How to Create Text Images Using Gimp and Microsoft Powerpoint 2007

Introduction

Gimp is a free image editing software. Personally, this program is more user-friendly that Adobe Photoshop. It is also easy to use so you don't need to be an expert designer to follow this tutorial.

Microsoft Powerpoint 2007 is mainly used here to achieve the mirror effect, the gradient tool, and outlining styles that are hard to achieve using Gimp alone. I'm talking about laziness. :)

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Gimp Logo

Source: Inkscape Gallery

Tools Needed

Gimp software (download it from Gimp.org/downloads)
Microsoft Powerpoint 2007 (or higher)
Desired fonts (You can download fonts from dafont.com for free)
Gimp brushes (There is a lot on the internet. Google it!)

Tutorial

Let's start with Microsoft Powerpoint 2007.

Open your Powerpoint.
Go to Insert --> WordArt --> Select the style you want.
Type the text and change the font as desired.
Edit the text. Fill the text with the desired color. Go to Drawing Tools/Format --> Text Fill and fill the text with Gradient, Picture, Texture, or just a plain color. You can also change the Text Outline color and add some text effect.

Here's what I did to mine.

Now, let's move the work to Gimp.

Open your installed Gimp software.
Create a new canvass. Go to File --> New
Determine the width and height of your work or poster. For this tutorial I used 600x400.
Go back Powerpoint. Copy your WordArt and paste it Gimp. You can click the WordArt and copy it using CTRL+C shortcut and paste it in Gimp using CTRL+V.
On the Layers, Channels, Paths... window. Right click on the Pasted Layer and select New Layer.
Resize the text. Right click on the Pasted Layer and select Scale. A new window will appear. Adjust the text art accordingly.

Tools window is on the left. Layers, channels,... window is on the right.

Add enhancements or decorations to your text. In this tutorial, I did some effect and paints.
To add a glowing effect. Duplicate the Pasted Layer or the text image. You can do this by right clicking that layer and select Duplicate Layer.
Select the bottom layer then then go to Filters --> Blur --> Gaussian Blur. A new window will appear. Click OK.
Duplicate the blurred layer once again to achieve an emphatic glow effect.
Duplicate the first, untouched layer then select the Mode into Burn.
To add decorations. Here's what I did: create a New Layer. Right click on the Layers, Channels,... --> New Layer.
Select the Paintbrush Tool on the Tool window. Look for desired brushes and color. Apply as desired on the canvass.
You can play with the Mode tool in the Layers, Channels,... window. Be sure to paint on duplicate layers to achieve a desired effect.
Save your work into png, jpeg, or gif.