Better, FASTER Neon Text With GIMP (No Photoshop Required)

In this GIMP tutorial, I show you how to create a better neon text effect using all built-in tools! Make your text look like neon tubes, plus add realistic lighting effects and have your neon text interact with a brick wall. This technique requires several steps, but is surprisingly easy and beginner-friendly! Learn how to work with paths, text, blur filters, and layer modes in this awesome tutorial.
GIMP is a free photo editor, most similar to Photoshop, that can also be used for graphic design projects like this one. It is "free and open source," and developed by a community of volunteer developers.
0:00 - Intro & Resources
0:57 - Create & Set Up Image
1:20 - Add Text with Text Tool
2:10 - Center Align Text
2:46 - Add Path to Text
4:22 - Add Gaps to Path for Neon Tube Effect
6:41 - Add Outer Neon Stroke
7:54 - Add Inner Neon Stroke
8:48 - Add Neon Glow
9:35 - Import Photo and Add Neon Light Effects
12:39 - Final Thoughts
Visit our website for more text and video tutorials:
www.daviesmediadesign.com/tut...
Enroll in Our GIMP Photo Editing Masterclass:
www.udemy.com/course/gimp-pho...
Want to make your GIMP theme look like mine? Check out this GIMP tutorial article:
www.daviesmediadesign.com/cus...
See how you can help out the GIMP Team:
www.gimp.org/develop/
Download the latest version of GIMP:
www.gimp.org/downloads/
Download the Font Used in This Tutorial:
www.jeremyvessey.com/bourbon-...
Download the Brick Wall Photo Used in This Tutorial:
www.pexels.com/photo/close-up...
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#Neon #GIMPTutorial #NeonText

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

What color are you using for your neon text? Let me know below👇

[@robsonw]

Take down the camera with your image on it and get a full 5 for the materials - they're great. The camera is distracting!!!

[@marvinfilmar]

hopefully White

[@viniciusschadeck4992]

I love it! About the glow on the wall you start making about 10:19 I used another way to make the same effect 1- duplicate white text layer 2- guarante that the duplication has layer size equals to image size, has a way to make it, mine is in another language soo is hard to tell exactly what is, but is kinda "Layer size to image size" and if you hover the mouse over it say something like "Remove or increase pixels to the layer making it size match the image size" 3- select the content 4- Delete the content (White text if is following this tutorial) 5- increase selecting withing a value like 100 6- blur selection on a matter of 3 times the value above, if you increase in 100, blur the selection on 300 (The blur value can be what you want, but this 3x looks the great on my eyes) 7- paint the selection withing the colour you are using on the neon 8- contiunous the others effects as in the vídeo Why i did this way? looks more an directional glow from the light source, neon bars make linear glow to all directions, can't have weakers and strong points, soo, is artist i know, but more beliaveble in my eyes. Anyway, i loved how you do the neon effect and did a really nice image, very different from what i normally does, for sure some improvements on my skills thanks!

[@sylvainbaril3909]

It's a really beautiful result. Thanks a lot!

[@donksx]

The result came out AMAZING!

[@VictorHugo-ei5xn]

Great tutorial, Michael! In addition to learning a new technique, I even managed to create a beautiful wallpaper 😊 Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Thanks for watching!

[@sureshherath4114]

I watched most of your videos. You're doing great job. Thanks brother for your educational videos. Cheers!!!!

[@surinfarmwest6645]

Mike, like the removal of the lines to give a more realistic neon tube effect.

[@ELEISONCARABALLO]

Awesome video David. Thank you very much.

[@unitedfightapparel7033]

This was super fun, Thanks for this!

[@BeardedSte]

These tutorials are great, thanks!

[@u.k.5604]

I like your tutorials. Thanks very much!

[@paulbali9998]

great way to paint that glow in, i'll remember that!

[@beardedraider4751]

This was amazing! Thank you!

[@Misto1510]

A very helpful tutorial. Thank you for your time and dedication. I appreciate it. Do you also have a tutorial that demonstrates how to vertically stretch text without changing the horizontal size?

[@jonathanodom3835]

I'll like because it helped me learn a few things, and I am very happy with them!

[@gabrielcastlebary2836]

Love this! Thank you so much!

[@Thepantino]

Cool!!! Thanks!!

[@lalbabusingh2373]

Thanks a lot Michael for free education 🙏🏻

[@DAR3VIX]

Awesome tutorial and thanks so much for my new logo

[@mathesonfinance]

This was great, thank you

[@DiegoWeb13]

Hi Michael, beautiful effect neon. 🔝🔝🔝👏🎬👍A big hello.😉👍

[@prachprach429]

ពិតជាអរគុណខ្លាំងណាស់ លោកគ្រូ

[@articdm]

very helpful. i used these steps to add more glow to some lightning bolts.

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Glad it helped

[@KnightBott]

Sweet!

[@auto-fav8969]

AMAZ THANKS A LOT

[@Krishanjot]

Thanks master

[@electronstudios1411]

loving your tutorials, keep it up!

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Thank you - will do!

[@ArturJBCosta]

Awesome

[@HugoLeonardoAguiar]

Please do a tutorial on how to expand the toolbox, tool controls, palette and scrollbars on screen. 🙏🙏🙏

[@jonathanodom3835]

On my pc the edit toolbar, the foreground color, and the background color is missing, so could you do tutorial for the people who are missing those tool options, thank you!😊

[@hananack]

you are the best

[@akashrandive122]

You are awesome

[@SKMRify]

Lovely.

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Thanks!

[@SKMRify]

@@DaviesMediaDesign You're welcome. Check your Facebook messages for a message from me. Thanks, and God bless.

[@C.K.Turner]

I'm trying to do this on a custom logo I drew, but when I try to click on the path tab with my path tool (4:44) I don't get any nodes, but i get a new path layer. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I can't click or ctrl click to create new nodes either. Anyone have an idea of how to fix this?

[@W-H98]

Can I use the Gradient tool on the stroke? so I can make it in two different colors

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Sure, why not. Just lock the alpha channel after you've added the thicker stroke, then use the gradient tool to change the color to a gradient. Unlock the alpha channel when you're done.

[@ghefley]

Grotesque was the first form of sans serif type. It appeared in the early 19th Century, and had a somewhat irregular and awkward form (hence the name). The more refined evolution of this style, popular in the mid 20th century, became known as Neo-grotesque

[@vb291]

When I try to turn mode to overley... It doesen't do anything. Not like in you video. What might to be a problem?

[@suzie9874]

Well i am lost like always. Wehn i get to the 3:00 minute mark. I can not fill with transparency. As that is not an option for me

[@YeahmynameKiara]

with all these layers that we have to make can we move the neon words that we are making around? I am illustrating the background for my project and was just wondering if that would be possible.

[@Franku40keks]

You can always create a new image to a new tab with the neon sign only, and paste that into your project. Hide the bacground and use the "copy visible" option, then paste as new image.

[@gower1973]

I think it would of been better to use an oval gradient that was blurred to give the light cast on to the wall a more realistic falloff

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Agree to disagree - each letter is shaped differently, and thus would have varying amounts of glow. Just my opinion.

[@AG-ur1lj]

@@DaviesMediaDesignit’s photo editing. I can’t think of anything less helpful than some option that a person ‘thinks’ _would have_ been a better way. I’ve spent many more hours in GIMP than I ever intended to spend and I have yet to find the “makes it look how you think it will look“ tool

[@pedrodomingues6122]

Create new layer it just goes black what could be happening?

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Instead of being filled in with transparency, the layer is being filled with your background or foreground color (which is set to black). When you click the "New Layer" icon, go to the bottom of the panel and click the dropdown that says "Fill with:" and choose "Transparency."

[@bapplesauce2417]

when i create a new layer it all will go black

[@SpockJenkins-ux1il]

Hate to say it...but really not a great guide...I had to watch way too many times and not get anywhere.. FAIL