How to get a glow effect in GIMP (My way)

Hi there! This is a tutorial for all GIMP users out there!

Text or Image this works on both.

Step 1:
Make your text/image. (In my example I will be using both)

Make sure the layer takes up the whole size of the graphic.
(Looking at wizard not text.)

This:



Not This:



How to make it a full layer:

1) Click the button that looks like a page in the layer box.
(1.5: A box should pop up, make sure the box checked is transparent then click creat new layer)
2) You have a new layer.
3) Right click on the layer(Make sure its above the layer that isn't "full"
4) Click merge down.


NOTE: Text boxes are always impartial layers. The reason you need them to be the full size of the graphic size you want to end with is because it will crop when you go to make it glow.

Step 2:

Duplicate the layer you want to glow. Click on either layers. Then go to
Filters>Alpha To Logo> Neon.



You should get a box like this:



Step 3:
Change the color and the glow density. I wouldn't go less then 25 or more then 50, but it depends on what your looking for.

Step 4:
This is why you needed to duplicate your original image you wanted to glow. It deletes the layer your using and replaces it with Neon Tubes an Neon Glow. Make sure(if not already) to move the original image over the Tubes and Glow.


Step 5:
Play around with it! If the glow is too much try making that layer invisible and see how it looks with just the tubes, or not use the tubes at all! To get different effects (like fire and ice) play around with different glow colors and the opacity.
This is something I made with just brushes and the neon (glow). I wanted a fire effect and I think it turned out well.


Hope this helps!

[Sorry for the big images, I sorta made this in the middle of the night and the images I made in a rush.]

Great guide! Another way is to do a drop shadow, with the X and Y radiuses(radiai?) to be 0, and then duplicate it as many times.
Or, to do Alpha to Selection>New Layer>Fill it with white>Guassian Blur of 45+>dupilcate as many times needed ^^