[Gimp-user] Superimposing writing over an image?

[steveyraff <forums gimpusers com>]

Thanks so much Steve. 

Yes, I presumed I'd have to manipulate the colour first, what with the white
page looking more like brown/yellow etc. And thanks for the help on thickening
the signature - it was also something I'd planned on doing.

Very much appreciated, 
Regards, 
Steve. 


> The basic answer is, to put the text image on a layer above the
> painting, and with that layer 'current', and do Colors > Color to
> alpha, converting white pixels to clear ones.
>
> On a slightly more grungy practical note, the "white" paper with the
> signature is far from that.  It might pay to start by doing Colors >
> Desaturate on the text bearing layer, to simplify the situation.
> Then do Filters > Generic > Erode to "thicken" the lines of the
> signature a bit.  Then do Colors > Brightness / Contrast and dial
> the contrast way up to isolate the black lines on a white
> background, THEN do Colors > Color to Alpha to make the white
> transparent.
>
> A bit of cropping (Layers > Crop layer to selection), and some work
> with the Eraser tool to remove the not-clear region to the left of
> the signature, should give you a plain black signature to lay on top
> of the painting.
>
> It may also pay to duplicate the finished signature layer; invert
> the color of the lower copy; apply a bit of blur, and move the
> lower, white-line layer around a little to provide a contrasting
> outline behind the black signature, if a more visible & legible
> presentation of the signature is wanted.
>
> Or some such thing; lots of approaches are possible.
>
> :o)
>
> Steve

-- 
steveyraff (via www.gimpusers.com/forums)