[truefusion]

Simple Stroke Tutorial for the GIMP

Note: This tutorial works best with pixel fonts.

Intro

This tutorial is made to provide an alternative for Edit > Stroke, which does a not-so-good job when it comes to making strokes on curves (and on {certain} objects), as shown below:


Tutorial

In the main window (should be titled "The GIMP"), click on File > New (Ctrl+N): select whatever resolution you want.

• Select the text tool () (make sure the text color is black) and click anywhere in the field, type in some text.
  
• Duplicate the layer (). Then click Filters > Colors > Value Invert.
  
• Select the original layer and click Filters > Blur > Blur.
  
• Duplicate the selected (blurred) layer twice.

Final



There you have it: simple, yet effective.

Double-note: This simple technique also works well with other objects (than using Edit > Stroke).

[Saint_Michael]

interesting indeed, basically removes the pixelation within the text, of course what happens when a person's text isn't that big? Thats what 28-30ish in font size? Because as the font size get bigger pixelation does come into play and as it gets smaller the pixelation clears up. But what about using anti-alias? I do believe gimp does have that built in?

[truefusion]

Saint_Michael, on Mar 22 2007, 04:51 PM, said:

interesting indeed, basically removes the pixelation within the text, of course [1]what happens when a person's text isn't that big? [2]Thats what 28-30ish in font size? Because as the font size get bigger pixelation does come into play and as it gets smaller the pixelation clears up. [3]But what about using anti-alias? I do believe gimp does have that built in?

[1]
-- Pixel font, using this technique; 8px.
-- Pixel font, Edit > Stroke Selection; 8px.
-- Common font (Arial), using this technique; 11px.
-- Common font (Arial), Edit > Stroke Selection; 11px.
[2]If memory serves me right, it was over 40-something pixels; maybe 50 pixels to be precise.
[3]That was with anti-alias applied.

[Saint_Michael]

It just gets worse, but find it funny on the first set that the stroke looked better, of course I cant tell the difference between the second group. At least I can say that font does not look good small .