Bubble Text Tutorial for GIMP
By Daniel Ketchum
The lettering you use in an ad or on a website can have a major impact on the way it is perceived. A solid and formal font makes you seem serious and reliable, while a cursive font seems more relaxed and friendly. Alternatively, if you would like to have text that seems playful or funny, you can use a bubble text. If you are working in the freeware application GIMP, it is easy to make bubble text.
Step 1
Start GIMP. Click “File” in the menu and click “New.” Type the width and height you need in the dialog and click “OK.”
Step 2
Select the “Text” tool from the toolbar and use it to drag out a textbox on the canvas. Go to the tool options and choose a large, wide, curvy font.
Step 3
Type in your text in the dialog and click “OK.”
Step 4
Select “Filters” from the menu and choose “Alpha to Logo.” From the options, choose “3D Outline.” In the dialog, click on the “Pattern” browse button and choose “Big Blue.” Make all the “Radius” settings 2 and click “OK.”
Step 5
Select “File” from the menu and click “Save.” In the dialog, name your file and click “Save.”
References
Writer Bio
Daniel Ketchum holds a Bachelor of Arts from East Carolina University where he also attended graduate school. Later, he taught history and humanities. Ketchum is experienced in 2D and 3D graphic programs, including Photoshop, Poser and Hexagon and primarily writes on these topics. He is a contributor to sites like Renderosity and Animotions.