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I am new to Gimp 2.10 and have been watching many YouTube training videos but they are mainly on older versions! I am using Win 10 and was trying to put a border around a text. The videos basically showed select text and grow, fill new grown text with whatever color for border and place original text layer over this new slightly larger text layer.


I select text then  "Alpha to select", which puts a yellow/ant outline around text, go to Select--grow and get the grow dialog box. Try to add pix but nothing happening the the text out line is not expanding as the YouTube video shows. I also tried select--border but that did nothing ether. Tried on a different computer to make sure not problem with software, same on laptop.

Am I doing something wrong or is there a new way to do this.

Thanks  Bob

welcome to gimp-forum.net

Old methods always suspect but I do not know why 'grow' does not work for you.

A couple of ways in Gimp. Sorry about the combined screenshots.

With the text layer active (1). Layer -> Transparency -> Alpha to Selection (2) selects the text. Select -> Grow (3) will do what it says: screenshot https://i.imgur.com/M0QiUzm.jpg

Best if you fill that selection on a new layer under the text, makes for a better image. https://i.imgur.com/DrPZKm4.jpg

Another way:

In the text layer, Layer -> Text to path https://i.imgur.com/jItq0Hp.jpg then again use a new transparent layer under the text.
Then Edit -> Stroke Path : https://i.imgur.com/VMw2Gse.jpg gives a nice clean outline: https://i.imgur.com/hZpegCA.jpg

Thanks rich2005, will try this later today as it gets very hot here lately and I have a few honey do projects out side first !! I have dual monitor set up so I can have instructions on the other monitor so I can follow along.

Bob

Note that this method of putting a border around the text isn't really good. If you want a really clean border, do this:

* With the text layer active: Layer>Text to path
* Add a new layer, filled with transparency
* Edit>Stroke path (use Line mode)

In addition to giving cleaner results, this method allow to control how the corners are handled (round/sharp/bevel).

In the image below, the top is the method you describe, and the bottom is the path-based one. Notice:

• On top, the flatness on the left or the G and the right of the P
  
• On top, the poor handling of the M
  
• On bottom, the sharp corners (round corners are also an option).
  

Thanks ofnuts, That worked like a charm, easier than what I was trying. At my age it seems to be a longer learning curve than it was.

Bob