By reading this tutorial, you will be able to start using text like this in your graphics work.


Strokes to Text: Type your text in your sig with a simple bold font. Keep the box open where you type the text and double click the "T" on the GIMP dialog box to open up the text options box. Scroll down to the very bottom of the text options box and you will see a button that says "Create Path From Text"; click it.

Go to the layers dialog box where all of the layers are listed. At the top right you will see two buttons: one with an X that closes the tab and to the left of that an arrow. Click that arrow and choose Add Tab->Paths. Now at the top left, a new tab should appear for paths, click the paths tab. You will see the listing of your paths which at this point should consist of the text you had added.

At the bottom you will see a couple of icons for different options available for paths. Click the second icon from the right that says "Stroke Path". The Stroke Path options box will appear. Set the line width as 1 pixel and check the solid circle. On the GIMP dialog box, change the Foreground color to whatever color you wish to stroke the text with. After choosing the color, click "Stroke".

You have just added a stroke to your text. Now, I always create a new layer before adding the stroke so I can fade the stroke or overlay it. It's optional, but I would recommend it.

Gradients to Text: After doing the Stroke to Text part of the tutorial, you can add a gradient to the text pretty simply. Click the layers tab at the top left corner and create a new layer. Go back to the paths menu by clicking the paths tab. Select the text path that you had worked with earlier and click the 5th icon from the left at the bottom that says "Path to Selection".

Now double click the Gradient tool on the main GIMP dialog box and choose the gradient you wish to add to the text. I usually use the "Rounded Edges" gradient to make the text 3-Dish. On your working signature, click and drag a straight line vertically or horizontally through the text. Let go and the gradient has been added. Go back to the layers/ paths box and click the layers tab and set the gradient layer on Overlay, Grain Merge, Grain Extract, or Value via the dropdown box next to MODE at the top.

And there you go, you've added a stroke and a gradient to your text. Pretty simple ay?

If you have any questions, just ask them in this thread.

Thanks for the tut amped, but can you post how do do a stroke over a player?

Never put stroke on a player ;)

I hand draw my player strokes with the smallest brush and duplicate the layer until it shows up.

if you use the pen to cut out your render of the player its a lot easier, but if you don't amps way is the best way to make it look smooth.

I just figured out how to do that today :)

I just use the eraser too cut out players.

Me too and I suck at it.