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fence-post — Creating 3D Text in GIMP
by-nc-sa
Published: 2006-07-05 19:24:18 +0000 UTC; Views: 82089; Favourites: 43; Downloads: 16153
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Description
There are lots and lots of 3D text tutorials out there for Photoshop users and a few for GIMP. I reviewed many and compiled the techniques of those that I liked and then added some of my own ideas to create some nice-looking 3D text in GIMP. I've prepared this tutorial in the form of a pdf. so you can download it right to your desktop. Let me know your thoughts.Art
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Comments: 44
It looks nice, the smooth texture.
What section did you post this in?
I do the same things, but I don't know which one to post it in XD
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can u tell me wat font family is used for this fencepost image ..........it is very nice ya!!!!!!
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In gimp I cannot get my text clear on the red background can someone here help a beginner?
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Awesome tutorial, used it to create this wallpaper <[link] >
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I do agree with a comment made before that the tutorial can be confusing at first. But I really do like the results, so thank you for taking the time and efford to do it! *thumbs up*
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I downloaded this, but all I got was some weird symbols on Microsoft 0.o
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This is a very frustrating tutorial for an analytical GIMP novice. Here's Why:
Critique: Giving your layers names instead of numbers creates confusion.
Reason: When you refer to these layers in later comments, you describe the original layers in different terms; vague and ambiguous
Example: "Note that your bump mapped layer is now hidden behind the flat text" Both of these layer terms are not listed in the original naming
Solution: Numbered layers
E.G. "Note that Layer#3 is now hidden behind Layer#1"
Some people seem to have no trouble with this, but I will wager they have GIMP experience and good intuition, or just plain luck for a first go.
The entire tutorial should be done in chronological order, with numbered layers. You should also use more adverbs of time, such as "Next" "Before" "After", so the user knows the time placement of each action.
One more thing; the RED WARNING TEXT at the end of step 2 is for the instructions in step 2? Then why put it at the end after the directions were followed?
And, if it were for step 3, then why not put it in step 3 and state, "Before proceeding, ..."
I am sorry, but this is just too confusing for someone who takes text literally and does not "assume" or have to try to interpret what the tutorial is stating.[link]
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Checking out many and more tutorials on 3d Text generation, I found, that yours is what I liked the best. That's why I wrote a python-fu script for it to get the tedious background layer generation done. I'll upload it in a minute.
I love your artwork!
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As a new GIMP user, I found this tutorial very helpful, especially since I plan on experimenting with typography. Thank you for posting this.
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Very good tutorial, just what I've been looking for for a while now. But I have one question, how am I supposed to apply a shadow to the text like you did in the last step? I'm a beginner Gimp user and don't know much about it yet =]
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This has to be one of my favorite and most well put together tutorials. Way to go!
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Glad you liked it and thanks for the feedback! Glad to be of help.
Art
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Hi Art,
I have a question - What is the use of the Bump Mapped black background with the white text? It doesn't seem to DO anything for the final product.
Thanks for the tutorial!
***GIMP NEWBIE***
C.L. Mason
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The intent of the bump map is to give the text a more depth by using the black and white information. What happens is that whiter colors bring the texture outward and blacker colors will make the texture appear to go back or have shadows. It really does have an effect. When you first create your regular text and go into the Bump Map dialog, experiment with the Depth setting and watch the preview window to see how it changes. Bump mapping will give it depth. If it doesn't appear to do anything for your final product, you could always leave that step out, but the if you are choosing the correct layer in the bump map dialog, the effect should be apparent.
Let me know if you still aren't getting the results or if you need further clarification and I'll do my best to help you out.
Art
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I recreated the document without the step and I didn't get the final result - I got a "thick text" look but not a 3-D effect.
(I deleted it before I thought of saving it.)
At the end of the day, I'll keep adding the step and deselect it on export/save. It doesn't seem to matter.
JPEG "Save As..." - [link]
GIF "Save As..." - [link]
I could have bump mapped the wrong layer.
(links may not be clickable)
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Sorry for the delay in responding. Yeah, you're right it is flat looking. Something is wrong there. If you would like to upload your file to a free online host and send me the link, I would be glad to look at it and see if I can figure out what's going wrong. The file needs to be in GIMP's native xcf format to save all the layers.
Take care.
Art
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Hi Art,
I saved the xcf. I just placed the files in the same location. If you need them to be at a free hosting site, let me know.
I tested the link an the xcf should just download.
[link]
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Thanks for posting the file. I *think* I've figured out a way to add more depth to it.
Open up the file in GIMP and set your top layer as the active layer.
Go to Filters > Map > Bump Map...
Under the Bump Map dropdown, choose the 2nd layer from the top.
Under Map Type I chose Sinusoidal, but experiment to see what looks best to you.
I left Azimuth & Elevation at the default (again experiment)
For Depth I used 30 - again experi....well, you get the idea!
Set the X Offset/Y Offset to 0
Play around with the Waterlevel/Ambient settings. I used 0.
When you get something you like, hit OK
Here's a link to my result: [link]
I think it looks much better. I apologize for the confusion and hope this doesn't deter you from continuing on with GIMP. It's a challenge, but loads of fun! Let me know if you would like to work on this even more or if you have any other issues you need assistance with. I'll do my very best to help you.
Take care.
Art
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Hi Art,
I like this one better, too...I had a HD crash, so I'll have to redo the tutorial entirely. I downloaded GIMP 2.4.6, so let's see if I get different results. I'll find time to do it sometime this week and will post my results.
Thanks a bunch!
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Glad you like it. Hopefully, you'll be back up and running soon.
Art
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Hi again,
(Is there anyway to edit previous posts?)
I didn't like the previous versions at all, so I saved in *.bmp and I like this one better.
[link]
All comments are welcomed.
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...Please let me know how it looks...All comments welcomed!
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This is the best-looking graphic of this kind I've ever seen. I'd very much like to duplicate it. Maybe I'm a dunce, but step 1 ends with 5 layers. Step 2 merges two layers, and the dialog after thsi one step still shows 5 layers, including Copy of Bump Mapped Text. Where did this come from? Should that image just be farther down?
Oh--super idea to offer as pdf. Excellent and helpful.
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Thanks for the kind words and my apologies for giving you some misinformation. I've gone back and looked at the screenshot for step 2 and there IS an additional layer that shouldn't be there at this time. I must have made a screenshot of a later step and put it in the wrong spot....Good catch.
The layer that should not be there is the 3rd one down from the top 'Copy of Bump Mapped Text'. I believe if you just disregard that layer, you'll be able to proceed the rest of the way through without any trouble. Hopefully, any way.
I'll modify that screenshot later so as not to provide further confusion.
Please let me know if you still have any trouble because I want all my tutorials to be pain free.
Thanks again and take care.
Art
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HEY! 
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Well, glad you were able to use it! Can you repost the link as that one's not clickable...I'd certainly like to see it!
Art
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sure, here it is [Link] and thanks again!
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Very nice job! Thanks for sharing it with me.
Take care. Art
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I can't thank you enough for this! I've spent around 3 months searching for GIMP tutorials, and all I ever found was Photoshop tutorials!
THANK YOU!
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Glad you finally found what you needed! Hope it comes in handy!
Art
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No problemo. Hope it comes in handy.
Art
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Great stuff! I downloaded this. I saw it on GBD, but now i can work on it at my lesuire! Thanks ! x x x x x
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Glad you like it and thanks for the fave. Textures also look really nice. My current GBD sig is my name in made out of the American Flag. Looks pretty sharp if I do say so myself!
Art
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