermark' then you could do a transparent logo with a drop shadow or in the G'MIC plugin there is a watermark filter.

VolvoMatt · **Joined:** Oct 29, 2014 **Posts:** 9

Again, thanks all. Still needs some work, but sorta got what I was looking for.

dark Text on white, not a bold font, copy background. copy/paste, then grow layer. This left me with the white outline around black text. Paste selection into a new, all black image. merge layer. Now I have a black background with the white outlined letters.

Select by color, the black.. invert selection. copy/paste, grow again. Copy visible, paste as new image, and I get black outlined hollow white letters. Like I said, needs some work. But it's a decent workaround for some things I just can't figure out

Really appreciate the help!

ofnuts · **Joined:** Oct 25, 2010 **Posts:** 4812

VolvoMatt wrote:

Again, thanks all. Still needs some work, but sorta got what I was looking for.

dark Text on white, not a bold font, copy background. copy/paste, then grow layer. This left me with the white outline around black text. Paste selection into a new, all black image. merge layer. Now I have a black background with the white outlined letters.

Select by color, the black..

Which is why your letters have somewhat jagged edges. In fact there is a much cleaner and faster way:

Create text layer
Layer>Text to path
Discard/hide text layer
Add transparent layer
Edit>Stroke path (Line mode, width: 8px, color: black)
Edit>Stroke path (Line mode, width: 4px, color: white)

Actual effect of course depends on the two line widths used, as well as the actual font.

Attachment:

TextOutline2.png [ 1021.84 KiB | Viewed 1369 times ]

VolvoMatt · **Joined:** Oct 29, 2014 **Posts:** 9

Is it not clear to you that I'm a total hack?

Both in my pictures and GIMP skills.. hell, I've never knowingly added or worked with a 'transparent layer' in my life..

Gotta say, you all are awesome. Ofnuts, yours is obviously way better than mine. Thank you for your time! I'll keep trying to figure this out... And I will. Eventually.