This is my very first tut (isn't it cute?). It should be useable for most skill levels.
Don't forget to comment!
Enjoy!
~lag
Here is a link to the font I used
http://fonts.goldenweb.it/pan_file/l/en ... fault.html
Create a new image, black background. Mine is 1024x768
Insert your text at whatever size you want, but make sure there is plenty of extra canvas above and below it. I used the IrusUPC font at 300px.
New transparent layer set to multiply. Call it metal.
Take the gradient tool, set it to black to white bilinear. On the new layer apply the gradient starting in the center of the text and going a bit past the top of it.
It should look like this:
Make a new transparent layer called grain.
Filters->Render->Plasma. Use your favorite seed, set the detail to 7 (max).
Layer->Scale. Scale it so it completely covers your text. I know that is horrible worded so see the screenies:
The params I used:
After scaling
Move the grain layer behind and desaturate it (colors->desaturate)
Right click your text layer and Text to Selection.
Select the grain layer, invert the selection (ctrl+i or select->invert) and delete the selection(del or edit->clear). The result should be all the plasma except that behind the text is gone.
The text layer hidden to show what the grain should look like:
Duplicate the text layer and set the duplicate behind the grain layer. Set the original text layer to grain merge. Set the grain layer's opacity around 70 or 80 depending on what you think looks best.
If yours doesn't like the screen, check to make sure your grain layer is somewhere around 70% or 80% opacity
Create a new transparent layer, name it aura.
Text to Selection again on one of the text layers. Then select the aura layer and bucket fill the selection white.
Clear the selection and duplicate the layer. On the original Filters->Blur->Gaussian Blur 40px.
On the copy of the aura layer do a Gauss blur 15px
At this point if any of your text isn't visible re-do the gradient from step 3 so it is.
That is the effect. This was inspired by the Comcast Triple Play commercials, and in those the text also has a reflection, heres how:
Hide the background and aura layers, Edit->Copy Visible
Paste it and make it a new layer (ctrl+v, ctrl+shift+n), call the layer reflection. Show the background again.
Flip and rotate reflection 180 degrees, slide it down so it is a bit below the original layer, line it up on the X axis with the alignment tool once you have it where you want it.
Gauss blur reflection 35px.
New transparent layer, name it cover. Get the gradient tool again, this time a linear black to alpha gradient. Just like step 3, this one will take some toying around with to get right, you want to start somewhere near the bottom and end it before you get to the original text layer.
Result:
For those of you who arn't GIMP Pros here is a challenge to help you get better:
That is a sort of recreation of the Call of Duty 4 logo effect, give it your best shot! If you absolutely have to have help with this please do not post here (kinda spoils it for others), rather email me at lagitup ~at~ gmail ~dot~ com
Don't forget to comment!
