Things that I would like to remember how to do using gimp.

Most of the notes below are based on Carey Bunks' Grokking the GIMP book.

Drop-down shadow

  1. Add alpha channel to the input picture.
  2. Select and cut selection.
  3. On layers, duplicate layer.
  4. Select duplicate and bucket fill with threshold equal to 255 on black.
  5. Blur and shift the black copy with Gaussian blur.
  6. Offset layer.
  7. Put new layer as a background to everything.
Based on an input image, here is the output with the shadow. The XCF gimp format source file contains all of the layer structures.

Cut-out text on given picture

  1. Start with image.
  2. Switch foreground and background, so that have white on black.
  3. Create new layer (black).
  4. Paint text (white letters) on new layer.
  5. Cut and paste text to get text centralized on picture.
  6. Anchor into black layer.
  7. Create layer mask for text layer.
  8. Copy and paste text into layer mask.
  9. Select text (not layer mask) and blur and offset.
Based on an input image, here is the output with the cutout. The XCF gimp format source file contains all of the layer structures.

Cut-out plus rotated drop down shadows

  1. Start with initial image and put alpha channel.
  2. Select and cut away unwanted background.
  3. Save outline of cutout as channel mask by:
    • layers: Alpha to selection
    • Image: Select->Save to channel
  4. Cancel selection.
  5. Create new white layer and place on top of layer list.
  6. In channels, duplicate and cut the outline.
  7. Go to image and paste; anchor into white layer.
  8. toggle "eye" off of image.
  9. Select mask, copy and paste on layer mask.
  10. Blur and offset mask (not layer mask).
  11. Duplicate cut-out layer.
  12. Select on duplicate, the outline and bucket fill with pattern with threshold=255.
  13. Select on original outline and select "multiply" on top chooser.
  14. Toggle "eye" on image on, and select.
  15. From Tools->transform tools->transform, choose rotate by desired angle.
  16. Offset.
  17. Duplicate image and bucket fill duplicate with black and threshold=255.
  18. Blur and offset duplicate for shadow.
Based on an input image, here is the output with the cut-out and rotated shadowed original. The XCF gimp format source file contains layer details.

Carved wood using a stencil

  1. Start with input image with black/white stencil and patterned background as separate layers.
  2. Select the outline of stencil.
  3. Toggle off stencil and select background layer.
  4. Image->colors->levels and darken with middle arrow the inside selection of pattern.
  5. Cancel selection.
  6. Copy stencil and put original at end of layers stack for later use.
  7. Blur stencil with Gaussian R=3.
  8. Bump map pattern with "compensate for darkness".
  9. Go to original stencil; Image->color->invert.
  10. Copy and paste inverted into its own layer mask.
  11. Blur and offset inverted; chooser to "multiply" on layers; 65% opacity.
Based on an original XCF with the result as an image and as the source XCF.

Chiseled Letters

  1. Start with two layers, text on transparent layer and pattern on background.
  2. Duplicate, blur, and offset on text for drop shadow.
  3. Select text on layers and "Alpha to selection".
  4. Invert fg <-> bg colors.
  5. Put gradient on text with Shapeburst (angular) on selection.
  6. Cancel selection.
  7. Bump map pattern with gradient text.
  8. Make text layer active -> Alpha to Selection.
  9. Make marble active and copy.
  10. Cancel selection.
  11. Make text active and paste and anchor.
  12. Lighten text with levels.
An XCF example is given as the starting picture where the result is also provided as an XCF.
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