Re: [Gimp-user] Photographic Text

[Steve Kinney <admin pilobilus net>]

On 7/17/19 11:43 AM, BEDROCK wrote:
> Seem to be missing some step in creating photographic text. Using MAC and GIMP
> 2.10.12
>
> Imported image as base layer; Created a new transparent Layer as the 2nd Layer
> and placed a Gradient on it  and set opacity to 70%; 3rd layer is text layer.
> Desire is to have the image base layer show through the text.
>
> Once above completed - I went to the Base (Image) Layer and selected "Add Alpha
> Channel". Then went to Text Layer and selected "Alpha to Selection". This places
> the dotted lines around the text. However this is where I'm confused. Seems you
> are suppose to go to one of the Layers and select "Select/Invert" and on the
> same layer or a different Layer hit Delete on the Mac keyboard. I've tried
> multiple combinations of this and cannot get the image background to show
> through the Text.

If you want the base layer to show through the gradient layer "as text",
you can add a new layer and fill with a gradient, then add your text
layer as indicated above.  But then, either:

- Add an alpha channel to the gradient layer, select the text layer and
do Alpha To Selection (or Select by Color and click on the text), then
select the gradient layer and do Delete.  Remove or turn off the text
layer, do Select - None and you should see the base layer "as text"
showing through the gradient layer.

or:

- Add a layer mask to the gradient layer, then make your text layer and
do Alpha to Selection (or Select by Color and click on the text).
Select the gradient layer, click on the layer mask to make the mask
active for editing, then drag and drop black from the color selector to
the canvas.  This will fill the selection with black on the mask, making
its parent layer (the gradient one) transparent where the text appears
on the mask.  Dismiss your selection, delete or turn off your text
layer, and you should see the base layer showing through the gradient
like a stencil.

:o)