Text effects

2.8 Text tools have a lot of options.   In this exercise, we’ll place a gradient inside some text and then curve the text.

in Photoshop…  

Very simple:

  1. Write text in a new layer (Use a large bold font like Arial Black)
  2. Turn off the lock on the Background layer
  3. Open the layers and the gradient pallets
  4. Pull any gradient into the text layer in the layers pallet
  5. Double click on the text layer for additional effects
  6. Curved path Click on the text tool and  find the text path dialogue box in the options menu at the top of the screen,

Text layer effects and arc / warp

Photopea.com 

  1. Photopea operates like Photoshop, but not for text gradients.  It is also free to use and operates on a remote server — Photopea.com
  2. Write a layer with text
  3. Right click on the Effects (Ef) button at the bottom of the layer pallet
  4. Select gradient overlay in the dialogue box
  5. You may need to edit the gradient tool by clicking the color buttons at the bottom of the color spectrum.
  6. You can also add drop shadows and bevels and other effects very easily using the same dialogue box.
  7. To ARC the text, click on “Warp”  in the options menu at the top right of the screen.
  8. In the Warp dialogue box, pull down to select style of warp

Using Gimp 

  1. Write your text 
  2. Create a new transparent layer and put it under the text layer .
  3. Click on text layer
  4.  Main menu :  Layer / Transparency / Alpha to Selection
  5. Turn off text layer (Click on the eyeball)
  6. Switch to transparent layer underneath
  7. Click and drag gradient tool and hit return to release
  8. Export to png

To warp / arc the text

  1. Write your text on a regular layer, then place a transparent layer over it.
  2. Use the path tool to create a curved path
  3. In the text layer, right click and follow the small menu to “text along path”
  4. With your text on a path still highlighted, click fill text on the left hand Path options window
  5. Turn off visibility for the original text laye

Tutorials on text effects  

  1. 3-D Text  in Gimp by Little Web Hut
  2. Top Five text effects in Gimp  and Text tool in Depth, both by Davies Media Design
  3. Text effects by Empty Easel
  4. Curved text in Gimp – Davies media design
  5. Gradient tool Photopea