Creating Text on a Sphere with GIMP

Includes -

• Using guides, Text tool, Script-Fu drop shadow, Merging layers, Object mapping

Part 1 - Create a new square image

• Choose the color of the sphere as the Background Color

• File - New

• Set the dimensions to 250 x 250 pixels

Part 2 - The guides

• Image - Guides - New Guide (By Percent) ...

• Select Horizontal from the drop down

• Set Percent at 50%

• Use the same procedure to set a Vertical guide at 50%

Part 3 - The text

• Choose the color you want for your text as the Foreground Color

• Select the Text tool

• In the tool settings, select centered alignment

• Set the text size about 30 pixels

• Click in the image to show the text dialog

• Type the text you wish to appear on the image in the dialog box

• Select the Move tool

• Use the Guides to position your text in the center of the square

Part 3a (Optional) - Add a drop shadow to the text

• Script-Fu - Shadow - Drop Shadow

• I simply used the default settings

Part 4 - Creating the sphere

• In the Layers dialog, right click any layer, select Merge Visible Layers ...

• Select Expand As Necessary

• You should now have a single layer

• Filters - Map- Map Object

• Select the Options tab

• Select Sphere from the drop down

• Check Transparent background

• Check Enable antialiasing

Part 5 - Finishing up

• Hide the Guides

• View - Show Guides (deselect)

You can now easily Copy and Paste into another image

The parameters I used throughout this lesson are a matter of personal preference. Feel free to experiment and have fun.

If you found this lesson useful, a small dontation would be greatly appreciated.