[Gimp-user] Best way to fix background pic so text is readable

[GerryPeters <forums gimpusers com>]

> That will be better. Even better if the text is on a separate layer?
> Assuming that it is not.
>
> You can isolate the text by selecting it, then inverting the selection
> and painting around it.
>
> Try something like this. Using your jpeg scaled up 400% so a bit
> fuzzy.
>
> Use the colour select tool and increase the threshold up to maybe 30.
> Click inside the black text to select.  see screenshot:
> https://i.imgur.com/Ax0FPTk.jpg
>
> Now grow the selection a pixel or 2 to make sure make sure the text
> outline is inclusive. screenshot: https://i.imgur.com/JZAyJ5k.jpg
>
> Invert the selection Select -> Invert. 
>
> I would use the clone tool to clone in adjacent light areas 
> https://docs.gimp.org/en/gimp-tool-clone.html  - not the best
> description in the world.
>
> Use a fuzzy brush with suitable size, ctrl-click to select a (light
> color) source. Then just paint over the dark area around the text.
> https://i.imgur.com/7zSCkMc.jpg The active selection prevents painting
> out the text.
>
> You can repeat for the other areas. https://i.imgur.com/bwy3HgJ.jpg
> choosing a new clone source for each.
>
> When complete kill the selection Select -> None. You might still have
> to go in at high zoom and 'tweak' parts of the text to improve
> legibility. Depends how keen you are.
>
> rich: www.gimp-forum.net

I have 18 file versions of my project and the most current file version #18 is
not working at all using the clone tool. Yet if I open an older file version
#14, clone works fine. I have both 14+18 open and can use the top thumbnails to
switch between the 2 and can't figure out why it doesn't work on 18.

I'm careful to select the pic layer so it's the active layer. In the layer view
I know there's a pixel lock, but it's not engaged for any of my layers, yet it's
behaving like there is a lock on any pixel changes. Do you have an idea on
what's going on?

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