GIMP: TEXT TRICKS
There are lots of ways to make cool looking text without using the fancy script described in the cool text tutorial. You can add shadows and shading, play with gradients, and lots of other stuff, too. You can make cool text like this if you just try:
Shadows
Believe it or not, you can add shadows to your text with GIMP. You just have to do it manually. First, make the original text in whatever color you prefer.
Then, without changing the font or text size, repeat the step with the same text. However, this time make the text a little darker than before. Move it slightly below and to one side of the original text, and be sure it is in the layer behind it.
Now, in the layer you just created, change the opacity to about 50%. You should have text with a shadow now, like this:
Shading - Making Glossy Text
To make text that has shading and appears shiny, or glossy, there are a few simple steps. You will need to use the dodge/burn tool. (#29 in the GIMP tool guide) First, make sure you set the tool to "Dodge" and "Midtones." Exposure varies, depending on what color the text is. Just play around with it, but for this shade of red, it's at about 55%. Go ahead and select one of the "fuzzy" brushes, the size should vary depending on the size of your text. Your settings should look like this:
Now, using the dodge tool and the fuzzy brush, go over the top half part of your text. It should become lighter. Then, across the very top of the text, go over it again. That part should become even lighter. You now have a glossy top on your text.
It's time to add a bit of shadow to the text. Swap the tool settings from "Dodge" to "Burn," leaving the other settings the same. Now repeat the process of making the text glossy, but do it with the bottom half instead of the top half. You should now have your complete text:
Gradients / Patterns
Starting back with the text that only has a shadow, without the gloss or shading, you can apply a gradient or pattern to the text. To do this, use the color select tool (#5 in the GIMP tool guide) and click on the text, and it should select all of it. First, we'll try a gradient. Select the gradient you want, or choose some colors and select the "Foreground to Background" gradient. Then, just drag your mouse across the screen to apply it to the text. (Note: you should still have the text selected for this to work)
You can apply the same method to patterns. To do this, just repeat the first step (select the text with tool #5), then select the pour tool (tool #19). Change to settings to "Fill Whole Selection" and "Pattern Fill," like this:
Then, just choose a pattern and pour. The text should be filled with that pattern!
