Creating heightmap

[grit]

When creating heightmap I need that central black areas become sharpened black and central white areas sharpened white. Between black and white areas there shold be a soft grey falloff so that I got smooth transitions.

Gaussian blur does smooth falloff but it dilutes black and white areas into grey.
Is there a way to maintain B & W and get smooth grey falloff in between B & W? 
I tried G'MIC varois smooth options but didn't get what I want.

[rich2005]

Hmm...using Gimp 2.9.5  I am using todays 'buntu linux update which I think has a bug with layer masks, however

You should be able to get something using duplicate layers with a radial gradient applied to a layer mask on the top layer.

Duplicate the layer, add a layer mask and adjust the top layer to sharpness you need, this using color curves



Then click in the layer mask to make active and apply a radial white to black gradient (blend tool) With Gimp 2.9.5 you get a real time view adjusting the start and end points of the gradient and also the offset slider. Hit the enter key to finalise.



gives something like this http://i.imgur.com/etWGEFk.jpg A 'new from visible at this stage is usually a good idea.

[grit]

Thanks.
In 2.95 layer mask does not work. In 2.8 works.

[rich2005]

(08-05-2017, 08:40 PM)grit Wrote: Thanks.
In 2.95 layer mask does not work. In 2.8 works.

If it truly does not work, then that is a bug, that should be reported to Partha.

I think that it does work and maybe you forgot about setting the offset, the default in Gimp 2.9.5 is zero 

Check this demo https://youtu.be/mTuEmzLEUrY against your procedure - duration 2 mins

[grit]

(08-05-2017, 07:22 PM)rich2005 Wrote:

What filter render settings did you use for this initial map ?