[Gimp-user] How to round all square corners?

[erroneus <forums gimpusers com>]

> Hi!

> Suppose we have a standard QR code composed of hundreds of squares and 
> their hundreds of square corners. (e.g., 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code)

> How can I get Gimp to round all of the internal and external square 
> corners - let's say to a 10 pixel radius?

> Thank you.

Using an example image found on the page indicated above 
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Qr-4.svg) I imported the image into GiMP 2.6.x.  (The 
latest version available to me as a CentOS user)

I imported it at 5x the original size (1100x1100) so that I could manipulate details as needed with less 
quality loss.

I did a Select -> By Color, then selected any of the black.  All black areas are selected while the 
transparent areas are not.

I then did a Select -> Shrink... and set the pixel value to 5.  Note that the selection is already rounding 
the corners, but now the selected area is too small.

Next I did a "Select -> Grow... and set the pixel value to 5.  Now the selection is back to where it was but 
the corners are now more rounded though not quite what I think you want in terms of accuracy.

So next, I go to the layers panel and into the paths tab.  I then do a "Selection to path"  by clicking the 
button at the bottom of that tab. (Highlight the buttons to see what their function name/description is)  Now 
there should exist a path with rounded corners added to your paths list.  Go ahead and make it visible by 
clicking the little eye to the left of the path item in the list.  (Not needed but makes the path visible so 
you can see what you are working with.)

Now I make the original background layer invisible by clicking the eye to turn it off in the layers tab and 
then add a new transparent layer.  It should be selected.  

Now back to the paths tab and with the rounded QR code path selected, I do a "Path to selection" (the 
opposite of selection to path) to create a new selection based on the path with rounded corners.

Now I go to the Bucket fill tool and set the option "Fill whole selection."  I can choose any color I want, 
but black is already selected so that's the one I will use.  I click in the selected area to fill in my new 
selection.

You should now see a QR code with rounded corners.

Now if the corners aren't rounded enough for you, you can play with the pixel size when shrinking and growing 
the initial seleciton.  The effect will be the same but with more roundness if you choose a larger number or 
less if you choose a smaller number.

Hope this was helpful.






-- 
erroneus (via gimpusers.com)