16.3. Alien Glow

16.3.1. Overview

Figure 16.345. Example for the « Alien Glow » filter

Example for the Alien Glow filter

« Alien Glow » applied


This filter adds an eerie glow around the active layer's alpha.

[Avertissement] Avertissement

The image will always be resized to the active layer's size.

The filter is derived from the « Alien Glow » script (FileCreateLogosAlien Glow in the image window), which creates the following text effect:

The « Alien Glow » Script-Fu script.

Reproducing this glow is easy:

  • If necessary, create a selection from the alpha channel of the active layer.

  • Fill the selection with the following Gradient Blend: Shape = Shaped (spherical); Gradient = FG to BG (RGB), with FG = dark gray (79,79,79), BG = black.

  • Create a new layer (« Alien Glow ») below. Extend the selection slightly, feather it, and fill it with the Glow color.

  • Create a new background layer filled with black.

16.3.2. Activate the filter

You can find this filter in the image window menu under FiltersAlpha to LogoAlien Glow.

16.3.3. Options

Figure 16.346. « Alien Glow » options

Alien Glow options

Glow size (pixels * 4)

This is actually the font size option of the « Alien Glow » Script-Fu script. However, two values will be set in relation to this size: the glow will be enlarged by « Glow size » / 30, and feather radius is « Glow size » / 4. You should probably choose the height of your objects for this option (ignore « pixels * 4 »).

Glow color

This is the color of the « eerie » glowing. Of course it defaults to green (63,252,0), but a click on the swatch button brings up the color selector where you can choose any color.