Post by ALICIA the LISH on Sept 14, 2010 12:56:55 GMT -6
So I use GIMP, and I always saw people putting their text in on images in curved paths so it really flowed with the image--it totally made some graphics and I was very, very jealous until an AMAZING friend showed me how to do this. It's really not even hard at all, but just in case I have screencaps to help you out.
I used pictures of Maggie Grace, but I'd love it if you used someone else!
STEP ONE: Prepare your base. To start with, I used THIS picture, resized it, and colored it to get THIS. The dimensions and coloring really don't matter, as long as you have something and you know where the text will go. Right now your canvas should just look like you're getting ready to make some amazing GFX and your image should be all set up.
STEP TWO: Make your path! Use the PATHS TOOL (press B to get it if you have no idea what it looks like) and just trace out a path by clicking--a little dot should show up every time you click. My path is going to go along the right side of Maggie. Right now it should look like this.
STEP THREE: Now click on your text tool. IF THE LITTLE PATH DOTS GO AWAY, DON'T PANIC. THAT'S SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN, YOUR PATH IS SAVED. Type out whatever text you want. Now, at the bottom of the dialog box there should be a thing that says 'TEXT ALONG PATH', or something along those lines (CLICK THIS IF YOU'RE CONFUSED!). Click that button and a sketchy green/black/some colored outline of your text on that previously-made path should show up. That's your new path! NOW HOW COME YOUR TEXT IS STILL IN THE ORIGINAL POSITION? Relax. We're getting to that.
Right now it should look like this.STEP FOUR: (the final step!!!) Make a new transparent layer, same dimensions as your original picture. Then, there should be a bunch of words at the top panel of your GIMP that, when hovered over, reveal drop-down menus.
Click on the 'Select' one and within that menu click on 'FROM PATH'. Now there should be little white ants marching around your path. NOW ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS FILL IN THAT OUTLINE WITH THE PAINTBRUSH, COLOR OF YOUR CHOICE. Then select the little wand tool, click anywhere outside the image to stop those marching ants, and delete your ORIGINAL text layer. The path (green/black/brown/whatever) might still be there but it goes away when you save and upload. TAH-DAHHH! 
Well, there we go, my fellow GIMP-ers! I'd love to see your work too!
